Watching this gave me the Blues

Tuesday 7th April 2009, 10:35AM BST.

blues - wolvesLast night’s Blues-Wolves match was a stinker and coming 24 hours after the throbbing entertainment from Old Trafford, a sobering reminder of the reality of the Championship promotion race, writes Martin Swain.

The St Andrew’s result actually improved the chances of the West Midlands claiming a one-two in the automatic places which, under normal circumstances would be cause for excitement and optimism. And there will be a generous amount of both in and around the two camps.

But to attend last night’s hoof-it-and-hope drudgery of, supposedly, the Championship’s top fixture so quickly after the United-Villa game was to the watch Gas Street Amateur Theatre Players hack their way through an Agatha Christie Whodunnit straight after viewing the first two Godfather films.

What, I fear, Wolves and Blues are fighting to win is the right to spend as much money as they can muster, while being harangued by supporters that it is not enough, before embarking on a campaign during which it will be a minor miracle if they win more than six games.

They will most likely be relegated – and yes I know Stoke and Hull are making a splendid fist of survival, but then so did Ipswich – and return to whence they came having had to sack their manager in an effort to appease supporters and exorcise the team of its losing culture.

All of this flashed before the eyes last night as the turgid 90 minutes unfolded on a disgrace of a St Andrew’s pitch which does little to change the view that Blues continue to be run on the cheap by owners now completely out of love with their Small Heath “project”.

How either manager can be expected to bridge the gap between what we saw on Sunday at Old Trafford and what was offered last night is contaminating the Premier League with a dreadful imbalance. For every United-Villa there are six Middlesbrough-Boltons where the also-rans effectively dispute the right to merely stay at the party without ever being invited to the VIP tent.

Wolves and Blues fought a furious skirmish but it was, as much as it pains us to admit it, desperate, second-rate fare. If a year from now they are both still in with a chance of staying in the Premier League, it will be a major and pleasing surprise. Not much of an outlook is it?


  1. 1
    wolvesmod

    This wasn’t a football match, it was one big scrap from the first minute, which we lost.

    Outfought, Outmuscled, Outplayed.

    Job done by the Bluenoses.

    On to the next game.

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  2. 2
    Filthy Raider

    At the moment we will be the worst team in the Premiership next season alongside the Blues. Two bankers for early relegation methinks – we did that last time, and you would hope the club have realised that. We seem to have started so well, but with Quashie and Harewood you see the level of Mick’s sights for ‘quality’, basically the sort of players most other teams see as ‘fillers’. I would like a Wolves and Blues 1-2 (in that order), but you do feel that next season it will be a Blues Wolves 23-24 unless some miracle occurs and the topflight descends into something turgid.

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  3. 3
    hindmarch

    You sound surprised Martin. Hasn’t this always been the case? You can’t seriously expect us to ‘bridge the gap’ to what you saw at Old Trafford?! Not now, not ever. The more pertinent question / article, is why Wolves made such a ham fisted attempt of survival back in 2003. If our apathetic, penny pinching approach had been replaced with a Dave Whelan mindset, then you wouldn’t have to hypothesise about the ramifications of a turgid game of Championship football on a mud heap of a pitch. Or am I just a ‘haranging’ supporter?

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  4. 4
    Malagablue

    Got to agree with you Martin it was dross. We were a little less dross than Wolves and we wanted it more.
    Told all those pathetic Wolves supporters yesterday to look forward to their derbies with Baggies next year. This just confirmed it.
    Wolves play Southampton on tele this Friday and Wolves record against Southampton is worse than their performance last night. They will lose, again, to Southampton on friday and we will beat Charlton Saturday. That will mean Wolves WILL drop to second, looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack.
    I think Wolves have got enough points to make the play offs now BUT they have NOT got the skill OR bottle to win them.
    Mark my words boys and girls I told you last night didn’t I.
    Looking forward to watching you perform like that again on friday afternoon whilst I sip a nice cold pint of Lager in the sunshine.
    Come on you Saints

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  5. 5
    almostdownagain!

