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Next Match - Leicester away - Tuesday 2nd 

Plymouth Argyle 1 (Chadwick 61) Wolves 1 (Elliott 42)

So 71% possession and waves of attacks on the Plymouth goal in the first half and more dominance in the second but Wolves had to go away with just the point after Ian Holloway’s inspired substitutions.  Elliott at last scores but it can’t be long before Freddy gets a start with multiple misses from the strikers.  Here’s how WoW saw it. Go to www.wolves.co.uk for pictures

A catalogue of missed chances meant that Wolves had to be satisfied with a point from their trip to Plymouth. Mick McCarthy's team dominated for much of the game but, with just over an hour gone, Nick Chadwick cancelled out Stephen Elliott's first-half opener.  Wolves were unchanged following the convincing victory over Norwich as Argyle kicked-off attacking the away end of Home Park that housed almost 1,800 travelling supporters.  fter two early Plymouth free-kicks had been cleared, home keeper Luke McCormick had to cut out a short cross from Elliott.  Andy Keogh's angled goal attempt from the right of the box was too high and then Kightly beat Gary Sawyer and ran into the area before crossing low only for McCormack to divert the ball behind. From Kightly's corner, Keogh glanced a header narrowly over the bar. Elliott scuffed a shot into the arms of McCormick and then Kightly was literally inches away after he had played a one-two with Elliott and shot from the edge of the area.  Jody Craddock was penalised for a challenge on Barry Hayles and Akos Buszaky's free-kick from almost 30-yards drifted just wide.  Karl Henry won possession deep inside his own half and instigated an attack involving Seyi Olofinjana  and Stephen Ward that ended with a first-time Kightly shot that was well saved by McCormick.  Four Kightly corners followed in quick succession as Wolves piled on the pressure before Elliott, on the halfway line, ran onto a Keogh pass. He returned the ball to Keogh who had sprinted forward but his drive was turned behind by McCormick.  Peter Halmosi cleared a Breen header off the line following yet another Kightly flag-kick before a rare Argyle attack saw Wayne Hennessey beating David Norris to the ball after a back-pass from  Michael Gray. The ball was cleared upfield to Elliott who fired into the arms of McCormick.  Keogh just failed to get his head to a cross from Ward and when play switched to the Wolves' box Craddock made a great tackle to prevent Sylvan Ebanks-Blake getting clean through on goal. Kightly was wide with a first time shot following a cross from Gray before Wolves moved into a thoroughly deserved 42nd minute lead when Elliott, stationed at the far post, volleyed Keogh's centre into the roof of the net.  Hayles was booked for an off the ball challenge on Gary Breen  who needed attention before a Wolves dominated half drew to a close. The corner count was 14-0 in the visitors favour.

Half-Time: Plymouth 0 Wolves 1

Inside a minute of the resumption Wolves won yet another corner and, after that had been cleared, Ward drilled a shot wide after Kightly's low cross had run through to the far side of the box.  It took a fine interception from Paul Connolly to prevent Elliott having a clear sight at goal when he had tried to collect Keogh's through pass, and moments later an Elliott centre sailed through the home six-yard box  In the 56th minute Argyle boss Ian Holloway made what turned out to be a decisive double substitution with Chadwick and Rory Fallon coming on in place of Buszaky and Ebanks-Blake.  Just five minutes after their introduction, Fallon helped on a long clearance to Chadwick who held off Craddock's challenge before slotting an angled shot past Hennessey for an equaliser totally against the run of play.  Olofinjana won possession and fed Elliott as Wolves looked to regain the advantage but the striker's rising drive went straight to McCormick.  The keeper then turned aside a snapshot from Kightly who had run on to a pass from  Darren Potter who had come on in place of Ward.  Craddock went into the book for a foul on Fallon and, after Lilian Nalis had shot just off target from 20-yards, Sawyer was also shown the yellow card after he had upended Kightly.  Jay Bothroyd was sent on in place of Elliott before, in the 85th minute, Plymouth won their first corner of the game after Hennessey had made a fine save to deny Norris.  Breen was booked for hands and then, as the game neared its conclusion, he headed wide following a Kightly corner.  With the seconds ticking away Wolves continued to pile on the pressure but the winning goal they so richly deserved just wouldn't come.

