Wolves Blog regulars Andrewwfc and Super Kev Doyle tootled along to Parkhead last night to take in Wolves’ pre-season friendly with Celtic. A big thanks to them both for being kind enough to contribute this fine account (Andrewwfc words, SKD pictures I believe).
Pre-season friendlies are generally pretty low key affairs. Designed to get a bit of match practice in before the big kick-off, whilst desperately trying to avoid injury to key players, the result is usually a less than engaging prolonged training session.
Even before kick-off you got the sense this game might be slightly different. For a start, we were playing a Celtic team who had already begun their domestic campaign.
The Wolves support was impressive, selling-out our allocation of tickets. And any doubt was swiftly removed by a crunching Thomas Rogne tackle on Big George after just ten minutes; this was going to have a bit more bite than a typical pre-season game.
Mick McCarthy had acknowledged as much in his pre-match interview, stating “Celtic is the one that everyone wants to play in, that’s for sure…the one the players are all excited about”. As such, his team selection was intriguing:
—————Hennessey——————–
Stearman—Johnson—Berra—Elokobi
Kightly—–O’Hara—–Henry—–Hunt
————-Doyle——Fletcher————-
Although a 4-4-2 on paper, in attack Kightly tended to drift more in-field to play in the hole behind Fletcher and Doyle, with Fletcher moving further to the vacant right flank. This resulted in a 4-3-1-2 with Henry lying deeper, O’Hara directing the play from midfield, Hunt adding width and Kightly linking up play with the two forwards.
With the possible exception of the injured Jarvis, who’d be surprised to see a vastly different starting XI at Blackburn?
Wolves started brightly, with Doyle and O’Hara linking well. Doyle in particular looked lively, harassing defenders and chasing loose passes with his usual enthusiasm.
The opener came after a swift passing move involving Doyle, O’Hara and Kightly, a promising combination throughout the first-half. Hunt was played through only to be brought down and O’Hara duly despatched the resulting free-kick with pinpoint accuracy.
As if to underline the more competitive nature of this friendly, Wolves first changes came on the hour mark, with Ward and Hammill replacing Fletcher and Hunt and Wolves’ second swiftly followed. Ward latched onto a Doyle through ball, beat his man and sent in a low, fizzing cross which was accidentally bundled in at the back post by Celtic’s Twardzik.
The last fifteen minutes or so ebbed away with the usual multitude of substitutions, although Hennessey also deserves a mention for an assured performance with two fantastic close- range reaction saves.
In general, this was a very promising prelude to the new season, with the occasional cause for concern. With the exception of Johnson, who looked every inch the solid signing we hope he’ll prove, question marks remain over the rest of the defence.
Berra gave away the usual string of needless fouls, and Stearman isn’t a full back. He’s just not. Elokobi, whilst appearing surprisingly comfortable on the ball and making some encouraging foraging runs, still got skinned one too many times by Celtic’s right winger.
However, as stated earlier, you can’t read too much into a preseason friendly. With two goals, none conceded and, probably most importantly, no injuries, there was much to be pleased about at Celtic Park.
*Two unrelated notes:
1. Three rows in front of us sat a group containing, if the elated fan sat next to me is to be believed, Jamie O’Hara’s better half. She definitely got a warm reception from the crowd!
2. There was nothing “friendly” about walking away from Celtic Park in a Wolves shirt. Just glad I don’t speak Scottish…
Thanks again guys, really top drawer analysis (and pictures).
What interests me most is the idea of Kightly drifting inside and swapping passes with the likes of O’Hara, Doyle and Fletcher. All four of these players are good enough and intelligent enough to play this type of slick, pass-and-move system.
What this should also do is ensure the midfield becomes more compact, which I think is a good thing from a defensive view point.
Like you Andrew, I’m no great fan of Stearman at full-back, particularly when we’ve got two more than adequate ones sitting on the sidelines. Personally, I’d like to see Zubar in there.
I reckon Jarvis is going to have to settle for a place on the bench at Blackburn, which seems balmy but Hunt and Kightly look like they’re the front two on the grid.
Still, it’s no bad thing having the likes of Jarvis and indeed Hammill waiting in the wings.
And I’d add to that Ward. He really impressed me in his 20 minute run out last night. He played behind the front two, taking up wide positions high up the pitch. He looked full of confidence, running at the their full backs on both sides of the pitch and three times getting to the bye-line before cutting balls back across goal, one of which led to the OG.
Jarvis on the bench: seems balmy.
But a winger who can’t cross in the starting XI? That’s barmy.