    At this time of the season when points mean most, entertaining attractive football goes out of the window!

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  6. 6
    stilltop

    Do you think the top 4 could play football on that pitch?
    I do but i dont think many other teams could wolves are not a side that play long ball we play football. give me a break money does need to be spent 30m plus by any team that goes up just look at sunderland 50m in 2 seasons there still down there but if you dont try you dont get. But i do think we have players that are more suited to a less powerfull slower prem game.

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  7. 7
    Alfred Camilleri

    Have to agree with Martin that the match was a stinker after the United-Villa match a day earlier. But I think that it was the Blues who were more desperate for points as if they lost their season could have faltered with Sheffield United overtaking them by goal difference if they beat Barnsley tonight.
    In fact as I see it they played power football with long balls that Wolves always struggle when thy play teams who use this tactic. Watford did it a season or two ago at Vicarage Road as did QPR at Loftus Road this term.
    But as Martin said both teams will struggle in the Premier if they don’t buy big or play this sort of football.
    Finally, about the game don’t forget that Wolves were without Ebanks-Blake, Kightly and Jarvis until he came on and showed us that he and the others can make a big difference.

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  8. 8
    Lower Penn Wolf

    Sorry No 5 I don’t agree with your point about entertaining attractive football. Although it pains me to say it Albion played attractive football and got promoted, although it’s not helping them now, as did Fulham, Reading and Manchester City I seem to recall in their promotion seasons. Our biggest problem is down to our frankly poor midfield. In my opinion most of our midfielders are average championship players so what would that make them in the Premiership if we get there?
    Yes we are top of the league but we will not be there at the end of the season when it really matters nor will we even finish second if we churn out the same dross as last night in our next five games, three of which, at least, are must wins!

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  9. 9
    Razor

    Got to agree with you Martin. I was there in corporate seats and believe me, Blues are as far from a Premier League set-up as you could possibly imagine. The pitch was of sunday league standard and didn’t help either side play any football and consequently the team with the most muscle won the day. Wolves were woeful at the back and if Berra is a three million pound player then so am I. It was a dismal game, enjoyed by media punters for all the wrong reasons – Carsley’s “never meant to hurt you” tackle, dodgy refereeing and a goal that was a foul on the keeper.OK Hennessy should shoulder the blame for being a wuss and allowing himself to be bullied and shoved, but regardless of that it was a foul – simple as. Horrible game soured even further by the Blues fans who graciously booed Iwelumo off the pitch as he went past them on a stretcher, obviously in a lot of pain. They kind of summed up their club really – the Premiership would be better off without them – as for Wolves, they were found wanting in a big game not for the first time this season and if they stumble over the finishing line, then serious money would have to be spent and as you say, not even that is a guarantee of survival………….Bring on Southampton – it’s not like they’re a bogey team or anything…….

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  10. 10
    Andy

    I can’t believe that my 4 year old daughter came back from nursery yesterday with a painting that looked nothing like a Rembrandt at all.

    Comparing the richest club in the world (and current European and world club champions) with a west Mids derby played by teams in a lower division and on an attrocious pitch is plain daft Mr Swain. If you really expected such an important match to compare to Vile vs Manure maybe it’s your sense of reality that needs to be questioned.

    Most of the press I’ve been reading about the upcoming Champions League quarter-final between Liverpool and Chelsea is pretty derogatory – expecting both sides to cancel each other out in at least the first three 45 minutes, largely because of fear of losing. Most of the games in recent years have been as dull as dishwater – yet they have something like 10 semi-final appearances between them in the last 6 years.

    To suggest that these sides will struggle in the Prem next season shows that you are no different (despite your journo experience) to a large number of fans on this site. Is it not too much to expect some signings to improve both teams with the £35m + each side receives IF promoted?

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  11. 11
    David

    Pointless to compare this showing in the Championship, in a local derby, on a shocking pitch, with 3 key players not starting (Jarvo, Kightly, SEB) with a Man U vs Villa fixture.