Plymouth: McCormick, Connolly, Nalis, Timar, Norris, Buszaky (Chadwick 56), Ebanks-Blake (Fallon 56), Hayles (capt), Halmosi (Gosling 87),  Sawyer, Seip. Unused subs: Kouo-Doumbe, Djordjic.  Bookings:Hayles (43 - foul), Sawyer (76 - foul),

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Olofinjana, Breen (capt), Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Elliott (Bothroyd 77), S. Ward (Potter 60).  Unused subs: N. Collins, Eastwood, Stack. Bookings: Craddock (69 - foul), Breen (90 - handling the ball)

Referee: P. Joslin. Attendance: 13,638 (1,778 away supporters).

Match Stats 

Plymouth                   Wolves
Goal Attempts  7 : 22 Goal Attempts
On Target        4 : 14 On Target
Crosses           5 : 13 Crosses
Corners           1 : 19 Corners
Offside            6 :  3  Offside
Fouls             10 : 14 Fouls
Free kicks       18 : 16 Free kicks
 Yellow cards    2 : 2Yellow cards 
 Red cards        - : -Red cards 
% Possession 41 : 59Possession %
First Half

Goal Attempts 2 : 13 Goal Attempts
On Target       1 :   9 On Target
Crosses           - :  7 Crosses
Corners           - : 13 Corners
Offside           3 :  2  Offside
Fouls              3 :  6  Fouls
Free kicks        8 :  6 Free kicks
 Yellow cards   1 :  - Yellow cards 
 Red cards        - : -  Red cards 
% Possession 29 : 71 Possession %
 

The Norwich Match was the starred game on ITV’s The Championship - 11:00am Sunday 23rd.

Saturday 22nd September Wolves 2 (Foley Keogh 35) Norwich 0 (2 sent off)

Well, the players looked pretty similar to Tuesday night, but the play wasn’t.  Aggressive energetic and full of invention.   The return of 2006-7 Captain Craddock from Stoke was marked with a comfortable win.  Kevin Foley’s 20 yard thunderbolt was followed by Andy Keogh’s first of the season in open play - and it was identical to two recent misses - everyone could feel the relief.  But it was against the worst Norwich display we, or the fan we met at Warwick, had ever seen.  The playmakers HUckerby and Cureton couldn’t seem to do anything, and it was the 80th minute before they had a shot - and even that went for a throw in. The Canaries’ inept display was worsened by two red cards - one a career threatening lunge by one of their best players - Captain Jason Shackell - on Karl Henry, who fortunately was able to walk away from it, and then a senseless tackle by Brellier, who immediately kicked the ball away straight at Gray.  Steve Bennett seemed to enjoy the speed with which he flashed the two yellows and a red.   Inexplicably, Mick chose not to capitalise on Norwich’s state by sending on Jay and Freddy.  Afterwards on Beacon Radio he said they all deserved to stay on til the end, as though substitution is a punishment rather than a strategic or tactical ploy in a game.   With a GD of only 1 compared with the Baggies on 7, we could and should have made more.  It could have been worse for Norwich - Seyi played Kights through and Russell was booked for a trip as Steve Bennett played advantage then booked Russell.  But, if Kights had gone down it would have been a pen and a red card late in the first half.  KIghts was back to his best, Seyi played much better than on Tuesday where he really lost the midfield.  Gray was a bundle of energy and put in some outstanding cross field balls.   He was lucky also not to be red carded when he failed to make contact on a wild lunge on Huckerby.  Breen had a quiet game while Jody seemed a but asleep at times.  Wayne had nothing to do but did try to liven things up with poor clearances a couple of times.  Foley probably had his best match so far and Karl Henry was again outstanding.  Stephen Ward was very creative and could have scored but faded late, while Andy Keogh again made lots of chances, and missed two good opportunities but scored a cracker running from the half way line from a roll out by Wayne.  Elliott again had two  good chances which were fluffed. It looked as though new first team coach Terry Connor was trying to get Mick to make changes for the last 15 minutes, but Mick wouldn’t

Here’s how the Canaries’ World reported their contribution

BLACK DAY IN BLACK COUNTRY
TWO red cards and a lacklustre display made for a terrible afternoon for City against Wolves at Molineux.
They already faced an uphill task as goals from Kevin Foley and Andy Keogh gave the home side a deserved advantage after a one-sided first half.
But after the break things got even worse as first Jason Shackell became the second City captain to receive his marching orders in five days for a late challenge on Karl Henry - and then Julien Brellier joined him for an early bath after picking up a second yellow.