I knew you’d see the light Thomas 😉
I’m sorry, but I’m not buying this ‘Jarvis can’t cross’ bollocks!
Its almost as old as ‘Keogh is a great worker and brings the best out of Kightly.’
It’s a shame that stigmas stick forever, particularly when he’s one of our own.
Off the top of my head: Norwich home in 09, crossing ALL THREE of SEB’s goals. Ipswich away in 08 crossing for SEB.
Last season alone: Villa home – goal! Spurs home for Fletcher; Bolton home (crossed for both goals in 3-2 defeat); Man Utd home for Elokobi goal; Man City away for Milijas. 1st half goal
My memory fails me for the season before when he probably had more assists through crosses.
To say Jarvis can’t cross is just false. To say he’s the best crosser in the world is also false.
But give him some bloody credit for immeasurably improving his final ball from the days of 07/08.
I agree Ben, Jarvis has two great crosses in him – the left footed dink to the back post from the byline – which Fletch scored from a few time last season – and the dangerous right footed cross from the left, which curls towards the goal and bounces around the 6 yard box – probably one of the hardest crosses to defend and he seems to pull one or two out most games.
When Jarvis becomes more greedy and learns how to shoot he’ll be unstoppable!
Cheers Putney. Just remembered another…Forest at home with one of the most intelligent, perfectly weighted crosses to BCI to make it 4-0. My favourite Wolves goal of all time.
Give or take one or two of Bully’s!
Not sure its a case of whether or not he can cross but perhaps the consistency of his crossing. I think people can see there is room for improvement in the % of good crosses he puts in.
Nobody can get crosses right 100% of the time, not even Beckham. Of course, there’s often four defenders to two strikers to aim at, in Wolves’ case often just one. Jarvis has improved a lot, but not every cross will reach its man.
Ben, better than SEB at Charlton?
Hi Rich. For what the goal meant to me, definitely. The BCI goal was the 1 that defined that whole season and made me think ‘wow’, we could bloody piss this league! At the moment Chris feasted on that cross like a ravanous beast, snorting the ball home, it all felt perfect
That Jarvis to Iwelumo goal against Forest was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had as a Wolves fan – just the realisation, even at such an early point in the season, that (relatively speaking) we were absolutely brilliant.
And that rare feeling – that I’ve probably only felt 3/4 times ever – that you just KNEW wed score, seconds before we did. Like a big orgasm. Possibly Kennedy in the cup to Newcastle and bully v blues evoked that feeling. Priceless! Oh and fletcher v WBA
And wasnt the volleyed inch perfect pass to release jarvis made by the crab??
I think Jarvis will start the season at right midfield, with hunt on the left. The reason he didn’t play was because of a groin injury and is out for around a week.
Nice review guys. As you & Thomas have already highlighted, other than Johnson, I’m still not sure about the defence. Strange not to see Zubar get a start.
O’Hara’s better half definitely wasn’t sat a few rows in-front – she was at the hospital looking after their prematurely born baby last night (according to her twitter feed)
Thanks for the kind words Simon. As with you I’d prefer to see Zubar as the number 1 right back next season. I think he’s stronger, more athletic and more comfortable on the ball than either Foley or Stearman. If he could just cut out the occasional lapses in concentration in he’d be a top class full back. To qualify the comment about Stearman, although he looks worryingly uncomfortable at full back I think he’s a promising centre back and would be guttted if he left, as the link below might suggest.
A clean sheet…..?
Can we bottle that please?
Great review.
Brilliant review and pictures. I was listening to WM, who made me chuckle at the final whistle. They said they would be speaking to Mick in a matter of minutes. 10 minutes later they played The Kinks ‘Tired of Waiting.’
Well, it made me chuckle!
I didn’t get the Stearman right back role either, and think we are a left back away from having a very competent team.
Kightly always looked destined for that kind of role IMO. Remember Sheffield United away? (starring BCI brace).
Kites was chief tormentor in that role for our second, if not third as well. If only he can get back to his 08 vintage (cue Stourbridge Wolf pulling hair out!!)
Looks like Berra and RJ are the chosen ones at the back. I don’t have a problem with this if they are gelling and forming a genine partnership – something the centre of our defence never had last season
Mixture of encouraging and worrying signs here. The link up play up top, Johnson’s performance and Hennessey’s reactions being the positives, it’s the other 3 defenders that have got me squirming.
Read this report earlier: http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/jewell_eyes_premiership_defender_1_977296
Surely we don’t have so much confidence in Berra we’d let Stears go for less than £1m? that’s gotta be paper poppycock, otherwise it’s lunacy.
I agree, total bollocks.
