Point proven at Villa Park

Panic! Disaster! Crisis! Wolves have failed to win a game for the first time this season! Our treble challenge is surely on the slide now… Ok, so the free flowing attacking football exhibited by Wolves in their opening two games was somewhat lacking against Villa, but this was still a hard earned point in a game that last season’s side would surely have lost. I do feel for any neutral who decided to flick on Sky Sports in the hope of seeing a ‘derby cracker’ because this was as far from total football as could be imagined, in fact I applaud anyone who managed to stay awake for the 90 minutes, but what they would have seen was evidence of the continued evolution of this Wolves team from relegation contenders into an established Premier League side.

Judging by the crowd inside Villa Park (which can only be described as ‘sparse’ with a mere 30,776 in attendance) I guess the majority of fans weren’t anticipating a classic either. I don’t think I have ever experienced such a flat atmosphere for a derby game, even by Villa’s standards it was quiet! I’m sure the highlight for Wolves fans was that Danielle Lloyd, fiancé of Mr O’Hara, decided to grace us with her presence in the away end. She’s always welcome to sit by me… But anyway, back to the game, and this really was a typical 0-0 bore draw. It was more a game of who can give the ball away the most, which descended into something of a midfield slog, with chances at a premium. Wolves never seemed to settle on the ball as they had done previously, often presenting it straight back to an opposition player. The defence has come on leaps and bounds though following the introduction of Roger Johnson, and despite being stretched a couple of times coped well with Villa’s tame attacking effort.

There may be complaints about the lack of creativity from Wolves, particularly when Jarvis and Hunt were replaced by Elokobi and Foley, but the onus is on Villa, as the home team, to bring the game to us. One thing that annoyed me was the negative reaction of some fans to Mick’s substitutions, with some morons deciding to boo the manager. This was a smart tactical move though as sticking a couple of extra defensive players on made us more solid and saw us close out the game without too much trouble. My man of the match though is a toss up between Hennessey, Ward and Johnson, all of whom were excellent.

It is clear now that there is quality throughout the side, there are no weak links anymore. Wolves showed themselves to be a far more composed and professional unit, really looking at home at this level. Villa Park is never an easy place to come and pick up points, and after our dismal away record last season I’ll gladly take many more 0-0 draws on the road! As of Saturday night, we sit third in the Premier League heading into the international break. Providing none of our players manage to get themselves crocked during the next fortnight, if Wolves can maintain this form then maybe Mick’s target of the top 10 won’t look so daft after all… Up the Wolves!

Can we make it three in a row

Will Wolves make it three wins in a row away it Aston Villa? or Veeellllaaa as Wolves fans may know it.
After an outstanding display against Fulham and progressing in the Carling cup midweek Mick will be quietly confident coming into the first derby of the season.
 The main threat as always will be Agbonlahor as I don't think Hesky will threaten our back four as it is at the moment. Villa may be a little bit nervous for the first time in many years of the travelling Wolves who look hungry for points and goals. The great thing at the moments is that teams don't know where we are going to be most lethal as we can attack down both wings and through the middle.

For travelling Wolves fans wanting a drink the Witton Arms is suggested which is only a two minute walk from the away end as most of the pubs will be home fans only.

Wolves show class in numbers

Wolves showed the class of their squad in a comfortable 4-0 win at Northampton.

In front of about 1,000 travelling fans Wolves fielded a second string squad but it did include Ebanks Blake,Milijas and Sam Vokes who all grabbed goals.

 A good atmosphere was created by the travelling fans who all enjoyed the free flowing performance and never was a win ever in doubt. The increase in quality in the squad has obviously filtered down to the reserve and fringe players and Wolves will eagerly anticipate who we draw in the next round.

Wolves v Northampton

Wolves travel to Northampton for the second round of the Carling Cup tonight after two wins in two so far in this campaign. Although we are likely to see a weakened side for Wolves tonight Mick Mcarthy will want to keep the winning momentum going. Both strikers could be changed with and Ebanks Blake likely to start.  Northampon have not had the best start with four points from four games and were beat 3-2 at home to Cheltenham on Saturday.

Sixfields is in the bottom of a hill and about 15-20 minute walk from the Northampton train station just turn right and follow the road all the way down. On this road there are various pubs when I went we went to one opposite the train station and another on top of the hill behind the ground which will be very popular. On the road from the station to the ground there are fast food shops and off licences a very good away ground and we will be there.

2-0 to the dirty Wolves

It was good to be back at Molineux on Sunday after a summer that seemed to drag on forever.
After an opening day win at the Ewood Park there was a massive buzz around the place with many a beer being drunk in the sunshine.
One thing was missing and that was the North bank which although was closed did look very impressive even though it is half done. Danny Murphey was again the brunt of the Wolves fans chants after his dirty Wolves comment last season and although he has been forgiven by Mick Mcarthy the Wolves faithful have not forgot or forgiven.

Wolves started the game as they left off against Blackburn with some free flowing football and various half chances but the Fulham defense stood strong until the half an hour mark. Kevin Doyle chased down a half hearted ball to find  the Fulham defender unsure what to do. He nicked the ball and then easily floated around the stranded keeper only to fall back and put the ball flying into the disbelieving South Bank. But this was the sign of thing to come and 5 minutes later Doyle found a through ball near the byline to smash it in from a tight angle. The Wolves fans has barley stopped celebrating when the Fulham's defense was again breached by a free flowing Wolves move finished well by Matt Jarvis.

