At 4.56pm, the grand old hands of the North Bank clock momentarily unlocked and the piercing shrill of a force 12 Molineux subsided.
For one nanosecond the world stood still – including David Edwards – as referee Mike Dean slowly, painfully and grudgingly pursed his lips to concede defeat.
A hurricane strength roar ended two months of frustration and at that precise moment, there was nowhere else in the world I would rather have been.
We’re back!
We can watch Match of the Day for the first time since August; we can fawn over Sarah Jane Mee (in particularly enticing blue number on Sky Sports); we can buy a six pack of Carling with a smile on our face and more importantly….we can believe again.
Forgive a possible over-reaction so soon after the event, but I can barely remember a more satisfying winning feeling in 25 years of watching the Wolves.
We were skilful, brave and utterly relentless in the face of adversity, as another bent referee did his damndest to cheat us out of what we thoroughly deserved.
Never mind the opposition’s endless pot of money on transfers and wages, we looked the genuine million dollar men as we outplayed and outfought City.
That has to rankle with their fans. So too the perplexing omission of Adam Johnson.
But enough of them. Mick McCarthy has, and will continue to have his critics, but his team bore all the hallmarks of what we love most in him. Honesty, endeavour and an indefatigable will to win.
With the odds stacked firmly against us, Adebayor scored from the spot after a Silva won a penalty for a piece of play that will never earn us a spot kick at the other end of the pitch.
This, coinciding with an impressive opening from City had most of us fearing for the worst, but we needn’t have worried.
Our 4-5-1 system looked as fluid as it has done all season with Hunt and Jarvis making it a genuine 4-3-3 set-up and we seized the upper hand.
After hitting the post from a corner, we equalised through the one player that glued our formation together so effectively – Milijas!
The classy Serb was the most refreshing sight of the afternoon, offering us bucket loads of quality that has been missing for so long this season.
His goal was the least we deserved, and we didn’t stop there.
Man City’s men bore a team who expected everything to land on their plate, as if we should be a bunch of sycophants that they are so used to seeing off the pitch.
How refreshing that we weren’t. Even more refreshing was the sight of us going for the second goal and getting it, through the much maligned Edwards.
The Shropshire lad has got more stick than most since returning to the team after his injury lay off, but I’d take a hundred of his ilk than one Bolletelli, who pissed and moaned round the pitch as if 200k wasn’t enough.
The goal was fully deserved and a fitting end product to the work of Doyle, who worked hard to help create the opening and revelled on his own up front.
The plus points were everywhere. In Jarvis, we have the outstanding Englishman never to play for his country and in Hunt, a genuine outlet on the other side to bring balance and attention away from our matchwinner
Henry fitted in well, Ward had his best game in a Wolves shirt and Berra and Stearman were just immense.
Foley was another hero to shine, displaying all the understated class that made us all fall in love with him when he first joined us.
As one former Wolves boss once said: “The trouble with Wolves fans is that their highs are way too high and our lows are far too low.”
Maybe he’s right. But as I sit here with a beer in hand on Saturday night, I couldn’t care less!
First time poster here, long time lurker. Top blog Benny boy, as articulate and scalpel-sharp as always.
I just wish I could have been there to see the faces on the no doubt over-expectant Mancs on their jaunt down to the Mids, awaiting what i’m sure they considered an inevitable three points, with Mancini swishing his scarf in a huff as his modern day Harlem Globetrotters deferred to a dose of good old fashioned, hard nosed English football reality.
Thank goodness Mental Mick’s myopia towards Milijas has subsided, by hook or by crook. He’s too talented to leave wasting away by the sidelines for as long as he has, whilst Jones coasts through on last year’s performances waiting for an inflated new deal. Great to hear Edwards do well and score, but i can’t be doing with hearing that yet again Milijas has been ignored when the alternative seems so pointless, such as when the young Welshman went straight back in the side when patently not fit. I know you have your faves Mick but come on, you’re a Premiership manager, not at home on your PC playing Football Manager afraid of leaving your star signing out…
Wonderful win, fabulous stuff. Let’s just hope the lads can sustain it and Mick’s continually confused selection policy doesn’t ultimately undermine things.
