If a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover, then a football league shouldn’t necessarily be regarded by the unfamiliar ring to it.
The Sky Bet League 1 might sound a tad unfashionable, but like the dim and distant Premier League two years before, it will still teach us some nail biting lessons that we could do without learning.
For 30 odd minutes of the second half of this game, Bristol City were punishing us for profligacy, where umpteen corners and shots at goal were not converted in an utterly dominant first half showing.
Thankfully, it doesn’t matter a jot and we rode out the storm to steal the points at the death!
Seven points from nine, a performance full of character and a top three position before Crawley come to town all make for riveting reading in an opening chapter that could barely be better written.
Matt Doherty, one of the stars of last weekend’s Gillingham drubbing, underlined his prowess as an attacking outlet to bundle home the winner with minutes remaining, just when things were getting hairy.
As dominant as our display was seven days ago, our first half showing at Ashton Gate was as equally impressive, if not half as ruthless as the week before.
A Sako trademark free kick was all we had to show for being camped in the home team’s half all game and like the previous leagues we’ve been tumbling through, we were bitten on the backside as a result.
Defensive dallying gave Baldock a route towards goal and when he squared to Emmanuel-Thomas to equalise, our backs were against the wall.
But just as we were contemplating a possible five points from three, Matt Doherty pounced to turn a solid start into a great one.
To quote our increasingly lovable manager who deserves credit for his late substitutions: “We are very pleased with seven points from three games but I only judge the Sky Bet League One after 10.”
Bring on Crawley, confidence is building the Jackett Juniors will romp this league……………I hope 🙂
Great result, BUT why is Stearman playing he’s a liability he was in the Premier, the Championship and now League One he was at fault for the goal. While he’s playing we will concede goals this is my only criticism of Jackett why he carnt see that Stearman makes to many mistakes dives in, poor jugement poor positioning the bloke is useless. We got away with it yesterday but we won’t always it’s the only blott in my option on Jacketts card at the moment, please Kenny lose Stearman because believe me he will cost us points he hasn’t so far but he will the blokes a liability, mark my words all.
exactly… stearman is proving that he is useless even at this level …
Good point, but I don’t think it’d make sense to move him on until we have another experienced head to replace him with. If Jackett’s happy with his attitude and leadership as part of the squad, I’d bow to his man management skills here, as he seems to be rather good at that – which makes a nice change after Clipboard, Stale and Deano! 🙂
If Stearman goes (or gets put on the bench for most matches) I wouldn’t want it to be until the team is stronger without him. Now, maybe Margreitter would better than Stears if we gave him a chance, I don’t know – but I wouldn’t say big George is.
Oh, and you could update your name to read ’26 minutes’ if you wanted, which is another step in the right direction!
I think that win showed that amongst the energy and flair of the youth , we have somehow acquired character . Not to fold after an undeserved equaliser , and to fight back for all 3 points was excellent . Well done kenny , well done wolves , well done amazing away fans . I think we will be playing that shite from down the road next season . U TW
Fantastic three points lads lets keep it going,it can only get better. UTW.
PS Baggies fans moaning already,Ha,Ha.
Thanks for the very quick write up Ben, I assume you must have been on the road home?
I listened live on Wolves Player and have to agree with your comments. It seemed as if we dominated the 1st half and should have capitalized more.
But to show that resolve to overcome the against play goal at the death, is something that never would have happened last season. In fact it would have been the catalyst for laying down and giving the game away.
A promising start from a still emerging and galvanizing team.
I hope their is lots more fight and grit to come.
It is what is needed in these lower leagues.
Pity Griffiths didn’t bag one to keep his confidence up, but I am sure he will not be deterred.
Onwards and Upwards, Come on Wanderers, Come on Wanderers.
Afraid not US. I just listened on the radio, biting my nails in the last 5 minutes plus 4mins injury time (FOUR!!) I would have conjured a more eloquent ending to the report to tie in with the intro but wanted to get something live, so I sacrificed it for a Kenny quote. I’m increasingly finding that Kenny quotes are as uplifting as 3pts anyway. We’ve been starved of common sense as well as wins for too long!
Agree Ben, the bloke is a breath of fresh air compared to the previous managers, does not talk a load of bo……..cks and is getting the team and whole club acting how wolves should be.
