Preston 1 Wolves 3 – verdict

Saturday 20th September 2008, 5:15PM BST.

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Nine-man Wolves remained top of the Championship as they clinched their sixth successive win at fellow high-fliers Preston.

Chris Iwelumo was the hero, scoring a hat-trick before being sent off for an apparent head butt on Sean St. Ledger in the 75th minute.

Wolves were good value for their win, as they stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 games going back to April 15.

Iwelumo rewarded heavy pressure from the visitors when he broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with an overhead kick, after retreaving a Dave Jones cross.

This came after Neill Collins had headed against the bar from another Jones cross. Preston twice had the ball in the net in the 44th minute but both efforts were disallowed for offside.

Wolves’ dominance was summed up by the sponsors making keeper Andy Lonergan man-of-the-match. He picked the ball out of his net again in the 66th minute, when Iwelumo stabbed home Michael Kightly’s cross.

The unstoppable Iwelumo, back in the side after missing two games with a groin injury, had a header tipped away by the fully streched Lonergan, before completing his hat-trick with a 72nd minute penalty after Billy Jones had scythed down Kightly.

Just three minutes later, Wolves were reduced to 10 men when Iwelumo was sent off for a head butt on St Ledger, as both squared up to each other in the centre circle in an off the ball incident.

Then in the dying seconds, Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey brought down Mellor in the area and was sent off for a professional foul.

Mellor converted the spot kick past stand-in goalkeeper and debutant Jason Shackell.


  1. 1
    wednesbury1

    Physical game but wolves style of play was just to much for preston to handle it’s a great shame about iwelumo and hennessey but we will cope.

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  2. 2
    Gaz

    Is it right that Mick was sent off at half time aswell after clapping off the ref?

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  3. 3
    a1wolf (Malta)

    YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! TRUE GRIT !!!!!!!!!

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  4. 4
    wolvesmod

    Aint too fussed about Iwelumo getting sent. As we have more than enough Strikers. But Hennessey aswell!? Where’s our keeper for the next 3 games??? Murray won’t play. Ikeme looked POOR against Rotherham in the cup. Cheers Ref.

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  5. 5
    Stourport Wolf

    Well what a mixed day we’ve had. 3-1 to the former 3rd spot away from home and brum lose. Great! But then we go on to have 2 players sent off, leaving us with the reality of missing both our top scorer and Hennessey for what’s likely to be 3 games. With no replacement goalkeeper for Ikeme we could be in trouble. Testing times ahead that’s for sure. Let’s just prove the strength we have in our squad by continuing our run. Stay positive, Come on Wolves!

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  6. 6
    Sing Wolf

    Great Victory. with the depth of our squad, we should be confident to see through the suspensions of Iwelumo and Hennessy unscathed in the next couple of games. Well done lads especially hattrick hero, lumo. keep it up.

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  7. 7
    South Bank Dingle

    It wasn’t Shackell’s debut, he came on against Palace.

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  8. 8
    DudzieWolf

    So the ref thought he’d get himself in the headlines, still not enough to dent our lead at the top. Wonder if either of the two red cards will be receded, still a chance for Ikeme to make a name for himself for three important games. Keogh/Vokes to take this chance and make it hard for King Iwelumo to get his place back, can’t see that hapening tho. Still SEB will still bang the goals in and the main thrust of the side is still in cruise control

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  9. 9
    HFT

    Excellent performance once again Wolves. Seems to be that Hennessey wasnt the last man so hopefully that red card should be chalked off.

    The true test will come from the next two home games. Very tough matches, but if we can come out of the Bristol city and Reading games still unbeaten, then things will become very interesting. At the moment i just cannot see who will be good enough to beat us.

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  10. 10
    dapster50

    Sounds to me like the ref has lost control of the game!
    Its the result that counts and we have plenty of strength in depth. Lots of quality waiting to replace these players. Lets all stay fit!
    Come on Wanderers!

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  11. 11
    WOLVES AY WE !!