    Why not point to how we’ve played in some of our best games early on in the season? Surely we displayed an ability to play ‘proper’ football.

    This was like a kick around over the park in dreadful conditions.

    Apples and oranges. Pointless comparison and still open to change.

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  12. 12
    Tom

    I’m sorry but this story is an absolute disgrace! How is it even possible to compare a game between the best team in the world and an attacking, exciting team in 5th of the best league in the world with a local derby which themselves are rarely spectacles? Yes, it is true that Birmingham and Wolves aren’t as good as Man U or Villa but does that mean they should stop trying. The sort of writing experienced here, describing anything but quality premiership football as useless is the very opinion that is ruining the game for normal local people who just love football. It is also the elitist attitude that leads to the influx of foreign players to the downfall of the English national side. I was at last nights game and absolutley loved the passion, the effort and the significance of the game to the local people, the people that really matter! The game is not played for the neutral, it is played for the people who the team represents, the cities and towns of England. If teams like Birmingham and Wolves don’t aspire to the premier league then what is there? Its true the boards of such clubs may be chasing bigger financing and dividends, but the fans and players just want to challenge themselves against the best there is to offer. Should they really be criticised for this?

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  13. 13
    nathanb

    Swain dosent like wolves anyway. Might as well be reading comments from a brummie. 5 games to go and we wont loose 1. Then as every team does we have to build for next season. It wasnt very good and everything went against us last night but we are a young and improving squad. Patience swain.Worry about next season once we have secured the right to play there.

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  14. 14
    Tom

    i was at that game last night and i was ashamed to say we was top of the league birms fans was singing top of the league your having a laugh and we started singing it with them thats how bad we was we was pathetic never seen us play so bad no tactics nothing all we kept doing is crossing no one was getting a good enough cross in and yh well done to there center halfs ridgewell and jaidi they were amazing we need to keep it on the floor more and build up to a goal else we are not going to go no where and another performance like that we will blow it come on lads dont blow it there is 5 games to go and were top flight dont give up lads just move on to friday now and we have to win then really

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  15. 15
    Alan Richards

    Just 3 points to consider. Hennessey is shown in one photo with only ONE hand on the ball and the other a long way away from it round Jerome.Was Hennessey a bit “chicken” when he came out for Berra’s backpass? The St.Andrew’s board paid 100s of thousands to have the pitch relaid during last season by the firm who laid Wembley.

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  16. 16
    Wolfinblack

    How can anyone compare those 2 games?
    1 was played on a pitch like a Billiard table, the other resembled the test track for Land Rover.
    You can’t play ball-to-feet football on a surface like that.
    I know it was the same for both sides but Blues have had a lot more experience on playing on such a low quality pitch (it goes with the whole ground).
    Although Wolves performances which have been televised have not been good this season.
    Lets hope for better on Friday

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  17. 17
    BackTheTeam

    4. Malagablue here are some facts for the blouses at the blues

    1) Wolves are top
    2) We have been there all season
    3) We have won more games and scored more goals than anyone else
    4) Our ground is better than yours
    5) Our support is beter than yours
    6) We have a pitch not a bog to play on

    You are a joke mate as is your Club, no class just foul and boot it long you should be ashamed Carsley is a disgrace as were the fans who boo’d our striker of the pitch. Disgusting. Hopefully the FA will take action against your fans who were throwing missles on the pitch.

    You will be in the Nationwide with the girls from the albion next season. We will be in the Premiership. As for you having a beer on friday are you old eneough to drink?

    Every dog has his day and you had yours last night.

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  18. 18
    Bournemouth Wolf

    What a dump of a ground St Andrews is. The pitch is in an appalling state. Not conducive to playing decent football a ref that only got one decision right on the night and with the exception of two players, Jarvis and Iwellumo the rest were still on holiday in Disney Land!!

    No question the Blues deserved to win. They were in our faces from start to finish which is how it should be. Our goalie did not command his area like Matt Murray would have done and needs to spend time on that part of his game!