Hi Soapy, thanks for lurking and taking the plunge with a cheeky comment.
Great to hear another view.
Agree about Milijas. It’s funny how things work out, when you consider he would have been nowhere near the first eleven had it not been for the injury to Guedioura and Henry’s sending off at Wigan. Mick basically picked him because he had nobody else, but in the two games he’s started, he already looks indispensable.
What a performance, particularly in the first half yesterday, and what a strike for the goal. Brilliant technique as always.
Interesting that you mention Edwards too, a player who looks transformed with Milijas in the side, able to make those runs forward, knowing there’s actually a chance someone might pick him out.
I’ve been the Welshman’s biggest critic but I can’t fault the bloke for his last two performances.
Six pack for you and a double Ovaltine Light for me Ben but, stuff it, I’m not scared. The clocks go back 2nt so I can have an extra hour to sleep it off in the morning!
Only wanted to post something to go ahead of Nick Dalton but now I’m here, it reminds me so much of last season only this time Micks ditching his mad team selections earlier than before.
Todays euphoria was reminiscent of the night we beat Spurs at home and that wasnt til March(?) last season so we’re about four months ahead of last terms attempts to find a balanced, round pegs in round holes team.
I suspect Mick will eventually come round to the idea that JVD (a proven champions league left back) is a better option in that position than either Ward or George and that Mouyokolu and Stearman will forge a more athletic, mobile and pacey centre back pairing than Craddick and Berra.
We’ll see but credit where its due, the side he turned out today did him, themselves and all us fans proud. I wouldnt swap any of them for that bunch of overpaid prima donnas in city colours today.
Other than maybe Lescott for Ward perhaps?
Didnt see Lescott playing 2day.
He had a blinder at half time, didn’t give the ball away once 🙂
10th Feb actually Scooped. I know cos i was sat next to a Spurs fan on a flight back from Cyprus telling me how they were going to exact huge revenge on us for beating them at the Lane. Silly boy!
So now the question is, will McCowardly live up to his nick name, lovingly bestowed on him after that Old Trafford bottle job last season, or will he earn respect by sending out a strong team next weekend, to try and repeat today’s wonderful performance?
Can he afford another 25,000 pound fine ( I would have used the pound sign but they don’t got one on American ‘puters!!)
The team spirit must be soaring now, and I wish I’d been a fly on the team bus back to Manchester tonight!!
Interesting that lescott and Johnson can play for England, but not get in the City starting line up.
Does it mean Lescott could be on his way???
Also what about Robbie Keane, not starting for Spurms?
FOMM
£ – Clive- press ALT and then type 156 weith the number pad.
Excellent win. Well played the lads; you are responsible for my hungover headache as I type this! Can’t ask for more than that. Everyone played out of their skins again (OK, Milijas didn’t touch the ball once in the first 15 minutes, but he made up for that in some style 🙂 )
City were abject though. I was amazed at Johnson not starting (was it the colossus of Ward which put him off?), and with his substitutions it seemed Mancini was trying to give a lesson to MM on how to play square pegs in round holes!
What summed City up for me was Bollotelli wearing a pair of gloves on a mild October day. Pathetic.
Yes, but I bet they were Dolce & Gabbana gloves, not your average Poundland rubbish. Great blog, great win and great week to look forward to.If only we could get something at OT
Wouldn’t that be great. Chelsea and Arsenal would love us, until we play the Gooners… 6 points from the next 2?
Just watched the game on football first, and I must say that I feel a bit harsh about my previous comments about Ward & Edwards. Neither of them put a foot wrong and the latter was very impressive! I only hope that they can maintain that level of performance and keep improving as the season progresses! That said, we need to buy a decent left back in January as Ward is definitely our weakest link.
I think Hunt will keep improving as he regains his full fitness. I’m also looking forward to Zubar regaining fitness and pushing the impressive Foley for a starting berth.
One swallow does not make a summer!
Agree they both played well though.
