Whatever transpires next weekend, Wolves can feel proud they went the distance.
It’s only a slim chance, but it’s still a chance if they can overcome Millwall and rely on an unlikely sequence of events elsewhere.
Sadly, good fortune has been in short supply this term.
Kenny Jackett reiterated his side will be unlucky if they hit the 78 point mark and fail to land a play-off position and the record books confirm that assessment.
I went back 20 years and can’t find a single instance of any team amassing such a high total and not making the top six.
Even the 75 points already on the board would more often than not be enough to extend the season, putting Wolves’ efforts to date into clearer context.
Grinding out this narrow win over a team with nothing to lose speaks volumes about the character of the team Jackett has assembled.
And his most valuable acquisition yet looks like being the most recent – Benik Afobe.
The striker’s 32nd goal of the season made sure his side carried the fight to the final day. Without his January arrival, they’d have been written off weeks ago.
At the other end of the pitch it was Richard Stearman’s experience and commitment to the cause that helped ensure one goal was enough.
Regardless of the club’s divisional status, his presence will be crucial again next season in helping advance the development of Iorfa, Hause and Ebanks-Landell.
All three got on the pitch yesterday and another cleansheet is testament to their huge potential.
So onto Molineux we go for that all too familiar final day feeling of being one agonising step behind.
Chances are we’ll leave disappointed again but perhaps with a sense that there are better times ahead.
Wolves have performed beyond my expectations this season. With Afobe and Dicko up front we have what every team needs – goalscorers. If we do manage to get into the play offs we are more than capable of going all the way, I know it’s a long shot but strange things happen in football.
I can’t comment on the game itself as I have only seen a few mins highlights including the kung-fu string on Stearman!
So fingers and everything else crossed for next Saturday and well done to the Wolves for another excellent season.
Onwards & Upwards
Kung-fu **strike** not string !!
I think this is the point where it needs to be said what an excellent job Kenny Jackett has done. To amass 178 points over two seasons is an incredible achievement. Yes we had the biggest budget last season but he still had to put together the team to get us up – look at Sheffield United, still trying. His signings, save for Clarke and Saville, have all contributed and it’s hard to remember so many players in one team I liked. We now have a genuine goalscorer in Afobe and, if we do fall short, the most important business this season will be resisting offers for him, whatever the figure.
It’s obvious that we have done well this season but it’s such a shame that we have to rely on Derby slipping up..
The fixture of Brentford V Wigan I saw early in the season as a cruncher and give or take a big victory if they win and we beat Millwall the GD would give them 6th..result..an epic near miss..
It needn’t of happened and for me the only solace of having to stay in this league is the aquisition of Afobe..
If ever there was a redeemer for us not buying more players early then he is it..
We have another potential icon..
Sako ..well ,what will be will be and even now I wonder if Afobe playing as he is (and Dicko too) could perhaps keep him with us..
Predicted result yesterday and concidering Wigan are playing for their lives we should be thankful for the 3 points..
Stears man of the match?
Anyway the voodoo dolls are out in my house for Brentford and Derby ..as they say, stranger things have happend..
COYW
From the commentary on Player, it seemed to be a real ‘backs to the wall’, scrapping performance.There’s one player who excels in those situations and for me, despite the exploits of the magic trio, Richard Stearman has been my player of the season. True grit and devotion to the cause have been his hallmarks this year and he’s put his body on the line for us time and again. Have a great summer Richard, you’ve earned it.
Unfortunately, his summer will start a little earlier than we had hoped, ’cause I fear that whatever we achieve next week will be just too little too late. Shame really, ’cause I love this team, the manager, the way we play, the fantastic supporters, the colour of the shirt, the Balti pies, the statue of Billy Wright out front, this blog, just everything this last couple of years. Well…….Jez Moxey…….I can take him or leave him. 🙂
Please take him!!!
I got a big ole bike Clive, but there’s limits to what I can fit on it.
At the start of the season I would have been ecstatic with a 78 point total.
The team has surpassed all expectations, from the manager and back room staff to everyone who has worn the gold and black at all levels.
Sako deserves our good wishes in his future career, wherever that takes him, and I am sure that KJ will find replacement(s) over the summer for an exciting next year.
Onwards and Upwards and FOWB
I couldn’t agree more with you Thomas and the Wolfstroker.
For me, Stearman represents all that is good about football (apart from the haircut perhaps).
I haven’t seen that many games live this season but he has been a rock in defence and – literally yesterday – put his body on the line for the cause.
He gives his all, in every match.
Every goal conceded is quite clearly a personal tragedy to him and he has come near to demolishing the goalposts on a number of occasions.
He, Edwards and Ikeme are the foundations on which to construct a team.
We have bricks aplenty in McDonald, Price, Golbourne, Iorfa etc.
