WOLVES PREVIEW

Welcome back to 'Tarn Review' as we take a look back at the weekend, as well as looking forward to the midweek trip to Molineux. 

I couldn't attend the first league game of the season, against Middlesbrough, as I was spending the day with my better half who was celebrating her birthday. But I have to say, I was celebrating myself come 5pm, knowing the Reds had triumphed at Oakwell in my absence. 

It's the first time I've ever missed our opening home league fixture, in 24 years as a supporter. Perhaps I should miss a few more? 

Against all the odds, the Reds were victorious against one of the promotion favourites. 

Obviously, as I wasn't able to attend, I felt it was inappropriate to do a match report this weekend, so I've been over to our most popular forum The BBS and got the thoughts of those who were there to see us pick up a precious three points. 


FANS VIEW 

"WELL DONE KEITH HILL AND FLICKER! Team set up excellent. The whole was better than the sum of the parts, which is surely the definition of good management/coaching.

Not been your greatest admirer so far, but well impressed with yesterday. COYR!" 

"Got to compliment Keefy and Flicker for putting Wiseman at centre half, can only think that that was to combat their pace up front and the fact they don't have a target man. Think most people were shocked with that decision. Good game and we rode our luck near the end, but then again we should have been out of sight earlier." 

"Psychology is going to play a major role this season. Because of the events in the second half of last season clubs like Middlesbrough will think they have the upper hand when they play Barnsley. This showed in the first 10 minutes when Middlesbrough played with lots of self belief. But this soon evaporated when they could see that Barnsley were beating them in all areas of the pitch.
The arrogance of Middlesbrough lost them the game. However, other teams may not crumble as easily as they did and if those particular teams have talent on the field then Barnsley are likely to get beaten heavily during some matches.
BUT..........if Barnsley can maintain the spirit they showed against Boro throughout the season then Barnsley will not go down." 

"Top performance from Perkins. Same goes for Golbourne, Stones & Cywka. All the team played well, even Wiseman at centre half. 

Middlesbrough on the other hand, looked very average and Steele kept them in the game." 

"First 10 mins Reds were a bit tentative and Emnes looked quite dangerous, but John Stones soon sussed him out. The rest of the half Reds were on top, had a lot of corners, good possession. Perkins seemed to be everywhere on the field and eventually set up Davies for the goal. A couple of minutes before Boro came close with a free kick, but it went just wide of Gonzales' right hand post.

Second half, Reds on top again, coming very close to a second 3 or 4 times. Cywka got more involved in the second half, looks a good find by Keith, may be more to come when match fit. Same for Harewood. 

Etuhu and Golbourne looked a good combination on the left hand side.
We backed off in the last 10 mins and were under pressure. We battled hard and deservedly got the 3 points after a very prolonged 4 minutes of injury time.  

Man of Match went to Golbourne, but could easily have gone to Stones or Perkins. But all the lads put a good shift in."  

"A terrific team performance, where everyone made a positive contribution, against opposition much fancied to be in the promotion shake up at the end of the season. 

Any criticism levelled at the team, or a particular individual, would in my view be pedantry of the highest order. No one had a bad game, everyone played well. Some like Stones, Golbourne, Perkins & Cywka were (in my opinion) outstanding. We fielded a makeshift defence, were missing the likes of Steele, Silva, McNulty, O'Brien and Mido, had Done substituted through injury after about a quarter of an hour, had a number of lads breathing out of their back passage in the final stages of the game due to their application & commitment to the cause, but still played with a style very pleasing on the eye. 

The team spirit, confidence and willingness to play for the shirt was in stark and pleasant contrast to the final three months of last season.
This was only one game, though. This is just one step on a long journey. However, I am still confident we'll have a mid table finish this season and not be involved in a relegation dog fight. Although I accept I'm probably in the minority on that score." 

"There was a surprise when the teams were announced. There was no McNulty and we had named three full backs in our back four. I assumed Stones would be filling in at center half, but as the teams lined up it became clear that Wiseman was playing there. I am no Wiseman hater. In fact I value his pace at full back and his ability to overlap when we attack, but frankly, he would have been one of the last players I would have chosen for center half, especially when Collins and Hassell were sitting on the bench.