Early days I know but to date looking very promising.
come on me babies
I am far more enjoying listening to Kenny Jackett and not cringing as the case seemed to be so often under Deano, He has his head firmly on his shoulders and can answer a question without reverting to too many football cliches or employing the loveable cheeky chappy mode.
He comes across as a figure of seniority which I feel will bring these lads on to their best, which I think is yet to come.
We got what many wanted. The Premadonnas have been exciled, the youth are through the ranks and with some smart senior signings, all appears to be good. Its actually nice to be a Wolves fan again after 2-3 years of hurt and pain.
Wanderers will never die, We’ll keep the Gold Flag flying high!
Well done the lads after a nail biting game . keep up the good
Work. 🙂
Another superb result, We showed resolve when it mattered and most importantly came away with three excellent points away from home. For the first time in what seems like years we’ve finally got our bite back, And a set of players that seem proud to play Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Crawley Town next week and without getting carried away I’d be somewhat surprised if we didn’t pick up another three points, That said we’re three games in and nothing’s decided at this stage but we’re looking good thus far.
We are and always will be the Black Country’s biggest club and watching them lot down the road lose against Southampton had iced the cake on what was an excellent Saturday for all those associated with our fine club.
Apart from a brief spell in the second half a good performance against a side expected to be towards the top of the table. I doubted wether KJ could bring leadership of the right character and football of the right quality but he is proving me wrong. Long may it continue.
Saaaakooooo! Saaakoooo! Saaaakooo! What a player he is.
Today showed us how reliant we are on the craft of Sako and Doyle. The big worry for me is they’ll be sold and won’t be properly replaced. Might be a bit of a false dawn.
Anyhoo, good fightback against adversity.
I agree with you Timberwolf.
We will have a better idea after 10 games.
The key to our team seems to be Sako.
How will ‘Kay-Jay’ deal with this?
Also Doyle seems to be showing his guile, how will he be replaced?
Interesting times and another Sunday to savour a victory.
Can we make it three wins on the trot?
Very impressed by both Baath and Doherty.
What a cracking result,the kids did good.
Bring on Crawley and send `em creeping off home.
One of my fave movies is “Taking Care Of Business” starring James Belushi, and the best line from it, and most other movies, is when he looks in the mirror as he is all dressed up in a white suit, and says:
“Fuckin’ A”
That is how I felt today, after a wonderful result, and the shit from sandwell losing as well,
“FUCKIN’ A”
Just puts you in a great mood, and bollocks to everything else, a Wolves win just does that to you, don’t it??
An unbelievable first half, with such fluent football and such domination it was a joy to watch. Lost count of the number of corners we had in this first half, a dozen or more.
We went a bit wayward during the second half but credit to the lads, they held firm with Danny Batth majestic at the heart of defence, to get a deserved winner.
Can I dare to dream after just three league games?
Come on me babbies……….
Left it ’til late but – well done Wolves once again! This is making a nice change isn’t it?? 😀
3 points for us and 2 for me.
Sc*mbaggies lost as well.
Today was a good day.
Gotta keep Doyle & Sako – C’mon Me Babbies!
Another great result and some superb performances all round.
Obvious concerns about Doyle and Sakos departure and the fact that we are still playing that pillock stearman. why> he is useless even at this level.
Jackett has been pretty good at diagnosing problem players, I cant imagine it’s long before stearman gets sent packing too.
however still a great start over all.
You must have been watching a different game to the one I was mate.
Stearman was rock solid in the first half and was no worse than the others in the second when we started to panic.
It’s been a long time since the words “Wolves” and “two wins in a row” have been used in the same sentence, and it feels damn good! Make it three lads!
Go Wolves!
not really. Just 4 months ago i remember
Bloody Hell !
Not three games into the new season and we’ve already conceded a goal.
What the hell is going on ? Sack Morgan, sack Moxey, sack Jackett !
Wait.
Whats that ? Third place ? Unbeaten ? Oh…ok, bloody brilliant.
What ? Me, fickle….?
Looking forward the Crawley my first game and weekend off booked some time off as well to spend with little girl who starts school Sept, trying to get her to wear her Wolves top, my be if I sowed peperpig on it she might wear it, women
bloody teenagers ! promise her some money … its a woman thing
A WORK IN (GOOD) PROGRESS
I am quite getting to enjoy my trips to Ashton Gate.