And three magic men up front to knock a few opposing houses down.
And then there’s Kenny, the master builder, to slap a bit of golden mortar about and build something really special.
I think I might have overdone the building analogy but who cares!
If we could keep Sako and recruit a couple of experienced players who really get going when the going gets really tough, we could be a real force next season.
A real force in the Championship realistically – but it certainly wouldn’t be a tragedy if that were the case.
See you all on Saturday!
I want to sum up the Wolves team, the Old Gold & Black, the man that is Kenny Jackett and the fantastic fans.
This is an away match, my God I wish I could show you the empty seats all around the ground. What you see is our away following.
A fantastic season what ever happens next Saturday…….
Onwards & Upwards
Kenny appeared genuinely moved after the match at the level of support yesterday. And a lot of it is down to him. What a difference a couple of seasons can make.
Much of what i would say has already been said by Thomas and all the excellent commentators. We have made progress again as we did last season. Its another thumbs up from me.
Much of what i would say has already been said by Thomas and all the excellent commentators. We have made progress again as we did last season. Its another thumbs up from me.
–Could not resist using your comments as my own Colin… Consider it flattery, I just couldn’t add anything either …. Well not at the moment!–
Nice one Shrews Wolf you have even got the same on the old lick-o-meter (how do you do that?!)
When Derby lose and Brentford only manage a draw on Saturday, all we need to do is win …….. simples!!
I am so looking forward to meeting all the bloggers again – see you all then.
Come on me babbies.
Yep, good season, well done the lads!
It seems as though we have missed the chance a couple of games ago for us to break into the playoffs,but its all to play for come Saturday, another win then you never know somebody may well slip up as long as we don’t.
Backs to the wall at Wigan yesterday but it just goes to show we haven’t given up on it yet.
Just a pity that that big nosed bastard’s team won.
As alwaysUTW.
Make no mistake we have done well overall. The Team and Kenny.
Just a couple of points for discussion though..
1. Kenny Jacket has achieved his highest place finish in the championship so far (previous I believe was 9th with Millwall)
2. What happened between November the 4th and December the 7th.. I have not been able to analyse it properly yet.
No points from 15 16 goals conceded and 2 for…
That is what has cost us a chance of promotion.
However I said top ten would be acceptable at the start of the season and I am happy with the season. We have been royally entertained at Molineux and long may it continue.
Pressure will mount next season though because to better this year we have to make the play offs…
Yes, in retrospect, it has been a good season.
I’d like to know the statistics are for games won and lost, when Jack Price played.
There are very few we lost when started.
In November he was out on loan, I believe.
Let’s hope we keep Sako.
If we do, next season those three Sako, Afobe and Dicko, will rip teams apart.
It’s been a season that has given us so much to be proud of. KJ has made sure the team connects to the fans. The team genuinely appreciate the incredible support. 5000 at PNE 9000 at MK 4500 at Wigan. I have regularly said on this blog that a season of consolidation would be fine. Others have argued otherwise. Which is ok. We are a family and we all have opinions. Getting to 75 points in any season is usually enough for the play offs so we can hold our heads high whatever happens next week. KJ and our team should be given great credit. A few quality additions in the summer and I believe a fantastic season to look forward to. And as always F O W B.
I was there yesterday iam really proud of what we have done these last 2 seasons it has been above expectations this season hopefully we can push on next season get back we’re we belong,the only draw back yesterday was the few mindless idiots who chanting in the minute silence for those fans who died in the Bradford disaster I hope they hang their heads in shame
He scores when he wants, he scores when he wants, he’s Benik Afobe, and he scores when he wants.
If only we had signed this gem of a forward earlier.
He seems to have everything. The wide spectrum of goals I have seen the magic man score in a Wolves shirt, alongside those of other clubs, leaves me in no doubt whatsoever that Benik is the complete package.
A steal at £2M, Damn right. Some very smart dealing from Kev’n’Kenny. Perhaps the best yet. Let’s just hope we keeep hold of this young diamond. I was going to say rough, but think that would have been derogatory.
the season is not yet over, our chance of the playoffs perhaps is, but who amongst us wouldn’t have settled for this finish at the start of the season, despite perhaps dreaming of a little more.
Our dreams came close and are perhaps still a little alive for some, me included.
It’s not quite over yet, in my head anyway. Always a dreamer.
Hope to maybe make it to the PVH for a couple of end of season, pre match beverages.
Thanks for all the hard work throughout the year….
It’s magic you know, Thomas, Ben and everyoneoooooohhhh !!!!!!!
Coming home from the game down the M6 we (the coach) passed a 3/4 size coach and suddenly out was unfurled a MK Dons flag on their way back from Rochdale. To a fan, they all stood up and clapped our coach as we passed, our fans reciprocated the honour towards them, true mutual respect. We’re not all mindless, bigotted, thugs as portrayed by sections of gutter press to sell their rag.