The second half was controlled by Wolves with lots of half chances for Wolves with long shots just wide by O'Hara and Hunt. Fulham had one big chance to set up a grand stand finish but Steven Ward was on hand with a last ditch tackle to stop the ball going in from a few yards. But Wolves finished the game in style leaving themselves top of the Premier League for the first time since the 1960's.

My man of the match was Rodger Johnson who did brilliantly to organize and steady the ship.

A golden day for Wolves

Nearly 4,000 Wolves fans made the trip up the M6 to watch our opening day of the season all the way up to Blackburn cars and buses were draped in gold and black. We decided to stop at the Golden something and after a few beers made our way down the Featherston(I think). But by the time we got there it was full and Wolves fans were in full voice and luckily we could still get a beer from the car park beer van! All Wolves fans were well behaved even though I dont know what they would have done if they weren't. A new Elokobi song for the season with the corous "I'm glad here came, I'm glad he came" I'm sure you will here it on Saturday.

 Wolves fans had well and truly taken over Blackburn and optimism was high as we made our way up the steps up to the top tier to quite a good view even if we were still a little bit far away.

 Wolves started on the back foot with Wayne Heynessey making a fantastic save and reminders of past visits to Ewood were evident. These were made worse by Formica who was played in by Jason Roberts after he muscled off Berra the shot was then cooly slotted it past the stranded keeper. But our heads didn't go down and we hit straight back after a good passing found Matt Jarvis who found Steven Fletcher who headed it straight in. From here Wolves brought the game to Blackburn with several openings before half time the best falling to Stephen Hunt who had a really great game and seemed back to what we saw at the end of last season. His chance was hit over but really should have found the back of the net but we'll forgive him after the work he put in. Blackburn really struggled to find any openings as Rodger Johnson took control and as the game went on Jason Roberts in particular looked to get very frustrated. 

After half time Wolves came out the blocks with a bang with Matt Jarvis driving at the Blackburn defense and got took down in the box. Kevin Doyle put down the ball and I had visions of him firing it into the top corner as he did so well last season. But this time he looked more nervous and didn't get enough on the ball and the penalty was easily saved. As the home fans were still celebrating Steven Ward shut them up again as the ball was headed back out for him to volley into the net with great accuracy.

From here Rodger Johnson and Berra controlled the game even though there were a few nervous moments but full credit to a great Wolves performance. Rodger Johnson looked like he had been in that back four for years and Stephen Hunt was "Here there and everywhere" which opened up space for Matt Jarvis to work his magic.

Blackburn v Wolves

Wolves travel to Blackburn for the opening day of the Premier League season with sights on a much better season.

Wolves travel to Ewood Park on Saturday

The two clubs met at Molineux on the final day of the season and helped each other to stay in the Premiership in a dramatic final day. This time the tensions won't be half as high with a big Wolves following of over 3,500 making the trip up north.

Blackburn haven't made many changes to their squad this summer with David Goodwille and Radosav Petrovic coming in to replace Phil Jones who left for Man United. Blackburn's home record was what kept them up last season with seven wins and seven draws at Ewood Park so they will expect a win on the opening day.

With only three away wins last season Mick Mcarthy will be looking for his side to start as they mean to go on this season. Wolves could be without Kevin Doyle for the trip but will include new captain Rodger Johnson as Mick Mcarthy looks for some better defensive displays in this campaign. 

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Four days to go

After such a long countdown and build up to the Premier League we are finally there and Wolves look completely ready to take on "the big boys" again.

Another solid performance on Saturday will have filled Mick Mcarthy with a lot of confidence with another 2-0 win against the strongest pre-season side we have faced.

In particular I have been impressed with the midfield who look a lot more solid and playing more free flowing football than last season. Stephen Hunt has stepped up to the plate in particular in pre-season in a competitive midfield where any four of eight could start against Blackburn.

Stephen Hunt has started where he left off

Fletcher provided Wolves second goal and has looked lively throughout the pre-season campaign and scored the second goal from a set piece against Real Zaragoza to send his confidence through the roof.

Steven Fletcher scores the second against Real Zaragoza

As a whole Wolves have looked a lot more solid thanks to new signing Rodger Johnson which was our weak link last season and why he has been given the captains arm-band.

Here we go again

With two wins in a week Wolves look to be back in full flight with under two weeks before the first league outing of the season.

The week started brightly with a hard fought 2-0 win away a Celtic with Kevin Doyle showing he is ready and raring to go. After a long week of traveling Wolves headed to Ipswich for their second pre-season game of the week. With this in mind Wolves started with a weaker squad with re-enforcement on the bench.  Wolves found themselves 1-0 down with 75 minutes gone when a drastic change turned the match on its head. In particular Stephen Hunt who scored an equalizer and Sylvain Ebanks Blake who got the winner showing that the sharpness is really returning.

Slvain Ebanks Blake gets the winner at Ipswich

This week will be back to normal business with a hard week of training before a home friendly on Saturday against Real Zaragoza.