Hands up who’s getting worried?
After another defeat, another team targeting our hapless left back (until he’s taken out of the line of fire with an ‘injury’) and another late goal, the autumn chill is starting to bite.
Villa can reflect on a job well done.
Mick McCarthy can reflect on a shocking refereeing decision not send off the already booked Warnock, who then goes on to set-up the winner.
Meanwhile, most Wolves fans might reflect on another baffling team selection where World Cup player Guedioura again lost out to Championship bit part Edwards and Ward kept his place despite being so horribly out of his depth.
Gerard Houllier isn’t so well respected for nothing I guess. After being back in England for all of five minutes, he still spotted the Eircom striker masquerading as a defender beforehand and told Albrighton to attack him at every opportunity.
I lost count of the raids on Ward before the inevitable goal came. Maybe Mick didn’t, because a familiar ‘injury’ reared its head and the Irishman was back in the changing room. (Sheffield United anyone?)
In full credit to Big George, Albrighton was subbed off in the second half and never got a look in from the moment he came on, poor distribution aside.
That we completely ignored the possibility of purchasing Nicky Shorey from the Villa will continue to haunt me until the position is finally sorted.
Four years after the much maligned Lee Naylor left, it was ironic to see him back on the pitch at half time, as his departure still hasn’t been addressed with the seriousness it warranted.
The first half was forgettable as we launched too many long balls to Fletcher and Doyle, the latter looking as ineffective as I’ve seen in a Wolves shirt, and we went in a goal down.
Apart from a great double save from Freidel from the strike pair and a glaring chance for Edwards that was either missed or tackled, we offered little threat and none of the encouraging form of late last season.
The second half was a different story however, and with Jarvis coming more into the game in a change of shape (with Fletcher going wider too) we asserted some pressure.
When the goal came from Jarvis it was fully deserved. After the goal we didn’t have nearly enough quality to break Villa down.
The pivotal moment came when Mick made his final change.
Managers live and die by their decisions and maybe ours will regret subbing Foley for Stearman, who was swamped for Villa’s winner when Warnock romped towards the South Bank and crossed for Heskey to score.
To blame Stears would be unfair though. We did our usual trick of opting for the wrong choice around their box and it was Doyle who scuffed an ambitious shot from 25 yards with others far better placed.
Would SEB have been a better choice from the bench in a bolder attempt to win the game?
Guedioura certainly shouldn’t have been there in the first place, so to see Sidwell’s sickening challenge on him in after coming on makes me so angry on so many levels.
At least Mick won’t have to make excuses for not picking him now, as we contemplate a loss which already looks to be lengthy.
Make no mistake, this Villa team was there for the taking and was infinitely worse than its 2009 version, with no Dunne, Milner, Agbonlahor or Carew in the starting line-up.
The biggest worry is that we’re looking worse too – with or without a £20 million spending spree.
Once again, I told you so.
Ward, worse than pathetic, every right wingers dream.
First goal, all at sea, miles from his man, lets the cross come in, offering absolutely no resistance at all.
Then, my other candidate for prick of the season, Foley, quietly drifting towards goal, with narry a look over his shoulder for the winger he should be marking, and thank you very much, we are in the hole.
Craddock and Berra, running around like whirling dervishes, all puff and bluster, at the limits of their capabilities, all the time. Every challenge from them seemed to be last gasp.
Jones, one paced, ordinary, same for Edwards.
Fletcher and Doyle especially, looked off the pace, and Jarvis did not get enough of the ball, especially first half, to make any impression.
Henry was good, Yank made some fine saves, could not be faulted for either goal, but it is very sad when we make a donkey like Heskey look good.
Big George was mighty when he came on, and that bastard should have been off for that tackle on Adelene (spelling)
Very disappointed, I agree with Benjamino that they were there for the taking, but until we get a new back four we are gonna be stuck in the relegation fight we are now most definitely in.
Best sight of the day was Ward going off, hope it’s a career ending injury, coz even the commentators were on about how easy it was waltzing down their right wing.
McCarthy needs a dose of reality and a good talking to, his selections are suicidal.
FOWB
They should have had 2 sent off. Dirty twats.
