If Kenny Jackett allowed himself a post-match Nouah Dicko call to state another case to sign, there’d only be one phone network to cover the conversation.
Everything Everywhere.
Two perfect words to sum up an upwardly mobile performance, which will be remembered for our very own ‘EE’ on the Molineux scoresheet.
The much maligned Edwards and the recalled Lee Evans were the unlikely heroes in only our second win in eight and first top six conquest of the season, which was a Samsung S4 vision of aesthetic pleasure.
It sounds like Dicko – the pretty forgettable loan signing that became lost in last season’s wilderness – will be joining us from Wigan, to hopefully add a missing ingredient to a side that already looked pretty complete against Preston North End.
To some, it may appear cheap, but to anyone who saw Kenny Jackett’s signings in action, his signature can only be a good thing judging by Ricketts, Golbourne, McDonald, Henry and Jacobs.
All five of them played an integral role in another performance oozing longer-term promise, and for the first time in a long while, a couple of goals to boot.
A few heads were doubtless scratched when the teamsheet equated to an apparent 4-5-1 formation at home, but like a T Mobile and Orange network merger, the cynics would benefit from Jackett’s signal of intent.
The first half alone offered more talking points than most of last season’s hellish home games put together.
A stone wall penalty ignored by the infuriating Scott Mathieson, a goal from Dave Edwards one minute later, two further Edwards efforts, a disallowed Preston goal and a Joe Garner shot off the underside of Aaron McCarey’s woodwork, for a start.
Then there was a Michael Jacobs miss from Kevin McDonald’s parried effort, a Leigh Griffiths’ missed header and a thoroughly compelling spectacle in-between.
With the resurgent Edwards breaking the deadlock following good McDonald work, the floodgates should have opened as we carved out umpteen chances, while living a bit dangerously at the other end.
Visions of Leyton Orient came flooding back during the half time interval but thankfully, lightning wouldn’t strike twice.
Lee Evans prodded home after Henry’s thunderbolt was parried and the frustrated Griffiths missed a one-on-one moments later to make it three.
With 20 shots at goal and eight on target, this was a performance to do finally do justice to the virtuous build-up play which have yielded so little of late.
Jacobs again shone, McDonald again controlled and David Edwards made more late runs in behind Preston’s defence than most Wolves fans made text messages.
With more performances like this and the signing of a mobile striker, maybe the future is bright, if not a golden shade of orange.
yes yes yes———–onward on upwards NOW
Apt report matey, as I thought mobility was a major factor today. Wolves were a yard quicker to everything. At the end of the first half, we had them punch-drunk with our midfield swarming all over them.
Glad we got that goal early in the second half, because like you say, every chance of a Leyton Orient repeat.
Toss up between Golbourne and McDonald as MoM for me, as both were phenomenal and epitomised the sort of football Jackett has got the team playing.
Also a mention for the perpetually criticised Dave Edwards. The only criticism anyone can possibly muster today is that he didn’t take the match ball home. Three fantastic runs to ensure our brilliant approach play at last had some penetration. Well done that man.
Griffiths was disappointing but still an improvement on the efforts of Cassidy and Doyle just because he offered some threat running on the shoulder. Despite being a peripheral figure for long periods he still should have had a goal, particularly second half when clean through. Good strikers always get chances and he’s still the best we have.
Another good showing from McCarey. Freak shot against the bar I don’t think he could do much about, but he held onto some crosses under pressure, palmed away their only real shot (perhaps could have caught it though) and even ran out a few times to bollock the defence. I liked that. Hennessey is a bit of a choir boy and Ikeme, for all his excellent qualities, doesn’t command.
I think Jackett has the winning formula for sustained success, particularly at Molineux. It’s such a big pitch, you’ve got to get it down and pass. Even when teams come and sit, there are acres to run into. Play like we did at home today for the rest of the season and we’ll give someone a real hiding.
My continued failure with the predictions worked at last, and the right way round this time (3-1 defeat predicted, with huge misgiving)! Sounds like the pieces slotted into place today….and without Sako. Well done KJ and the lads!
