Some matches have goalless draw scribbled all over them from the outset.
Then there are games like this, entertaining contests, that ebb and flow throughout yet somehow fail to blot the scoresheet.
It’s a shame because a match of this caliber really didn’t deserve the negative connotations that a stalemate suggests.
Leigh Griffiths alone could have pocketed a hat-trick and came closer than anyone with a fierce low drive that smacked the post.
The visitors were soon down the other end though, squandering the clearest opening of the day – Adam Forshaw volleying over at the back post when it looked easier to score.
That short passage of play was typical of the game, with both sides scrapping and probing to gain a decisive upper hand. It was compulsive viewing.
Brentford impressed me, as I suspected they would, tidy on the ball and possessing the requisite attacking menace to keep our imperious defence wary.
But I felt Wolves had the greater individual talent, Kevin Doyle in particular showcasing touches of class that were light years ahead of anything else on show. It was his majestic control and pass that opened the door for Griffiths’ best effort.
Both forwards were fantastic in the first half, but struggled to influence the game in a more fragmented second period.
And if there’s one criticism of this current Wolves team, it’s their collective performance in the latter stages of games.
We’ve seen Swindon, Crawley and Coventry all pouring forward late on and if one team was going to win it in the final knockings yesterday, you felt it would be Brentford.
It’s thanks to Carl Ikeme that they didn’t, with our goalkeeper making the type of smart, instinctive saves we’ve come to expect. In future we might not be so fortunate.
But the hard fought point is a valuable one, particularly with third place Peterborough again coming unstuck.
In-form Tranmere on Tuesday promises to be the same as this one – anything but dull.
Another valuable point to stave off the fear of relegation.
Another clean sheet, how few times that has been said over the past few seasons, and still only one defeat.
Another “cup final” unbeaten.
Eight points clear of third place, meaning we have to lose three and the third placed team win three, to go down a place.
Yes, I will take this any day of the week.
Big grin still firmly etched on my ugly mug.
FOwb
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this match!
This could have ended up 5-5.
And you’re quite right Thomas, it was really compulsive watching and didn’t deserve to be labelled as a nil nil draw.
Great stuff and great support from both sets of fans. There was a really good atmosphere in the ground and a pretty impressive debut by Mr Cream Cracker, despite a bit of a Tom Daley effort trying to get a penalty. I thought Griffiths was outstanding and did have a decent penalty shout turned down in the second half.
We did tend to give the ball away rather too often and Goldbourne needs to be reinstated at left back as soon as possible, we were exposed a few times there.
Brentford looked a good side, and their number nine was, in my opinion, man of the match. Pacy, skilful on the ground and won nearly every ball in the air.
Was he the man you said we were looking at in the Summer Thomas?
If he was, then we could do a lot worse!
Before the match, the present Mrs DOOGooder and myself did a trip around the museum and I must say that I felt it was worth every penny of the entrance fee. I still think that it should be free to season ticket holders but for occasional fans like me it’s a fair enough price.
And I defy any Wolves fan to keep a dry eye after watching the fabulous multi screen film charting the history of the club. Robert Plant, Steve Bull and all sorts of legends feature in this production – and some fat sweaty bloke as well, but you can’t have everything.
A great afternoon was completed by getting a wave from Bully as he drove past in his motor and clocked the Wolves bag I was carrying which contained two Wolves 1968 retro shirts purchased from the Molineux corner shop.
What Wolves fan could ask for more?
Yes, I thought Donaldson (number 9) was a real handful throughout. I’d take him in an instant. Exactly the type of player that will help get you out of this league and probably the Championship too.
Balls played into him tended to stick. I was glad they deployed him out wide for most of the game because down the middle with the right support I think he could really have hurt us.
I went to the game yesterday thinking we were going to struggle or worse, how wrong was I. If this is how we are going to play for the remainder of the season we have little to fear. In my opinion that was our best back four and didn’t they show it; the Edwards Mcdonald combo was the best performance in the middle of the park for a while, Edwards although playing a little too deep a times was tireless and was getting his foot in; and for a change we did not look light weight in this area.. The new boy looked like he may prove to be another Henry on the wing; Griffiths looked sharp and was unlucky – saved the best till last, master class Doyle, when he sits behind the frontman and picks the ball up from midfield awesome, the pass he gave Griffiths when he hit the post was sublime.
Cracking game and our best performance for a while.
I can’t get used to Happy Clapper Clive. Very worrying. I really enjoyed yesterday’s game. Two good teams, and we’re very resilient. Not the soft touch we have been for so long defensively, and very uncompromising when we have to be. Decent Jacobs debut and for 45mins Doyle was quite brilliant. He then scuffs an obligatory back pass when well placed to score in the second half. So frustrating as he makes the hard bits look so easy at times. McDonald and Stearman my MOM contenders, the latter shading it for a wonderful interception at the death when they looked destined to score. One important pt, like the one at Brunton Park
Benjamino,
The Concise Houston Dictionary definition of a Happy Clapper is, and I quote:
“One who wears rose colored spectacles about all things associated with his or her club of choice, including and not limited to; players, manager/head coach, supporters, stadium, and board members, especially fat, grease ridden, greedy weasels with no footballing knowledge or interest”
I will never fall into the clappy happer camp, as I loathe and detest that scumbag with as much hate and fury as your dad does.
So there!
Speaking of whom, is he on the plane yet?