Completely agree with the blog Ben. I’m 30 next year and i’ve never seen a good LB play for Wolves. How depressing is that? I suppose Thommo was probably the best.
Mark Venus? and I cant even remember him with the affection he deserves after defecting to the Albion. Jesus, theyre everywhere we bloody turn aren’t they?! What a horrible weekend.
Can’t expect to survive in the Pemier League with a defence that struggled in the Championship. Nothing more to say.
Gutted gutted gutted. And worried yes. My hand is up Ben. I was completely unmoved first half. I took a mate who is a Villa fan and he was quietly confident all through the game. Intact he had a cheeky bet in Downing as first goal scorer.
I feel deflated. Wigan next and then all he’ll breaks loose.
Oh… And how many texts have I had off Alb*on and Villa fans. Plenty and what can I day…..?? Well done and not bite.
Painful weekend which I don’t want again anytime soon thanks.
I trust Mick which is all I can do. But I ask the same questions re; Ward & Guediora.
the commotion re guediora sounds the same as miljas last season. they seem to be all the better as players for not playing (since they cannot do any wrong); yet i noticed that neither player has ‘conistently’ shone this season when given their chances. Im afraid that the best team is the one that’s on show. I trust Mick he just needs to keep us above water this season when another 4/5 signings will finally clear out the likes of Ward, Edwards et al. This season we bought the forwards we needed (scored in every game thus far). Looks like a 17th-15th position rather than the 12th-10th i hoped but we’ll be fine over the season. Pls don’t panic yet.
But that’s the point mate. Adlene had one chance off the bench at goodison, changed the game and hasn’t been given a start since. Some chance. And he probably has become a better player while away from the team – Algeria goal hero in his recent international outing. How can that be his strongest team if you’ve described ward and Edwards as deadwood? I have positively worshiped mick and will continue to do so. It’s just that some of his selections leave me utterly confused!
he didnt pre-season like the rest of the squad, he did well for 10 mins against everton but then so did Ward! He was awful in the Southend game and did nothing the other times hes come on. I agree that he has something to offer, but I think that the inflated appraisals should wait until Mick gives him his chance not before it. Jones/Karl have been our best consistent performers this season and he shouldnt displace either of those. Out wide hes square peg/round hole again…
All I can say Plim is that Guedioura certainly didn’t look like a square peg against Sunderland last game of last season.
Dominated down the right and capped it off with a superb goal.
I assumed he would start the season there with jarvis on the right.
Van Damme did well though an deserved his place, but to be fair, when he got injured, Adlene had to come in. He just had to.
For me, he doesn’t have to prove himself. He proved himself last season against spurs, man utd, Chelsea and Sunderland, all games at Molineux he looked the best midfielder on the pitch.
Edwards has more to prove at this level than Guedioura does and he went straight in.
There’s no logic.
We’ve got enough work horses in the team, we need to increase the quality levels.
So you’ll judge guedioura in 2 meaningless cup games, taking no account of his uplifting and often brilliant form of late last season, and deem a crocked edwards as a better bet despite being ‘deadwood’? At least guedioura had a preseason! This is all irrelevent anyhow no he’s been maimed
Im just saying that we shdnt think anyone to be a saviour until they actually have done so on the pitch. I do not question your request for his inclusion but im just not certain based on his recent form he is going to change it for definite. That said, what Edwards has ever done to warrant inclusion ahead of him I do not know. He cant pass to save his life. That is a fair gripe.
I’m with you Thomas – to elevate Edwards back into the first team ahead of Adlene was a disgrace. The bloke must be sat on the bench utterly demotivated thinking ‘what do I have to do to get a game?’ It stinks of the whole Ward, Keogh et al love-child situation again!
I thought Adlene would get his chance in the first team while we waited for Hunt to regain fitness. He should have been given a run so that we could really see what he has to offer (hopefully more of the same from Spurs and Sunderland last season).
Instead I’m left wondering that if the early chance against Villa had fell to Guedioura rather than Edwards – would we have been one nil up rather than the bloke in row Z having a headache!
Edwards works hard, and run his heart out against Villa – but we need more quality. Now he is out for 6 months so MM wont be able to make that decision.
Just stumbled out of my misery coma.
As the fog continues to clear, here are my immediate thoughts:
Guedioura should have started.
