April - May 2006 Click on month for reports: 2005-6 ReviewApr06Mar06Feb06Jan06Dec05Nov05Oct05Sep05Aug05preseason

Next match: Saturday July 22nd Wolves v Aston Villa (Bully’s Promise Dreams testimonial)

Sunday April 30th Norwich City 1 (Earnshaw) Wolves 2 (Rosa, Kennedy)

So it was off to the Budgies for  the 7th place play off. The win saw Wolves retain the ignominious 7th place slot, but Norwich will probably be satisfied with a great recovery after a disastrous start although this match broke a string of 7 good home performances..   But for us it was farewell to Kenny but a huge “Welcome Back” to Matt Murray starting in goal for the first time in 15 months.  And he was on top form, with Nigel Worthington, Norwich Manager, complaining that Murray’s form had cost the win. With Rick Hayward and SJH in attendance it was a fine win for us. And, when Kenny Miller was substituted it was the end of a great 5 years for us.  Watching, and presumably here for the important 2006-7 budget board meeting were SJH and son Rick.

just along from Delia

Here’s how the Times and the Norwich reporters saw it

Norwich 1 (Earnshaw) Wolves 2 (Rosa, Kennedy)

Monday Times
NORWICH CITY (0) 1 WOLVERHAMPTON W (1) 2

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington: You would love to have it all your own way all the time, but you can’t. That’s football, it’s up and down, in and out. It’s a challenge I relish, and what has happened this season has made me all the more determined to get it spot-on for next year.

Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle: I thought we just about deserved it, even though it got a bit nervous towards the end. There was a lot of quality out there, especially in the lead-up to the two goals, and I’m very happy to finish the season on a high note.

Blinder: Lee Naylor. Stinker: Jérémie Aliadière.

http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/matchreports/0,,10355~29260,00.html
Norwich City: Gallacher, Drury (c), Fleming, Huckerby, Earnshaw, Hughes (McKenzie 63), McVeigh, Etuhu, Colin (Henderson 71), Doherty, Robinson. Subs: Lewis, Johansson, Charlton.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Murray, Naylor, Lescott, McNamara, Cameron, Kennedy (c), Edwards, Rosa, Miller (Seol 79), Aliadiere (88 mins), Frankowski (Cort 63). Subs: Craddock, Little.
NORWICH CITY succumbed to their first home defeat in seven at Carrow Road this afternoon, losing 2-1 to Wolves in the final match of the season. In truth, it was a harsh result for the Canaries, who played better in this match than many of the others in recent months when they came away with all three points. Wolves stole into the lead shortly before half time when Rosa capitalised on a napping defence to toe-poke under Gallacher.  (Cams to Jeremie o Denes Rosa who beat the offside)

And the visitors extended their advantage midway through the second half when Mark Kennedy lashed home after a mistake by Carl Robinson. Robert Earnshaw grabbed his eighth goal in 13 starts with the simplest of tap-ins, and when Colin Cameron was sent off with less than 10 minutes left you sensed a comeback. (Denes again involved as he broke on the right; Jeremie dummied on the edge of the box as Kennedy called for it, and a sweet left footer flew home)