    IF YOUR PROUD TO BE A WOLVES GET YOURSELF DOWN THE GAME NEXT SATURDAY AND FILL MOLINEUX COS THIS IS A NEW ERA FOR US AND WERE GONNA DO IT AS CHAMPIONS !

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  12. 12
    Laura wolves

    Great win but don’t feel quite so elated as i should be due to the two pointless sending offs, especially when we were 3 nil up.

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  13. 13
    harrowwolf

    Great result, MM is doing a brillinat job, and the players are hungry. I just think what wilt our past problems with injury, 3-0 up with 15min left, it would have been wise to take off iwelumo and in my view kightly b4 some hacked of defender either injurs them or as happens prevokes some on into something. stupid and getting a ban or injury. But i agree we have depth and can cope. We are top of the league and r staying top. Well done to the players, MM, and all the away support shouting them on.

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  14. 14
    wv13 wolves

    great game , great result, lets keep the momentum rolling over to nxt saturday against bristol.
    im abit upset with iwelumo, bit of a daft thing to get involved with, more so when 3-0 up. well done boys, lets sing our hearts out for the boys nxt week..

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  15. 15
    Himley wolf

    All for one……we will see it through no probs!.
    Best performance to date, we are unplayable in this form.

    Arise Sir Mick!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. 16
    Norway Wolf

    Well done team! A hard, physical game but we overcame them with pace and determination, in this sort of mood Iwelumo is almost unstoppable. Shame about the sending off, we’ll miss him.

    I loved the comment somebody made, that if he appeals and wears a Chelsea shirt to the hearing, then he’ll get off!

    I wonder if Matt is ready to return in goal?

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  17. 17
    wandering_wolf

    Great result, tainted by the red cards. Iwelumo’s probably isn’t worth appealling against, but Hennessey’s should be.

    If we fail in appealling, Ikeme should and can be helped by a meticulously on form back four and we have enough options for strikers now than Iwelumo will be missed, but isn’t irreplaceable.

    But back to today – what a fantastic result, what a fantastic start to the season, most of those with Molineux at heart now being so high we have nose-bleeds. Congratulations lads, keep up the excellent work.

    And Jez, pop along to the FA on Monday and be sweetness and light and get us our goalie back!

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  18. 18
    Oli

    Eeeek.

    I wasn’t at the match, but my mate said neither Wayne, Chris, or Mick should have been sent off.

    For goodness sake Referee’s of England

    STOP PICKING ON THE WOLVES ):<

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  19. 19
    dave maiden

    yeah was Mick sent off. I didn’t see him in the second half, just terry connor

    Great result for us and with Birmingham and QPR losing. Just a shame with the two sending offs stopping a perfect day of football

    Loved seeing the PNE fans when we went 3-0 and sarcasticly celebrating there goal. I get the video on YouTube over the weekend.

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  20. 20
    WEBBIE

    yes mick was sent off
    iwelumo(car spell)should get his red cancelled
    waynes will stand
    but a very good performance wife aint too happy weve gone to blackpool to celebrate

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  21. 21
    Scot Wolf

    2. Yehh, apparantley you can’t show support for the ref in case it shows that the ref MAY have been favouring Wolves during the half.
    Top marks to Sean St-Ledger for supporting Chris. Lets hope Chris has the same appeal panel as John Terry!

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  22. 22
    nottswolf

    Great result, we should have the strenth and depth in the squad to deal with the next few games without our top front and back men.

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  23. 23
    Montreal Wanderer

    All ya need is faith.
    “Then he’s the hero of the day
    It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
    Be yourself no matter what they say”
    Magic Mick.
    Forget the Baggies the’m going down we’re goin up.
    We are going up again,
    We’re going up again.
    Come on ye Wolves

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  24. 24
    DrinkingCanadaDry

    Keep it going Wolves. This IS our year!!!!!

