Leon Clarke could yet be the unlikely benefactor of Wolves’ recent woes.
Think about it.
He was hugely successful in a Coventry side that pushed him right up top alongside a pacey, agile strike partner.
Back at Molineux, he’s has been made to operate either as the lone forward or in a deeper lying role, neither of which he’s looked even remotely comfortable with.
But with Kenny Jackett remixing the formula to stop the bleeding and employing a two man front line in the process, Clarke must sniff the unmistakable scent of opportunity.
Yesterday did him no harm, lurking at the back post to stroke home only his second goal of the season (and second winning goal in Yorkshire) with practically his first touch of the ball.
Danny Graham, the man he replaced, had already wasted a presentable chance to give Wolves the lead against the run of play in an uncomfortable first half.
Unlike recent matches though, Kenny Jackett can reflect on some good fortune and charitable profligacy from the opposition.
Stevie May was the major culprit, first cashing in on a Richard Stearman error only to round Carl Ikeme and see his tame effort blocked on the line by the retreating defender, before firing wide when clean through a second time.
Had either of those efforts found their way in, you sense Wolves may again have been picked off in the chase. Instead, the visitors started landing some blows of their own.
Rajiv van La Parra, reprieved and reinvented, blazed over when presented with an open goal before seeing a much cuter effort find the back of the net, only to be mistakenly chalked off by the linesman’s flag.
Mercifully that injustice didn’t scupper Wolves’ progress thanks to Clarke’s late strike following good work by the resurgent Kevin McDonald.
Kortney Hause can reflect on a successful debut, hot on the heels of Dominic Iorfa. Flanking the battling qualities of Batth and the bandaged Stearman, the pace and power of those two youngsters made for a good blend.
With senior players to return across the back four, how Kenny uses his young talents will be interesting to observe. In the here and now, he’ll just be basking in the glory of a long overdue cleansheet.
Struggling Brighton are in town next weekend and with Nouha Dicko possibly returning to the fold, there’s a chance that Christmas could yet be merry.
Oh! What fun it is to see The Wanderers win away!
You could well have a point about Clarke, Thomas.
It’s a bit early to be getting carried away – I think we need more than four minutes – but he has a reputation for scoring goals so he must be able to do it.
He just needs to do it for us.
Great to see a much improved team performance and a big step up in form from Super Mac in particular.
Also good to hear that the two new boys didn’t look out of place in defence.
How did they do supporting the attack?
It’s nice when Kenny takes the advice of quite a few of us bloggers and decides to play Van the Man up front.
It’s even nicer when it comes off!
Things will get better. We all agree that we need to strengthen but I think that most of us also agree that we have the bones of a decent squad and, with the right additions, could still challenge for the play offs.
Oh! Yes! Nearly forgot.
I’ve got my tickets for the Blackpool match so if anyone fancies a pre-match jar at my Parkside gaff, I’m in the chair.
See you there!
Put us down for that one. Did you get you’re drink from behind the bar after the Forest game?
Yes, cheers for that. It was the highlight of the day.
….. highlight of the day……. alongside meeting up with me before I left for home! I don’t think we discussed our performance, silence spoke volumes.
Not yet confirmed the trip v Blackpool, but I still may come. My next game is at Blackburn.
I’ll get the beer, and the pies, if you will cough up for the airfare, the hotel, the kennel for the dogs, and for the boss to go on a shopping spree up the High Street.
Oh, and get me a ticket while you are at it.
Thanks
It’s a deal.
Send the bill to
TheDOOGooder
C.O. Mr J Moxey
the Molineux
never never land.
Not sure what you mean regarding Clarke he took his goal well but the glorious pass from K Mac was such that he just had to meet it..perhaps he’s fortuitous for himself and for us.
As fantastic as it was for all of us that were crapping it towards the end regarding a traditional giveaway,my personal relief was that even for me with Clarke scoring…it made him a Saint..
With Wizi wig not showing and with Twitter to rely on I was thinking a draw was very acceptable but I agree
we just could put a run together here..
The best for me was that K Mac who must run on confidence started to boss the game in parts and IMO as I’ve said before, if we can sort the back out he can move forward and influence our play again…
VLP and more so Danny Graham who missed an absolute sitter will either make way or play with Dicko who hopefully will show how to take a chance..
Danny Batth for me still makes some terrible passes out and for all his potential has to get better at finding our guys under pressure but I think
with Lorfa and Hause getting bedded in then the second half of the season
could be now worth looking for..
