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Saturday 29th December Norwich 1 Wolves 1

A much better all round performance broke the 550+ minute record of not having scored away when Andy Keogh got his first in ages.  Much more penalty box action but Mick, while praising everyone, was decidely unhappy about the equaliser.  WoW reports

Norwich City 1 (Cureton 75) Wolves 1 (Keogh 52)

A much improved performance from Wolves perhaps deserved better than the single point they took from Carrow Road, where they had dominated for much of the game.

Andy Keogh headed the visitors into a 52nd minute lead with Jamie Cureton pulling the Canaries level a quarter-of-an-hour from the end.  Wolves, wearing their all white away kit, made three changes to the team that had lost so disappointingly at Hull.   Back into the starting line-up came Darron Gibson, Stephen Ward and Michael Gray, whilst the men they replaced - Freddy Eastwood, Matt Jarvis and Rob Edwards - were all named as substitutes.   After just three minutes, former Molineux defender Mo Camara was booked for a late challenge on Jay Bothroyd.  Stephen Ward had two stabs at goal after Keogh had nodded on Bothroyd's cross but first Jason Shackell and then Darel Russell blocked the Irishman's shots.  Keogh's persistence won the first corner of the game in the ninth minute. Bothroyd took the kick but Neill Collins' header went over the bar.  Darren Huckerby tried his luck from long distance but his effort was way too high before Collins had to turn behind a dangerous centre from Ched Evans when play switched to the other end.  Darren Ward interrupted Cureton's run at goal by guiding the ball back for Wayne Hennessey to clear.   Seyi Olofinjana went into the book after he had fouled Huckerby on the Norwich left before Darren Ward's long clearance almost led to an opening goal.  Bothroyd and Keogh were both in offside positions and whilst neither went for the ball, Stephen Ward, clearly onside, nipped between two defenders but his header over home keeper David Marshall drifted wide of the post.  Collins connected with a Bothroyd corner, in the 34th minute. His initial header was blocked and when the ball dropped to his feet, Collins' shot hit the body of Marshall and bounced away.  The home defence failed to clear the ball properly and when it ran to Bothroyd he volleyed over the bar.  A foul by Huckerby on Keogh to the right of the home area resulted in a Bothroyd free-kick which was headed out to Karl Henry whose shot had the sting taken out of it when it hit a defender allowing Marshall to save comfortably.  Shackell was yellow carded for a heavy tackle on Keogh, then Marshall clutched the ball under the bar after Stephen Ward got a head to Gibson's centre.  In stoppage time City almost snatched an undeserved lead when Huckerby just failed to make contact with the ball after Jimmy Smith's overhead kick from  Cureton's centre.

Half-Time: Canaries 0 Wolves 0

Wolves began the second-half as confidently as they had at the start of the game and they moved into a 52nd minute lead with a first away goal since the victory at Cardiff in October.  Gray curled over a cross from the left and Keogh rose to head past the static Marshall. Matty Pattison was booked for tripping Gray before Stephen Ward just failed to reach a low cross from Olofinjana who had run onto a pass from Bothroyd.  Henry and Gibson both were both shown the yellow card within a two minute spell for fouls on Huckerby and Pattison respectively.  The high tempo of the game showed little sign of abating and after Bothroyd had fired a 20-yard angled shot into the arms of Marshall, home substitute Lee Croft hit a low centre that travelled across the face of Hennessey's goal.  Twenty minutes from time, Stephen Ward's excellent solo effort almost saw Wolves going two up. He took the ball from halfway holding off three challenges before shooting inches wide of the far post.  Hennessey then made a fine save from Dion Dublin who had taken a return pass from Cureton. But the keeper was beaten in the 75th minute when Dublin nodded on Shackell's long clearance to Cureton. The striker ran into the box before hitting a shot that Hennessey managed to divert onto the inside of the post only for ball to bounce into the net.  Five minutes later, Cureton prodded a shot wide after taking advantage of a kind bounce, and Pattison's free-kick was claimed by Hennessey after Olofinjana had been harshly penalised for a foul on Croft.  Deep into stoppage time, Bothroyd almost snatched a winner as he outpaced two men in a run in from the right before hitting a shot from point blank range that bounced clear off Gary Doherty.