The game opened with both sides looking like the season had come too soon. Passes were going astray at regular intervals and first touches were often poor. Middlesborough's Emnes went inside Stones and the subsequent cross was hurriedly cleared by Foster. This was Stones last error for 80 minutes as he totally dominated Emnes, forcing him to look elsewhere for an easier opponent.

After the early exchanges, the Reds took control. It became clear why Keith Hill had picked Wiseman in the centre. Boro were operating with just Ledesma up front. He carried little aerial threat, and was easily marked out of the game by Foster, which left Wiseman to attack the ball. In centre midfield, Perkins and Mellis faced three Boro players including Arca. In spite of this they dominated possession. Up front, Davies clearly enjoyed the support of Harewood, and it was soon clear that Woodgate is no longer the player he once was.

After 20 minutes, Done was felled by a late challenge and was forced to retire to be replaced by Etuhu, who soon showed the Boro full back a clean pair of heels. Cywka worked hard to find crossing opportunities and covered in front of Stones quite well.

In spite of our dominance, with half time approaching, there had been only one Davies shot on target, and nothing from Boro. 

Then Boro lost the ball near the half way line. The ball found its way to Perkins who found Davies in space at the edge of the box. His drive across the face of the goal gave Steele in the Boro goal no chance, as it bulged the net by the far post. After a disappointing end to last season and a summer of despondency and pessimism when player after player decided not to join the Oakwell revolution, the crowd responded to the goal as if it were the winner in the cup final, rather than the first in a long season.

My thoughts at half time were about the players that I thought could not make it through 90 minutes played under a hot sun, and concerns as to whether we would be able to hold on. After half time, it was a different game. Barnsley tried to contain Boro and hit them on the break. The strategy worked as Harewood and Davies managed to isolate particularly Woodgate. As the half wore on it became a battle between Davies and Steele in the Boro goal, as the later kept out three magnificent strikes with spectacular saves.

It was not one way traffic though, and as our midfield weakened under the hot sun, Boro found more space and began to put our defence under pressure for the first time. Mellis could not find the legs to make a challenge, and a wicked long range shot was pushed away by Gonzalez. This pressure yielded several corners and Gonzalez was fortunate to get away with several flaps. They say if you can't be good be lucky, and Gonzalez was lucky again as he pushed away a shot which hit an on-rushing Boro forward, only to bounce back into his arms as he lay prostrate on the ground.

The tired Mellis was removed with 20 minutes remaining to be replaced by Dawson, but Harewood, Etuhu and Cywka who looked almost equally as tired were left to battle on through to full time. The Boro pressure stepped up as their three fresh substitutes ran at our tiring defence. Gonzalez was again fortunate that a shot and later a free header were straight at him and as the referee's watch ticked the final few seconds of injury time, the Reds were grateful to Wiseman, who ran down the otherwise disappointing Emnes to complete a wonderful tackle as he unleashed a goal bound shot.

Although the tired Reds were left to hang on for their victory, that victory was fully merited. Every one of the Boro chances in the second half was matched by a fantastic save by Steele at the other end. I do not think that the result signals the end of worries about relegation this season, and I still have some doubts about the team. Those doubts can be aired on another day, because today is just about enjoying the win. Our manager out-thought Mowbray, the Boro boss, and the cast offs of Barnsley had the two best players on the pitch in Wiseman and Davies." 

John Stones again put in a terrific showing

  

Marlon Harewood made his second Reds debut

 

Craig Davies celebrates scoring the winner

Thanks to the Reds supporters who helped with the above comments. 
Thankfully, I'll be at Oakwell for the rest of the season, and therefore be able to share my own thoughts directly. 

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised with the result this weekend. I'd have taken a point at 3pm, and when I heard about the injuries just prior to kick off, I just couldn't see us emerging victorious. 
So well done to one and all involved. 

Let's hope this result, coupled with the cup victory over Rochdale, has convinced a few more punters to get down to Oakwell this season.


NEWS 


The injury curse struck again though, this weekend. 

Both Matty Done, and captain Jimmy McNulty face a few weeks on the sidelines, with youngster Paul Digby joining them, after pulling up during the warm-up against Middlesbrough. 

The injury to Done should put to bed any further interest from Crystal Palace, who were reportedly rebuffed in their attempts to recruit the winger this week. 

Keith Hill says that Martin Cranie will sign this Monday, so that's at least one piece of good news. 