Well , which ring tone would you add on this network?
Walking on sunshine ?
Don’t stop me now ?
I can see clearly now?
Move on up ?
Everyone’s a winner ?
C’ mon, C’ mon ? And my favourite……..
Always look on the bright side of life.
How about The Liquidator…..Fuck Off w…b…?
I’m pleased to see another tough stance from Kenny. Leaving Hennessey on the bench was the right move. I can’t see either Hennessey or Sako being at the club by the end of this latest transfer window.
The fact that ‘who cares’ will I imagine be the majority response is in my opinion testament to the sound, sensible and very encouraging job that Kenny Jacket is doing.
I quite liked your review….
Right up until I remembered that the baggies used to be sponsored by T-Mobile and as in the post we are considered “Orange”, shivers ran down my spine thinking of a possible merger!… Well at least everyone knows Orange “were” the bigger network.
Anyway now that I know another merger of such magnitude (from our perspective) could never happen… I will revert to enjoying the review in how it was meant to be understood.
Sounded a great game from the commentary.
Clean sheet from the young keeper will be great for his confidence. Was never a huge Hennessey fan.
Great result from the lads when we needed it.
Surging runs, good passing, lots of attempts on goal.
That’s what any fan wants. And 3 points to boot against those on our heels.
This was,without doubt,a fantastic result.Five points between Wolves and PNE, six points between PNE and Rotherham,thirteen between Wolves and Posh ! Onwards and upwards !
Yeah, but we need to move up to second spot. Being loads of points in front of 4th, 5th or 6th placed teams means nothing if we remain in 3rd spot – we are still in the playoffs and you know what can happen in the playoffs. Do not mean to come over as negative, just like us to be in 2nd, or even better, top spot. The way we played on Saturday shows we can do it!!
UTW/FOWB
This teamsheet looks a lot different than the pile of shite that got us relegated…..twice !
Wolverhampton Wanderers
31 McCarey
18 Ricketts
26 Golbourne
04 Edwards (Davis – 63′ )
05 Stearman
06 Batth
07 Henry
14 Evans (Elokobi – 89′ )
09 Griffiths Booked (McAlinden – 70′ )
27 Jacobs
11 McDonald
In fact that’s a COMPLETELY different side to the team that got relegated! Youth and Jackett’s signings have really pulled through for us!
That’s actually really made me happy! 🙂
Unless…was Edwards in the side?
I want a top-up! Amazing what 90 minutes does to you!
If this link is anything to go by…(from December). Could Dicko be a purchase and not a load? and has this deal been in the pipeline since he put 2 past us?
In the article it advises of suspicions of why Dicko was recalled early… Was this to keep him fit so that he can complete his medical I wonder?
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11682/9086535/nouha-dicko-shocked-by-his-early-recall-to-wigan-from-rotherham-loan
Thoughts?
I really thought we would buy a striker different from those we already have. Dicko is short and very fast. He’s probably faster than Griffiths, which is nice. Shouldn’t the scouts focus on transfer targets with both aerial ability and presence. Sign up a player in the vein of Emanuel Jay Thomas. Our play are very focused on wingplay. It doesn’t necessary mean that Dicko won’t succeed if we bring him in, as there are a lot of short players with “in the box” qualities also, but I’m a bit sceptical. If we bring in Dicko we should also bring in a striker type we don’t have.
Should read not a LOAN, (hate predictive text sometimes) as knowing our astute readers would have worked out. I was just pointing out incase a supporter from a certain team across the border had issues.
Well done Ben. Sounds like a great game and we’re definitely going in the right direction.
The future’s bright, the future’s OLD GOLD.