It was an afternoon to forget all round for City who struggled to muster a serious threat to the Wolves goal all afternoon.
City boss Peter Grant made a number of changes to the team which lost 2-0 at Charlton on Tuesday night.
Skipper Jason Shackell returned from injury to replace the suspended Dion Dublin in the centre of City's defence as expected. Less expected was the sight of summer signing Ian Murray starting at left back in place of Adam Drury, who may have suffered a late recurrence of his recent back problems.
There were changes up front too, with Tuesday's lone striker Chris Brown starting on the bench and a recall for leading scorer Jamie Cureton, partnered by David Strihavka.
In midfield Darren Huckerby was on the left with Simon Lappin inside him. Julien Brellier filled the other central midfield place and Darel Russell moved out to the right.
Wolves started the brighter of the two teams and after some consistent early pressure carved out the game' s first half-chance in the 6th minute. Keogh played a lovely weighted pass inside Murray and into the box and Kightly ran on to it before firing a low effort from a very tight angle into the side-netting.
It was an early warning for City who had so far struggled to gel with the reshuffled personnel up front and in midfield.
Five minutes later the lively Kightly again posed problems down City's left, making space for himself before firing in a dangerous low cross which Elliott got the faintest of touches to and deflected well wide of the far post.
The Canaries had so far failed to mount a single attack, though they had coped well defensively with some concerted pressure from the home side. In the 16th minute there was a nervous moment for David Marshall in City's goal as he failed to notice Keogh lurking behind as he shaped up for a routine kick from hands and nearly dropped the ball into his path.
It was largely one-way traffic however and it didn't come as a surprise when persistent Wolves pressure finally paid off as they took the lead in the 23rd minute. The goal came when Darel Russell's defensive header from a corner came out to Kevin Foley just inside the Norwich half.
There seemed little enough danger with virtually every City shirt back defending but Foley powered past Huckerby and straight to the edge of the box without any challenge - and then unleashed a cracking drive from 20 yards into the far corner which left Marshall clutching at air.
On the half-hour Wolves came close twice within a minute. First Skipper Breen side-footed Kightly's free-kick into the box wide from close range. Then Kightly's scuffed shot from 22 yards nearly caught the City defence out as it spun into the box to Kightly. The Wolves striker was perhaps as surprised as anyone to find himself on-side and mis-hit his effort badly.
But on 35 minutes the Canaries found themselves two goals down and with a real mountain to climb. It actually started with City mounting a rare attack into the Wolves box - but when Otsemobor and Cureton found their way to goal blocked the ball ran out to Andy Keogh on the half-way line.
The Wolves striker sprinted forward, angling his run in from the left towards the City box and was given far too much time and space by a back-pedalling Norwich defence.
He duly punished them with a clinical low finish from 22 yards, which Marshall could only stand and watch as it cannoned into the net off the foot of his right-hand post.
As the game approached the half-time interval Wolves were a whisker away from adding a third, Olofinjana slotting a lovely diagonal ball into the Norwich box for Kightly to run on to and his attempt to lift the ball over the on-rushing Marshall curved inches wide of the far post.
Referee Steve Bennett then booked Darel Russell, presumably for a foul on Kightly as he shaped up to hit the shot.
Half-time score: Wolves 2, Norwich City 0
Wolves again started full of purpose and endeavour as the second half got away and Marshall was at full stretch as he palmed a corner from Kightly away to safety in the 49th minute.
Two minutes later after a Norwich free-kick from 25 yards out from Lappin came to nothing, Wolves hared the length of the pitch and when Kightly swung in a low cross it eluded everyone in the City box - including Elliott as he slid in at the far post.
It was clear something was going to have to change if City were going to get anything from a match fast slipping firmly out of their grasp. Grant duly made the afternoon's first change in the 57th minute, young striker Chris Martin replacing David Strihavka.
Within two minutes however it was again Wolves who threatened. Kightly's corner was headed goalwards by Craddock and diverted just over from close range by the head of Elliott.
As the game moved into the 62nd minute the issuing of two cards in quick succession by ref Steve Bennett further tipped the scales in Wolves' favour.
First Karl Henry of Wolves was booked following a late challenge which caught the legs of Julien Brellier. When City's free-kick broke down the ball broke to Henry, only for the home midfielder to be sent crashing to the ground by a heavy challenge from Norwich skipper Jason Shackell.
Mr Bennett seemed in no doubt whatsoever that the offence merited a straight red card - City's second for a central defender in five days - and Shackell was duly consigned to the long walk back down the tunnel.
Peter Grant had been planning to bring on Lee Croft before the sending off occurred - instead on 68 minutes he brought on Chris Brown to play as a lone striker in place of Cureton for ten-man City.
But in the 75th minute what can only be described as a nightmare afternoon for Norwich became even worse as they were reduced to nine men.
Frenchman Julien Brellier was the culprit this time. Already with a yellow card to his name, he first brought down Kightly with a foul on the touchline - and then kicked the ball away in frustration. It seemed it was this offence rather than the challenge which prompted Bennett to produce the game's second red card.
Kightly had been having a brilliant game meanwhile and his 76th minute curler from 25 yards produced a brilliant one-handed stop from Marshall.
Two minutes later a foul by Stephen Ward on Huckerby earned the Wolves man a yellow card - and Huckerby was promptly replaced by youngster Micky Spillane.
Final score: Wolves 2, Norwich 0
 