Canaries: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Huckerby (Brown 84), Cureton, Camara, Smith (Croft 50), Russell (capt), Pattison, Doherty, Evans (Dublin 56).  Unused subs: Arnold, Spillane.  Bookings: Camara (3 - foul), Shackell (37 - foul), Pattison (54 - foul).

Wolves; Hennessey, Foley, Gray (Edwards 88), Olofinjana, D. Ward, Collins, Henry (capt), Gibson, Keogh (Elliott 73), Bothroyd, S. Ward.

Unused subs: Ikeme, Jarvis, Eastwood. Bookings: Olofinjana (26 - foul), Henry (59 - foul), Gibson (60 - foul), S. Ward (88 - foul).

Referee: L. Probert.  Attendance: 24,324

Wednesday 26th December Hull 2 Wolves 0

Mick finally made the changes the fans wanted - to no avail - as Wolves ship of state goes hull up.  Here’s how WoW saw it.

Hull City 2 (Garcia 47, Campbell 61) Wolves 0

Wolves' gloomy run continued at the KC Stadium as Hull City took the points thanks to two second-half goals.  Wanderers have now gone five games without a win and 555 minutes since they last scored an away goal. Mick McCarty made three changes bringing Freddy Eastwood, Andy Keogh and Rob Edwards in place of Stephen Elliott, Darron Gibson and Michael Grey all of whom were named as substitutes.  The game started dramatically with Frazier Campbell thumping a shot against Wayne Hennessey's crossbar inside the first minute. But the striker was flagged offside before he had struck the ball.  Wolves responded with a 40-yard effort from Keogh that wasn't far off the mark after he had spotted that home keeper Bo Myhill had strayed from his goal.  Keogh was just beaten to a through ball from Jay Bothroyd by Myhill, then he miscued a shot from 20-yards after Eastwood had nodded a Neill Collins pass into his path.  After the lively opening moments there had been little to trouble the two keepers although Myhill was relieved to see a driven cross from Matt Jarvis going over the heads of both Keogh and Eastwood.  Darren Ward hooked the ball clear after Andy Dawson had run onto Bryan Hughes' through pass and delivered a low cross into the heart of the six-yard box.  In the 27th minute the lineman's flag came to Wolves' rescue once more after Ian Ashbee headed home following a short corner from David Livermore who played a one-two with Dawson before delivering the centre.  Myhill had to be at his best to deny Eastwood a 36th minute opener. Bothroyd created the chance when he beat four men and took a return pass from Keogh before feeding Eastwood whose 20-yard ground shot was turned around the post by the home keeper.  With the last kick of the half, Seyi Olofinjana flashed a drive wide after taking possession from Eastwood on the edge of the Hull area.

Half-Time: City 0 Wolves 0

Within two minutes of the resumption City moved into the lead. Campbell played a one-two with Hughes and hit a short, low cross to the unmarked Richard Garcia who ran in to sidefoot home at the far post.  Eastwood and Wayne Brown were both spoken to by the referee shortly  afterwards following a brief altercation but the official didn't brandish the yellow card.  Hennessey had to paw away a cross from Sam Ricketts but, with 61 minutes gone, Hull increased their advantage despite a brilliant effort from the Wolves keeper.  Dawson crossed from the left and Garcia's diving header looked a certain goal until the Welsh international threw himself sideways to save. But the loose ball dropped at the feet of Campbell who made no mistake from just a couple of yards out.  Livermore cut out Olofinjana's intended pass for Jarvis who would have otherwise had a clear sight of goal, before Hennessey spread himself to save Campbell's low shot.  With 20 minutes remaining Elliot was sent on for Jarvis and Stephen Ward for Eastwood.  The pair were soon involved with Elliott knocking down a Ward centre to Bothroyd whose shot on the turn was blocked and cleared.  But there was little else to trouble Myhill as the dejected away fans began to vacate the stand behind him.
Hull City: Myhill, Dawson, Ashbee (capt) (Marney 84), Turner, Hughes, Garcia, Brown, Folan (Windass 90), Ricketts, Livermore, Campbell (Barmby 79). Unused subs: Duke, Delaney.
Wolves; Hennessey, Foley, Collins, Olofinjana (Gibson 82), Edwards, D. Ward, Jarvis (Elliott 69), Henry (capt), Keogh, Eastwood (S. Ward 69), Bothroyd.  Unused subs: Ikeme, Gray.
Referee: C. Foy.  Attendance: 19,127.

