The only thing Kenny Jackett learnt in the first half of last night’s third straight pre-season victory was the magnitude of the task he’s undertaken.
Outplayed and out-classed by a Conference side that showed the greater appetite and invention, there were major issues for the manager to evaluate throughout his young Wolves side.
With George Elokobi at the heart of the defence, calamity is never too far away. Dedicated and likeable he may be, but sure of foot he is not. Countless times simple passes were miscontrolled and crosses shinned in no particular direction.
Danny Batth too was out of sorts in a scruffy first 45, which saw Wolves fall behind thanks to a simple free kick routine that caught them completely off guard.
Wayne Hennessey would have been disappointed to see the shot defeat him at the near post, but he was otherwise comfortable enough on his return to first team action.
Bakary Sako provided the only moments of attacking menace for Wolves in a dismal first half, spanking a shot at goal from 25 yards out that the Wrexham keeper did well to palm over.
Moments later, the Frenchman was hobbling off with a hamstring injury and the 600 strong away contingent were left wondering who could possibly spark the comeback.
Thankfully, in Leigh Griffiths Wolves have a genuine match winner. Lively but unrewarded in the opening exchanges, the Scot took the game away from the Welsh side with a livewire second half performance.
Moments after his smart run and cross from the left saw Jake Cassidy fluff his lines in front of goal, Griffiths repeated the trick on the opposite flank with his strike partner dispatching at the second time of asking.
The winner arrived moments later with Griffiths running at defenders before angling a low (slightly tame) shot into the opposite corner.
It was the first time I’d seen the striker and I was impressed with his neat control and relentless running. He was the only player constantly looking to make something happen and as the game opened up, he was finally able to do the damage.
After carving out both goals, he had countless other strikes on target, swung a handful of dangerous corners into the box and even rose between two defenders for a powerful headed effort that unfortunately went straight at the keeper.
He was direct, confident and in the faces of the opposition, all things we’ve lacked from our strikers for longer than I can remember.
Alongside him Liam McAlinden toiled, barely able to get a touch of the ball. The more physical presence of Jake Cassidy was an improvement after the break, but Bjorn Sigurdarson remains the player I’d most like to see lining up at Preston.
Overall, it wasn’t a great night for our young hopefuls.
Lee Evans, alongside the combative David Davis in midfield, struggled to cope against eager opposition on a bobbling surface. But credit to him for persevering. When gaps began to appear he exploited them with some accurate, raking passes.
Jack Price, still being asked to operate out wide despite preferring a central role, was enthusiastic but largely anonymous in his 45 minute cameo.
Anthony Forde, a more natural wide player showed glimpses of pace and trickery but was let down by his final ball. He could certainly be one to watch this season though.
As much as they’ve been lambasted in recent times, our senior pros helped turn this game in our favour. Dave Edwards played the second half down the right flank and without being spectacular put a foot on the ball and calmed things down.
Richard Stearman, replacing the hapless Elokobi, brought about a marked improvement in our defensive fortunes. On this evidence, he and Batth must be nailed on to start at Deepdale.
And finally skipper Sam Ricketts looked strong and confident throughout. His ability to use both feet and find neat passes out of defence is a real asset. I’m surprised Bolton let him go.
A pleasing conclusion then after an abysmal start. Barnsley on Saturday will provide a more thorough examination. A similar half-baked first half there and I doubt we’ll be able to maintain our 100% pre-season record.
Like all of us, I am fully aware that the first game of the season isn’t far away however, as we all know, we have very much a team in the making. Obviously, there comes a point when the 11 players on the pitch have to produce the desired end result but we need to be patient and give them all, including KJ, a fair crack of the whip. We have to leave our frustrations and disappointments of the recent past behind us. My gut feeling is that we’ll come good this season but not necessarily from the off.
I remember last season thinking more than once how we’d start so well but fade rapidly; in these pre-season games it seems to be the other way round at the moment! It’s encouraging though that we’ve been able to see great moments from Wolves in each of the three games so far especially with Griffiths and Jack Price too – not thinking so much this game as the last two games, I’d no idea about him until the game vs East Fife! He’s a hugely pleasant surprise!
I’d like to see Georg instead of George personally next game
I cannot believe Big George is still in the side. No one argues that he doesn’t try his best but he is not a good footballer and has no footballing brain. Really really surprised KJ has not noticed this. For me it is the only thing that KJ has done wrong so far is putting him in the side. This is going to be a tough season and a lot of people on the forums are raving about walking this league but I think it will be more difficult than what a lot of people are saying.
Agree with the more difficult bit definitely – especially after last season’s trainwreck we can’t take anything for granted!
We need at least 2-3 signings! A LW and RW along with a CM is a must.
There is too much pressure on these young players to ask for promotion without support from good new signings.
I would like to see Margrietter start or Strarman over Elokobi as CB.
At least we have Gritthis who looks a real prospect. We’re lucky to have him frankly.
Team v Preston for me (not including new signings)
Hennessy
Doherty Stearman Batth Ricketts
Edwards Davis Forde
Sigurdarson Cassidy Gritthis
Without any natural wingers I don’t think we have the personnel for 4-4-2, we need to sign some players or change formation.
Well that’s brought me down to earth Thomas. I’ve been reading the Live Blog and E&S reports and thinking everything was going pretty well. Nice to have an objective view for a change.