Wolves:  Hennessey, Olofinjana, Breen (c), Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, S Ward, Elliott, Foley, Gray. <BR> Subs:  N Collins, Bothroyd, Potter, Eastwood, Stack.
Norwich:  Marshall, Ostemobor, Shackell (c), Huckerby (78), Brellier, Cureton (Brown 68), Murray, Lappin, Russell, Strihavka (Martin 57), Doherty.  Subs:  Gilkes, Croft, Brown, Spillane.
 

and Wolves World

Wolves 2 (Foley 23, Keogh 35)  Norwich 0

Wolves bounced back from consecutive defeats against Sheffield United and Hull to record a convincing victory over Norwich City with Kevin Foley registering his first goal for the club and Andy Keogh his first of the season. City's cause wasn't helped by two second-half dismissals.
Mick McCarthy   made three changes to the side that had lost to Hull - Michael Gray, Stephen Elliott  and Jody Craddock  came in for Neill Collins, Freddy Eastwood  and Darren Ward  respectively. Wolves kicked-off attacking the Hotel end and after early crosses from Elliott and Foley had run dangerously across the face of the Norwich  goal, Michael Kightly  was close to creating the breakthrough.  He took a through pass from Keogh in his stride and slipped past City keeper David Marshall. But the momentum of the ball took it to the by-line and from the tightest of angles, and at full pace, Kightly succeeded only in finding the side netting with his attempted pull back.  It was all Wolves at this stage and after Kightly had beaten his marker he fired over a cross that Elliott hooked wide of the far post.  Kightly was causing untold problems for the Canaries rearguard and when he won a corner midway through the first-half, it led to Wolves taking the lead.  He took the kick himself and the ball went to the far side where Gray was waiting to return it into the box.  Simon Lappin's attempted clearance went straight to Foley who chested the ball down and sprinted to the edge of the Norwich box before hitting a terrific shot past the flatfooted Marshall.  After Stephen Ward  had been fouled on the left, Kightly's free-kick was cleared for a corner by Jason Shackell. Kightly's corner was only half cleared and Elliott couldn't make a proper contact when the ball was returned into the area - the striker's hooked shot going wide.  But it came as no surprise when Wolves went two up with 35 minutes gone. A rare Norwich attack broke down and Gray cleared to Ward who quickly found Keogh. The striker sprinted towards the Norwich goal and, from just outside the area, he unleashed a shot that beat Marshall all the way going in off the inside of the post.  In stoppage time Kightly fired wide after he had been played in by Seyi Olofinjana  and Darel Russell went into the book for his foul on Kightly - the referee having played the advantage rule after the Wolves man had managed to keep his feet.