God I feel rough today, a bit too much celebrating. What a game and what a win. I didn’t have Edwards in my starting line up in the preview but he prooved why I don’t get paid to pick the team for our beloved club. He was class, along with Doyle, Jarvis, Foley, Milijas…………….actually they were all class yesterday, even Ward. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much satisfaction at beating a team as I did yesterday, what a buch of over paid, over hyped wankers.
I hate to be negative after such an impressive win but did anyone else notice Henry didn’t make 1 tackle, was he told to hold back or has the media hype wrecked his confidence?
Sorry Scooped, had to do it. We’re level now
Great performance and result. Fair play to Mick for playing Milijas and playing a good 4-5-1/4-3-3 system. Jarvis once again superb. If we can play like that against the poorer opposition then we’ll be fine
That will be the key from the middle of November to the end of December, consistently putting it all together against lesser sides and picking up three or four big wins.
I think we can and will do it and whose to say we won’t knick anything from the next two games?
Amazing amazing amazing. Had to go on footytube when I woke up this morning (also incredibly hungover) to watch the highlights and check it wasn’t all some glorious dream.
Nothing much to add that’s not been said, but I simply cannot believe how anonymous Gareth Barry was. If I hadn’t remembered him being subbed off I’d have had to double check he even played. Seems ludicrous that he’s straight on the England team sheet and Jarvo’s yet to get in the squad (although I think that’s going to change pretty soon the way he’s playing)
Agree totally re Barry. The most overrated Englishman since platt,who is ironically his coach. So too milner, whose 30mill price tag (or whatever it was) is based purely on a good engine. no tricks or pace. It’s scary what mediocrity is worth today. Compare that to Johnson, worth 7mill, genuine class, and he can’t get a game! Bizarre. I feel fickle in saying that one performance has instilled my belief (and passion awakened) but it has. Left back still concerns me but save that 4another day.
I saw in the papers that Johnson is only on £25k per week too (I know I just said “only” – but it is relative).
Bet he feels p*ssed off seeing Ya Ya lording it up on £220k fighting his own team mates and leaving the Mol before the end! Maybe he was fed up that the Billy Wright had sold out of balti pies?
Speaking of Balti Pies mate. Not sure I’m enjoying the new herby pastry and earthier filling of balti. I commend the club for progress, and the pie is verging on a meal in a dish, but I find it a bit dry if truth be told.
Maybe its deliberately dry, as I needed to buy a cup of team to cement mix, hence more money in the till.
PS: Well done on becoming a Dad mate. Not sure if I said!
I’m not enjoying the new pies either mate, too much pastry for me. Completely ruined my whole match day experience to be honest. I used to love a pre match balti pie.
I like a nice moist pie mate. Nothing worse than getting your fingers round a dry bit of crust. Top marks for effort from the club, but I just want the old pies back.
Also, I do like the plasmas around the concourse, do you? I feel like I paid for one of those by not remewing on the early bird. The extrra revenue paid for a nice plasma.
I also found it weird on Saturday when I had to rush off for a p*ss with 15 to go, and saw a fair few fans just watching the TVs. What’s the point in that?!
They do give the place more of a premiership feel but I don’t actually see the point in them, they just seem to advertise what odds you can get on first goal scorer. I’ve given up trying to fight the crowds down there at half time so not sure what they show then.
As for watching the game on them, that’s crazy. Were they drinking a pint, that’s the only semi-sensible reason I can think of for staying down there. Either that or they sit close to me and wanted to get away from the idiot who sits behind me…………..actually that’s not a bad idea.
Wolves 2 Money 1
Ok, I plagiarised that from a comment I read elsewhere, but what a headline and what a result.
Every player in a gold shirt was fantastic, so I won’t single anyone out.
As the minutes ticked down and the defensive reinforcements were deployed from the bench, I was convinced we wouldn’t hang on, but when Mancienne timed his tackle to perfection to deny Johnson free entry into our box, I knew it would be our day. What a moment.
It would be nice if just once we could break away and score when hanging on for dear life, but that’s hardly likely I suppose with 8 defenders on the pitch.
But who cares how we do it hey?
As always, when we desperately need a result, Mick and the lads pull it out of the hat. Write them off at your peril.
Bring on United.