Saturday December 22nd WW 1 (Jarvis 73) Leicester 1 (Hume 4)

Live on Sky;  no mistake from Wayne - in fact he keeps us in it.  

Wolves 1 (Jarvis 73) Leicester City 1  (Hume 4)

After a stuttering first-half performance against Leicester, Wolves bounced back to level things after the break. Matt Jarvis got his first goal for the club to cancel out Iain Hume's fourth minute strike.  Neill Collins had an effort ruled out for offside as Mick McCarthy's men went in search of a winner, but in the end there was just a point to bank as the winless run stretched to four games.

There was just one change to the Wolves starting line-up with Jarvis coming in for Stephen Ward who took a place on the bench.  The match started disastrously for Wanderers after Michael Gray was penalised for a challenge on James Chambers 22-yards out and in a central position.  Hume curled the free-kick over the wall and found the bottom corner of the net to stun the home supporters in the Molineux crowd.  Matty Fryatt then tested Wayne Hennessey with a fierce drive that flew into the keeper's arms before Patrick Kisnorbo fouled Jay Bothroyd to the right of the Leicester area.  Bothroyd's free-kick led to two consecutive corners but neither caused too much concern for the visitors.  Hennessey denied City a second goal when he bravely dived at the feet of Collins John who was clean through after running on to Bruno N'Gotty's pass.  Jarvis and Stephen Elliott applied some pressure to the visiting defence and won a corner. Bothroyd's kick dropped to Darren Ward at the far post but the defender was closed down as he shot and the ball bounced behind for yet another unproductive corner. Midway through the half, from a Stephen Clemence corner, City were just inches away from a second goal with Gareth McAiuley's header flying just wide.  Darron Gibson slipped on the greasy surface as he delivered a cross from just inside the right side of the Leicester area and his miscued effort went over the bar. Jarvis and Elliott were both too high with efforts from the edge of the area and, after Hume had pulled back Bothroyd, the striker took the free-kick himself but the ball went over everyone's head and out for a goal kick.  The interval arrived with Marton Fulop in the Leicester goal not having made a worthwhile save. 

Half-Time: Wolves 0 City 1

Freddy Eastwood was introduced for Elliott at the start of the second-half.

Collins had to head away Joe Mattock's left-wing cross as John threatened, but the defender was outpaced in the 51st minute after Chambers had played John through on goal.  But once again it was Hennessey to the rescue as he took the sting out of the former Fulham man's placed shot and then was up in a flash to pounce on the loose ball.  Ironic cheers rang around the stadium in the 53rd minute when Eastwood mustered the first direct shot on Fulop's goal. Eastwood went on a 20-yard run before hitting a low shot that the Hungarian keeper had little difficulty in claiming.  Fulop did well to cut out a low driven centre from Gibson, and Karl Henry just failed to get on the end of a cross from Bothroyd.  Eastwood was wide with a 20-yard snapshot before Andy Keogh replaced Gibson with 20 minutes remaining.  A Clemence free-kick looked to be in the safe hands of Hennessey but the keeper collided with Richard Stearman and lost his grip. But Darren Ward was on hand to clear the lines and his lofted clearance fell to Bothroyd on the left. He turned and fired an inch perfect pass into the path of Keogh who raced into the Leicester box before squaring the ball to Jarvis who sidefooted home from six-yards out.  Nine minutes from the end, Gray hoisted a free-kick into the area and when Seyi Olofinjana headed the ball down, Bothroyd chested it to Keogh whose low return into the six-yard box was poked home by Collins.  But the joy of the crowd and the defender was quickly cut short by the linesman who had spotted that Bothroyd was offside when he played his part in the move.  In stoppage time, Olofinjana fed Keogh whose shot lacked the power to trouble Fulop.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray (S. Ward 84), Henry (capt), D. Ward, N. Collins, Olofinjana, Gibson (Keogh 70), Elliott (Eastwood 45), Bothroyd, Jarvis.Unused subs: Edwards, Ikeme.
Leicester: Fulop, Chambers (Kenton 84), Kisnorbo, N'Gotty, McAuley, Clemence (capt), Hume, Fryatt (Hayes 84), Stearman, Mattock, John.<
Unused subs: Henderson, Sheehan, King.  Booking: Chambers (80 - foul).
Referee: N. Swarbrick.  Attendance: 23,477.