I will allways see Wolves with heart in the mouth when we go ahead but if KJ reverts to clean sheeting at the back firstly,then we can’t loose,but we can then go for gold again on the break..
I wish I could of been there to see the win and I’m Facinated who this Arsenal under 21 striker is that we are looking to buy…..as they say -now your talking..
COYW
Great result with a much welcomed win, I suppose KJ must take some of the credit for the enlightened substitution, with Mc Donald’s superb ball to our much criticised forward, I for one don’t care who scores in this barren spell we’re experiencing, so lets all hope he continues to score the goals he was brought for.
I only hope we have turned the corner now and continue to get back to where we want to be with the Christmas matches coming fast and thick.
The van man continues to cause trouble with him playing up front in support of DG, he can only get better and imo and he will score us the goals we need to keep us in touch for the run in come the new year with a few additions come January if morgan and moxey release the purse strings.
I know its only one win but lets hope THERE’S MORE TO COME.UTW
Mrs BARDwolf took me shopping, something about xmas presents for the kids, bah humbug.
Got back and put on iplayer, 83 minutes and still 0-0, very nervous and Leon just coming on, the rest as they say is history!!!
COYW.
Agree with Thomas’s point about Clarke & the newish system KJ is playing, he could play a part as he did yesterday.
An unlikely hero but one that was needed after our barren spell.
For me its excellent to see the young players brought in. How else can teams like Wolves compete other than by unearthing some gems in the academy?
Its a bit galling to see how well Bamford is doing at Middleso
borough. But this league is so open, all we need to do is string some good results together & we could once more be dreaming.
Woke up this morning with a massive hangover following a great day out in Sheffield. Second half we really started to look confident and what a fine time to get the winner in front of the 1900 odd wolves contingent. Then back to city centre for MORE beer for a couple of hours before luckily boarding the correct train back to Brum then Wolvo. All in all a great day and good to get back to winning ways. My unbeaten record at Hillsborough remains in tact.
Looking forward to ..I phones
Can’t help with iphones, but I know a guy from a pub in Stafford who can get you a box of broken bottles. ( fell off the back of a lorry) boom boom….
Agree with review of Clarke… He’s a poacher. VLP is tricky and lightning… He or someone like him just needs to keep the defence busy for a goal hanger / poacher to come in and steal a goal when unmarked.
I was expecting Graham and Clarke to be the front 2 when KJ was dropping hints a few weeks ago that he was looking to switch to 2 up front.
It could well be that when Dicko returns it could be VLP and Graham to start and for the last 20-30 mins Dicko and Clarke to finish the job against tired legs.
The following game reverse the roles, then the week after mix them up with VLP and Dicko together to keep the opposition guessing.
Should have another new striker and winger in January, so again another mash up to keep the opposition on their toes.
I hope it’s only KJ that reads this blog for his tactics as we’d hate to give the game away!
I have to confess that whilst listening to it on WM when the commentator announced the Graham/Clarke switch I muttered … “that’s it we’re f@$ked”
So without hesitation I unreservedly apologise to Clarkey. … what a finish .. I give him credit for being in the right place, losing his marker and secureing a deserved win .. thanks.
Good performance all round against a dangerous team. (On a two win streak.)
Let’s get the team strengthened and have a go for the play offs…..
Tbh it was a poor first half and Wednesday targeted hause a lot he kept getting caught under ball allowing May and there winger to get in behind. Ravi was our only outlet
Second we looked more like the team that started the season. Mac took charge of possession, sako looked dangerous if missing that edge and Jacobs looked incicisive. As much as Wednesday had there chances we could have had 3 in the opening 15 of second half.
Once we scored it was always going to be back to the walls as Wednesday are team known for late goals.
Iorfa looks a very good prospect very comfy in possession and good vision to cut out trouble. Hause needs games but looked better in second half.
Favourite moment had to be the tussle for possession between drenthe and sako both fantastic flair players putting a shift in!!
Great result.
can’t comment too much as I was neither at Hillsborough or listening due to festive duties.
but as per prediction, I thought a win was due.
A surprising provider maybe, but I’ll take it all day long.
looking for some Brighton tickets tomorrow.
You would have thought Wolves had won the playoffs, rather than just ending a losing streak, but the celebrations in the West Stand at Sheffield were reminiscent of the scenes that followed Hunt’s goal to keep us up; fans were jumping up and down and many ended up on the floor due to the number standing on the stairways. No one was more pleased with Leon’s efforts than Steve Bull, sharing the terraces with his fans and obviously enjoying being one of Kenny’s barmy army for the day.