    Lets hope on Friday we can beat the scummers. This will be a tough match as they are desperate to stay up, so it will be just as hard as playing Bham! We had better turn up for this one otherwise I fear the worst… Hmmm!

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  19. 19
    Harrowwolf

    OK we lost, and it was’nt at all pretty. We looked like a team phased by the loss of ebanks and kightly the to lose chris was the icing on the cake. We have to pick up the piece move on and learn from last night. It is still in our hand to not just go up but go up as champs. Lets get behind the lads and put last night well behind. We might not be Man U but we have got some very promising youngster and with a few more signings can give a strong battle to stay in the premier for the first season. Thats all its about for the first year and the secon really. Just fighting to stay in the premiership. Then with extra fund we can stay thier. Realisticly its 4 to 5 years b4 we can even think about the UEFA cup. Go on the Wolves we can and we’ll be there next year.

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  20. 20
    PenkWolf

    We were terrible last night but that doesn’t make us a terrible team. Whatever supporters think, we are top of the league which means we have performed better than any other team so far. Loads to play for so lets get behind the good team and manager we have.

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  21. 21
    norwegianwolf

    One thing at the time, please! Why worry about what is needed in order to stay in the PL before getting there? For what it is worth, I reckon that Stoke and Hull – if they both stay up (at least one of them should) – will be relegation favourites together with the three promoted teams, with little to separate them unless Wolves flex their owner’s financial muscles in addition to spending what should be spent of the TV-money. But I am certainly not spending much time reflecting on this before the outcome of this season is clear.

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  22. 22
    northern wolfie

    Evening matches are always a leveller, as is the weather and pitches that arent up to standard, so instead of Wolves allowed to show why we have been top of the league all season, we got dragged down to the Blues standard, and all season thats been poor. 1 game doesnt make a season – thank goodness !! and Reading have Sheff Utd and Birmingham to play, and we have the points on the board. So fingers crossed this was a blip – promotion is the priority, and the title just a bonus, so we need 7 points from 5 games – CMON YOU WOLVES

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  23. 23
    sussex wolf

    Surely te point is to worry about the premier league in a months time. Now is the time to get right behind the team, win our three home games and we’re almost there. the young team has done fantastically so far, so what they need is nothing but positive encouragement until the season finishes. Come On You Wolves

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  24. 24
    ColchesterWolf

    OK, lets be realistic here. Wolves are top of the league for one reason only, the rest of the league is so poor. What team can hold their position at the top without winning for 11 games – I’ll tell what team, a team where the competition is just as poor. Didn’t MM hold the record for taking a team (Sunderland) down from the Prem. with the least number of points. Lets also not forget the trials and tribulations of estbalsished teams that ‘spend big’. Leeds were spending money like it was going out of fashion and look at them now. Its all very well saying we need to spend 30 mill to even have a chance to stay up, what if we do and get relegated – It won’t be pleasant returning to the 3rd division again. I worry for Wolves as they are between a rock and a hard place. The team and manager are just about good enough to go up (as the rest of the Championship is so poor) but we will have to spend sooo much money to even give us a fighting chance that it would only be a fool to do so. Mr Morgan is very silent on the whole think, especially as he is trying to buy his building company shares back again…..will he have enough spare cash for Wolves as well?

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  25. 25
    andrew Waruszynski

    McArthy’s Days Are Limited

    I am firstly a fan of football, Wolves come second. I did not renew my season ticket last season as I was sick of watching unimaginative, boring displays and vowed that as long as he was manager I would not. After the 1st half of this season I eat the humble pie, counted up my pennies [Only £50 a week as a carer] and bought the half season ticket. I soon discovered there was no plan B, or if there was it involved dropping players in form for no apparent reason, destroying their confidence; selling our most skilful midfielder, who in his 1st game in the Premier League looked as if he had played there all his career; promoted the huff and puff brigade; spent 2.5 million on a clueless centre back. The list could go on.
    I only want to watch a passable game of football where highly payed indivduals express their skill. I don’t want to watch a team put together by McArthy that when faced with 10 men only seem to be passing the ball back to their goalkeeper. I wouldn’t put a penny on Wolves getting through the play offs. My only consolation is that his days are surely limited. I don’t believe that I am cutting my nose off to spite my face, as the football has been so bad it could not get any worse.
    Despite these grumbles I’d love to see Wolves in the Premiership and I’d love Mick to keep us there and prove me to be a whining useless old git, somehow I don’t see it happening.