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  25. 25
    True WFC Fan

    WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE 1,2,3 COMMENT ON WOLVES GAMES WHEN THEY CLEARLY NEVER GO TO WOLVES MATCHS??I WAS AT PRESTON TODAY AND SAW THE GAME WITH MY OWN EYES,,ALL I AM SAYING IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU RUIN OUR CLUBS TRUE SUPPORT BY CHATTING UTTER NONSCENCE,,

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  26. 26
    Baggies 77

    i don’t normaly comment on your pages, but I wanted to say i’m impressed with your start to the season, as for us it’s all about picking up points when the chips are down, you have your keeper and top scorer out now through suspension, so it will be interesting to see how you cope.

    Well done and good luck for the rest of the season.

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  27. 27
    weaverwolf

    after being a true fan for 30 years this is the first year in that time i have not got a season ticket but i may just invest in one just as the board have invested in this good young side.. well done

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  28. 28
    moxeymustgo

    great performance – pleasure to be there!

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  29. 29
    adie baker

    The ref was abysmal for both sides, but we still managed a powerhouse of a team performance.
    Make no mistake PNE are a good side in this division but they simply couldnt handle our attacking play for large periods of the game.

    The futures bright.

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  30. 30
    The Winslow Boy

    Must admit I criticised MM last season but am now starting to eat my words.

    Maybe, just maybe, we could be the real deal this season.

    Wolves for life!

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  31. 31
    Bill richards Aust.

    BLOODY BRILLIANT

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  32. 32
    Dave

    Another gritty performance with some high quality play. Let’s not get carried away, but let’s think about the facts, we’re a team that has gelled over three seasons, we’re very young, we’re fast, we’re technical, we’re skillful and we’re fearless.

    We’re not going to lose alot of games but the real test in my opinion comes against Bristol and Reading, two pre-season promotion favourites. We win those and I’ll be singing about promotion

    I can’t help but be delighted though and very optimistic. Great start, 6 straight wins and bags of goals.

    Oh and a mention to St. Ledger, I had him penned as an arrogant so-so but doing what he did was above and beyond his job and very honorable. My respect for him has heightened and I do hope he gets the same respect returned and especially if it means Iwelumo has the red card rescinded.

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  33. 33
    Northern wolf

    Great result lads.
    If Hens banned you recon Murrey will make an appearence?

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  34. 34
    maltawolf

    Another quality performance shame about the sending offs but a chance now to test the strength in depth.Promises to be a goal laden season providing kites and jarvo in particular can stay fit.

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  35. 35
    john2321

    well done wolves, best team i have seen at deepdale for a very long time, love your style. early days but i feel your the team this season. good luck for the rest of the season

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  36. 36
    Filtonwolf (Bristol)

    Grrat win but shame about the sendings off. Looks like it’s time for either Ikeme or Murray (if he’s fit) to step up to the plate and do their bit. The next three games are going to be a real test of character but, if we can keep Kites and Jarvo fit, I just can’t see anyone living with us. The future is definitely Gold and Black !!

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  37. 37
    Fullmoon

    Up the wolves!

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  38. 38
    Trevb21

    What I dont get is how their defender can take out Kites and didnt get near the ball to give us our penalty and dont even get booked!!!
    How is that not a “professional foul?”
    We had free kick after free kick with their fouling yet we ended up with 9 men and they wonder why we give refs a load of grief!!
    If Iwelumo head butted their player then off he goes but the Hennessy sending off was a joke.
    Come on FA sort these refs out cuz the standard we see in the championship week after week is getting abysmal!!

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  39. 39
    stuwolf

    make no mistake this was a great performance.
    6 goals would not have flattered us.
    up the wolves!

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  40. 40
    Tarcisio Mifsud

    Unbelievable. Hope that actually I am alive and kicking and not dreaming about these Wolves results. Please do not shout leave me to dream that we are in the premiership.

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  41. 41
    wolves lad

    with Hennessey out it will give murray a shot and as for iwelumo lets hope the ref changes hes mind

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  42. 42
    the irish wolves

    real shame about the two boys being sent off but great stuff again come on the wolves !