Priceless.
Football rules OK.
🙂
The chickens have been sacrificed, the hexes are in, the Derby/Brentford voodoo dolls have had more pricks than Madonna, and I have 100% confidence that they will both lose, we will win, beat Bournmuff in the play off semis, and stuff Ipshite 5 – 1 at Wembley in the final.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever, I would even put Stuwolf’s mortgage on it!
Ever since we bought Richard Stearman from wherever we bought him, I have liked him.
He’s had his bad games, but quality shines through, and without a doubt he is my Player of the Season.
His finest hour will come at Wembley, scoring two and making the other three for the magic men up front.
McDickwadhead will top himself in shame, after shoving clipbored’s clipboard up his arse.
The season is NOT over, and I for one will be screaming myself hoarse on Saturday, and when we get in the playoffs, someone has got to break my leg so I stay in England for them!!
A happy FOwb to y’all.
KJ got his tactics spot on with Sako and Edwards tucked in so Wigan had to play sideways and couldn`t get through our defence. Oh had we defended like this at Blues and taken the points at Rotherham away after completely outplaying them. Incredibly is still not over until the final whistle next week, so its a long shot but lets go for it, funny old game this football.
Incredible support yet again, lets fill the golden palace next week and see if the impossible can happen. Thank you KJ and his team for making it s super Saturday.
I ve got a few good ideas … Sako please stay ! One more season and we re all in the prem for long time .
Benik , same please … Do not leave yet . Give us another season .
And fuck off Alan curbishley . You are a prick and it’s mainly down to you that we have had two relegations . Keep away from molineux .
Those are a couple of my ideas
This was not a good game of football, in fact Wigan were bossing us a lot of the time in the same way Blues, Middlesborough and Ipswich did. There are a lot of positive comments on this blog but this performance was not one that would give you confidence if we were lucky enough to make the playoffs.
It was an excellent following, there were comments made about the extra ‘fair-weathers’ who had bought tickets at a time when they expected this might have been the match we secured a play-off position- but going to an away match is not a cheap excursion these days and every fan should be applauded for making the effort to get to Wigan on Saturday.
Stopped at the same service station as the MKD coach and was delighted to be approached by the players all keen to ask how their old friend Benik had got on.
So this was the unofficial Houston Wolves Supporters Club end of season awards dinner on Friday night, which crowned Stearman as our player of the year.
The event was a complete sell out, with a record attendance of 2…
Absolutely excellent!!! 🙂
In your usual pose I see. Too many Boddingtons, hence Horizontal Clive.
🙂
Are you getting all excited about seeing some real people again and stepping back into the Hllowed temple.
Happy Days
“Hallowed” even, and I don’t drink????
Nice one!
Who did you vote as unofficial Houston Wolves Supporter of the year?
It was a draw, between Mrs CFH and Mrs HoustonLobo!
T o be sat just outside the play offs at this stage of the season
H as to be classed as an achievement. I thought we would do okay
A t the start of the season and feel Kenny has done wonders with little to
N o support financially from Morgan and Moxey. We were never really going to
K ill off all the teams around us and we have had some bad games, but hey ho.
Y oung players being brought in have learned a lot and are still doing so, some
O vercoming their initial lack of confidence and improving during the season.
U nexpectedly others have not grown as much as we would have liked, but hey ho.
K eeping as many players as we can for next season, should we not go up, is
E ssential. We can then build on what we have, with hopefully, Morgan and Moxey
N ot putting a spanner in the works and release the all important funds that is
N eeded to mvoe the club forward. Kenny now needs to get in the boardroom and
Y ell at them to support him. Kenny has done well and he now needs their backing.
It’s pretty well all been said about the season, last Saturday and Saturday next and Clive has painted an end of season scenario that’ll have the TV producers queuing up for the rights! I just want to add something that struck me in reading an article on Saturday about Hull. It was saying that the club wouldn’t now exist but for the Allam family, noted the ‘rather mixed £37m summer spending spree’ and went on to say that their academy was still only level 3 and it would take some time for players to feed through from that. Another thing to praise Kenny and Kev for (and dare I credit the MnM a bit too??) is the way that we are seeing our top academy bearing fruit. Without that we definitely wouldn’t be in the league position achieved this season.
We’ll we’re nearly at the end of the season and the heroics of KJ, Gallen and the players and fans are to be applauded, it seems inevitable that we will fall agonisingly short of that last play off place. I suppose it will be summed up as a NEARLY BUT NOT QUITE SEASON.
I’ve noted that Jackett has stated that the Summer and the SIGNINGS need to be of Afobe Quality.
