Defenders never get the headlines.
But signature performances like this from Richard Stearman are worthy of a few column inches.
This was virtuoso stuff from the long serving centre back, repelling the Brentford crusade single-handedly at times.
He tackled, he headed, he kicked and on several occasions threw his body in front of goal bound efforts to keep Wolves in the game.
Physical weakness and a propensity for costly mistakes have at times called into question Stearman’s value to the team, but his leadership qualities and commitment to the cause are undeniable.
Danny Batth was just as wholehearted and unlucky to see his brave block loop up and over Carl Ikeme to give Brentford the sniff of a late comeback.
And despite the heroics, they should have leveled things up when Andre Gray somehow managed to head against the post when heartbreak seemed inevitable.
Much like against Watford less than 48 hours previous, Wolves were at their strongest in the early exchanges.
Nouha Dicko benefited from a considerable dollop of good fortune to race clear and finish unerringly. He was offside by a big margin but still had a lot to do.
More luck followed hours later with the Mali man left out of their squad for the African Cup of Nations. His presence throughout January could prove pivotal.
Sako, who is departing, shook the crossbar and saw a powerful free kick parried away by David Button, but sandwiched in between was a sustained spell of Brentford pressure.
I was impressed by the standard of the Bees’ pass and move football, but all to often their neat approach work lacked a cutting edge.
That theme carried on in the second half, with the visitors dominating the ball but failing to create clear chances.
It was pleasing to see Wolves pick them off on the break, with van La Parra walloping a superb header against the bar and McDonald following in.
But after the Scot helped himself to an early shower for two clumsy tackles, it was suddenly all hands to the pump.
Fortunately, Ikeme’s handling was crisp, Batth and Stearman excelled and when lady luck was called upon, she was kind.
With the crosses flying in, it also helped to have two strapping full-backs guarding the posts and the performances of Iorfa and Hause were close to faultless.
Iorfa in particular continues to shine, combining raw power with a calmness that belies his 19 years of age. He looks a wonderful find.
And wonderful would also be an appropriate adjective to describe 2014 for Wolverhampton Wanderers. If 2015 is even half as good, it will be a very happy new year.
Great early xmas present well done lads…
See, you bunch of non believers!!
My wish for a Christmas Miracle worked, no ACN for Dicko!!
Once again, the record books will show a Wanderers win, not the neat football and bad luck of the opposition.
The record books will also show another loss for the shit.
The tide has turned, we are only going one way, up, so get your friggin’ check book out, morgan, muzzle greasel, the WWFC beast is about to be unleashed!!
Prem here we come!!
OH, forgot.
FOwb
Oh, also forgot.
I have always rated Stearman, and now he appears to be an all round, excellent defender.
Onwards and upwards, me Babbeez!!
Stearman was awesome mate. I managed to see some extended highlights and all reports say he had a brilliant match. You know I am one who does not rate him but he is proving me wrong, so I say well done fella.
Brilliant news about Nouah too. We can move up with a vengeance now.
Come on me babbies!
Is there no one awake over there?
Where are all the comments, congratulating The Wufflers for their stirring win, and me for my unerring predictions and Miracles??!!
Miracles,
When I was running my Charity I met Mother Teresa, she tried to tell me she was “Clive from Houston” bloody Albanian name dropper.
🙂
I’m up Clive.
Great win yesterday, and agree with Thomas on the back line stealing the show.
Tremendous defending, especially remaining so resolute towards the end after they nicked on back off a big deflection.
Dicko took his goal excellently though, so praise for him too.
A solid performance all round against good opposition.
I woke him up at 5 am. Serves him right should live under GMT rules.
🙂
Yeah, you bastid.
Don’t fergit, paybacks are a bitch.
I sent it so you could read it when you got up, thats what happens when we’re old and the prostrate is shot, up all hours of the night for a tinkle.
🙂
What a great Xmas, we win two the shit loose two and to top it all Dicko is not selected by Mali for the African Cup.
There is a god after all and he wears old gold & black.
Like Clive I have always thought Stearman was better than many thought, it now appears that he is and is getting better all the time, not too sure that we should be praising Clive for his predictions just yet. Although if Morgan gets his cheque book out and muzzels greasel I may have to rethink that position. But the thought occurrs that now Dicko is not going they have an in built excuse not to spend.
Onwards & Upwards
Watching Richard Stearman defend is a pleasure. He reminds me of the Black Knight in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. ‘None shall pass.’ He seems prepared to lose a body part in defence of the goal. However, it is important that the rest of the team does not adopt the ‘None shall pass’ philosophy when we have the ball. In the first fifteen minutes of the game we seem to have recaptured our early season form, especially MacDonald, and deserved the first goal, although the linesman did not seem fully conversant with the offside rule. Then we allowed Brentford to pass and they did. They have no star players but they pass the ball to each other like it is something they have practised. They also had an interesting move at corners where 5 players form a queue on the penalty spot like shoppers waiting in line for a sale bargain. Then scatter in all directions. We kept giving them the ball like we were Santa in his grotto handing out gifts to all the good boys and girls. Poor finishing good defending, Ikeme’s excellent shot stopping and a touch of luck meant we held onto the lead. The second goal was a bonus and hopefully illustrates the value of VLP who was the victim of some crowd grumbling. MacDonald then went agricultural in his tackling which made the last 10 minutes cardiacally arresting. I agree with you about Iorfa, he seems as composed as a Beethoven symphony and is reluctant to hit the ball randomly preferring to find one of his team mates. I hope that isn’t trained out of him. It was not a game for the purist but it warmed my cockles and made my winkles jingle.