THE OPPOSITION 


Wolverhampton Wanderers, or Wolves as they are more commonly known, are one of the founding members of The Football League. 

They were founded in 1877 as St. Luke's. Two years later they merged with the local cricket and football club 'The Wanderers', becoming Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

In the inaugural season of The Football League, in 1888, Wolves finished 3rd, and reached their first FA Cup final, losing out to Preston North End. 

They won the FA Cup for the first time in 1893, beating Everton 1-0. 

They were a Second Division club when winning the FA Cup again, in 1908, surprisingly defeating Newcastle United. 

After 41 years without a major trophy, Wolves again lifted the FA Cup in 1949, as they triumphed over Leicester City. 

The 1950's were easily the clubs most successful period, as they at last claimed their first league title (1954) after previous near-misses. They won two more successive championships, in 1958 and 1959. 
They also won their fourth, and final (to date) FA Cup in 1960. 

They are two times League Cup winners (1974, 1980). 

In the summer of 1967, Wolves played a season in North America, under the name 'Los Angeles Wolves', and went on to lift that title, beating 'Washington Whips' who were actually Aberdeen, of Scotland. 

They were also the second English club to take part in the European Cup (after Manchester United), and were pioneers of matches taking place under floodlights. 

They were UEFA Cup runners-up in 1972, defeated over two legs by fellow English club Tottenham Hotspur. 

The 1980's saw a huge decline in the club. Financial difficulties hit hard, and they nearly went bust in 1982. 
Three consecutive relegations in 1984, 1985, and 1986 saw the club fall into the fourth tier of English football for the first time in their history. 

In 2003, Wolves finally returned to the top flight, after beating Sheffield United in the playoff final. 

THE GAFFER 


Stale Solbakken was appointed this summer at Molineux. He was very successful at Danish club Copenhagen, winning 5 league titles. 


He joins Wolves after a difficult year in Cologne, where the Bundesliga outfit were relegated. 


He has experience of English football having spent the 1997/98 season with Wimbledon in the Premier League. 


Solbakken retired from playing in 2001, after an heart-attack during training at Copenhagen. 
He survived the episode, and now has a pacemaker fitted. 

As ever on 'Tarn Review' I like to gauge the opinions and thoughts of the opposing set of supporters, and this time around I popped across to the popular forum 'The Wolf' and they were kind enough to share their views on their hopes for the season, their key players, and of course us.... 


Here is what they had to say....




What are your hopes for this season? 

"Playoffs/automatic run. We have the players. Just need them to play to their potential." 

"Top six finish." 

"My heart says play offs, but my head says to expect little and hope we don't suffer too big a relegation hangover. We're in a rut and need picking up." 

"Heart says we'll romp to the title but, being more realistic, we will probably finish in the playoffs. The new manager has very different ideals to his predecessors and it will take time for his system to click. If it clicks early then we will be right up there battling for the title but, depending on when it clicks, we could be in the play offs or even lower!" 

"Play-offs are a realistic aim. Obviously would love automatic promotion, but if we make the top 6 I will be content." 

"Top six finish but I think it will take a late run to get there." 


Your opinion of your manager? 

"Could prove to be a masterstroke or a disaster. Glad the board are thinking outside the box with the appointment. I think any manager would struggle to turn us around at the moment, so I am not sure he will take us to the playoffs. Our main problem is certainly defence and his Cologne team conceded a lot of goals. If he can't sort out our defence we have no chance and I don't think he will sort it out quickly. Even if this season doesn't go to plan I would stick with him as changing the whole style of the team will take a very long time. Not convinced but not negative about him. Needs time. This season won't happen, next season maybe." 

"Tired of the old school fish and chips managers so I'm hoping we can build from bottom to top with this man." 

"Stale Solbakken comes across a very intelligent man. He's had a lot of success on the continent, specifically with FC Copenhagen, and in all honesty we wouldn't have had a chance of getting him had he not had just suffered a nightmare season at Koln. Koln were relegated but this appeared to be out of Solbakken's hands, backroom unrest and little real control over transfers (not to mention no backing even if he had that control) meant it was never going to end well! He's trying to instill a more possession based system with Wolves and, if he can, this will be more welcome than the mostly long ball based tactics the previous manager used for long spells last season." 


What went wrong last season? 