But it was not to be, with Earnshaw being denied his second by the woodwork as Wolves clung on to all three points and seventh place in the Championship. Dutch defender Jurgen Colin was restored to the line-up for the visit of Wolves. It was Colin's first appearance since the defeat to Ipswich almost three months ago, with the former PSV man taking Craig Fleming's place at right-back, with the veteran moving to centre-half in place of Jason Shackell, who was recovering from an ankle operation. Robert Green was not risked with his own ankle injury, with Paul Gallacher given another chance to impress in goal. The Canaries looked set to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, with Paul McVeigh and Darren Huckerby joining in-form Robert Earnshaw in attack.  Earnshaw has now bagged seven goals in 12 starts for Norwich since joining from West Brom in January, but would need a hat-trick against the visitors if he was to tie Dean Ashton for leading goalscorer.  Before the game Gary Doherty rounded off a good season by claiming the Barry Butler Player of the Year trophy.  Darren Huckerby secured the runners-up spot, with Paul McVeigh claming third place. City started brightly with Earnshaw winning a free kick 30 yards from goal after a trip by Colin Cameron.  Huckerby floated the ball to the far post, and although Doherty succeeded in heading it down into a dangerous area, but referee Ian Williamson had already blown for a free kick. Wolves first sight of goal came on seven minutes.  A swift break involving Jackie McNamara saw the former Celtic man play a fine ball into the path of Arsenal loanee Jeremie Aliadiere, but his low shot from the edge of the area was weak and easily gathered by Gallacher.  Gallacher was again in the action on 12 minutes, this time scurrying across his line to cover a long-range free kick from Lee Naylor.  Straight up the other end Earnshaw, who was getting a fair amount of abuse from the visiting fans due to his West Brom connections, dragged a shot wide of Murray's left post from 20 yards out after wriggling into space.
Cameron became the first name in the notebook on 14 minutes after taking away Huckerby's legs as he looked to break clear from just outside his own box.  It was a soft booking, and a minute later the referee evened things up by adding the City attacker's name the list of cautions after he cynically pulled back his man as he tried to clear his lines away on the left.  But on 21 minutes only a brilliant stop from Wolves' 'keeper Murray prevented the Canaries from taking the lead. There were loud claims for a push on McVeigh in the box after the little Irishman tried to reach Huckerby's cross.  But the ball ran to Dickson Etuhu 25 yards from goal, and he sent in a rasping shot which Murray turned over at full stretch.  From the resulting corner, McVeigh whipped in an out-swinging cross, and Doherty sent in a great header which Kenny Miller had to nod off his own line. It was certainly the Canaries playing the better football, with Etuhu in particular running things in midfield. The game was halted on the half hour mark for McVeigh to receive treatment on his ankle after landing awkwardly after a firm challenge by visiting captain Kennedy.  But he was soon able to continue, with Norwich receiving a free kick 10 yards outside their own area. On 32 minutes McVeigh received a stern talking to for an incident involving the Wolves' 'keeper.It stemmed from a heavy ball from Earnshaw, who couldn't find the former Spurs' trainee, with Murray rushing from his line to collect. Murray carried the ball over the touchline for a corner but refused to release it straight away. This saw McVeigh kick at the hands of Murray at least twice, with the Norwich player perhaps lucky to escape with a talking to. From the corner, Robinson sent a firm header straight into Murray's arms. A minute later and the Wolves' keeper was in the thick of the action again, this time blocking an attempted lob from McVeigh after he had been found in space inside the box.  As the half entered the final five minutes, Earnshaw capped off a fine passing move by sending a curling effort straight at Murray from just outside the box.
With one minute left on the clock until the interval, Gallacher added another party piece to his growing collection of fine saves by tipping over a 25-yard shot by Cameron. From the resulting corner, defender Rob Edwards headed home, but the referee had already blown for a push. But in their next attack Wolves did go ahead.  City's defence was caught flat-footed by a swift break. Cameron picked up the ball and played a delightful pass into the onrushing Denes Rosa.   And his touch was excellent, toe-poking the ball beneath the advancing Gallacher to put the visitors ahead at the half time stage. (See pix above)

Both sides returned to the pitch for the second half unchanged, with Glenn Hoddle undoubtedly delighted to see his side ahead in a game they had been largely second best in. But the goal had given the visitors a new lease of life, with Wolves largely dominating possession for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, without creating any real chance.  On 56 minutes City did finally get hold of the ball, and Huckerby went on a great run down the left, leaving two defenders in his wake.He was unceremoniously felled by Miller just outside the box, a challenge he received a yellow card for. McVeigh whipped in a delightful ball, which was flicked on before Naylor was forced into desperate action, heading over his own bar under pressure.  The corner led to a sustained spell of pressure, where Doherty had loud shouts for a penalty waved away as he was knocked to the ground. The game had certainly come alive, and on the hour mark Gallacher had to be sharp to run off his line and clear off the toes of Miller after almost being found by a great through-ball by the influential Cameron.  In the 63rd minute both sides made changes, with Leon McKenzie replacing Andy Hughes and Carl Cort coming on for Frankowski. This saw City revert to a straightforward 4-4-2 formation, with the fit-again McKenzie joining Earnshaw in attack and McVeigh moving to the right of midfield.  The change had added some much needed urgency to City's play, but on 69 minutes the Canaries were almost caught short at the back. Miller's deep cross was headed back into the area by Cort, and this was collected in acres of space by Cameron. But he took one touch too many, allowing Fleming to get a vital interception in. And although the ball ran loose to Miller on the edge of the box, he could only drag his shot horribly wide.   But Wolves did not have to wait long to double their lead.  Robinson gifted the ball to goalscorer Rosa 30 yards out, and with Fleming lying injured near the byline, he skipped into the area before squaring to the unmarked Kennedy who rifled into the net. It was a sloppy goal to concede, and Norwich now needed a comeback of QPR proportions to get the win now.  (see pix abover of the goal - Mark ran from the penalty area at the other end to the area where the Wolves fans were to celebrate)