Edwards should not have started. He did nothing to deserve a start. He tries but isn’t the required standard for Premier League football. Deserves credit for improving in the second half and contributing with his run for the goal.
Ward was taken to the cleaners. Elokobi faired better and will now start at Wigan. Also, George has been taking classes from Halford by the looks of it.
I miss you Ronald Zubar.
Craddock and Berra don’t deserve the stick they’re getting. Teams are exploiting us out wide, not through the middle. They win practically everything.
Jones cost us the first goal by getting caught in possession when he had three chances to get rid of the ball.
Doyle had an-off day. Fletcher also struggled. Both have class though and will get us goals and points.
Ashley Young is a little runt. Threw himself to the floor, demanded free kicks and got them and why wasn’t he booked for his celebration for their second goal? You get booked for taking your shirt off but not for telling 5,000 opposition fans to fuck off?
Warnock should have gone. Everyone but the ref knew it.
Despite our shortcomings we probably should have won on the balance of play and chances created.
I am panicking.
Things will improve.
McCarthy’s defensive minded set up cost us again. Stearman was a ridiculous poor choice of sub. Villa there for the taking, should have bought Blake on for Fletcher who did virtually nothing. I’ve been worried all season, we never replaced left back and central midfield, when all bar the manager can see it’s a huge problem. I have no idea where the next win is coming from.
I think SEB for Doyle would have been the better sub. At least Fletcher had his shooting boots on. To be honest I’m a bit worried about Doyle – he looks much less effective now than he did when he carried the torch in the 4-5-1 formation last season.
I know what you mean about Doyle, he had a poor game on Sunday.
He hasn’t really had a good game yet this season – from what I have seen. I make it no goals in five league games too – so lets hope he can turn on the style against Wigan!
On the plus side at least Arsenal wont be sniffing around come the transfer window in January!!!!
In another refereeing issue – how the f*ck was Rodallega not sent off for head butting a Birmingham City defender? I’m usually all for that type of behaviour against blues, but if he had of walked he would have missed our game!
Also… what’s the go with Van Damme….why did we spend the summer signing crocks?
Agree that Guedioura should’ve started or at least be given more than 10 minutes. How Edwards warrants a start ahead of him out wide baffles me.
Warnock should definitley have been sent off too. Any criticism of the front two is unjust, they make the best of the little service they get. I don’t see what SEB would’ve done any better.
But their shouldn’t be reason for over concern i don’t think. If we’d been thrashed the last 3 games then sure, but we deserved 3 draws from them. I believe we’ll get something from the next 2 games
Doyle was not at his best and Fletcher seemed to want to beat the whole Villa team at times – but their main problem was the long balls being blasted up to them from the keeper, defenders and midfielders.
We have two forwards with great skills when the ball is at their feet – it felt like we were unable to get the ball to them. Doyle is good in the air for his size, but neither he or Fletcher are real target men. We also seemed to totally forget how to pass the ball to Jarvis in the first half.
When is Mr.Morgan gonna step in and ask McCarthy why he’s spent all these millions over the last 2 years, and is only playing Fletcher?
Where art thou, Messrs Zubar, Mancienne, the bloke from Hull, Guediorra et al?????????????
If my missus spent as much money relatively on clothes she damned well bettr be wearing them all the time.
FOWB
All injured/not match fit except Mancienne I think!
We really miss Zubar at the moment.
Edwards was a very strange choice. we’re predictable and pedestrian enough without him. Elokobi was a huge improvement which says it all about Ward as a left back. Criticism of our central defenders i find odd. They do a pretty solid job for a team which is often under pressure. To me our biggest weakness is lack of creativity in central midfield and i thought Jones was at his ponderous best today. Until that, and the left back position, get resolved i fear we’re serious contenders for relegation .
Unfortunately I couldn’t make the game today but I’m raging that Guediora didn’t start, what the fuck has he got to do. Edwards!! he’s only just got back from injury and walks back into the team, he ain’t that good.
Pressure is seriously on now to get 2 good results from wigan and west ham. We’re serious relegation candidates at the moment and I thought things were going to be better this season.
Still enjoying the ride though.