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  26. 26
    Wood Green Wolf

    Lets get some perspective on this guys. A poor match granted but with two of our key and most influential players out, another hacked out of the game, a rotten pitch and useless referee. Not saying that this is in anyway a good advertisement for our premiership credentials but keep the faith. A win on Friday and were still almost there. We have a good spine of a squad and with some sensible investment in the summer we will hopefully establish ourselves as a mid table premiership team (no-one is expecting us to be challenging man u next year after all). Dont let one poor match let the negativity seep back in. Onwards and upwards.

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  27. 27
    Tower Wolf

    Nice football does go out the window yes, but even Arsenal couldnt play nice football on that pitch. It suits the way Blues play, hoof and run, and fair play to em, it works, Jerome just chases anythin as does O’Connor, which is where his goal came from. Neither team was nice to watch last night, but points as all that is needed at this point n i just hope Wolves havnt lost the bottle now, but it does show what an average team we are without Kites and Seb, i hope we’ve got one final push to make it over the line.

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  28. 28
    Lonewolf

    Typical Swain. Villa through and through as usual. I once wrote a letter to the Express and Star saying that he should go and write for one of the lower circulation Birmingham papers. I still think that he would be happier if he did. Your views ‘Poppycock’ Mr Swain. That was the headline printed above my letter. Still the truth me thinks !!

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  29. 29
    kiwiwolf

    What can i say..

    ward..lol again..
    Keeper is half asleep as always..
    Why take off Hill and play Ward there too..
    Vokes should have been on when Big Chris was taken off..

    Javis should have been on from the start..

    STILL IN OUR HANDS THOUGH AS WE NEED TO WIN 3 OUT OF 5… BUT THIS IS A BIG WAKE UP CALL AND LIKE I SAID AT LEAST IT’S STILL IN OUR HANDS….
    NO PLAYOFFS PLS AS WE WON’T WIN THEM..

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  30. 30
    Carl

    it’s the silly season when the journalists start predicting who will go down from the Prem based on the current squads in the Championship.

    Luckily, there’s something called the transfer market and if a manager buys well then you can stay up. Blues have done it before and Blues – and Wolves – can do it next year!! Lazy journalism.

    Up the Blues – and Wolves.

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  31. 31
    Oslowolf

    Went to the game last night with my son. Not a great game – should they go up both teams will be struggling from day 1 – Wolves due to inexperience of younger players and blues due to too many old players who have already failed at the top level.

    Finally thanks to the kind blues fans throwing glasses and bottles at the Wolves fans (including many kids) as we queued to leave the ground. Luckily no-one was seriously injured! And even more thanks to the police in their protective gear and helmets who thought it was funny!

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  32. 32
    PezaWWFC

    I am sick of all the doom and gloom people.

    Still top.
    Still in our own hands.

    Yes top spot is under threat but not 2nd place at the moment.

    We can bounce back like we have done before. Get behind them and lets finish the job together as one.

    Up the Wolves!!!!

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  33. 33
    ev123uk

    That match was probably better than any game involving Stoke last season and they havent faired too bad have they?

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  34. 34
    northern wolfie

    I look forward to the Premiership debate – when we are prompted. Until then we are still fighting for promotion. on points gained so far this season we need 2 more wins and a draw. We should beat Southampton depsite records, we should beat Doncaster, QPR are not good away, and Derby and Barnsley away are good candidates for draws / 1-0 wins. KEEP THE FAITH its in our own hands.