I do think we need to develop different tactics when we go in front though Thomas. Better teams find it easier when they go in front not harder. We hung on this time but they could have sored and we won’t always be so lucky. We’ve got the pace wide to hit them on the break now so we can do it.
I fully agree, but everytime we win in the Premier League, we seem to be clinging on for dear life at the end, it wasn’t just Saturday.
Last season, we were only comfortable in three of our wins, West Ham away, Burnley at home and Sunderland on the final day. Every other win was a slog to the death. And this season, it’s been the same in both our wins.
The only genuine pace we have really is Jarvis and he’s always the first player to be withdrawn.
I think another striker will be on the shopping list in January, when Bent inevitably goes home, so hopefully Mick will invest in some much needed pace up front. We all know what Doyle, SEB and Fletcher bring to the table but none of those players are exactly lightning quick.
Champions league week too – lets hope they are all knackered after a tough European game!
I claim I got it spot on for yesterday! Man city too narrow, playin to our strengths down the flanks. Balotelli, Silva & Adebayor and the likes going missing. Only thing wrong was that we didnt need any luck! Just brilliant preformance. Did have a mad moment though and predicted we’d keep a clean sheet-apologies.
Well done to all the fans at the game for havin the belief too, shame theres still some that don’t. I point to our recent performances and challenge them to argue what on earth theyre talking about with their problems of MM, Ward, Berra & Edwards.
SMM & UTW
One summer and it doesnt make you swallow, or something like that.
Ward is still crap and always will be.
Berra is still too slow and always will be.
Cradock is still too old and always will be, if in fact he gets back in the team, but knowing MM he will.
McCowardly is still obtuse, obstinate and pig headed and always will be.
Our recent performances are 1 win in eight, four losses on the bounce, and that my friend is relegation quality.
We have got to get left back and central defence sorted, and Ward, George, Berra and Craddock are NOT the answer.
Foley has had 2 excellent games, at right back if I’m not mistaken, so watch MM put him back in midfield where he is far less effective.
Proof of pudding will come over the next 2 games, where we are really gonna be tested. Then we can say who is playing well, and who needs getting rid of along with Ward.
Having said that, it was a brilliant game against a top 4 team, who didn’t “not play well”, as the press would have us believe, but were not given the chance by a highly effective Wolves team who, and I don’t care what the scoreline says, thrashed and stuffed them.
Well done lads, let’s bask in some unexpected( by others) glory for a week.
FOMM
To be fair, the proof in the pudding will come after the next two games. We’re not expected to win those and if we do indeed get pummeled i don’t think that’ll prove we’re relegation fodder as we already know we’re not as good as the big teams. The real tests wil come after
proof of pudding comes after 38 games i believe! which is my point, these players and the manager will make this happen if we give them that chance
We already have 3 more points than I expected from these four games! Another point from the next two games would be an excellent return – but I wont hold my breath.
Glass looking slightly less empty (as another win would take us into the top half!!!!)
This strange reluctance to bestow praise on the deserving is most interesting. And talking of ‘obtuse, obstinate and pig-headed’…hmmm…Who else would you say might possibly fit this description? tick..tock..tick..tock
Thank you!!!
Finally, recognition and fame at last!!
Oh joy, I am a happy little mouse!!!
Exeter Wolf said it for me, we still need to find a quality pacey left back. If Adam Johnson had been running at Ward all game, it may have been a different outcome.
But good to see Berra has upped his game, Stearman (penalty apart) is showing why he was a regular England under 21, and we have Moyoukolo nearly ready in the wings. Great performance with immense team spirit, made me proud to be a fan, and boy did my saturday madras taste good this week!!
White Rabbits to all of you who knows what it means!!!
Enjoy that one t’OM 🙂
PS…what on earth has happened to the Glory mate ??
Mate – I caught the last 8 minutes after coming home from a Halloween party having had a couple. I took great delight in explaining to my girlfriend why it was fun to beat the £££ of Citeh. Then when I saw Milijas’ goal after full time I almost hit the roof.