Lose at Wigan and we are in the bottom three.That will change many people’s agendas regarding the season
Doom and gloom yes, and i agree with what most people are saying with edwards (wtf?) and the shiteness of ward.
i dont think we can blame doyle and fletcher at all. jones isnt the kind of player that we need in midfield, he hardly dominates play and cant link the defensive to the final third. henry does his job well, so the onus is on the other central midfielder. if doyle and fletcher arent getting service a) theyll have to come looking for it ie doyle, putting him severly out of position, or b) be ball starved all game.
however moving onto the positives, when we kept theh ball on the ground we totally outplayed villa. and how about big george! he was playing triangles with jarvis and henry / doyle / jones for most the second half and really pressing up that left flank, even firing a cheeky through ball that resulted in a good cross.
i hope we F off with the hoof ball because it isnt even effective, and play some real football because thats what seems to be working.
Heartbroken, but if Mick sorts his shit out then ill be good again in a flash.
Hope you get better soon Adlene.
Just to add… im not one for “the beautiful game” (wenger), as nice as that is and aesthetically more pleasing, if hoofball is what it takes to win, thats ok too.
I’ll put my hand up – aftr yesterday I am now worried!
I remember feeling the same about this time last season.
Although we seem to be playing some nice football we just dont have the cutting edge of other teams. Every time we put the ball in the box the strikers just dont get on the end of it – unlike Heskey!
Why was Edwards elevated to the first team in front of Adlene? If I was him I’d be p*ssed off I wasn’t given my chance. Villa tried to put everything down our left and Ward looked very short of what is required. After a good start against Stoke Jones seems slow and wants three touches before he will release the ball.
All I hope is the introduction of Hunt will give the team a boost, as they look like a side that could go down playing some ‘nice football’ and being ‘unlucky’!
4-5-1 anyone?
Another good performance that we came away from with nothing. We just have to keep our heads and keep playing our stuff.
Ward was very poor, for the first time in a while but Big George stepped up and played very well. He used the ball well down the left, and helped Jarvis out quite a bit.
Fletcher still looks rusty, but that might jsut be him. He’s not the quickest but he uses the ball well when he has it.
I feel sorry for Edwards. Not a fan’s favourite but I didn’t think he was THAT bad. Sure, he ran the ball out a couple of times but it doesn’t help when people are getting on his back. He did ok. Anyone reckon Hunt might be on the bench against Wigan, I heard he was involved in the warm up before the game (not from a reliable source, just heard it somewhere)
I’m worried, but we mustn’t panic and we could all be in a much better mood in a couploe of weeks time.
“Ward was very poor, for the first time in a while”
First time in a while??????? Can I borrow your rose tinted sunglasses Louie
You sure can Jed, but I’ll need ’em back soon.
Ward, until 13 minutes left last Saturday, had had a very good season. He saved us against Everton, and against Newcastle.
Anyone want to start a media campaign against Steve Sidwell?
In more good news Guedioura has fractured his tibia and will be out for 4-6 months.
Whilst we played some good stuff and had a bit of a go in the second half, it always seemed like we gave up ground quickly when Villa got the ball, and they got to the final third more effectively.
Was totally gutted not to see Adlene on the pitch at the start of the game; I think he has warranted a start… other wise why keep bringing him on to try to turn the game?
Agree about George… his distribution seems to have imrpoved. Whether that’s enough to get a place and be a premiership full back remains to be seen I think.
Jones to me looks like the remains the player who can pick the pass to unlcok things to me, and graft out the rest of the time.
dunno about that dboy, jones seems to take far too long on the ball and lacks that vision thats needed as a central midfielder. not that hes a bad player, but hes not tricky enough to take prem defenders by himself nor does he pick out the pass thats often needed. milijas anyone?
I guess my point is more that he can do that better than anyone else available. I’d love Milijas to be in contention as I thought that, as typified by his game against Bolton last year, he was getting capable of putting in a tackle and dazzling with distribution too.
But since then, he appears to have lost his way a touch. At least in McCarthy’s eyes.