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  35. 35
    Westport Wolf

    Football aside, I can’t believe Blues had to do a kids for a quid offer last night to get them in. This, however, only allowed a bunch of hooligans to get in on the cheap. Their remaining coins were thrown at the linesman and Wolves players. It wasn’t just one that hit the lino’ there were several. And as for booing a player being stretchered off. I’m so glad I don’t support these slum dwellers.
    Wolves fans, lets just get behind the team no matter what for the remaining 5 games. Enjoy the party and worry about next season when all is done and dusted. COME ON YOU WOLVES!

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  36. 36
    Florida Wolf

    On last nights performance, God help us if we go up! Mick will get back his record of the lowest number of points in the prem. (Sunderland).

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  37. 37
    chriswolves

    Martin Swain how can you predict from what’s going to happen a year down the line.
    I hate it on here ever time wolves have a fault in there promotion race everyone seems to give up.
    If you was at the game last night martin then you would of saw 2 ,500 wolves fans applaud the players off even though they losted , and thats what we need at the molineux not this garbage that people post every day on this site.

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  38. 38
    Gerry

    No excuses….That was a disgrace! Dont blame the pitch. We were playing against 10 men.For the first goal,Hill should have put it in row G but he waited for the keeper who ,as usual, did not command his area! For the second, Berra was pathetic. When it matters, they always let us down. Team selection was again a mystery?

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  39. 39
    Solentwolves

    It was a terrible game last night – but it has gone. We are still top and our destiny is still in our own hands. The target throughout the season has been (and still is) promotion. For goodness sake, stick with the lads and see it through to the end. Worry about the Premier League when we get there – which we will!

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  40. 40
    Dennis W Nicholls

    Lord help us if we do get promoted with that lot who played last night.
    Granted our best two were missing but we have a manager who has been very lucky on more than one occassion with results but I have had, and continue to have grave doubts as to his technical and tactical nous.
    As the Chelsea boss said re ‘Grant’…win us the league and say goodbye, then so should this be said about McCarthy.
    He is just not good enough for the higher leagues

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  41. 41
    Chris Pugh

    Whether you post this rubbish to get comments or not i don’t know, but if this is really your true opinion, you have no idea about football.

    Big games are never nice to watch, when was the last time you enjoyed splendid football in a game between the big 4 in the premiership? We won the game last night by out-witting wolves, we we first to everything, put pressure on them and didnt give them time to play. The pitch is being re-layed in the summer, it’s been poor for 3 years now. You can’t use that as an excuse for having a team with no plan B, and a clueless manager who gets by by having a decent striker and a good winger. And as for all the “hoof-it-and-hope” talk, you might want to watch Blues’ win over Doncaster a couple of weeks back, we played great stuff against them, we play long balls when it suits us, and it worked a treat last night against two awful centre halfs, put your sour grapes back in the fridge. Kro

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  42. 42
    latchico

    Blaming the state of the pitch as part of the reason Wolves lost night is desparate stuff. Reading, Swansea & Cardiff had no problem passing the ball around on it. I’d be more worried about your central defence. They were a bag of nerves throughout.

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  43. 43
    brummierobwolves

    Poor performance very poor referee. We must hope that Ebanks-Blake is back for Friday and we cannot persevere with Ward on the left and start with Jarvis.
    No worries though as we will still go up, as we have the easier run in. Blues have 3 away in 5 – one against Reading. Reading have Blues and Sheff Utd to play. Sheff Utd have Reading, Burnley and Swansea.
    Final points tally – Wolves 87 pts, Blues 65, Reading 83

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  44. 44
    Davies wolves

    even though wolves were awful i have to blame a bad team selection and awful substitutions by mcarthy. Ward shouldn’t be playing, i saw him against forest and he’s too slow, no invention and gave the ball away too much. I dont no how he deserved a strat yesturday, then when a solid looking Hill was subbed and ward put to left back and we continued with a flat back 4 against 10 me i knew there was only one winner. Then the shocking decision to take arguably our best player on the night off, Edwards, the only player who looked dangerous put an end to the game. Even tho jarvis looked good wolves would have faired much better with both him nd edwards on, harwood was completely off pace and keough takes to many touches.
    At half time wolves should have gone 3 at the back, foley sweeping behind the two big men, jarvis on for ward, ward and edwards on the wings attacking the full backs and putting crosses in.