Mate, Glory, I don’t know. I can’t go on Wednesday night and I’m worried because I don’t think they’ll get 6 000. They were abysmal against Sydney, and abysmal again on Saturday. Jamie Coyne even made it on Soccer AM for being rubbish. It’s like watching a train wreck, in slow motion. Having been promised so much this year after going for so long with them just being a joke, it makes it even worse.
I think it’s confirmed now that we’re a better, more effective and, even, more attacking team with 5 in midfield, a 4-5-1 changing to 4-3-3 depending on the circumstances. I think we shoukd play this home and away now and i’ll start worrying if Mick changes it back to, say, give Fletch a game. It relies on him picking the right 5 though. This means two geniune wingers with pace, a holding player, a runner and someone pulling the strings. The beauty of Edwards and Milijas for the last two is they also provide a genuine goal threat. Personally, i think we should get some money for Jones in January, top it up and buy someone really decent to challenge for the Milijas position. Oh and a left back of course. You can bet your life that Aresne Wenger will know exactly how weak we are in that position and he won’t be leaving his wingers on the bench. If Wardy survives that one i’ll be very happily surprised.
I love football again….
Results went for us in general as well.
Is it weird to think that maybe Alb*on winning tonight is a good result for us?
What a great result – and even though we are in the relegation spots, even though I am the profit of doom – I even managed to say to the wife “we are only three points off the top half of the table!”.
Dave Edwards – well done, you had a really good game, and that is not coming from your biggest fan! Great engine and for once looked dangerous going forward, I hope you can keep it up.
What can you say about Jarvis – regular users of the site will know he is my little favourite anyway, but he is absolute class. Can anyone name a better winger in the prem at the moment? Thank God he signed a new contract, but if he keeps this up I think we will struggle to keep hold of him. My friend went to an open day at Wolves last week and said he was a really nice bloke too – out of all the players that attended he was the one that took the most interest in the fans.
Nice to see Hunt having an impact too – you can tell he is not fully fit, but some of his passes/crossing already demonstrates he is a class act. i also think he and Doyle link well (Doyle looked a lot better than in recent games so I hope he can add a goal or ten soon!)
PS Am I (and the Ref) the only person who though Stearmans tackle was a penalty?
They showed replays ad nauseum over here both on Saturday and on Sunday’s round up.
The law says that if a foul is committed while the ball is still in play in the box then it’s a penalty.
The ball was in play, and Stearman took the little pratt’s legs from under him, therefore penalty.
The ref was spot on with the decision, and Stearman was very unlucky, coz he was fully committed to the challenge, and would have got one foot on the ball if the little pratt had not pulled it back.
Fair play to the little pratt, a neat move, but he had no chance of doing anything with the ball, just played for the penalty.
My worry is that other refs are not going to apply the law properly, and we will still see penalties not given, even though the ball is in play as it’s going out, or the fouled player has no chance of getting it.
And of course all the non penalty decisions will go against us, that is known as Sods Law.
Still, we gave them a goal start and still stuffed them!!!!
FOMM
Thanks Clive – This was my initial understanding of the rules, so it was a penalty even though he was going no where.
My only complaint is that had that of been Jarvis at the other end of the pitch it is highly unlikely we would be given a penalty. I think back to a few tackles on Doyle last season that were practically assault where play was just waved on!
You sum it up well in that no one cares now we have won the game – if it had ended nil one I’m not sure I would be so calm!!!!!
Oh, and I know what “white rabbits” is too – said it to myself at the breakfast table this morning! A legacy from my Nan! (not wanting to make you feel old!)
You are not supposed to say it to yourself, only to other people!!!
Sh*t – does that mean we wont win a game in November and it will be all my fault?
Roy Hodgson made the very relevant observation on last Saturdys MOD, that there were a lot more drawn games this season. This is because the top teams are more vulnerable, with only Man City spending big money (wankers), and the bottom teams are much stronger than last year – so far. I include my black & gold heroes here.
40 points may not be good enough, but its obvious the matches that we have to get something from, anything else would be a real bonus – like last sat. However I suspect far more strange and unpredicable results this season will follow, we just have to be absolutely on the button every week. There are no dead ringers for relegation like last season, so every team in the bottom half has the same pressures, lady luck and MM to work the oracle for us lets hope. It will be a very close call I fear.