I’m all for giving youth a chance but i never saw it as an answer on it’s own. The truth is we’ve been watching some of the worst players i’ve ever seen at Wolves and it’s going to be hard to put this mess right.
The big plus for me is we keep coming back after conceding and get stronger as the game goes on. Looks like KJ is getting them really fit and so far i don’t think our new manager could have done anything much better.
Stearman your having a laugh he is shit dives in runs round like headless chicken crap in the air one of McCarthys ” he’ll do a jobers ” yeah a shit job he apitimised the McCarthy floored philosophy cheap and well not so cheerful to me playing Stearman would be a massive mistake and a slap in the face to the kids he is worse than useless. Stearman my god !
Its ironic how McCarthy hasn’t signed Stearman that says it all perhaps even McCarthy has finally seen the shite I mean light as for as Stearman concerned.
I carnt believe Jackett rates Stearman I remeber a game that sticks in my mind against Swansea at home how he was turned inside out up side down a left on his arse the lad on the wing for them carnt remember his name was toying with him he go round Stearman then instead of crossing the ball would go round him again for fun his positioning is awfull his timing is later than a British Rail train, his distribution crap has Jackett seen him play ? Am I the only one to see this ?
Sorry to go on about Stearman even Stale and Deano could see how shit he is else they would not have loaned him out. Sorry carnt believe Jackett carnt see it. That’s my last word on Stearman ( unless he plays him )
So your not too keen on Stearman then ?
(only joking sometimes you got to get these things off your chest)
im not a fan of stearman but at this level he should impress…if we go straight up a lot of the team may struggle so allow the bloke this season coming paul and if im wrong strip me naked strap me to a trailer and spray me gold and park up in Sandwell 🙂
Didnt think you’d want to go through that again goldy.
people may question why id do it again but it was such a lovely trailer !!
I think impress might be the wrong choice of word, old godly I admire your faith but he has proved time and time again he mot good enough even for Leauge One he as I said appitimises the McCarthy era or should I say error and if we really want to move on from that, then none of McCarthys jobbers should ever play for the club again I thought that was Jacketts brief get the kids in with a sprinkle of experience ie Ricketts and may be one or two more and totally erase the lingering negative trase of McCathy. If as we are lead to believe Ipswich are interested in him why haven’t they sign him they’ve seen him first hand while he’s been on loan like I said if McCarthy still rated him and more to the point his other jobers why hasn’t he or indeed any one else come in for them. One were CRAP because that’s what they are they over achieved once but as for doing it week in week out even in League One which by the way is going to be no picnic they carnt wouldn’t pick him for my Sunday League team.
The most informative report – having viewed Leighs goals i expected an impact. Also good to see the youngsters in. For the first time not looking like McCarthy’s team.
A lot of fans seem to have warmed to Jackett which should give him a fair wind. Quite pleased about this though i remain a sceptic in shirt sleeves. The big decision on the gang of four might have been a directive from on high.
Hi Colin mate.
Did you receive your Glastonbury pack OK?
Ace dig the beads !
goldy says can he have a pod for the wife.
🙂 shes done nothing to deserve one .. I must send her in for a reprogramme. and what sort of beads are they colin ? anne summers comes to mind !
What do I think ? I think we WILL be 10 points clear by Xmas.
Love your reports Thomas, but can’t let ‘calving’ go by. Isn’t that what cows do… ?
Ha, fair point. Corrected. That’s the beauty of blogging, you can always edit out embarrassing errors.
John Payne you’re such a pedant!
…But a damn quick one. You beat me by a couple of minutes.
….MOOOO!
Thanks for the sympathy. Good job I’m not precious about these things…
Leigh Griffiths looks like the real deal.
Whatever deity is up there in the firmament, looking down benignly upon us poor supporters
– And I don’t mean Jez Moxey….
….Please keep the wild Scot on the straight and narrow, because I think he could just be the catalyst needed for promotion.
I think if jez was to look down all hed see was his gut !
and that’s assuming his seven chins would let him
Glaciers do it as well. Not the ones who own United, but the big buggers in Alaska.
Much better than cows doing it, and not as much blood, unless you are in a kayak right under one as it calves, then …squish, you are history.
Does anyone know whats happened to Zeli,thought he was going to be something special.
Its about time we saw him doing his stuff.Still think we need a experienced midfielder to steady the ship though.
UTW
S adly I feel that we have not really sorted out our back line. It is a problem and
T oo often have the mistakes at the back cost us. I am surprised to not hear of
E ven a little mention of Stearman’s lack of ability. Surely something can be
A rranged as I do not consider him fit to wear the shirt. I cannot for the life of me
R eally understand why he is still here and what KJ sees in him. I totally believe in our
M anager right now, but surely he must realise that he needs to get rid of someone as
A wfull as Stearman before he causes us major problems. I thought he had gone but
N ow realise he hasn’s and dread what could happen if he is considered worthy to play.
O nly time will tell if I am right but I can not really remember a time when he had an
U nbelievable season. I do however vividly recall the horrendous games he played in all
T oo often. My should get rid of him before it’s too late. He is a liability.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=jyn3iQJ4SvI&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Djyn3iQJ4SvI%26feature%3Dyoutu.be
Not bad eh?
Leigh reminds me of a young Robbie Fowler. Apparently the Pieman prefers to think of him as the next Steven Fletcher ie he is salivating on what he might sell him for.
anyone heard where blakey has ended up?