But a minute later and Norwich were back in the game thanks to a horrible mix-up at the back by the Wolves' defence.  Gallacher's long clearance was inadvertently headed on by Lescott, and fellow defender Edwards touch took the ball out of the hands of his goalkeeper, handing Earnshaw the easiest of tap-ins for his eighth of the season for City. City did their best to give Wolves a third goal on 78 minutes when Gallacher hesistated in coming off his line for a cross, allowing Cort to head past him. And although his header had Gallacher beaten, there was Doherty to hook the ball off the line.  On 80 minutes though City's luck was in crucially short supply as only the base of the post denied Earnshaw his second of the game. He showed great feet to creat the chance just inside the box, and his low shot was palmed onto the left post by 'keeper Murray.And the ball bounced agonisingly off the woodwork before landing back in the arms of the prone stopper. Norwich were handed a numerical advantage on 81 minutes when Cameron was sent off for his second booking.  His lunging challenge on McVeigh was worthy of a caution, and combined with his first half yellow that meant an early bath for the midfielder. Norwich were now bossing things in the final stages as they throw everything at Wolves looking for a deserved equaliser.Doherty had even joined the Canaries' attack as City looked to get a point out of a game they should not have found themselves behind in.

Mark Kennedy nearly scored again from a good cross field ball from the half way line by Carl Cort but Gallacher got down well

Sat 22nd April Wolves 1 (Miller 36, pen) Brighton 0

Another low fun match illuminated by Colin Cameron’s third man-of-the-match award in a row since his return from Millwall, a mexican wave to keep the crowd awake, shots off the post - from a Cameron free kick and a great run by Jeremie Aliadiere, and Kenny’s final home goal - a 31st minute penalty following a silly Brighton handball. Dan Jones then picked up the Billy Wright Academy award and Kenny won the fans’ Player of the Season in a very close vote - Kenny won 23% Jolen 22% Incey 21% and Colin Cameron 18%. Shame to think that three out of the four could be gone after next week. The match was a typical “end of season with nothing to play for” occasion and marked by a very small crowd - the size masked by counting 18,100 season tickets but probably under 20,000.   Colin Cameron picked up “man of the Match” for the third match running.

Wolves: Postma (Oakes 45), Lescott, Edwards, Lowe (McNamara 45), Kennedy, Cameron, Miller, Davies, Ross, Aliadiere, Frankowski (Cort 75).
Subs: Rosa, Seol. Goal: Miller (31 pen).
Booked: Kennedy.
Brighton: Henderson, El-Abd, McShane, Lynch, Hinshelwood, Mayo, Nicolas, Frutos (Carole 69), Reid, Noel-Williams, Kazim-Richards (Hart 82).
Subs: Butters, Loft, Chaigneau.
Booked: El-Abd.
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

PLAYER of the SEASON

Kenny Miller picked up the player of the season vote with 23% of the fans’ votes; Paul Ince was second with 22% and Joleon was third with 21% and Colin Cameron 4th with 18%.