"Sacking Mick McCarthy and not getting in a suitable replacement. Simple as that. After being lead down the garden path by a few different experienced heads who, when it came to the crunch, would rather talk about games on a sofa than go back into management, Terry Connor was put in charge. I don't think anyone blames him for taking it on, as his hands were tied, but the results for the end of the season were a total disaster. Mick would have almost certainly gotten more points, but the right decision is easy to make when you know what happens after the wrong one." 

"Anything and everything. Giving the armband to Johnson, not improving the defence, sacking Mick too late (may as well have kept him), employing Terry Connor." 

"Terry Connor, assisted by Morgan and Moxey."

"Defence. Tactics. Attack. Manager. Team. Individuals. What didn't?" 


Who are your key players?

"Johnson (if he turns it around) O'Hara (if ever he's fit) Ebanks-Blake."

"Doyle, Ebanks-Blake, Hunt."

"Jarvis and Fletcher, however they may have been sold by the time we meet."

"Johnson, especially if he turns it around and Ebanks-Blake if he can find his previous superb form in the Championship." 

"Well, if they are still here and playing on Tuesday, Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher. Even though both want offers to be considered for them they are still our best goal threat. Beyond them we're talking Roger Johnson, a new manager and a new start for him, he's taking his second chance as well as possible. Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake when on form are as good a strikeforce as any at this level, and new signings Tongo Doumbia and Slawomir Peszko look bright. However Karl Henry, club captain, will be trying to pull the strings in the midfield, a general rule seems to be that whenever he plays well, Wolves play well."


Your thoughts on Barnsley?

"Underrated. A good side who don't get credit they deserve, given they don't have a massive budget to play with. I think they will stay up." 

"A good attacking team, with the right mix of players."

"Admittedly after 3 seasons in the Premier League my knowledge of this level has slipped dramatically. According to the bookies Barnsley are one of the relegation favourites but we've seen that anyone can beat anyone at this level. Keith Hill seems to be doing a decent job with one of the lowest budgets in the division and has got his team performing well against much bigger clubs (beating Middlesbrough at the weekend for example). Too early to tell what sort of season Barnsley will have but a mid table finish would be reasonably successful for them to build on next season. Barnsley's biggest problem seems to be holding onto their best players, with Adam Hammill and Jacob Butterfield both leaving the club in the past year and a half."  

"Great battling team - should finish top half, maybe playoffs - brilliant fans. Best memory of our promotion season was clinching the title at Oakwell."

"No offence by this whatsoever, but a smallish club, homely, happy to be in the Championship. Happy to solidify in lower mid-table."


Score prediction?

"1-1"

"Draw" 

"1-1"

"2-1 to us, Barnsley to take the lead." 

"Hoping for a comfortable Wolves victory. We've not had one in years! 2-0."

"2-1 Wolves."  

I'd like to thank the Wolves supporters for their contribution, and to wish them luck for the rest of the season, albeit not for 90 minutes on Tuesday....


   

CLUB LINKS


As a 30 year old Barnsley supporter, it's hard to think of Wolves without remembering our glorious promotion season of 1996/97. 
The taunts of their then manager Mark McGhee, and that wonderful "Cheer Up" chant dedicated to the miserable Scotch whinger. 

But the last few years have seen a fair amount of one time Barnsley personnel pitch up at Molineux. None bigger than the legend himself, Mick McCarthy, whose tenure as Wolves boss was ended rather abruptly last season in my opinion. 
He took them back to the top flight in 2009, and kept them up for two years, before last season's struggles. He may not have led them to survival last season, had he been retained, but I'm pretty sure he'd have made a better fist of it than his successor and good friend Terry Connor. 

I'm sure most Reds supporters remember a certain Michael McIndoe....? 
The fella that arrived at Oakwell and within a few months turned up at our then chairman's office claiming "Michael McIndoe won't play for you again. Michael McIndoe is going to Wolves." 
Speaking in the third person seems rather fitting for a player who has since played most of his football in the third tier... 

Another Reds winger who swapped Barnsley for Wolverhampton, who also got too big for his own boots, is Adam Hammill. 
He'd been a rather frustrating player to watch in his first 18 months with us, but in the 2010/11 season under Mark Robins he tore Championship defences apart, and it came as no surprise that he was interesting bigger clubs. But as is the case with many a Reds player on form, they choose to leave a good thing too soon, for the money, and their career usually nose-dives. 
I'm led to believe that Adam is still at Wolves. Somewhere. 