That means however that Morgan and Moxey are truly in the firing line to show some ambition and give reward to this amazing group of supporters … it’s no more than we deserve.
I sincerely hope that Jackett doesn’t put up with ‘Second Best’ and that he stamps his mark on the QUALITY SIGNINGS (not the cheapos, freebies or one’s for the future !) that are so desperately needed to turn us into a formidable team … and that includes doing a GODFATHER on SAKO …. MAKING HIM AN OFFER HE CAN’T REFUSE …..
To get us to a probable 78 points in the toughest Championship for years has been an immense achievement by Kenny. The November doubts about Kenny’s “level” have been resoundingly answered. We have the nucleus of a team ready to seriously challenge next season and I expect us to be in with a decent shout for automatic promotion. Clearly, the Afobe signing has proven that we weren’t ambitious enough in our transfer targets last year. Kenny has learnt fast on the job and will continue learning. We are now a much more attractive destination for new signings and loan deals. The academy has proven it’s worth too.
Here’s an interesting little vid of the boys having a quiet half-time cuppa at Wigan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHm_azcU5_U
Hmmm!
The last couple of minutes were a little bit depressing weren’t they?
I think I saw Brompton, he seemed to be the ringleader.
Me a ringleader? Not anymore – I turned into a sensible man leading from the front.
L – Lead by Example
E – Encourage Thinking
A – Apply Reward and Discipline
D – Demand High Performance
E – Encourage Confidence in the Team
R – Recognise Individual Strengths and Weaknesses
S –Strive for Team Goals
You can’t go wrong with that philosophy……………….. in fact, thinking about it ……….. is that not we expect from a Football Manager too?
Agreed DOOGooder, but the vast majority seemed like good humoured high spirits. And there’s always one or two kids who can’t control the chimp within but I don’t let them spoil my day.
Iv’e never in all my time as a Wolves fan witnessed such a spectacle. Needed the loo at half time, thought I’d leave it till nearly ko for second half. Went down under the stand and it was heaving wall to wall singing , dancing fans bouncing up and down to “theyr’e magic you know, Dicko, Afobe, Sako.”
The actual floor was bouncing up and down like the millennium bridge in London. It was rising and falling at least 3 – 4 “. Just an incredible feeling. What a day, buzzing again.
I was back watching the match & didn’t see the last few minutes, but even so, the Police would have had to do something the floor was certainly getting strained. All this took place under the stand on a second level.
🙂
Rotherham play Reading tomorrow night.
So we should all be cheering for Reading.
If Rotherham lose Wigan have a mathematical chance of staying up,so they will play their hearts out against Brentford on Saturday and we will stuff Millwall.
If Rotherham win, then we willl be playing a team that is already relegated and will have feck all to play for, so we could see oodles of goals.
And at least Evans won’t be there to give a 3 goal lead away, ( I hope he’s not there anyway, please Kenny don’t do that).
Ipshite and Derby lose and we’re on our travels again.
Anyway, back to land of logic and Wolves shite luck.
Nurse prepare his injection………
🙂
You mean Derby to lose and Brentford to draw and we’re on our way again.
My thinking exactly yesterday StuWolf. Unfortunately for Wolves, last nights result means there’ll be no fight from Wigan at Brentford so even if Derby lose, we’ve still got to rack up a goal difference of +4 more than Brentford in Saturday’s game.
On the slightly positive side, Millwall won’t put up much of a fight either.
Even with all the optimism in the world, it’s going to take a huge stroke of luck.
But stranger things have happened
UTW!
Hi, StuWolf here.
Thomas has kindly posted a personal blog for me as a member of the Wolves Disabled Supporters Association.
If you have time and could take a look at it, I would be grateful and welcome your comments (and help)
StuWolf
So we need the two teams ahead of us to lose (or tie, in the case of the team in 7th).
Is this that much of a stretch?
Definitely a stretch now. With last nights result for Rotherham, Millwall and Wigan are relegated giving them nothing to play for. While we will almost certainly get the better of Millwall, Wigan won’t be up for giving Brentford a run for their money. An easy game now for Brentford too.
We could have done with Reading beating Rotherham so that Wigan had everything to play for against Brentford on Saturday.
Now we need a considerable goal tally to get ahead of Brentford. AND not to mention Reading to beat Ipshit.
Very Very unlikely now, as if it wasn’t already a struggle.
Still, what a great season it’s been. Very optimistic for next season.
Up the Wolves!
Sorry, not Ipshit, I meant DERBY
As everyone has said, we have done brilliantly and KJ is class. Whatever happens tomorrow, we can all be happy. We have a chance, however slim. If wedo make 6th place, perhaps the Wolves fans can be more optimistic in future.
Thanks to all of the players, Kenny (pure plarinum) Jackett and to all contributors to this blog.
We can still do it,