Last season was a cracker and our best performance by a mile.
Yesterday was also a cracker – and the first half was the best that I have seen Wolves play in years.
Quick, incisive football. Passes to feet, players moving off the ball. Davis and Evans bossing midfield with skill and creativity. The wingers winging and the full backs pushing forward with purpose and intent. Doyle was busy and Griffiths looked threatening (well he always does doesn’t he).
Batth and Stearman were rocks in defence and the only thing that Ikeme really did was provide eye candy for the present Mrs DG’er. (Which he did, so she assures me, with consummate skill).
The only slight worry was that we were not converting the dominance into goals. Half chances were being made and not tucked away.
Sako’s goal was a belter. I had my video camera with me and Martin, who was standing next to me said “It’s on his left foot, he’s going to score”.
And me, having ultimate trust in Martin, duly recorded the goal for posterity.
After half time we all waited for the floodgates to open. Unfortunately the heavens did instead and we started to get sloppy. Passes were falling short and Bristol suddenly realised that they had a goal to shoot at as well.
Being up the other end of the pitch and not having the best of views I didn’t see that it was Stearman who made the error which led to their equaliser, I thought it was Ricketts; but people make mistakes – look at Joe Hart in midweek – I still think that Stearman and Batth are the centre back partnership we should stick with.
The fact that we showed the character, and skill, to fight back from that speaks volumes about the new found belief in the squad and the influence of ‘King’ Kenny Jackett.
Ikeme made a wonder double save and Doherty scored the winner before Cassidy missed the sort of chance that Geoff Boycott’s mum would have tucked away.
Then the final whistle blew and I was in the middle of a couple of thousand delirious fans singing “Kenny Jackett’s Barmy Army”.
It was great to see the whole team come over to the away end and acknowledge the brilliant support they had received throughout the entire 94 minutes. And it looked as though they really appreciated it, they were not just going through the motions.
What a difference a new broom makes.
Minus points? Only a couple. We need to convert our chances. We need to get the ball to Griffith’s feet more often – or buy a big target man he can feed off.
We need to concentrate for the full 90+ minutes.
Plus points? Almost everything else. Good team shape. Good team spirit. Good effort. Good skill. Good manager. Good support.
I predicted 2-0 to the Wolves. Martin had 4-1. Mrs DOOGooder said 2-1.
When we came out of the ground she said “Does that mean I get two points?”
I explained to her that it’s a bit like the lottery. You have to enter the competition to win it.
But nevertheless, pretty good for a girl.
And she knows the offside law as well!
the girl done good….bit like a pair of lucky pants 🙂
Delighted with the win & feel much happier with 7 points under our belt!
Plus I predicted a correct result!! I’ll extend my congrats to Mrs DOOGooder for her result & for helping kill the myth about us females & the offside rule!
Starting to be impressed with Jacket, he talks common sense not total crap. Just hope it continues & he doesn’t start listening to Moxey!
Lets make it 3 out of 3 with Crawley.
Well done Border Wolf!
I managed to get a bit of video footage which is now on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyMoMOAUd9E&feature=youtu.be
It’s a bit of a muddle but I did get the Sako goal.
It was quite interesting to see how much Bakary was enjoying the fans response to the team’s efforts. Reckon he might hang around for a while?
Enjoy, fellow Wolves fans.
Let’s hope it’s the start of the long climb back.
One more thing.
I might sound like a typical supporter but the referee did us no favours all afternoon.
Great Footage DOOG!
You don’t get emotion like that from official coverage.
God, I miss it so much.
Bet you and the present Mrs. DOOGooder had a great day.
The last couple of times I was back in the UK and took in some games, was during our slide from grace, and Molineux was not a pleasant place to be, especially with my two young boys in tow.
I always enjoyed away games.
Onwards and Upwards.
Great Footage DOOG!
You don’t get emotion like that from official coverage.
God, I miss it so much.
Bet you and the present Mrs. DOOGooder had a great day.
The last couple of times I was back in the UK and took in some games, was during our slide from grace, and Molineux was not a pleasant place to be, especially with my two young boys in tow.