Was it a good goal or did he happen to be standing in the right place at the right time; no one cared, it was just so satisfying to be travelling home happy for the first time for a while. If you’ve not been away for a while, try and get to Watford for some real ‘old gold’ style festive spirit.
Phew! The weight of the world is lifted from our collective shoulders!
Ledbury Lupus I loved your description of the celebrations, wish I’d been there for that! Other than the Millenium Stadium, I think the most I’ve ever celebrated a goal was 4-3 Leicester, on the South Bank behind the goal, bouncing all over the place and hugging strangers!
Even more optimistic than normal given our resurgence of form, and looking forward to playing The Seagulls next – especially having lived there for 3 years! When I first got there I found it hard to warm to the local team, given that they play in blue and white stripes and are called the a****n. Despite this handicap, they won a place in my affection for the way they supported us against the players who relegated us with barely a whimper. We were so loud that day the home fans sang ‘you’ve let your fans down’ before applauding us out of the ground. A nice gesture that ever so slightly took the edge off a terrible afternoon.
Anyway, all that aside, I fancy us to kick on and get 2 on the bounce next time out. Come on me babbies!
Excellent news, and I’m particularly excited to see that the two youngsters in defence are getting more chances and helping us get a clean sheet!
Good 3 points, another 3 on Sat. and we will be ready for Watford on Boxing day, a draw would be okay i think.
Sleachy… You may have started something here regards celebrations by the fans… I have to say my most memorable one was against brum with most of the goals coming in the last few mins (I think 2 were in injury time if memory serves me right), we were ecstatic at a draw but when the winner went in I ended up 2 rows back and not sure where the then Mrs bogged off to).
It was an absolute dire game right up to that point and proved that fans should never leave too early.
The celebrations at the Millennium were great, as we were with so many like minded fans… but as 3-0 winners the celebrations were half expected.
When you come from behind to get something from nothing, that’s when you go overboard. The look on everyone’s face of a mixture of disbelief, relief and so many other emotions in one shot is what makes all the hurt worth it.
I remember that one! Broke my dad’s glasses and cut my hand. And this was in the Billy Quiet!! Bully put the winner in after the kevin francis won a penner for tripping himself up after a complete air-kick at the ball. Those were generally dark times though.
Bullys header against notlob in the Playoffs is another one that was warmly received. I was in the old family enclosure, John Ireland lower, Northbank end, and remember absolute elation.
After the third goal at the Millennium my cousin decided he wanted to hug me, and jumped over his 2 brother who were stood between us. The 4 of us ended up in a heap on the floor laughing and cheering!
And it were Ledbury wot started it, not me!
Strange morning in Chesterfield, all the Blades fans were patting me on the back and saying nice one by your lads on Saturday. The Owls fans at work have been avoiding me, and those who I bumped into were complaining about their strikers and missed chances, mmm now where have I heard that one recently.
I was driving up the M1 after watching my lad play and I was so pleased he was substituted with 10 minutes left as I was bloody well freezing, so I heard Clarkey had scored with 5 minutes to go. Had confirmation at 5pm with the final scores, don’t care about the good or bad luck involved, 3 points and a win is exactly what was needed. Only how many points off the playoff places – this division is stark raving……
A really valuable and welcome 3 points away from home. Hung in there and nicked it at the end. Three big ones.
A good well-timed win. I think that Van the Man should keep his place in the team along with Iorfa.
Remember, we did better in the second half of last season too. We can be a bit more optimistic now.
Glad we stopped the rot.
Let’s get another 3 points against ‘Right-on’ ‘Bright-on’ !
Definitely felt great to win again (finally) and to bag 3 points to stop the slide. Will definitely go some way to restore confidence and hopefully start getting some better results again.
Cannot agree about Leon Clarke though, sorry. He’s not good enough for our needs and just because he got a lucky tap in, that doesn’t change anything. I hope we don’t all rue this goal come January when the Molineux execs turn this into a “Leon Clarke is good enough so we don’t need to spend on a better striker” excuse.
Bring on Brighton.
Go Wolves!!!
Leeds 7 points below us, Forest level on points (albeit a better goal difference) and Blackburn 1 point ahead of us.
Embargo imposed on all of these clubs, unable to try and improve in the Jan window and if they do go up, they could get hit with a ridiculous fine.
So even though we have missed targets for whatever reasons…. Right now I bet these 3 clubs would love to be in our position.
Splashing the cash ain’t all it’s cracked up to be… (Still would have liked a striker in the summer though).