Saturday 15th December Queens Park Rangers 0 Wolves 0

A pretty pedestrian display lowlighted by an abject performance by Stephen Elliott.  Whenever not second best to hopeful long high balls pumped at him, he was out of position for knock downs by Bothroyd, or, if he got to the ball demonstrated even poorer ball control and offside positional sense than the unlamented Carl Cort.  Although he runs a lot  he looks as though it looks as though he's trying rather than really trying.  How on earth Mick McCarthy can come out after this performance and say he put in a good shift is incredible "he was brilliant" - amazing.  Mick's use of substitutes, unless they were all carrying injuries, was also poor - only using Andy Keough 2 minutes from the end.  Settling for a draw against the second bottom team seems to be an indication of the Club's reducing ambition.  I've sent my FA Cup ticket back - can't watch such drivel.   The defence looked a bit shaky in the first half but were rock solid in the second.  Seyi and Karl in midfield had a few patchy moments but  overall played well, while up front Jay put a good shift in but was hampered by Elliott's performance.  Stephen Ward is still not god as a left winger but he did put a very good shift in and got really engaged as QPR tired.   Wayne in goal was again outstanding. 

From WoW Queens Park Rangers 0 Wolves 0

Wolves had to be satisfied with just a point from their trip to Queens Park Rangers. A draw was probably a fair enough result although the Molineux side had their chances to win it in a frenetic second-half with Stephen Elliott missing a golden chance 20 minutes from the end.  An unchanged Wanderers team kicked-off defending the school end of Loftus Road that was packed with over 2,500 travelling supporters.  Darren Ward had to make a vital intervention inside the first minute to prevent Dexter Blackstock from having a clear sight at goal.  The first corner of the game went Wolves' way but Neill Collins' header looped up in the air allowing Lee Camp to save following Jay Bothroyd's flag-kick.   Robert Malcolm chested a Elliott back to Seyi Olofinjana fouled Ainsworth 30-yards out and in a central position. Akos Buzsaky curled the free-kick over the wall but Wayne Hennessey made a comfortable save.  Damion Stewart headed well wide after connecting with Ainsworth's centre and then a moment's hesitation between Darron Gibson and Kevin Foley allowed Blackstock to get in a shot that was deflected behind off Foley.  Ainsworth tested Hennessey with a dipping volley from 35-yards but neither keeper was unduly worried in the opening half-hour.  Michael Gray needed treatment after Ainsworth appeared to nudge him into the advertising boards as the pair chased a loose ball but the referee awarded a throw-in.  Rangers then began to apply some pressure on the visitors' goal and Hennessey was at full stretch to turn behind a low long distance effort from Martin Rowlands.  Buzsaky's corner was only half cleared to Ainsworth on the far side and he beat Gray before cutting along the by-line and delivering a low cross that Blackstock prodded wide at the near post.  Hennessey made another good save as Rowlands again tried his luck from outside the area, and then Ainsworth netted from close range but the referee had spotted a push by Blackstock.  Home appeals for a foul by Darren Ward on Buzsaky just outside the Wolves box were rejected and Gibson broke clear on the right racing half the length of the pitch before drilling a shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Half-Time: QPR 0 Wolves 0

The second-half began with Camp cutting out a dangerous cross from Bothroyd as Stephen Ward charged in, and when play switched almost immediately to the other end, Foley did well to deflect away Ainsworth's centre.  Collins was left stranded after a through ball had bounced over his head. Blackstock, from 25-yards, struck the ball as it dropped and his volley flashed inches wide.  Bothroyd's attempted flick from Stephen Ward's cross hit a defender and was cleared and then the home crowd reacted furiously when Marc Nygaard went to ground in the visitors' area as he tussled with Foley. The referee was right on top of the incident and he waved away the appeals for a penalty.  A pinpoint crossfield pass from Bothroyd to Gray signalled the start of Wolves' best spell of the game which had reached the hour mark.  Gray's cross was chested down by Olofinjana and Blackstock only just missed his own post as he hammered the ball behind off the Nigerian's toes.  Bothroyd's corner was headed down to Darren Ward whose goalbound shot bounced clear off a defender.  Camp had to tip over Stephen Ward's backheader after another Bothroyd cross, and then Nygaard deflected a low Bothroyd shot into the arms of the Rangers keeper.  On 71 minutes came a moment that Elliott will want to forget. He held his head in his hands after scooping the ball wide of the far post from point blank range following a low driven cross from Gibson.  A low cross from Stephen Ward went just behind Elliott as Wolves continued to press but Hennessey had to be at his best to keep out a ferocious shot from Rowlands who had been teed up by Blackstock.   Hearts were then in mouths as a drive from Ainsworth drifted across the face of Hennessey's and, after what seemed like an eternity, a fraction wide of the far post.

QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Blackstock (Sinclair 83), Buszaky, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Malcolm, Rehman, Nygaard, Leigertwood. Unused subs: Cole, Moore, Walton, Balanta.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Henry (capt), D. Ward, N. Collins, Olofinjana, Gibson, Elliott, Bothroyd (Keogh 88), S. Ward.Unused subs: Ikeme, Edwards, Jarvis, Eastwood.

Referee: F. Graham. Attendance: 13,482.

Saturday December 8th Wolves 2 (Gibson 24, Elliott-pen 59) Burnley< 3 (Blake 20, Lafferty 30, D. Ward og 41)

A tired and jaded performance from Wolves in front of the cameras. Wayne Hennessey’s howler was more than matched by three brilliant saves and the Burnley manager Owen Coyle rightly said they could have been 5 up. In contrast, Clarets goalkeeper Kiraly, normally week on crosses seemed to have total control of his area. In defence Darren Ward had a shocker, which made Neill Collins performance also drop, but they were put under pressure by the worst performance by Seyi since his back problem was fixed. Most of his passes in the first half went straight back to Burnley which heaped the pressure on our defence. When we did get it forward only Jay Bothroyd showed any hint of wanting to score, while his “striking partner” Elliott was abject, showing the ball control skills of a Carl Cort. Why on earth Mick McCarthy persists with him instead of rebuilding Freddy’s confidence he alone knows. Stephen Ward put in a steady performance as did FOley, apart from giving away the stupid free kick which led to Wayne’s fumble. At least Wayne still had the South Bank singing in support. But, for both of their first two goals the defence was totally asleep and flat footed. Our equaliser with Darron Gibson’s first for Wolves at Molineux was well worked by Stephen Ward. Seyi must have had something in his tea at half time time as he came out rejuvenated and it was a pull back on his shirt which gave the penalty, but the huffing and puffing was always well contained, and our defence improved in the second half as Burnley sat back on the spoils. Jay took a couple of heavy tackles and made way for Andy Keogh in the 73rd. Freddy had aleady been summonsed by the South Bank in the 60th, but he replaced Gibson who had seemed more relaxed on the right wing. And it was down to Elliott who took a great cross from Freddy in the 94th and had the best chance to equalise. He ducked to head it instead of controlling it and shooting; instead of an equaliser it just spiralled harmlessly over the bar. Here’s how WoW saw it.