McIndoe

 

Hammill

Of course we've had a couple of former Wolves players turn out for us of late. Journeyman full back Matt Hill and Jason 'signing-on fee' Shackell. 

The former was average, and now plies his trade at League One outfit Sheffield United. 

The latter was a standout performer in his one year with us. Captain and Player of the Year. Unfortunately, being the mercenary that he is, Jason struggles to see football as anything but a way of paying the bills. 
Shame, as he's quite a decent center half on his day at this level. 
After a year at Derby County, he can now be found captaining Burnley before his next 'challenge' in 12 months time... 

THE VENUE 

One of my favourite grounds, Molineux has apparently undergone redevelopment lately, and according to this 'LINK' I've found, the redeveloped Stan Culis stand will be open for the first time for our visit on Tuesday.  


THE PLAYERS

I've always admired Karl Henry from afar. The Wolves captain is probably similar to our own David Perkins, in that a lot of his good work often goes unnoticed. 

Former Cardiff City center half Roger Johnson arrived at Molineux for around £4m last summer. By all accounts he struggled in the top flight last season, but as a Barnsley fan I think I'm well qualified to judge second tier footballers, and Johnson has been a standout performer at this level for many a year.

England cap Matt Jarvis was definitely one of Mick McCarthy's lower league success stories. Having arrived in 2007 from Gillingham, he's gone from relative obscurity to the big time. 
A clever winger, adept on either flank, if Wolves can keep hold of 'Jarvo' this season he'll be key to any hopes of an instant Premier League return. 

21 year old new signing Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson, is a risky bit of business in my opinion. Rumoured to have cost over £2m, the Iceland international arrives from manager Stale Solbakken's native Norway (Lillestrom). 

Another new arrival, but on a season long loan from Solbakken's former club Cologne, is Polish international Sławomir Peszko. The 27 year old attacking midfielder will add some much needed creativity to the Wolves squad. 

A player who'll be very familiar to Reds supporters is two-time former loanee Frank Nouble. 
His arrival at Molineux stunned me to be honest. During both short spells here at Oakwell, the lad was clearly out of his depth, and I'm amazed that a club in our division has signed him, even more so when that particular club is Wolves. 
I wouldn't however, be surprised to see him come off the bench to fire home a late winner Tuesday.... 

Johnson

Jarvis

Nouble

 

KEY PLAYER 


I'm quite surprised to see that he's still at Wolves. I expected a Premier League club to whisk him away pretty sharpish. But Kevin Doyle remains in all gold, and in my humble opinion he's likely to be their chief threat this Tuesday. 

Especially when considering our makeshift back four, it'll be interesting to see how we cope with the Irish international. 

His goalscoring record doesn't appear all that special, but whenever I've seen him play I've usually been impressed. 

Doyle - Key Man

 
  
WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS


After progression in the League Cup, and an opening day league victory, dare we dream of making it a trio of triumphs? 

I say why not. 

Having seen much of Wolves' game with Leeds Utd at the weekend, I have to say I was pretty disappointed with our upcoming hosts. 
Against a very average looking Leeds side, Wolves barely troubled Paddy Kenny, and their full backs in particular looked very ordinary. 
If we again see the best of Tomasz Cywka, and Kelvin Etuhu finds a more consistent end product, I can see us at least scoring at Molineux. 

The question mark as ever, is our defence. 
How Keith Hill will line them up is one thing, but whether they're capable of keeping out the likes of Doyle and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is another. 

But I'm hoping that Saturday was a sign of things to come from King Keith. He went with two up front, and gave Craig Davies someone (Marlon Harewood) to play off. It's exactly what we needed. 

We have to hope that the minutes in Jacob Mellis' legs have made him fitter, rather than leaving him fatigued, as we're starting to look rather thin on the ground in central midfield. 

Young John Stones continues to impress, but he too will have to be monitored carefully to prevent burnout. Thankfully, we have options in his position with both Bobby Hassell and Lee Collins, and of course Martin Cranie who could well be involved sooner rather than later.

Again, just like on Saturday, I'd happily take a point against one of the promotion favourites. And so long as the 'performances' against Rochdale and Middlesbrough are continued, with endeavour and application, and a desire to win, I'll be a happy Tarn supporter. 

Davies returns to Molineux

 


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