….. composed as a Beethoven symphony….. brilliant!
Oh Danny Boy
I’m sitting in a West End Theatre in London watching “Memphis” reading your blog.
You got the Music in you boy.
Chestita Nova Godina to you and your family.
🙂
great christmas from the lads loved beating brentford yesterday although a very tough match ,cant stand their moaning manager warbuton and we owed them one .great to see Iorfa and Hause doing well .love to see who the mali centre forward is as they have left Noutha out of their squad .sorry for Noutha but great for us .A nice little cup run now me babbies .WOLVES AY WE
In a fit of pique I decided to leave Kent at 10.45 and just have a quick drive up the road for 157 miles to see our boys..
After getting stuck on the A14 M1M6 interchange then M6 M54 I couldn’t park the car FFS..
I got in at 3.15 and missed our first goal but experienced the ‘new'(for me)North bank for the first time..
What a different team with our 2 new full backs..
Great match.. K Mac nearly fluffed the rebound and I’ve never seen so much confidence on the ball from Sako..
Thank god Dicko is with us in Jan..
(Will this interfere with the big signing?)
Play offs and a cup run?
COYW
I am shocked and pleased that Dicko isn’t going to the ACON. I think he’s a bigger loss than Sako in many ways, as we have no striker who can fill his boots as his recent absence (and return) has demonstrated.
How about Hull’s CB Paul McShane on loan in Jan? He’s recently had a spat with Bruce, and has been there and done it in the Championship and Premiership.
Sorry Ade think i would rather have Saggy back.
“The offside goal cost us the game”.
Rubbish, Warburton!
The battling performance of the boys in old gold and the profligacy of your forwards cost you the game.
The only goal you scored was the biggest slice of luck going all afternoon.
Come on you Wolves!!!!!
And FOWB!!!!!
Early new years gift for Morgan that Dicko will not be going to Africa. WWFC play a much better pass and move game with the three midfielders and only one striker. Find another really pacey winger a la Van Parra, pace terrifies defences at the highest levels, anyone done any stats on the assists for Van Parra so far this season. It may be time for Henry and Jacobs to be moved on if we can. Then some more pace and mobility in midfield, then the second half of the season could be all black and gold. See everyone at Craven Cottage on Saturday, so Happy New Year to all bloggers especially Thomas and Ben.
Doogooder,
Like you I am Tits off with that whinger Warburton, what a knob. Yes his team did lots of fancy passing and footwork, but if you can’t get into the box it counts for feck all you “Thick Cut” loaf.
That’s where Stearman came in, how many of him was on the pitch?, he was a breath of fresh air compared to our performances during the 5 dark games. I for one have always liked the kid, he would die for Gold & Black.
I was at the same game as everyone else and Ithink we played well, defended well. My observation is, if anyone has seen that game they played at halt time with the Whathouse ball challeng where they had to chip it through the little windows or door to win some extra benifit money. Then I liken the Wolves team to that, lots of promise up front but can’t get that final ball through the aperture, they then drop back and back off because it’s just not working for them. Get a new striker alongside Dicko and I think we will see a similar scenario to last yearafterthe Christmas revival.
Onwards and Upwards.
Happy New Year to you all, I’m at Craven Cottage if anyone wants a beer.
🙂
Have to agree with everyone, Stearman was immense yesterday throwing his body at every ball.
We need to retain possession better if we want to be successful, the ball was coming back quickly and our defence didn’t get time to rest but the defensive organisation stood up well
I had an unconfirmed e-mail this morning that Wolves had signed Chris Wood for 1 1/2 million.
Just come in Wolvesnewsnow, that Derby and Wolves are after, yes you guessed it, Chris Wood. Very interesting.
Have you confirmed it yet? Was it definitely an email?
Seriously though, where are you getting these emails from?!
It’s all over Wolves news now, says Derby, Reading & Wolves chasing him.
My nephew in North Allerton saw it on facebook this morning and e-mailed me.
Great result that keeps us within touching distance of the play-offs,defence played really well but overall a great team performance.
a nice 10 points out of 12,can’t grumble about that. UTW.
Great win, really pleased with the 2 wins. Agree with the Stearman praise he was brilliant. I did’nt know the Dicko goal was off side until I saw the BBC website. But as KJ says you have to roll with the punches of ref’s decisions & we have had more than our fair share of poor decisions against us.
I would also single out Iorfa & Dave Edwards for great performances both were, along with Stearman, exceptional. Edwards headed the ball clear from defence countless times in dangerous areas. He also broke brilliantly to cross for RVLP to head against the bar which led to our 2nd goal, which Supermac very nearly messed up.