Monday 17th April Preston 2 (Neal 42, Ormerod 71) Wolves 0

By all accounts, especially the phone in fans who went to Deepdale, an awful performance - only 2 shots on goal - one in the 89th and Preston dominated as they move up to fourth.   Wolves players didn’t turn up and looked as though they were already on holiday. And they disappeared down the tunnel with only Mark Kennedy and Joleon Lescott coming over to the fans at the end. This naturally led to further calls for a mass clearout of players and management. Since the following players are out of contract I can’t see any, apart from possibly Denes Rosa being kept on..... Postma, Ross, Rosa, Ince, Cameron, N'dah, Anderton and Kennedy

Match outline from WoW
Further disappointment for Wolves as Preston win 2-0 at Deepdale.
Wanderers made two changes from the team that lined up against Watford - Ince and Naylor were replaced by Ricketts and Miller. A dull opening half-hour saw few chances for either side. The home support showed their appreciation for a good long-range curling shot from Jarrett that produced a flying save from Postma on 34 minutes. This was followed up two minutes later with a drive from Alexander from outside the area but the ball was deflected to safety. Preston dominated the rest of the half and got their reward on 41 minutes - Neal striking a shot that took a deflection off Lescott and slipped inside of Postma's right hand post as the keeper was diving to his left. Ormerod could have doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time but his effort was blocked by Postma.
Half-time: Preston 1 Wolves 0
The second-half had a more energetic pace about it but whilst both sides were finding their way into the opposition area, neither could force the keepers into making a save. In an attempt to boost Wolves' fire power, Cort came on for Ricketts in the 63rd minute.  Then a cross from McKenna caused confusion in the Wolves area and Ormerod took advantage, heading past Postma to double their lead on 71 minutes. The Preston scorer clattered into the keeper and needed lengthy treatment before being stretchered off.
The travelling fans' agony came close to being compounded when Whaley hit the bar on 79 minutes.
With three minutes to go, Davies replaced Cameron. Edwards forced a save from Nash, when he rose to head a cross from Aliadiere on 90 minutes. Seven minutes of injury time were added as a result of the injury to Ormerod. Miller was substituted for Seol just near the end.
F-T: Preston 2 Wolves 0

Preston: Nash, Mears, Jarrett, Neal (Sedgwick 70), Davis, Alexander (capt), Whaley, McKenna, Wilson, Ormerod (Hill 76), Agyemang (Dichio 65).
Unused subs: Hibbert, Stock.
Wolves: Postma, Ross, Kennedy (capt), Ricketts (Cort 63), Lescott, Lowe, Edwards, Aliadiere, Frankowski, Cameron (Davies 87), Miller (Seol 90).
Unused subs: Oakes, Little.
Referee: K.A. Friend. Attendance: 16,885.

Friday April 14th Wolves 1 (Aliadiere 17) Watford 1 King 65) (17:15 kick off, live on Sky Sports 1)

Keith Lowe was recalled from Swansea (after winning the Autoglass trophy) and was one of our best players. Incey went off in the first half with a hamstring pull and Watford were denied their chance of automatic promotion as Wolves lost their playoff chance. But all the talk was of Jez Moxey’s “complete disaster” (finishing 7th) to Glenn’s response of relegation would have been the disaster rather than finishing 7th

Here’s what was said in the programme in Jez Moxey’s column.

Need to embrace cultural change
When discussing what to write in my notes for this week's programme .. it was suggested I should focus my attention on the fans' parliament (which I will address at a later date). It was also pointed out that I should acknowledge the growing disillusionment amongst supporters which I do talk about below. However, I cannot write these notes without addressing what's most important - football.[/b]

It has to be said that most of us feel that this season has been a complete disaster because of where we are likely to finish in the League table. We got off to a pretty good start but following defeats to Burnley and Millwall at home...... plus draws... it became apparent that automatic promotion (our initial hope for the season) was gone.
However, we've always believed, and still do, that our squad has been good enough to reach the top six - this was our publically stated minimum footballing target - and everyone accepts that it should have been achieved......
then more stuff about mathematical possibility then

No our season is done and we will hopefully finish in 7th place, just outside the top six, such is the disappointment that we may as well have finished 21st!
Some people will be surprised that I am writing in such a fashion and no doubt I will be criticised for doing so!  However, I am speaking from the heart, and for everyone at Wolves when I say we are devasted at finishing outside the playoffs.
then goes on
...it's easy to sack someone but not so easy to find replacments
...board meeting to discuss is set for May
...naturally optimistic but we have to embrace cultural change - club will be entering into a new phase - we will be a different looking club (ie no parachute money left)
...we bought promotion in 2002/3
Perhaps we need to change the culture at Molineux altogether, change the expectation levels (without destroying the support base of fans and sponsors alike) and get back to a more basic approach to winning football matches because we can no longer rely on financial advantage to buy success
...everyone must play their part....