Half-Time: Wolves 2 Norwich 0

The interval failed to make a dent on Wolves' dominance and within five minutes of the restart the Molineux side had forced three corners as they continued to push forwards.  A Norwich attack was broken up and when Kightly took possession he sprinted down the right and lifted over a cross that was just too high for Elliott.  The former Sunderland man then shot over the bar after Craddock had headed on a Kightly corner before Karl Henry  went into the book for a late challenge on Russell.  Less than a minute later City were reduced to ten men when Shackell was shown a straight red for a scything tackle on Henry.  Kightly couldn't get a clean shot in after he had run onto a Foley
centre, and then Keogh fired wide after he had taken a through pass from Olofinjana.  With 15 minutes left Julian Brellier became the second Norwich man to be sent off. He was about to be booked after a late tackle on Ward when he lashed the ball against Gray. Referee Steve Bennett waved the yellow card twice and then the red.  Kightly played a short corner to Gray and took a return pass before hitting a curling shot that drew a fine save from Marshall and then Ward was booked after he had caught Darren Huckerby who was in full flight.  It wasn't until the 82nd minute that the visitors registered their first goal attempt and, even then, substitute Chris Martin's effort went out on the far side for a throw in.  Four minutes later the Canaries won their first corner with Olofinjana heading clear Lappin's flag-
kick.  By the final whistle, seconds after Henry had shot narrowly wide, the corner count was 17 to one in Wolves' favour giving an indication of the dominance that McCarthy's men had enjoyed in a one sided 90 minutes.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Gray, Olofinjana, Breen (capt), Craddock, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Elliott, S. Ward.   Unused subs: N. Collins, Bothroyd, Potter, Eastwood, Stack.   Bookings: Henry (61 - foul), Ward (79 - foul).
 
Norwich City: Marshall. Otsemobor, Shackell (capt), Huckerby (Spillane 80), Brellier, Cureton (Brown 68), Murray, Lappin, Russell, Strihavka (Martin 56), Doherty. Unused subs: Gilks, Croft.   Booking: Russell (45 - foul).   Sending-Offs: Shackell (62 - foul), Brellier (75 - two bookable offences, 75 - foul, ungentlemanly conduct 75). 
  
Referee: S. Bennett.   Attendance: 22,564.

Tuesday 18th September Wolves 0 Hull 1 (Windass 47 pen)  “Regroup” (aaarghhh)

After probably the least effective display under Mick McCarthy we slip to 17th - no real feed to the strikers, coupled with some poor finishing, and Neill Collins caught out again playing at left back, Mick uttered the dreaded Regroup word, more recently used by the hapless coaches in charge of England in both disciplines.   And the regrouping?   The recall of 2006-7 Captain Jody Craddock from his loan at Stoke, presumably with some assurances about first team action.
Before the match a minute’s silence was held for the diminutive winger Norman Deeley who was the main inspiration in the 1960 FA Cup win.

After that things went downhill.  No penetration; little service to Freddy Eastwood, and the Hull 5 across the middle provided good service to the excellent JJ Okocha.  He played so well that he was applauded off by the Wolves fans.  Kights got some crosses in, as did Stephen Ward, but Wardy looked best moving into the centre, having a header cleard off the line.   Kights was well supported by Foley, although every move slowed down when he got the ball - almost like watching a Hoddle team!  He did defend well though.  Seyi couldn’t get a grip in the middle, but Karl Henry was impressive especially in the amount of control he did exert over JJ.  Andy Keogh got clean through but went high and wide.  His running though was as good as ever. The Breen Ward (D) partnership clearly wasn’t working and Neill Collins CANNOT PLAY AT LEFT BACK.  Breen again looked off the pace, but made some inportant clearances.  As soon as the Darren Ward was taken off and the latter moved to right centre half the shape looked a lot better.  Michael Gray taking over left back slot really livened things up in the second half and you felt that this was where chances would come from.  Unfortunately, but then Neill had left the boot in and coinceded a penalty for the second match running.   However, there was a clear foul on a Wolves player before that so there should never have been a penalty situation, but the pedantic referee Mike Jones, earning the “Sh*t Ref” song even earlier than usual, saw nothing wrong. Wayne had a quiet competent match but Windass’ penalty gave him no chance.  A touch of dissent after the penalty award when he kicked the ball off the spot brought him a yellow card.