    Hopefully mcarthy realises ward isnt good enough, especially when we have 2 or 3 players who are better than him – friend, jarvis, hill…

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  45. 45
    BlueWolf

    usual dross from e&s. i know the game wasn’t great but how can you compare wolves and blues to a 1st vs 5th premiership game. wolves have played some great stuff this season, sadly last night was one of the worst. manu and villa are out of our league now, but with a bit of money and some good purchases (and a bit of luck) in the summer any of those two team could just survive in the prem and gradually build a premiership presence – thats the dream anyway. come on wolves, we’re not their yet!

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  46. 46
    lil mizz wolf

    i can’t belive it birmingham had 1 person dowm and we still loose, better luck next time (age 10)

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  47. 47
    North Carolina Wolf

    4. Malagablue. Your team is the Millwall of the Midlands. No class. No chance. No further comment.

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  48. 48
    Grace

    Malaga

    Just like the rest of the fools that watch your 2nd rate club, you have an excuse not to be there.

    You seem to be very sharp with your tongue, which is interesting as you must get all your info from Sky sports news, the only reason that you had somewhere near a decent crowd last night was coz your joke of a club had to bribe the small heath chavvy kids to come & watch them.

    You may have won the battle but no chance with the war!!!!

    KTF

    Wolves forever

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  49. 49
    welsh wolf

    micks comments about carsley’s tackle was a joke i wonder if he’d jump to his defence if he was english or welsh that tackle was a disgrace and he had the nerve to look shocked at being sent offhe went all out to break his leg

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  50. 50
    wolves-till-i-die

    I THINK THE BLOUSES SHOULD BE DEDUCTED 10 POINTS FOR THE AWFUL PITCH IVE BEEN TO SOME CONFRENCE GAMES THIS SEASON THAT WOULD BE A SHAMED TO PLAY ON A PITCH LIKE THAT, AND AS FOR THAT CARSLEY HE SHOULD BE BANNED FOR LIFE DIRTY PLAYER

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  51. 51
    Neil

    Martin Swain hit the nail on the head in his own assessment and I don’t usually agree with him, but on this occasion he has seen the reality of the massive gap between this league and the one above, this game containing the top two teams of the Championship was so awful, it only brings dread in what may lay ahead next season. However I’ll put that down to the two managers more than the two squads. Mick McCarthy and Alex Mcleish were more interested in kicking the ball up the park rather than playing a passing game of football.

    Despite the shocking performance from a Wolves’ perspective I still think wolves could still finish in the top 2 spots (To which doesn’t say a lot for this league, does it?). I also still think we have some quality young players to build upon for next season but of course if Mick doesn’t sort some issues over team selection then Championship football is what we might well get next season. If we do go up I do believe we would need a more talented manager and coach with other coaches to take the talented players on to the next level.

    Hennessey hasn’t been the force he should be this season, so why have some of his performances been filled with errors this season? Change of goalkeeper coach? Being dropped after the Reading game at Molinuex? His confidence was dodgy last night and when confidence goes most players drop down a level in performance.

    I can take Ward being played at left back but not left wing, Henry was poor and should not be in the team the best midfield available for me is Friend, Jones, Edwards (who looked really angry after been subbed) and Jarvis, or bring back Lewis Gobern is that such a bad idea or not?

    We can still win our home games and pick points from Derby & Barnsley, but only if our manager sorts out his team. If things do blow up then I’m sorry but why on earth was Kites being played in a reserve game when he pulled out from the Under 21 squad? If he did it in training fair enough but most of time reserves games are for match fitness, he had that and now he’s crocked even if he wasn’t playing great for the team his ability on crosses and passing was missed last night. 19 assists and 8 goals was going to be difficult to replace but not in possible, hopefully the lads will bounce back on Friday but we are still on sky again, curse television.