Wolves fell to a second defeat inside the space of five days as they went down to Burnley in front of Sky TV cameras at Molineux The Clarets were 3-1 up at the break and although Stephen Elliott pulled one back from the spot, there was to be no point saving comeback. Mick McCarthy made three changes to the side that started in the disappointing setback at Barnsley, with Jay Bothroyd, Elliott and Darron Gibson coming in for Andy Keogh, Matt Jarvis and Darren Potter. Wolves kicked-off attacking the North Bank end after some initial probes from the home attack, Burnley won the first corner of the game off Kevin Foley after Seyi Olofinjana had lost possession to Andy Gray. Gray took the corner himself but Neill Collins was on hand to head clear. There was another worrying moment for the home defence when Andy Gray and Robbie Blake exchanged passes and Blake went down under Darren Ward's challenge right on the 18-yard line. The visiting players appealed for a penalty but Ward looked to have taken the ball cleanly and the referee waved play on. Stephen Elliott just failed to get his head to a deep cross from Gibson who then won Wolves' first flag-kick when his shot cannoned behind off Jon Harley in the ninth minute. Collins' header from Gibson's corner was headed back out to Gibson and this time his cross was punched clear by Gabor Kiraly. When Michael Gray's left-wing cross was headed out to Olofinjana, the Nigerian worked a shooting position for himself and let fly from 25-yards. But the ball struck a defender and went behind for what was an unproductive corner. Foley got back in a nick of time to prod the ball back to Wayne Hennessey as Blake threatened before The Clarets were denied by a brilliant piece of goalkeeping. Chris McCann's shot came back off the post and rolled behind the Hennessey. Blake swooped on the loose ball and looked a certain scorer but the keeper was up like a shot to block and divert the ball to safety. Just three minutes later, however, the Welsh international tasted the bitter side of life in football after Foley had been penalised for a foul on Blake near the left corner of the Wolves box. Hennessey made what looked like a routine save from Blake's free-kick but the ball span out of his arms and rolled agonisingly over the line. It took the home side just four minutes to draw level. Elliott slipped a pass to Stephen Ward who got a second chance when his low cross bounced back to his feet off Clarke Carlisle. This time Ward found Gibson who hit a shot that bounced into the net of the inside of the far post. The joy proved to be short-lived though with Burnley regaining the advantage on the half-hour mark. Wade Elliott delivered a centre from the right and the ball was allowed to run through to the far post where Kyle Lafferty scored from just a yard out. Kiraly claimed Olofinjana's shot on the turn as Wolves looked to hit back and then the Hungarian keeper gathered a Bothroyd free-kick. Hennessey made another fine save when he deflected the ball onto the top of the bar after Blake had chased down a through ball into the Wolves area. But the corner that followed wasn't properly cleared and when Blake returned the ball into the box, Carlisle powered a header that was going wide until it hit the hand of Darren Ward and flew into the net.

Half-Time: Wolves 1 Burnley 3

Kiraly had little difficulty in saving Gibson's low shot shortly after the restart and then, after Lafferty had fouled Foley to the right of the Burnley goal, Bothroyd's free-kick sailed through the area and out beyond the far post for a goal kick. Hennessey clutched a Gray shot above his head before a forceful run by Bothroyd ended when Harley nipped in to turn the ball behind for a corner. Collins was booked for tripping Harley, with Blake's free-kick dipping narrowly over the bar, before Stephen Elliott reduced the deficit in the 59th minute. Olofinjana was pulled back by Gray as he ran in onto Bothroyd's free-kick from the right. The referee pointed straight to the spot and Elliott lashed the ball past Kiraly. Almost immediately Eastwood went on for Gibson and, after Burnley went close to a fourth with Lafferty poking the ball wide after a low cross from Gray, Jarvis replaced Stephen Ward. Carlisle was booked for blatantly obstructing Jarvis before a Collins foul on Gray led to a Burnley free-kick that saw Hennessey making an acrobatic save by touching Joey Gudjonsson's well struck effort over the bar. In the dying minutes play was switching from end to end with Eastwood and Elliott having shots blocked by defenders and Hennessey diving to save from Gudjonsson who had been set up by Ade Akinbiyi. In stoppage time, a deep Michael Gray free-kick was cleared, Karl Henry fired wide from 20-yards, and Elliott headed over from Eastwood's cross right on the final whistle.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Henry (capt), D. Ward, N.Collins, Olofinjana, Gibson (Eastwood 60), S. Elliott, Bothroyd (Keogh 73), S. Ward (Jarvis 71). Unused subs: Edwards, Ikeme. Booking: Collins (56 - foul). </SPAN>

Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander (capt), Harley, Carlisle, Gray (Akinbiyi 88), W. Elliott, McCann, Lafferty, Mahon (Gudjonsson 68), Blake (O'Connor 83), Unsworth. Unused subs: Jensen, Jones. Booking: Carlisle (80 - obstruction).

Referee: S. Tanner. Attendance: 20,763.

Tuesday December 4th Barnsley 1 (Ferenczi 47) Wolves 0 (Keogh missed pen)

A tired performance with three changes.  Barnsley had over 60% of the possession, Wayne made two excellent saves but the Barnsley keeper was only tested once when he saved Andy Keogh’s penalty after sub Stephen Elliott had been fouled

Saturday December 1st Wolves 1 (Capt Karl Henry ) Preston 0

An enthralling nail biting performance by Wolves, while Preston could easily have taken the points, but it was “one - Nil to the Wanderers”  thanks to a 25 yarder by Captain Karl Henry really living up to a captain’s performance.  Dropping Potter made all the difference with Seyi coming back and although Darron Gibson still struggled on the right it was a much more accomplished performance.  It was also very good to see Carl Ikeme back warming up as the reserve goalkeeper but we wish Graham Stack well for his recovery.