Stearman should be alongside Johnson, learning as he goes, with Zoobs at right back and of course, a new left back.
Berra is and always has been a crap liability.
And the aforementioned article couldn’t even be bothered to get a picture of Stearman in a Wolves shirt, but that’a probably coz he’s only been with us for about 3 years!!!
Get the defence sorted, McMuppet, and we’ll be OK.
How Foley’s not automatic choice at right back I’ll never know. Who did they have right wing, a big bloke. Stearman is certainly third choice right back.
ps great quality blog.
Nice to see you guys at Celtic Park last night. Big Mick is a one time player here and always popular. As a Celtic fan I’m a bit miffed that Lennon chose to make 11 changes from the Celtic team which started the SPL compaign at Hibs last week. I know its about fitness but when you charge people money in these difficult financial times, you should at least play some of the regulars? A virtual reserve team with a couple of trialists isn’t going to please the paying public. That poor South African lad up front in the first half looked lost. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the trip and wish you good luck for the new season.
Patrick – I had a great time and found most of the Celtic fans a lot more friendly than your near neighbours who I had the ‘pleasure’ of seeing the night previous.
Despite some of the crap being peddled on some sites we didn’t disrespect the minutes’ silience but were caught out by the quick timing of the whistle.
I thought you respected the silence for the Norwegian tradgedy very well. Didn’t see or hear of any aggro at all, in fact your players were applauded off when being substituted, etc as we appreciate their talent and efforts. The East of Glasgow has always been the poorest part of town but I’m sure you noticed the huge Velodrome rising opposite Celtic Park, the Commonwealth games are here in 3 years and its a great chance to rejuvinate this part of town. Like the Midlands, the thatcher years cut the heart out of these communities and they were left to rot. The football club was their only source of pride at times. Good luck next season, it’d be nice to visit your town one day. Patrick, Glasgow.
All the best for the season ahead.
Interesting you should say that Patrick. If we had to play a friendly between Premier League games I’m not sure I’d want many first teamers to be playing for fear of injury, and you’ve got Europe too.
Fair points Rich, but they could have made it a freebie? I mean times are hard mate and my season book was £503. I’m glad you survived last year in the EPL btw because I think Wolves are still a club rooted in their community unlike Chelski or even United, who have more fans in S.E England than most local clubs. Respect and good luck to you guys next season.
Not saying I necessarily agree with it but I think Mick’s first XI is:
Hennessey
Foley-Johnson-Berra-Elokobi
Jarvis-Henry-O’Hara-Hunt
Fletcher-Doyle
Leaving reserve options of:
De Vries
Zubar-Stearman-Craddock-Ward
Kightly-Edwards-Guediora-Milijas-Hammill
SEB
I reckon away at Backburn he’ll play Ward instead of Fletcher. Scary isn’t it? Plus Zubar at RB.
Starting Ward, anywhere, is a huge backwards step………….towards the championship.
Onwards and upwards, McMuppet, not downwards.
And I just realized how many times I wrote ward in 2 sentences.
Must be love.
Getting back to the real deals,Whats this i read in the E&S tonight about
transfers unlikely-Mick.Spearing dose’t fancy it down here,Johnson gone
to leicester.what the hell is it with players NOT WANTING to come to a
premier league club something smells a bit shity down here.Also what
about Ridgewell a decent L/B going to the shit,why don’t we go in for him.
we desperately need a L/B so whats going on its a f..king shambles.
.looks like he’s keeping the L/B for wardy or Elokobi load of bollocks.
I think its just a matter of time befor McIdiot gets the boot he’s a joke.
What I find more annoying is Ward looks decent playing in the hole behind the strikers. He’s got a great touch and a few tricks too. I think he is wasted a left back, he isn’t a left back! Towards the end of last season I had confidence in him playing up front, he’s just not a left back!!
In hindsight i suppose your right,He’s a better forward player than a
defender can’t do any damage above the halfway line than below it
Still i think we have better players in the squad but i don’t pick the
team do i,then again McIdiot has close deepset eyes that gives him
narrow vision me thinks.
A very nice set of comments from our friend in Scotland, thank you very much.
I recall, as I’m sure Mark Davies will, spending all afternoon a few years ago in a pub in downtown Houston with about 100 members of the Glasgow Rangers supporters club.
They had sent the women shopping, and were intent on getting as drunk as quickly as they could.
To be fair, they were a really nice bunch of lads, mostly our age, and we took up the challenge of getting as pissed as them……….I thnk.
Great afternoon out, it prooves that you can get along with other fans anywhere, except at an actual match!!!!