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  43. 43
    Micky moo

    We are defo on fire at te moment…e jst need o remain and calm and focused..Come on me BABBIES

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  44. 44
    Pelsall Wolf

    Having seen the highlights on ITV, it looked to me like neither Iwulemo nor Hennessey should have been sent off. Iwulemo’s was pretty clearly an accident in that the Preston player got up quickly while Iwulemo was looking down at him and they just clashed heads. If Terry could get his suspension lifted for what he did, so should Iwulemo.
    Hennessey technically wasn’t the last man. I think it was Foley who was running in behind him when the Preston player was brought down, so arguably he shouldn’t have been sent off either.
    Another great result. Long may this run continue.

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  45. 45
    ooh ooh oohwelumoo

    who’s afraid of the big bad wolves? . . . . . . . .Everyone ! ! Well done villa

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  46. 46
    Eddie Wolf

    2:

    I think so! He clapped him when the Preston fans chanted ‘you dont know what you’re doing!’

    Seems harsh to me but what a win boys!

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  47. 47
    Bridgie Kinver Wolf

    Cant fault em, well done the lads

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  48. 48
    MichaelLovely

    THATS WHY WERE TOP WERE OF THE LEAGUE

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  49. 49
    Ad Mant

    We are Wolves We are Wolves We are Wolves
    We are Wolves We are Wolves We are Wolves
    We are Wolves We are Wolves We are Wolves
    We are Wolves WE ARE WOLVES !!!!!

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  50. 50
    deeps

    what a result…. i know we shouldn’t get carried away but… is this our year again????

    COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!

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  51. 51
    wednesbury1

    Hey 25 i have been going as long as i can remember even when it was 25 35 pence in the south bank what 1974, even been in the boxes and every stand new and old.

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  52. 52
    Cov Baggie

    Make Hay my boys Make Hay…Boing Boing

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  53. 53
    Malvern Wolf

    We should appeal both but Wayne would only get a one game ban not three

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  54. 54
    terry212THEREFbaggie

    36,morning filton me old mate,hope your well,good win for yow lot,i do hope you go up cuz we cud do with some category D games to bring the price down,have a good day aye boing boing donk sshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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  55. 55
    rich5wolves

    Anyone who went to Preston witnessed one of the best away performances in years from a Wolves team. Going away to an unbeaten team is hard but in all honesty we were so superior it was at one point quite funny. If we had won by 5 or more it wouldnt have flattered us. I hope the ban on Chris is lifted as that was a shame. I am not too concerned about the keeper cause on this display not many shots will be made on our goal anyway lol Im thrilled and cant remember enjoying away games like this season in years.

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  56. 56
    Staffordwhite

    As a Wolverhampton-based Preston fan, the ref was a disgrace and missed a clear handball/sending off in the first ten minutes which could have changed the game. He also allowed Wolves to kick us off the park in the first 45 as we are nowhere near being a physical side. Having said that, Wolves were awesome and thoroughly deserved to win. Jarvis and Kightly were outstanding and you’ve got the strength in depth to steamroller this league. Just make sure you stuff Blackpoo too …

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  57. 57
    Happy Baggie's Mum

    So we’re top of the table having increased our lead.
    Blues LOST.
    Tescos LOST.
    Quite a weekend ;)
    Come on you Wolves!

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  58. 58
    Eddie Wolf

    Excellent performance, marred by two red cards. I couldnt see Iwelumo’s from where I sat but Hennessey’s was definately a red card. Get em back and kick on! What a performance!

    Its great being a Wanderer!!!!

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  59. 59
    Soopa Stylin'

    where is Saggy Baggy these days? He always has a few ords of wisdom to offer – NOT!!!

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  60. 60
    TelWolf

    54. You’ll have plenty of category D games next season when you’re back in the Championship. Wolves won’t be one of them, because we will be replacing you in the Prem!
    Shhhhhhhhhh!