A win is a win however it’s earned, like Kenny said last week “it doesn’t matter the injustice in the sending offs, for ever and a day it will show Wolves were beaten by Bournemouth”. So the win at Sheffield will show we did beat them. IMO we beat them well despite their players crowing about all their mossed chances. Let’s be very clear here and I’m sure Cheeseburger and Ledbury will confirm, if RVLP, Danny Graham, Super Mac And Danny Bhatt had stuck their chances away (gilt edge chances at that) it would have been a cricket score.
Super Mac is back at his best, RVLP was sending them round in circles and the two newbees were growing as the game went on. Yes, they did target Hause straight away and for 10-20 mins it was hairy to say the least, but Bhatt and Stears covered them brilliantly and kept the defence tight. Later in the game Hause was feeding Sako and Iorfa was feeding RVLP and the ball was being sent from corner to corner splitting Sheffield apart as we did so successfully last season.
The celebrations were great after Clarkes goal went in. A run of defeats was halted and we were fighting again, the legs didn’t look heavy and Stears & Bhatt got a good kicking in more than one way.
Leon’s goal……
Regular bloggers know I’m not his biggest fan but as Thomas eluded to, look at Leeds and again yesterday, two up front and he’s happier. I don’t rate him but I don’t give a chuff who scores, we were booing his entrance on to the pitch then 30 seconds later he was “Wanderers No 9”
We’re a fickle bunch but it needed that tap in, at the end of the day, He’s Marmite, but if he hadn’t been there it would not have gone in.
“Leon Clarke, is Wanderers No 9”. ( for now)
I’m in for a Blackpool Tipple Doog, (being a Scot, if it’s free I’ll be there)
Happy Days.
🙂
Stu.. If YOU were playing on the pitch and K Mac passed you a ball like that even you would of put it in..
But he was there waiting I suppose..
St. Clarke.
Kevin MacDonald was sublime on Saturday. Leon Marmite Clarke, you either Love him or Hate him, (well, I don’t love him)
ME personally, I would drop Henry when Dicko IS fully fit and play RVLP with the new guy if the rumours are factual because I don’t rate Graham either. google Benik Afobe and check him out.
Are you coming to Fulham??
🙂
He looks very useful. Where have you heard the rumour?
On another subject – it’s a shame to hear about ‘The Wanderer’s’ demise.
I’ve supped many a pint in that place.
I thought there was a petition to save it.
Ah! Well! That’s progress I suppose.
There was a petition for “The Wanderer” but it only got about 15000 names, hardly worth keeping open, “So it’s gonna be a parking lot, ohhh ohhh la la la” “They took away the pumps and they put em in a pump museum, Moxey’s charging the people a dollar an a half just to see em” (Joni Mitchell). Shit singing (me not her) but as you say, “that’s progress”
Reference the striker from Arsenal, Iv’e got a mate who goes on the away coaches who has a reliable source of info coming out of the corridors of power and he shares it with me, I knew Iorfa would play 2 weeks ago and Kortney Hause was going to come on as he had been omitted from the U21s important game on the Friday night, but the striker was a complete surprise. So we wait and see!
Just to depress you even further, the Pub that used to be “the Goalpost” now called “Lounge 107” ( WTF is that all about) is going to be bulldozed, they’re putting a petrol station up. I suspect probably ASDA due to the location.
As long as they don’t get a new owner and they start asking for sponsorship to rename the ground, (Feckin Redrow Towers) (Lord Moxey’s Grange) God forbid.
🙁
hear ! hear ! whilst the result was most welcome, Ive been really impressed with the intorduction of Haus and Iorfa and hope we get to see them in ever increasing amounts …
Please, Please can we get a proper striker for Christmas – nothing against Graham, but he is a stop gap and not exactly the answer to our premier league ambitions (if we still have them)
Up The Wolves
H ark the Herald Wanderers sing
A big thank you to Kenny our King
P raise the fans for their rejoice
P ray to all, we hear your voice.
Y et let us carry on with glee
C ontinue to win and we will see
H appy fans across the land
R ejoicing all hand in hand
I n Kenny we trust we sing again
S ometimes it drives us insane
T o see a win is no surprise
M oxey eating all the pies
A s we look ahead to our next game
S lapping Brighton is in the frame
Merry Christmas from Danny Bhatt.
If you have’nt already see this video have a butchers. This kid deserves his surprise for the life he’s had and also for taking the piss right out of Danny Bhatt.
Ace kid, proper black Country.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2014/12/16/wolves-danny-batth-surprises-young-joel-with-early-christmas-present/?
🙂
Yep Stu I will be at Fulham although
I wonder what team we will put out..
Be nice for a cup run …