This all overshadowed a good match for the neutrals, a world class pass by Franek for Jeremie’s goal, a world class miss - clean through from the half way line also by Franek, a mix up to give Marlon King (a Glenn Hoddle target in the summer) an easy shot at goal, a bizarre sending off of the same player for “foul and abusive” and enough chances for Wolves to have won comfortably. Ince’s injury clearly upset the rhythm and losing such a strong player to be replaced by Ricketts who “wimped out” of all his tackles in the first half lead to us losing our domination, and for much of the second half we were under the cosh.  A crowd of some 18,000 (22,584 officially) was down to less than 14,000 on the final whistle while a few remained around to boo, and a few to applaud the efforts of Keith Lowe - recalled from Swansea where he won an Autoglass Cup winners medal last week and playing only his second match under Hoddle.  Contrary to Nobby’s prediction at the kit sponsors’ lunch at Compton Nayls didn’t score an own goal, and in fact had a godd match, with surging left wing runs and some much better set pieces..

Marlon King’s equaliser though was a farce.  Either Kennedy didn’t hear Joleon’s call from behind him or Jo didn’t call.  Both went for the ball from the long throw in and succeeded only in heading it straight back across goal - straight to King. King volleyed well but the ball would have been saved if Ross hadn’t turned his back on it and got out of the way. Defender? 

Earlier, Nayls, who had his best game for some time had been shooting on site - and could have had a goal if he had called for the ball. Instead, Cams in front of him on the edge of the 6 yards area shot high and wide.

Wolves: Postma, Ross (Seol 72), Naylor, Ince (capt) (Ricketts 34), Lescott, Lowe, Edwards, Aliadiere, Frankowski (Cort 72), Cameron, Kennedy.Unused subs: Oakes, Little.
Booking: Aliadiere (62 - foul).
Watford: Foster, Mackay, Carlisle, DeMerit, Eagles (Chambers 90), Mahon (capt), King, Doyley, Young, Spring (Bangura 87), Henderson. Unused subs: Stewart, Blizzard, McNamee.
Sending-Off: King (85 - foul and abusive language).
Referee: K.K. Wright.

Sat April 8th Wolves 2  (Ince 2, Cameron  22) Coventry 2 (John 25, McSheffrey 60)

So Colin Cameron, who should have not been sent away since he’s one of the few Wolves midfielders with bite and passion scored a goal and ran his socks off.  A dream start when Frankowski was brought down in the first minute, and a sublime free kick from Paul Ince.   On 22 Aliadiere picked up the ball in our half and ran diagonally to the penalty area on the Billy Wright side of the South Bank.  His clever back heel foxed the defence and Cams ran on it to score, cementing his position as 3rd top scorer behind Kenny and Carl.  “Are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching Glenn Hoddle?” was the chant from the South Bank

But 2 minutes later Jody was comprehensively outjumped by Stern John and Coventry - from no possession really - were back in it. We had plenty of good chances to put the game away - Kennedy hit the post and Seol failed to put in the rebound - it was deflected behind.  Later Sparky had another great chance but Pulup saved well.   In the 60th a stupid challenge from the same distance as Incey’s goal and McSheffrey did for us again.  Stefan Postma looked flat footed and didn’t cover the top right of the goal.  In the 80th a free kick for a foul on Nayls just outside the box - for an identical tackle Ross had been booked by Gallaher for but he let the Coverntry perpetrator off (McSheffrey).   With everyone concentrating on getting organised, Nayls stepped up and a great kick narrowly missed the post.

At half time Phil Bant presented cheques for £6,000 to the local West Midlands (Paul Trowman) and National Autistic Societies (Kate Bains) from his run as Superman. This year he’s running as London Wolves’ Batman. (see here)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2767-2125502,00.html
Wolves 2 Coventry 2: Coventry ruin Hoddle hopes
in the Sunday TimesJOHN AIZLEWOOD AT MOLINEUX
 
THROUGHOUT this season of stagnation, Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle has beseeched his team to draw fewer games. After morale-sapping, defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth, Wolves returned to point-sharing, but the surrendering of a two-goal lead hardly helped dispel the rumblings of discontent against Hoddle’s regime.