Things are looking up ! … Wasn’t inspired by his signing but it thought goldbourne was outstanding yesterday . But the thing that gave me a lot of pleasure on my long drive home were the Albion fans on the Tom Ross football phone hysterical about this Spanish managerial debacle and his statement about him quitting already . They are so upset .. Did nt half make me chuckle
What a result ..I will venture over to Crawley …we should fill the ground..really hope it’s a winning run…
There was a bit of a kerfuffle in the Steve Bull stand during the first half during which 4 or 5 stewards rushed past me to confront a Preston fan who had somehow ended up sat on row Z. Presumably he had been identified by his lack of moaning about our inability to finish chances. I could hear one steward asking Are you Wolves fans? It was a pertinent question. Fortunately we did not have to search our souls for too long Dave Edwards scored. He could have had a hat trick. He deserved a hat trick. He ran with purpose into good positions. Dave you have come out as a footballer. I apologise. 4 5 1 or 4 2 3 1 It worked although Griffiths didn’t seem to enjoy it but who needs strikers. Also I thought Golbourne was excellent comfortable on the ball always providing options after passing and keen to get forward. McDonald was commanding and creative. Credit to KJ his team is taking shape
I don’t want to say “I told you so” to all the ‘Time’s up for Kenny Jackett’, “We’re on the slide” doom mongers.
Sod it though…
“I told you so!”
Heartwarming & brilliant display from Wolves. Thought McDonald was tremendous, and the back line excellent. Dave Edwards also came good, he was a threat with his forward runs, Lee Evans also took his chance with a solid game.
The rivals continue to exact the highest performances from us, there is no let up, Brentford & Orient do not drop many points. Great to see we are still in touch, but we can’t afford slip ups.
Jackett’s 1 up front worked, it will be interesting to see where Nouah Dicko will fit in to this team. I maybe being unfair but Wolves without Sako looked a tougher & more solid team.
Great report Ben…
Well done the lads.
Top report Ben, I thought Goldbourne is a lot better player without Sako getting in his way; Mcdonald is really starting to make us tick as well as Jacobs and Henry.
Griffiths huffed and puffed but nothing really worked out for him, also to be fair he had a fair shout for a penalty in the first half when their center back barged him over. We need other options up front, options which are not at the club yet.
Last thought for the ref who was absolutely shite, constant diving by Preston went unchecked, Griffiths gets booked for a nothing challenge , 5 minutes Jacobs gets clattered – no card – thought the ref had a really poor game.
UTW
A word for Dave Edwards. I’ve always felt criticism of someone who always gives his all is harsh. Yes, he’s not the greatest positionally and running is most of his game, but when played like yesterday, a sort of free role, that’s when he’s at his best. He’s always got a goal in him, which is more than can be said for most of our strikers. So yesterday he was allowed to be the extra man – normally left to the enigmatic Sako, who wasn’t missed – while the again excellent McDonald controlled the middle of the park.
Dont get to see many games but have to agree about Dave Edwards, he takes a lot of flak but whenever i have seen he does give it 100% and when no one has a goal in them does seem likely to grab one. At least he wants to play his heart out for us. A lot od teams, including our great teams of the 50s and 70s always had a couple of players like this. Technically not the greatest but good honest tryers.
Agree with you on Edwards. I always thought he gave his all and can be a good contributor in this team.
Oh and a word for Golbourne who I admit I wasn’t convinced by at first. Top performance yesterday.
Anyway yeh a great result just like wot I predicted, although I was betting with heart not head. If we can keep this going i do feel Brentford may have a slump coming on it happens to everyone. Games in hand as we know to our cost mean nothing until won and are often banana skins.
Was thinking last night that we have not heard much from any of Wolves management lately, have there been any pree releases or comments from Moxey or Morgan lately. When KJ was appointed it was stressed he was only the Coach not the Manager, well thenk God he talks to us cos the rest of the management team apparently do not want to communicate with our great fans. Shame on you M & M.
It was a good performance and 3 points..
Much needed after recent displays
Still concerned about us not putting chances away we had 20 shots and scored 2
We need to play like this every week now so the pressure is still on.
We are playing catch up
Great report Ben. Thanks. Went home feeling well satisfied with that performance against an in form Preston outfit. Good shape and passing the ball to feet. McDonald and Golbourne were epic but so too was Batth who challenge anything in the box. Need this performance repeaTed over the next 5 games to see where it puts us. Longer term looking fwd to playing Sandwell Town next year!