That Dicko is’nt going to the ACN is great news. I personally think he is more important to us than is Sako, but together yes they are awesome.
I just hope Dicko is not going due to the hamstring, he came off yesterday & I thought he was limping a touch.
I thought it was Price who passed for Dicko to score the `off side goal` but the BBC report said it was Hause, confused. Anyone else paying better attention to the game than me & the lino?
It’s already been said but Stearman was superb, probably the best I’ve seen him play at this level. A comfortable year in League One seems to have done him the world of good. The days when it looked like a mistake was coming any minute seem long gone.
Nothing to do with yesterday but just seen on E&S site that the shit have sacked Irvine,
Anyone for a celebration drink?
Just proves you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
FOWB
I was hoping Irvine would stay and make sure he completed the job in taking them down!
It’s up to Downing and Lescott to ensure the inevitable happens now!
Irvine… (Wolves fan through and through…) Thanks for your efforts in taking them as far as you can in the right direction!
I like Stearman in many ways.
I like his comittment.
I like his pace.
I like his football ability.
I LOVE his tackling.
I not concerned by his occasional faux pas.
But I do not like his heading.
Some people are natural headers of the ball and I don’t think Stears is. He lacks the timing or the power of a top CH, his headers often not clearing the danger.
This is just an observation and agree he’s still well worth his place in the team at present.
My other thought is that after two straight wins and 6 points we could easily have ended up with just 2.
We really have to get more comfortable and positive with taking the lead. The majority of teams find it easier when the opposition start chasing the game. We seem to go into negative panic where we stop passing the ball, give them the momentum and drop deeper and deeper. It doesn’t work and it’s the reason we never win comfortably and why our goal difference is soo bad.
Maybe it’s a confidence thing but Kenny really needs to sort that out.
Martin.. my sentiments entirely..crap yourself time is a Wolves fans burden..
Composure and possession is not our forte and this must rest firmly on the coaching.. The tragedy of going ahead and then give it away is almost too much to bear sometimes such as in the last seconds we allowed them to hit the post against Brentford..
A Wolves trait and to play a game out or keep possession would be a New Years gift..
It can’t be diff for KJ to see..
I would like to see Jarvis back on loan while Sako s away .. Gutted about Irvine ….. Any truth that they’re considering Twoddle ? I hope that’s true
No Wiziwig (or other) coverage, so I’ve only seem limited highlights.
Re Dicko’s goal it looks as though Brentford’s left back MAY have been playing him on-side. Maybe some kidology from KJ (saying it was offside) so he builds a reputation as being honest with ‘officialdom’ ?
Blackburn ticket confirmed for 11th Jan.
I’m on the bell if your up for it, will be with my nephew.
🙂
Will text you when I get there. It’s my round.
Warburton is a arrogant tossed he was the same last season never gave us any credit it always his team that are unlucky, yes luck played apart but it does for all teams he’s just a sad loser.
Back to Wolves I hope Dicko staying doesn’t mean the cheque books being put back into Morgans pocket this is the time to add not sit on our hands and hope for the best but I carnt see it happening now, no it looks like loan signings I fear…….!
Last thing then I’m off to the fridge I’ve a bottle of beer getting cold.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my fellow Boggers and in the words of John Lennon “” lets hope it’s a good one “
Well played Stearman!
Happy New Year Ben and Thomas and looking forward to the rest of the season….
Happy New Year Stearman. I owe you a beer for slagging you off. I know you read this, but are not allowed to reply, so meet me up for a pint in our watering hole around 12 o’clock on the 17th and I will buy you one!
Happy New Year all fellow wolves bloggers.
Hope 2015 is a great year for you all and esp Thomas and Ben who again make this blog very enjoyable.
Wolves – great to see the boys get back on track and let’s get back up to where we belong.
Looking forward to many more stories in the New Year.
Finally
FOWB
Pulis heading for sandwell then.
He’s got a two week rolling contract!
Looking forward to Pulis ruining his ‘never been relegated’ accolade. Hope he reintroduces the long throws…
Happy New Year, all you lot out there in blogland.
I have just begun my 2014 New Years resolutions, that way I can say I carried them out wholeheartedly until the end of the year!!
Pulis is a 100% prick, so a perfect fit in sandwell!
Off to hit the high street with the mastercard now ( name the movie)
Will blog to y’all next year.
and a final Fuck Off w…b… to you all.
On a personal note, another piece of good news is that Danny Graham is on the way back to Sunderland. I never did take to his Sunderland style of play, the gossip column full of Wolves Chasing Chris Wood. It would be interesting to see what transpires after tonights celebrations.
Thank you Ben & Thomas, your work is appreciated by many, long may you continue.
A truly Happy New Year to you all, lots of good luck for 2015 for us, you’ve made my year with the Wolvo Banter.
🙂
A Happy New Year to all fellow bloggers. I hope all your resolutions come to fruition and 2015 is good to you.
A Happy New Year to all on this blog from the wilds of Port Merion or a crowded Portobello, in London, depending on where I happen to be….
A blog always amusing and hopeful, as we Wolves fans have to be!