You haven’t given any names yet Clive but I’m guessing you’re referring to the Big Fat Controller. (Jeremy)
Could you give you’re reverred? (not sure of spelling) guest a big welcoming hug when he gets there. (No Not Rev Flowers).
Best Twixfix wishes.
Enjoyable game on Sat and we’re going well .
Agree on K Mac matey, thought he was top notch. Seemed to be popping up everywhere and so comfortable carrying the ball from any position. I thought Edwards went about his business quietly but effectively too. We didn’t seem anywhere near as open as we have been in previous home matches. Long may it continue.
A fair result I think all round,Brentford came with a plan to get a point and a point they got and well deserved imo,
Our midfield was the best iv’e seen this season controlling and pushing Brentford back for the first time for a long while.
As said Doyler was our best player with Ikeme a close second but saying that they ALL played their part in a very entertaining match.
Just a thought perhaps we could do with a big number nine on loan up front to give us an other option.
Can’t wait for Tuesday night for the visit of tranmere and hope for another three points..UTW.
Honest and fair write up Tom and I agree totally. This was probably the best game I’ve seen so far this year and only lacking in goals.
Did anyone see Leigh Griffiths push the Brentford right back in the face during one of their corners? He should have been sent off and it could have cost us the game. I’m still not a fan of Leigh and would bring in another striker in January
One of our best performances of the season, but we just couldn’t find the goal. Although we didn’t get the win, I left feeling positive. I don’t think you could say anyone had a bad game. Even Stearman recovered from a customary error. I had been eyeing the Tranmere game as a nailed on three points but a remarkable win at Coventry coupled with our inability to play well under the lights could make for an uncomfortable evening.
A very enjoyable game, I was disappointed we didn’t shade it although either side could have won. We were on top more than Brentford but they certainly had passages of play when they were in the ascendancy. On my drive back to the wilds of Nuneaton I heard some supporters on BBC WM calling for a tall strong target man to play up front. They’ve got a point, what does anyone else think? Knee jerk reaction because we didn’t manage to score this time? I’ve only been to 3 games this season, all at home, but I thought this was the best mid-field performance I’ve seen. I’d give McDonald man of the match but I was impressed by Jacobs home debut, very promising. Dare I say it? Things are looking good!
Forgot to say, their Clayton Donaldson is a real handful, he’d be a an excellent signing. Also their guy in central midfield was very good. They are a good side.
Good game. I wonder if KJ has now found the right combination in central midfield? I’d love to know how many different pairs he’s now tried but couldn’t be bothered to do the research, beginning with Davis and Evans and now McDonald and Edwards. I’m not a big fan of Dave Edwards but if he can do the job for us, that’s great.
I wouldn’t agree with reinstating Golbourne as that would mean dropping Stearman.
In attack goals are now hard to come by and the days of putting 4 past Gillingham and going 3-0 up against Port Vale are now a distant memory. I didn’t agree with the two big lads being brought on for the last 5 minutes as I felt that if anyone was going to pop up with a last minute goal, it would be Griffiths. I don’t want to criticize Doyle as he’s a super player, but Griffiths could do with a partner in the box with an equal appetite for goals. Cassidy and Siggy have been disappointing so far.
Oh, and Mr Jackett, please give Sako a rest for a game or two!
I am very glad to read on this blog that everyone is still positive after the game. When you’re at the top of the league I think it is easy to set expectations that we will want to win every single game to stay there, but the reality of the matter is that we won’t; we simply (statistically) can’t, and so it is really important that when we don’t win, people don’t throw their toys out of the pram demanding that we do (I heard some of that in the post-game interviews on the radio).
Fact of the matter is that the team is in an excellent position right now to continue to push for automatic promotion come end of the season; which is by the way, the only time the league table matters. The team is improving and gelling, and has come forwards leaps and bounds from the dog’s dinner that Kenny Jacket was handed when he took over the club in summer.
My expectations for the team this year are for the young players to improve as much as possible, for the team to gel and work better together as a team, and to gain promotion to the league above us. I’d say that from the results achieved so far and from the way they played yesterday, Wolves are on track on all the above at the moment, and with January coming up where maybe the odd tweak in midfield may be possible to give us that final edge we need there, I for one am beginning to feel pleased by what is happening.
Looking forward to two more games this week. Bring it on!
Go Wolves!
I was slightly less convinced by the performance, thought Sako blew hot & cold & can be such a liability when he gives the ball away.
I’d like to see Zele given a go on the right on Tuesday, with Jacobs on the left. The midfield looked better & Dave Edwards did put in some good tackles.
Frustrated by the missed chances & Doyle & Griffiths could have done better. Doyle missed one second half, he could have squared it for Griffiths.
But we’re in a great position. It should only get better as the midfield two get games together. They do seem the strongest two thus far. Less poor passes. Hope Henry gets back soon as his positional play is a real danger, I love the way he gets into the centre into dangerous positions. He adds a different dimension.
I just wish SIggy would show, I thought he’d be brilliant in this league but he’s disappointed so far.
I really hope ohara has a great few days in blackpool so we are a step nearer to getting closure on the last shameful 2 years of our illustrious history.
Great to read so many encouraging reports and we are in a strong position now. Even agree with Clive that fearless leader of the Happy Clappers. The goals have been drying up a bit but i dont think this will last. Doyles problem is that he is often finishing a move that he has started himself and he sometimes just hasnt got enough left in his legs to get a strong shot off. My problem with an old fashioned ‘target man’ is that the temptation then is to play the long ball all the time. This simple formula wont take us very far though i agree we could do with the option of a forward with more strength and pace.