Too much hit and hope crept in but Jay Bothroyd came on and added the ball control and more urgency.  His free kick brough a terrific save by Myhill, and Freddy sparked for a few seconds and had the goal post rattling.  The team was booed off - were they that bad - probably not, but it certainly felt like it.  The South Bank’s final word on it - “You used to be sh*te, but now you’re alright” calling for the return of Jody Craddock.

Here’s how Wolves World saw it...

Wolves 0 Hull  City 1 (Windass-pen 49)

A penalty shortly after the interval from Hull's veteran striker Dean Windass condemned Wolves to a second defeat in four days in front of a disappointed Molineux.  Freddy Eastwood returned to the starting line-up in place of Stephen Elliott as the only change to the team that had lost to Sheffield United.  Before Hull kicked-off, attacking the North Bank end, a minute's applause took place as a tribute to the late Norman Deeley - a star from Molineux's halcyon days.  There was a double scare within the space of a few seconds for Wolves in the sixth minute. Bryan Hughes took a pass from Jay-Jay Okocha and found himself with only Wayne Hennessey to beat.  The young keeper blocked superbly but the loose ball fell to Okocha whose goalbound volley struck team-mate Richard Garcia and flew narrowly wide of the target. Hull were looking dangerous as they went forward but the visitors had keeper Boaz Myhill to thank in the 14th minute when he saved Andy Keogh's header with his foot after a pinpoint centre from Michael Kightly.  A corner from Okocha was headed out by Seyi Olofinjana but only as far as Dean Marney but his attempt from 20-yards was far too high to trouble Hennessey.  Another Kightly cross this time found the head of Stephen Ward whose header beat Myhill but was hooked clear from just in front of the line by Ian Ashbee.  Caleb Folan almost took advantage of a slip by Darren Ward but Gary Breen got back to block at the expense of a corner. Okocha's flag-kick was cleared but moments later Hennessey had to adjust to claim a deflected shot from Michael Turner.  Hull were posing problems for the home defence and Okacha's free-kick, after he had been fouled by Kevin Foley to the left of the Wolves area, flew dangerously through the six-yard box and out on the far side for a goal-kick.  Hennessey got comfortably behind a long-range effort from Garcia before Kightly's astute through ball sent Keogh on a run towards the Hull goal. The striker was shadowed by Sam Ricketts and he fired wide of the target from the edge of the box.  In stoppage time Hull substitute Dean Windass was booked for dissent after he and Foley had been spoken to by the referee after a brief altercation.

Half-Time: Wolves 0 Hull 0

Within three minutes of the resumption Hull were awarded a penalty after Neill Collins had clipped Garcia just inside the box. Hennessey was booked for dissent before he was beaten by Windass's spot kick.   The goal prompted a double switch by Mick McCarthy who replaced Darren Ward and Keogh with Michael Gray and Jay Bothroyd respectively.  Following a Wolves corner Kightly teed the ball up for Karl Henry who got plenty of power behind his shot but his effort went straight into the arms of Myhill.  Okocha then gave another glimpse of his undoubted class with a free-kick from 35-yards that dipped inches over the bar.  A foul on Bothroyd, 25-yards out, almost paved the way to an equaliser. Kightly tapped the ball to Bothroyd who struck a powerful shot that drew a fine save from Myhill. But the keeper was a mere spectator in the 72nd minute as Eastwood broke free of his marker and unleashed a shot that smashed against the upright and bounced to safety.  Wolves threw Elliott on for Stephen Ward in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the game and there was a chance for Bothroyd as he ran in at the far post to meet Kightly's low centre but the striker fired over the bar.  Hughes almost doubled Hull's advantage with a deflected shot that trickled inches wide and then, after Gray had been fouled just outside the City box, Eastwood hit the resultant free-kick against the wall and was too high when he ran onto the rebound.

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, N. Collins, Olofinjana, Breen (capt), D. Ward, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Eastwood, S. Ward (Elliott 79).  Unused subs: Potter, Stack.  Booking: Hennessey (48 - dissent).

City: Myhill, Ashbee (capt), Turner, Hughes, Garcia, Brown, Delaney, Folan (Windass 41) (Bridges 65), Ricketts, Marney, Okocha (Livermore 84).  Unused subs: Dawson, Aspden.  Booking: Windass (45 - dissent).