On Friday, Jez Moxey, the Wolves chief executive, suggested Hoddle’s job was safe while the playoffs could still be fought for. This morning, with Wolves needing to win their remaining four games and Preston needing to lose all four of theirs for Hoddle’s team to make the top six, the situation may look rather different.

Afterwards, Hoddle declined to assess his team’s season. “Let’s cross that bridge when it’s mathematically impossible to reach the playoffs,” he promised. “There are a few patterns we need to put right: one of them is putting teams to bed.”

It began so well for him and Wanderers took less than two minutes to barge ahead. Tomasz Frankowski ambled forwards until Dennis Wise plumped for the illegal rather than the legal. Paul Ince’s low free kick was hardly unstoppable, but it drifted around the wall and under Marton Fulup’s bellyflop. “What a start,” sighed City manager Micky Adams. “We hadn’t even touched the ball and we were a goal down with a player booked.”

With City water-treading in mid-table, that should have been that. Instead, Stephen Hughes anchored midfield with steel and panache, Gary McSheffrey made a thorough nuisance of himself in attack and City almost equalised after 19 minutes. Stern John’s delightful turn and flick over a bamboozled Jody Craddock ended with Stefan Postma beaten and the ball rolling along the goal-line and to safety.

Moments later, City’s pomp turned to dust. Jeremie Aliadiere collected the ball in his own half and, with gazelle-like speed and grace, skipped past challenge after challenge until he reached the penalty area. Then, with the City defence heading one way, Aliadiere sent them the other with a backheel and the unmarked Colin Cameron swept gleefully past Fulop. As their favourite, recalled from exile at Millwall, celebrated his first goal in gold since New Year’s Eve, the Jack Harris Stand had a most pertinent question: “are you watching, Glenn Hoddle?” Two minutes later, Hoddle must have wished his eyes shut tight. Marcus Hall punted a hopeful ball forwards and John climbed above Joleon Lescott to head past Postma.

Shortly after Mark Kennedy hit Fulop’s post with a fearsome drive following more Aliadiere magic, Hoddle swapped directors’ box for dug out, just in time to see Fulop save from Kennedy and then with his feet from Frankowski. Yet, Hoddle’s defence panicked every time City broke and his midfield squandered possession too frequently. On the hour they paid the price and City regained parity.

Lescott petulantly fouled Hughes on the edge of the penalty area and McSheffrey curled a glorious free kick into Postma’s top right-hand corner. The home support’s silence was deafening and soon, as storm clouds appositely gathered over Molineux, Hoddle was making a double substitution borne of job-salvaging desperation.

The heavens opened as the game climaxed. City were undeterred and attacked at will, but, as their switch to 4-3-3 proved predictably unsuccessful, Wolves lost both shape and heart as every misplaced pass was greeted with derision.

As a result, a City winner had seemed the likely denouement, especially when speedy Andrew Whing was introduced down City’s right.

“An honest, hard-working away performance,” noted Adams. On balance a draw was about right. For Hoddle, though, it was wholly wrong.

Star Man: Stephen Hughes (Coventry)

Player Ratings: Wolves: Postma 7, Naylor 7, Lescott 6, Craddock 5, Ross 5, Ince 6, Frankowski 6 (Cort 66min, 4), Seol 6 (Davis 66min, 4), Kennedy 5, Cameron 6, Aliadiere 7 (Ricketts 84min, 4)

Coventry: Fulup 6, Hall 6, Page 6, Williams 6, Hughes 7, Duffy 6 (Whing 79min, 6), Doyle 6, Wise 5, Scowcroft 6 (Adebola 49min, 6), McSheffrey 7 (Hutchison 86min, 4), John 7

Scorers: Wolves: Ince 2, Cameron 22

Derby: John 25, McSheffrey 60

Referee: A Marriner

Attendance: 23,702
 

Sat April 1st Plymouth 2 (Aljofree 9, Ince og 80) WW 0

19 years old Daniel Jones made his debut in this match as Nayls was out through injury.  And it could not have been one he’d really want to remember as he was given little cover in defence by the returning Mark Kennedy.  Plymouth’s Norris had too much freedom in the first half and put us under a lot of pressure. Although we had 3 forwards on, there were only 2 shots on goal while Plymouth broke a 410 minute spell of not scoring when Aljofree put them ahead in the 9th minute and Plymouth’s points were sealed when Incey headed home an own goal in the 80th. Meanwhile Coventry lost their 11 match unbeaten at home record for Preston to pull 8 points clear with only 5 to play.