Here’s how WoW saw it

Wolves 1 (Henry 55) Preston North End 0

For the second time in a week Wolves were 1-0 home winners with Karl Henry's 55th minute strike securing the three points from a tightly fought out Molineux contest with struggling Preston North End. The win lifted Wanderers up to third in the table

Seyi Olofinjana recovered from a groin strain to take a place in midfield whilst Michael Gray was the other change following Jody Craddock's groin injury suffered in the game against Colchester. Gray slotted in at left back with Neill Collins partnering Darren Ward in central defence.  Wolves kicked-off attacking the South Bank end and to say the opening five minutes were action packed would be an understatement. From Stephen Ward's centre the ball was headed out to Freddy Eastwood who hit a fierce shot that looked destined for the net until it hit Youl Mawene and bounced clear.  Darron Gibson then grabbed possession and fired over a cross that Eastwood prodded against the foot of the post. The ball bounced back out to Stephen Elliott who turned and shot against the outside of the same piece of woodwork. Preston almost immediately won a free-kick which was taken by Matthew Hill. He found Liam Chilvers who chested the ball down and converted from close range but the Preston man's celebrations were cut short by a linesman flagging for offside. From the free-kick Wolves broke through Elliott who had Eastwood for company against just one visiting defender. Elliott found his team-mate with a precision pass but Eastwood was denied by Andy Lonergan who made a fine save.  Simon Whaley's dipping shot was pushed behind by Wayne Hennessey and then Callum Davidson sidefooted wide from close in after a low cross from the right.  In the 17th minute, Eastwood just failed to reach a superb cross from Gibson with the ball only needing a nudge over the line as it flew through the goalmouth.  Both sides had free-kicks awarded in dangerous positions. Gibson's cross was cleared and then Mawene got too much power behind his effort and the ball went high and wide of Hennessey's goal.  Hennessey needed two attempts to gather a stinging effort from Whaley before Sean St Ledger went into the book after felling Stephen Ward.  Eastwood found another shot on goal blocked again after he had connected with Gray's deep free-kick into the box, and the last attempt of the half fell to Henry who was too high with a long-range drive.

Half-Time; Wolves 0 Preston 0

Unlike the opening session, the start of the second-half was a rather mundane affair until the 55th minute when a superb effort from Henry gave Wolves the lead and sparked the stadium into life.  Skipper in Craddock's absence, Henry picked up the ball in the centre circle and advanced on the Preston goal before unleashing a low 25-yard shot that flew past Lonergan.  Matt Jarvis replaced Gibson shortly afterwards and, after Kevin Foley had cut out a dangerous cross from Brett Omerod, Collins was inches away from a second Wolves goal when his header looped wide following a Jarvis corner.  Eastwood was penalised for tripping Callum Davidson just under 30-yards from goal but Hennessey got his body behind St Ledger's curling free-kick.  A misplaced Elliott pass gave Preston substitute Neil Mellor the chance to get in a shot but he was forced wide and Hennessey touched away his angled drive with '>Darren Ward completing the clearance. Andy Keogh came on for Elliott with 15 minutes remaining and there were loud appeals for a penalty as he ran along the by-line and appeared to be tripped Mawene, but the referee waved play on.  Darren Ward conceded a corner as St Ledger threatened but Davidson's flag-kick came to nothing and then Chris Sedgwick's piledriver was tipped over by Hennessey.  From the resulting corner, taken by Whaley, the ball was helped on to Andy Carroll who shot wide at the far post.  Darren Potter, a late replacement for Eastwood, was booked for a foul on Davidson before, deep into stoppage time, Carroll was uncomfortably close with a low shot from just outside the area.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Henry (capt), D. Ward, N. Collins, Olofinjana, Eastwood (Potter 85), Elliott (Keogh 75), Gibson (Jarvis 57), S. Ward.  Unused subs: Little, Ikeme. Booking: Potter (90 - foul).

Preston: Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene, Sedgwick (Gallagher 79), Agyemang (Carroll 79), St. Ledger, Chilvers, Whaley, McKenna (capt), Ormerod (Mellor 64), Hill.  Unused subs: Halls, Neal.  Booking: St Ledger (40 - foul).

Referee: A. D'Urso.  Attendance: 22.836.

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