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  61. 61
    Castlecroft Wolf

    Can somebody please confirm whether I am right in assuming that a Red Card for A Goal Keeper is only a 1 Match suspension?

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  62. 62
    wolveswolves

    Good result on Saturday again, looks like the team are finally starting to gel.
    Having seen both sendings off I think we can hopefully get Waynes scrubbed off, I think Chris will be lucky to not have his extended.
    Vokes has to be the man to replace him though.

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  63. 63
    Billywiseman

    61-Who knows – with the precedent being set by the FA. If you play for Chelsea-man U etc then an appeal means you get a reprieve-

    For us ” Did WH play the ball a brave attempt to save the goal or a proffessional foul” From my angle could not tell-Looked a brave attempt to save a goal-The heads to-gether- After being tackled he went after the Preston lad clearly and I think the ref was right and had no alternative–MM to the stand “What was said there -that his the question-Preston fans were near to the line and the Ref saw his conduct as provocative” Who knows–Great game , great support well done the away fans-If WH is out for three games-I think we have a problem.Crazey Dave

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  64. 64
    Rob Hindmarch Goal!

    61 yes you are correct

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  65. 65
    Chris R

    Rubbish referee – two reds neither of which were merited. I can’t believe MM said he won’t appeal about the Hennessey one – penalty no doubt and 75% of times a yellow card too but red with two covering defenders and the forward going across the box – No way! Even the so called handball on the line incident that Mellor complained about in the first half was a clear foul on the keeper – the Preston forward thought he was playing basketball I reckon!

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  66. 66
    E11 Wolf

    Good grief – we must be doing well cos the ‘muppet mick’ contingent are all quiet and morose.

    Mick seems to be leading us to the promised land – but things can change awfully quickly so if we have a bad patch lets keep our nerve and keep on cheering.

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  67. 67
    terry212THEREFbaggie

    61, as usual you are wrong agen,aye boing boing donk sshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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  68. 68
    wolveswolves

    66. To a Degree, Mick should have got us up last year, he didn’t but thats now history.
    This year we’ve started well and I hope we continue.

    As for Mick he’s an average manager with a good backup team (especially on the scouting side.) All of the negative traits he has are still their and will come out again when we next go through a bad patch.

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  69. 69
    Black&Gold

    How come there was not even a booking for the penalty on Kightly? It looked from where we were sitting to have been a straight red. He elbowed him and sent him cartwheeling 6 foot in the air. If that’s a prem ref then gawd help us.
    We were awsome, we swarmed on every loose ball and really played as a team. Everyone played well but I thought Stearman just gets better and better each game. It was fantastic to be so much better than a team also playing well and give them a going over. Well done!

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  70. 70
    Tamworth Wolf

    Hennessey will only miss one game, it was a penalty, but not deemed as “serious foul play”

    Pity the Referee didn’t use a bit of common sense though as it was the last kick of the game. No doubt Atkinson will say, even with defenders at the back, Mellor was denied a goalscoring opportunity

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  71. 71
    wolves4eva

    well done wolves u played class and iwelumo should not hav been sent off but hennesseys was the right desion soz come on u wolves beat mcindoe and his rubbish gang

    come oon u wolves

    wolves 3 – 1 Bristol City

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  72. 72
    Jov

    Wolves all the way we will be in prem nxt season

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  73. 73
    Billywiseman

    Terry many names using several alias’s-Calm down this week mate-Don’t get so worked up-Its an opinion from a fan who appears to be there-I think

    Any constructive comments about your show on Sunday ?. Put it on the Blogg mate-The Tesco Bag site please. Saturday Wolves 4-BC 0–Crazey Dave

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  74. 74
    johnwolf

    Staffordwhite-what game were you watching, the goal that was not given-was a foul on our goalie,
    your player who upended kites should have got a straight red, as for we kicking your players off the park-I would say it was the other way round-because it was the only way you could get near us.

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