Referee: M. Jones.  Attendance: 21,352.

Saturday 15th September Sheffield Utd 3 (Beattie 57, 83 pen, Stead 90 Wolves 1 (Elliott 24)

Freddy was tired from his international exploits so Stephen Elliott regained his starting position and justified that with the opening goal.  We were pushed hard for the first 20 minutes and then gained control until half time.   After the match Mick agreed with Robbie Dennison on the excellent Wolves World commentary that the defence couldn’t cope with the long balls.  We should have closed the Blades out, but were let down by the defence with simple errors

Here’s how WoW reported the match (report & picture of Stephen Elliott’s first goal here http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10307,00.html

Sheffield United 3 (Beattie 57, 83-pen, Stead 90)  Wolves 1 (Elliott 24)

Stephen Elliott opened his account for Wolves, but Sheffield United hit back to take the points thanks to three second-half goals.  A debateable penalty seven minutes from time proved to be the deciding factor and a stoppage time strike from home substitute Jon Stead gave the final scoreline a somewhat flattering look in the Yorkshire side's favour. Mick McCarthy decided to leave Freddy Eastwoodon the bench preferring to partner Elliott with Andy Keogh up front.   United kicked-off attacking the Bramall Lane end of the ground which contained over 2,000 travelling supporters.  Neill Collins had to head away a dangerous centre from Gary Naysmith before a Leigh Bromby cross was headed out to Chris Armstrong who volleyed over as The Blades posed the early threats.  Wayne Hennessey got behind Keith Gillespie's shot on the run from 20-yards and then Danny Webber fired narrowly over from the edge of the box. In the 15th minute Keogh swept a pass through the United area to the far side where Stephen Ward connected with a first time shot that flew a yard wide of the far post.  The Wolves goal had a narrow escape three minutes later when, from Stephen Quinn's cross,  Matt Killgallon smashed a shot against the bar. The ball dropped to Webber but his follow up effort went wide of the far post.  Following a Blades corner Elliott sprinted clear and his pass found Michael Kightly who shot across the face of goal and wide.  But, on 24 minutes, Elliott stunned the home crowd as he fired Wolves into the lead. Kilgallon fouled Keogh wide on the right and Kevin Foley touched the ball to Kightly from the quickly taken free-kick.Kightly, in turn, played a crossfield ball to Stephen Ward whose low shot was parried by home keeper Paddy Kenny. Elliott was in on the loose ball like a flash rifling it into the roof of the net from 10-yards out.  Elliott could have had a second shortly afterwards when Keogh headed Stephen Ward's cross into his path but the striker fired over the bar.  Keogh dragged a shot wide from just outside the area after taking a short pass from Elliott before home appeals for a penalty for hands were rejected when James Beattie's header struck Gary Breen at point-blank range following a cross from Quinn.

HT United 0 Wolves 1

Six minutes after the restart Keogh let fly with a terrific 22-yard shot that ripped into the side netting but Foley came to the rescue at the other end when he managed to poke the ball back to Hennessey after Armstrong had nodded on to Quinn. The Blades drew level in the 57th minute when Beattie beat Hennessey and Darren Ward to Bromby's lofted through pass and his header sailed into the vacant net as the three players collided in a heap. Naysmith was yellow carded for a late challenge on Foley and he was followed into the book by Beattie for not retreating quickly enough at a free-kick.  In the 70th minute Keogh couldn't quite make a firm enough connection as he ran onto Collins' free-kick allowing Kenny to save.  Darren Ward went even closer when he headed against the bar after Kightly's free-kick had been nodded back into the United six-yard box by Gary Breen. The ball was hooked clear after the brief scramble that followed. Hennessey saved from Beattie and Kenny from Keogh before United took the lead through a disputed penalty which was awarded against Breen when he tussled for the ball with Beattie. It looked a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other but the referee pointed to the spot and Beattie duly converted the kick.  In stoppage time Kenny saved a low shot from Seyi Olofinjana and a Collins header drifted a foot wide of the post before home substitute Jon Stead took advantage of Wolves' pushing forward by poking home the third home goal. Hennessey got in a part block but he was unable to stop the ball crossing the line.