Wolves on loan striker, 19 year old Leon Clarke, was not permitted to play in this match under the loan terms. Leon made his debut against Preston last week, and revealed that Glenn was going to send him or Vio out on loan.  http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10364~807392,00.html

Here’s how Ivo Tennant saw it http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2767-2114393,00.html

Plymouth 2 Wolves 0 - Ince adds to Wolves woes

ANOTHER match, another defeat for Wolverhampton Wanderers. A place in the Championship playoffs would appear to amount to no more than a pipe dream. Badly beaten by Plymouth Argyle in the sense that they had chosen to play three forwards and had but two chances, they are now eight points behind Preston North End in sixth place.  Unexpectedly beaten at home to Sheffield Wednesday last week, Wolves could not countenance returning to the Midlands with a draw, still less a defeat.

“This was as bad as we have played all season,” said Wolves manager Glenn Hoddle. “There have been a lot of strong words in the dressing-room and there will be more on Monday.

“The players do not have any answers but we did not deal with Plymouth’s passing or the strong wind and we have put a lot of pressure on ourselves now.”

Wolves needed all the gusto of Paul Ince to stem their torpor here. Half an hour had elapsed when he had a characteristic drive parried by Romain Larrieu which was the first meaningful attempt on Plymouth’s goal. A decent save this was, too, although not so impressive as that earlier by Stefan Postma.

The match was but two minutes old when David Norris’s cross reached Vincent Pericard, who remains on loan from Portsmouth. The volley was struck sharply enough, but Postma, who continues to keep Michael Oakes out of the first team, stretched brilliantly and touched the ball over his crossbar. There was little he could do, though, to keep out the opening goal.

Plymouth had not scored for 422 minutes but, when they eventually did, it seemed well worth the wait. Tony Capaldi’s corner (with a dummy by Pericard) was met with immense power and accuracy by Hasney Aljofree and sped into Postma’s left-hand corner. Any forward would have been pleased with that, but for a centre-half it was quite something.

What was more, this was his first goal of the season. Plymouth should have been further ahead by half-time, for Lilian Nalis headed over and then had a drive beaten out by Postma. Capaldi chipped just over Postma’s goal with a precision that was only slightly askew: the ball rolled along the top of the crossbar and dropped to safety onto the netting behind it.

Postma, strange as it may seem given his brilliance here, is another whose future is to be determined at the season’s end. The Dutchman, once with Aston Villa, should be in his prime at the age of 29 and, by all accounts, is much in credit this season, yet a great deal has still to be resolved.

As the match wore on, Wolves made a double substitution yet still achieved nothing by way of openings, so Ince’s frustration and petulance grew. No sooner had Michael Evans come on than Ince brought him down and he was still arguing the point when Capaldi swung over a free kick that he attempted to head clear for a corner.

What happened instead was that Ince misdirected his header, finding only a corner of Postma’s net. Once more, the poor goalkeeper, so splendidly alert all afternoon, was let down by others. Ince attempted to make amends — he would have done for any length of time — but the one chance he and his team had came to naught.

“We have outplayed one of the best football teams, not outworked them,” Plymouth manager Tony Pulis said. “Compared with Wolves, we are not going to have players of flair and a £1.4m substitute, so commitment is vital.”

STAR MAN: Stefan Postma (Wolves)

Player ratings: Plymouth: Larrieu 6, Connolly 6, Doumbe 6, Aljofree 7, Hodges 6, Norris 7, Nalis 7, Wotton 6, Capaldi 7 (Buzsaky 90min, 4), Pericard 7 (Pulis 90min, 4), Chadwick 6 (Evans 74min, 4)

Wolves: Postma 8, Ross 6 (Frankowski 73min, 4), Lescott 5, Craddock 5, Jones 5 (Edwards 62min, 4), Davies 5, Ince 6, Kennedy 5, Miller 5 (Ricketts 73min, 4), Cort 5, Aliadiere 5

Scorers: Plymouth: Aljofree 9, Ince 80 og

Referee: P Melin

Attendance: 15,871

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