I always enjoyed away games.
Onwards and Upwards.
Cheers US Wolf!
We did have a great time.
And we had a very convivial evening with Martin and his good lady, Kay, back at ‘Chez DOOG’.
We sank a few bottles of Yellow Tail between us and I’m pretty sure that the world was put to rights by the time we called it a day.
Great stuff bloggers getting together.
I remember your piece about meeting Martin at the Park Hotel last season.
Nice that you two have hooked up again.
I’m sure you picked a good team for next week and discussed the behind the scenes hierarchy, who must be pretty pleased with themselves so far.
I had a couple of celebratory drinks with my friend Jack Daniels last night. Between us we also relished the winning feeling and engaged in lively debate about the beautiful game.
Discussions primarily centering around the hidden pleasures of the lower leagues, and the Gold paved streets of the EPL.
Don’t think we truly managed to agree on what is more enjoyable.
What we did agree on was winning is way better than loosing, whatever level you are playing at.
If you go to any more games, please be sure to take your video camera.
Just to add to DOOGooder’s account of yesterday’s game, these are my views on our players and marks for each.
IKEME. Generally solid enough, one extraordinary save in second half helping to secure the win. 7/10
DOHERTY. Impressive throughout, together with the winning goal probably secures him MOTM. 9/10
STEARMAN. OK performance. 7/10
BATTH. Stature grows with every game. Very impressive. 8/10
RICKETTS. NEat and tidy in possession. Important cog, going forward in particular. Worrying amount of attacks down his flank second half but not necessarily his fault. 7/10
ISMAIL. Surprised and delighted how comfortable he looked at this level, as did all the youngsters. Very promising. 7/10
DAVIES. Solid and strong, good effort. 7/10
EVANS. May have been pipped to MOTM this time but well be the man of the season come next May. This man is to the manor born, this is where he belongs. influential in breaking down attacks and skilful going forward with some raking diagonal balls. Strength and power belying his age with plenty of mobility. This guy has got attitude, he just loves every second. A winner and a wonderful signing. 9/10
SAKO. Good effort. Wonderful free kick goal, generally a threat going forward and no little amount of defensive effort. 8/10
DOYLE. Typical Doyle performance. Huge in effort and nuisance value with no goals or assists. Decent. 7/10
GRIFFITHS. Tried hard but very little impact. May find home games where he will thrive. 6/10
Subs.
SIGARDURSON. Tried hard with little impact. 6/10
CASSIDY. Replaced Griffiths for a more direct approach. Should have scored after an audacious chip over the keeper. Good squad member. 6/10
MACDONALD. Didn’t get long enough for any real appraisal. Surprisingly tall and lanky for a central midfield player but highly rated. May need a power player along side him. Should be good addition to squad. 6/10
I’m glad we were watching the same game Martin!
Being a spectator at a football match is a very subjective thing but I think you’ve got it pretty much spot on there.
I might have given Davis 8/10 – but what’s a point between supporters of the men in lavender?
Do we have to play in that pussy purple every away match?
What happened to the old gold and black?
I might be getting on in years but I can still distinguish clearly between red with white shorts and old gold with black shorts.
Still if it means not losing on the road, then I’m all for it, and while we are at it, lets make the upper “management team” wear something girlie as well, like a tutu or mini skirt.
greasel in ballet tights, that would be worth seeing, if only to hear the derisive laughter drown out the sound of his “spinning”
Happy days.
Y’all will be pleased to know that match of the day has finally made it over here, and the first programme actually had big ears lineker giving a brief intro.
The 2 hour session had some tart presenting, with that never to be forgotten superstar ex player, Robbie Mustow, analyzing all the premier games from Saturday.
Thank god for the fast forward button!!
Robbie Mustow?! The barrel has been well and truly scraped.
Last time I found a US feed they had Warren Barton as their resident soccer guru. He had them mesmerised with his insights about how to head the ball. Fascinating.
Still, better than nothing I suppose?
Fully agreed on the away kit too, I might steal that idea for a blog later in the week.
Almost the perfect Saturday, got into the car and 5 live said we had scored a second at Bristol, and wba had conceded a penalty in the last minute. Joy upon joy.