United: Kenny, Bromby, Naysmith, Morgan (capt), Beattie, Webber (Stead 66), Kilgallon, Tonge, Gillespie, Armstrong, S. Quinn (A. Quinn 80).  Unused subs: Bennett, Lucketti, Sharp.  Bookings: Naysmith (58 - foul), Beattie (60 - not retreating at free-kick), Stead (90 - foul).

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley (Eastwood 88), N. Collins, Olofinjana, Breen (capt), D. Ward, Kightly, Henry, Keogh, Elliott (Bothroyd 70), S. Ward.  Unused subs: Potter, Stack, Gray.

Referee: C.W. Oliver.

Attendance: 26,003.

Saturday 1st September Stoke 0 Wolves 0

Stoke City 0  Wolves 0

A defensive contest between Stoke and Wolves ended in the goalless draw that had looked all too predictable after a largely chanceless opening half.  There were six changes to Mick McCarthy's starting line-up following the Carling Cup exit to Morecambe, with Karl Henry retaining his place against his former team.  City kicked-off defending the Boothen End of the Britannia Stadium and within two minutes they won the first corner of the game - Dominic Matteo's flag-kick being headed clear by Seyi Olofinjana.  Play went straight to the other end and Freddy Eastwood's low cross hit a defender and went behind with Steve Simonsen punching clear Michael Kightly's corner.  Play was restricted largely to the middle third of the field and it wasn't until the 24th minute that there was a shot at goal from either side - Stephen Ward firing over from 25-yards after cutting in from the left.  The first serious attempt came in the 33rd minute and even then it was a deflection that almost led to Stoke taking the lead. Ricardo Fuller picked up a loose ball 22 yards out and hit a shot that struck Kevin Foley and ballooned narrowly over the bar.  Stephen Ward was shown the yellow card after he caught Mamady Sidibe as the Stoke man attempted a clearance. City keeper Simonsen dealt with a Stephen Ward cross before Liam Lawrence went into the book after he felled Neill Collins with a late challenge on the left.  Kightly rolled the free-kick to Gary Breen and his 25 yard shot struck a defender before flying wide with Simonsen flatfooted.  In stoppage time Fuller pulled the ball back to Lawrence who shot into the arms of Hennessey.  Whilst neither side could have been faulted for lack of effort, there had been very little in the way of goalmouth action to excite the derby crowd.

Half-Time: Stoke 0 Wolves 0

Eastwood volleyed wide after Clint Hill had headed out a Kightly corner three minutes after the restart and then a Kightly centre just curled away from Stephen Ward who had Sidibe for company as he ran in.  Stoke threatened through Lawrence who picked up a loose ball but fired straight at <Wayne Hennessey from the 18 yard line before Darren Ward managed to block a driven cross from Richard Cresswell.  Cresswell was soon earning his pay at the other end when he blocked an Andy Keogh cross and then Simonsen confidently claimed a curling centre from Kightly. After Fuller had drilled a 20 yard shot a fraction wide, Simonsen dived to save a Darren Ward header after Kevin Foley had crossed.  Eastwood took a free-kick from a central position 25 yards out after Olofinjana had been fouled but the striker's effort struck a defender in the wall and went behind for a Kightly corner that was cleared by Cresswell as Olofinjana ran in at the far post.  Stephen Elliott was a late replacement for Eastwood but it was Stoke that came closest to grabbing the three points in the 89th minute when Rory Delap ran through onto Jon Parkin's pass.  The City man only had Hennessey to beat but he lost his balance as he ran wide of goal and fell over allowing Collins to clear.  There was some suggestion that the Wolves keeper may have clipped Delap but he later claimed to have got a slight touch on the ball.

City: Simonsen, Zakuani, Shawcross, Hill, Dickinson, Lawrence (Parkin 79), Delap, Matteo (capt), Cresswell, Sidibe (Eustace 85), Fuller.  Unused subs: Hoult, Wilkinson, Sweeney.  Booking: Lawrence (43 - foul).

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, N. Collins, Henry (capt), Breen, D. Ward, Kightly, Olofinjana, Keogh, Eastwood (Elliott 85), S. Ward.  Unused subs: Edwards, Stack, E. Bennett, L. Collins.  Booking: S. Ward (35 - foul)

Referee: L. Mason.  Attendance: 17,135.

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