I’d certainly put Jones streets ahead of anyone else beyond Milijas though for us at present
except for guedioura maybe…. oh wait bummer.
i really hope Milijas kills it in the reserves game so he gets a fresh look in. henry has improved a lot over the past year and that gives us (some) luxury in having someone that actually has a good look around the field.
but yeah i see what youre saying. what do you reckon of fletch playing in behind doyle instead of jones (not that its ever going to happen)? hes got everything and more than what jones has… maybe except dead ball situations.
Milijas just does not look mobile enough for me – however based on Jones last few games why not give him a chance?
At least give him half an hour from the bench.
Wonderful news about our Algerian………………not.
If the prem can review a red card upon appeal, why can’t we appeal a non red card, and get that Bastard Sidwell retro sent off?
He deserves it, the replays shown from all angles confirm it was a really bad challenge, and now we are without argueably our best creative mid fielder, even tho CL wont start him, and are gonna be penalized by not having him available.
Villa should be similarly penalized.
If we lose on Saturday, we could be in the Championship.
Think about that MM if you read this blog.
FOWB
I blame Karl Henry for the bad tackle on Adlene, it’s all his fault!
Typical London bias MOTD2 didn’t even bother showing a leg breaking tackle in the highlights! Unlike running a feature on scumbag Barton getting kicked up in the air and repeating it over and over again.
F*ck you Lineker and f*ck you Colin Murray especially (as a DJ what do you know about football anyway?).
I questioned the logic of signing another expensive striker when our defence was clearly the issue that hasn’t been resolved since Mick took over.
Would we really be worse off with SEB and Doyle upfront and a £7mil defended at the back?
Apparently so, I was talking shit it seems.
This is the replay i received.
Grace says:
June 3, 2010 at 11:24 PM
Stop talking shit you fool (Kwolf)
Our preffered method of play over the last 4 yrs under McCarthy has been 442, this signing just gives us a better chance to play it.
Yep we should have scored more goals last season & this signing will help, we battered Burnley at home I cant remember them having too many chances.
Don t put a downer on what is a great signing for our club!!!!
Get a life.
Championship defenders in the premier league! Craddock a year older too – surely he was expected to be a bit part player this season and has started every game so far?
Missing Zubar, and worried to hear the bloke we signed from Hull doesn’t look great at the moment (hope he comes good in the end).
I’m with you that a quality centre half would have been on my list – but top of that list would a decent left back! We seemed to have failed at this too.
Fletcher, Hunt and Van Damme could be good players for us – problem is that so far we seem to have spent £18million on signing a bunch of crocks!
I’m sure if ‘Grace’ had her weekend ruined by going to the match yesterday (coupled with Albions result on Saturday) – she would be in agreement!
Shame they couldn’t persuade Lescott to pull a Wolves shirt on for the second half after his half time appearance!
Well Mick won’t have to find a reason not to play Guedioura now. I wonder if there will be a media firestorm over Steve Sidwell? I suspect not
To be fair to Sidwell, it was a hard challenge , and no intent to break his leg. Just part of the bad luck that we are experiencing at present. Win at Wigan and things will look rosier
Agreed on the challenge: hard but fair – there were no big protests to the referee from our players either, which is a telling sign.
And we will win at Wigan. I just subbed Jody Craddock out of my fantasy team, so he’s bound to score (probably more than once) and keep a clean sheet ….
You’re right kowloon. No ridiculous protestations. We’ll leave that stuff to Clint dempsey.
Well if Wigan can concede to Andy Keogh…
That seems like soooooooo long ago.
Now you know what it’s like to have a player injured in a ridiculous way. So don’t slag off Fulham you nonce.
Just to let everyone know that wasn’t me making that remark, presumably some Fulham supporter on the wrong blog. Suggest you stay on your own site mate. Let’s face it, you need all the fans you can get.
Indeed Martin (Wolves version). Do Fulham still have that “Neutral Area” for fans…? How lovely.
Martin Fulham – the difference is we dont go on and on about it like you lot, we accept it’s just part of the game.
To be fair Sidwell’s challenge was a foul but Henry won the ball and big Bobby just landed awkwardly – that’s just how it goes.
The only difference is the media coverage of Wolves is so sh*t it wasn’t even shown on MOTD2!
Have any of you seen Adlene’s website?
The ‘Classy Bull’ no less! I’m sure no disrespect meant 🙂
http://www.adleneguedioura.com/index.php