I said I would n`t buy a season ticket but my resolve is weakening with the results, performances and sheer pleasure of seeing our young team doing what mad mick would n`t let them and didn`t think they could.
I see Ward had a reasonable game against the blues, everybody knows they don`t play with wingers, and Redmond has gone to Norwich. Wait until a speedy winger gets at him,
and let the complaints start, good riddance to another of mad micks mistakes.
A snippet taken from the the pen of Bill Howell’s match verdict, but one I thought I would copy and paste here:
“David Icke used to immerse himself in it, shell-suited head to foot.
Danny Glover was in a Steven Spielberg film of it.
Mini pop-star Prince made an album out of it. Jimi Hendrix sang about it.
Roman Emperors, Roman Catholic bishops. George VI and Elizabeth II… Royalty and piety.
A deep rich shade between crimson and violet.
Purple. From the Old English word purpul, which derives from the Latin purpura. A dye from the mucus secreted by the spiny dye-murex sea snail.
Suffragettes and anti-apartheid protesters. Grapes, eggplants and pansies. Mountains in China and Ireland. Take it or leave it but ignore purple at your peril”
Heaven knows why Wolves wore their second kit at Ashton Gate, but do I care? Not one iota.
If winning away games and securing a precious three points whilst wearing “purple” I do not care at all.
That said, I still do not understand why?
UTW.
Purple haze all in my brain,
Lately things just don’t seem the same
Acting funny, but I don’t know why,
‘Scuse me while I kiss the sky.
Jimi Hendrix 1967
“Fuck Off West Brom”
All Wolves fans 1965…………………………………………
Except this one, foul mouth.
” Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, We’ll support you evermore”
First sung by the Wolves supporters at Boothferry Park, Hull October 1966.
Accentuate the positive!
Ignore the man below me mate – swearing at matches, especially the liquidator is part of the rules!!! I loved it when they played it at Morcambe. My mate was with me (A Preston fan I add) and he thought it dead funny!!
KP has proved time and again how much better he is than all of us, his place in heaven, with all the other boring supercilious pricks, is guaranteed.
However, as you say, swearing and letting off steam at football matches after working hard all week has always been the pressure release for the vast majority of us.
No one is forced to go to matches, to endure the foul mouths, and no one is forced to read this blog.
And once again, let us remember our manners and our less well off neighbors from sandwell town reserves, and wish them all a happy Fuck Off W… B…
I meant Kevin Porter!!! lol
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2217852/Unlucky-love-Men-wear-purple-help-attract-partner.html
May have a bath before the Port Vale game
Wish I’d known all this at 16.
I must admit I prefer the lilac to whatever that dark green/blue colour was supposed to be.
But I hate seeing clubs play in non-traditional colours. What a farce Cardiff-Nott’m For was last year the hosts in red, the visitors in blue. Were I a Cardiff fan I’d be sporting a blue shirt and a Bluebirds scarf for evermore. I love my Wolves shirt with the City Crest on it, so much more dignified than the pathetic “souvenir-friendly” commercial marketing-committee-decision kindergarden Wolf Head.
Stuff the marketing opportunities of two new kits every year, stuff the advertising on shirts.
One shirt every three years, no adverts allowed and a plain white (or black, where white continues the clash) shirts with club crest as a clash strip for every club and only worn when the referee deems it necessary.
Kick commercialism out of football. No more playing in clown’s outfits.
Fine sentiments Kevin mate, but unfortunately Pandora’s box is open and it’s too late to stop the consequences!
A white or black shirt for every club for clashes? Don’t like that idea!
And bring back the brown ball, and hobnail boots where you hit the studs in with a hammer, and caps for goalies, and the magic sponge, and no substitutes and no names on shirts, and no seats in most of the grounds and 55,000 plus at all stadiums and crush barriers and darts and sharpened pennies (the old kind) and rampant hooliganism and only two traps in the North Bank bog, and while we are at it lets do away with nets and really regress.
For your info, the “souvenir-friendly” commercial marketing-committee-decision kindergarden Wolf Head has been around, unchanged, for approx. 30 years, so that is one of your comments in the shitter, and what is so dignified about the city crest?
Maybe you are too cheap to invest in a new one, and help support the club you supposedly love by financial means???
I suggest you get off your soapbox and give your arse a chance.