I didn’t expect that. Still I’m not convinced 1 up front is the answer it worked yesterday but still think 4 4 2 is more attacking system this is in part backed up by the two goal scoreres yesterday both midfielders and if as is being muted in the press we are about to sign another striker then were is he going to play, theres no point in signing a striker and putting him on the wing we’ve been there already tryed putting a striker out of there natural position and it doesn’t work the hole team looks disjointed.
More of the same pls Kenny, I thought we out played them in every department such a joy to watch and some great football for all of the 90 mins.
Would’ve liked to see Griffo on the score sheet but don’t really care who scores as long as its us.
If true, its good to get a pacey striker in to play with who ever KJ chooses to partner him,think this could be the missing link,but would still like Maca have a run as striker I think he has something..Overall great performance of which could’ve been a tricky contest.UTW.
Doogooder I was one of the “on the slide” posters pre match. Our form going into this game was less than convincing hence a large number were doubting our ability to win this one. I am pleased we were proved wrong on this occasion. I thought Golbourne was outstanding.
However, in my prediction of gloom I made reference to our problems in front of goal. They were evident again yesterday and we should have scored at least 5. We have to find an answer because we can’t comfortably defend a one goal lead and if the Preston goal had been given this could have been a different outcome.
The test of whether we are out of our slump will come next week at Crawley. I hope we are.
The shit sack their manager, go on a four game unbeaten run, with an ex Wolves player in charge, then appoint some Johnny Dago as manager, and lose.
Priceless!!
Perfect weekend, what with Pulis loosing, poor little Pardew pulling out his hair in apoplexy at a disallowed goal, Relegation Roger all at see “backing off, backing off’ for the Ammers, and as predicted by moi, The Mighty Wanderers ending Preston’s run.
Shit eatin’ grin time again this weekend in Houston!!
Apart from screwing my chances in the PL Kenny doing a good job. Didnt expect the football to improve like it has (and without having favourites and only one trick). Definetly underated him.
Anyone think that the two pussies at the top are planning to bring in Dikio then sell Griffiths?
That is a possibility Incog, but pays them the compliment that they actually can plan anything, I rather suspect they just let the cards fall where they may, and then take credit for it being a well thought out strategy.
For all those demanding Griff as the lone striker, this was the Telegraph’s take on his performance:
‘Jackett again opted to deploy just one striker – the ineffectual Leigh Griffiths – but it was in midfield that the game was won with Wolves outnumbering Preston.’
Don’t get me wrong, i love Griffiths but don’t be surprised that he’s ineffectual up front on his own. And as long as we need or choose to play 5 in midfield, i don’t see him being the man.
4-4-2 with him alongside a target man, dangerous in the air, he could be prolific.
Oh and please NO!, not Leon Clarke.
It seems that the ‘work in progress’ is progressing…
Scoring goals has been a problem but now we’ve signed Nouha i think the flood gates will open.
I’ll get me coat.
With Sako supplying the bullets I’m expecting Dicko to score a few myself!
ARK. now hear the south bank sing … I ll get my coat
Nice one London, couldn’t think of an Ark one myself.
Right, ready for the next two.
Hang on. We play well AND win? It’s a sign that KJ has brought in a good crop of new players. They’ve clearly not read the script. Or maybe they have and they’re just trying to lure me back in, only to lose to Walsall in the play-offs. No, this is not the time to be cynical. Things are finally looking up.
Not been around for a while, lots of travelling etc but nice to finally get back to the blog and see us back to winning ways against what is a very tough competitor for automatic promotion…slightly concerned by the goals to shot ratio tally as it looks like we are spanking teams in every way but putting the ball in the net, hopefully this win will breed more confidence and that ratio will improve going forward?
As ever…UTW
Great news on Danny B signing a new contract. Won’t get a better signing this season.
Sad day. Farewell Bert. I never saw you play, but i hear you were a great player but more importantly a great bloke.