    SEB should be back as well, Vokes start please!

    And I will be there at the Molineux, come wolves you can still do it!

    Report abuse

  52. 52
    nickthegreek

    Poor team selection,
    Poor Pitch,
    Poor ref,
    Poor performance.
    And a another poor article from Swain!!

    Report abuse

  53. 53
    Bring Back Instone

    Martin had obviously written his piece on the great Villa win at Old Trafford and is upset it went wrong – so now he’s proud his team can play in such a game. He didn’t compare our game with any of Villa’s recent tugid loses though. 5 games and 9 points will do it – keep the faith! Can we not find a journalist who supports the local club?

    Report abuse

  54. 54
    NottsWolf

    Malagablue, you are a pathetic excuse for a human being, pretty much like most blues fans, and also like most blues fans you weren’t even at the game, is that the reason you moved to Malaga to get as far away from the dire club as possible.

    You have also proved what a joke club Blues are when the only thing you have to gloat about is beating the mighty Wolves, as us Wolves fans were chanting last night ‘you’ve never won f-all’ never have done, never will do. Your so-called fans, who only attend when tickets are given away by the dole office when you sign on, are completely despicable for booing off a player who is injured, only one word for you lot SCUM.

    Anyway enjoy your five minutes of happiness while it last cause that’s all the excitement your gonna get this season, now crawl back in your little hole and look forward to playing the baggies next season, yes we may get beaten by better teams and struggle to stay up but at least we’ll be in the premiership.

    Report abuse

  55. 55
    mad tunna

    i work in brum and most blues fans tell me they play that way all the time.lasy night we came down to their level.look they could,nt sell out the home section at reduced prices last night.Its just a micky mouse club with micky mouse fans.

    Report abuse

  56. 56
    wolverines

    MICK,CANT WORK OUT YOUR TACTICS,SUB IWELUMO WITH KEOGH,ITS LIKE RONNIE CORBETT FIGHTING IN PLACE OF MIKE TYSON IN A HEAVYWEIGHT MATCH,SURELY WE HAVE PLAN B ,NOT CONVINCED WITH HILL AND BERRA YET FOR 2.3 MILLION I KNOW THEY ONES FOR FUTURE,MICK HENNESAY CONFIDENCE IS SHOT TO PIECES HE SCARED TO COME FORWARD GET INJURED WONT GET BACK IN TEAM PROBABLY,MICK TRY STACK,TRY STEARS HE FRESHER COS HE PLAYED LESS TRY FRIEND

    Report abuse

  57. 57
    bloggy

    No 17..
    Well said. Summed it all up perfectly. Just forgot to mention the attrocious refereeing from a “Premiership” official. The first goal would have been ruled out in any other game, especially in the top flight, and why did we not get a penalty just before they went up straight after for their second? And just to re-iterate, (blouses and tescos wont understand that word) anybody who boos off a player injured by one of their own thugs, is lower than a worm’s belly and has the brain of an amoeba!

    Report abuse

  58. 58
    wolverines

    DID ANYONE NOTICE HOW POOR WE WERE AT SET PIECES LAST NIGHT?NOT TO BE TOO CRITICAL OR HARSH ITS A PROBLEM IVE NOTICED FOR A WHILE NOW EVEN WHEN WE WERE REALLY DOING WELL AT THE START OF SEASON,DOES MICK WORK ON THESE AREAS? I KNOW JONES CAN HIT THEM BUT IN THE PREM WHERE WE WILL PROBABLY SCORE LESS SET PIECES COULD BE VITAL CUD A STATS PERSON REVEAL HOW MANY GOALS WE HAVE SCORED FROM FREE KICKS?

    Report abuse

  59. 59
    KevT29

    Lets not make any bones about it Blues deserved to win on the night just about. However as reflected in many of these comments the Pitch was an absolute dump and disgrace for a side that have Premiership aspirations. on top of that, whatever blue noses may say, we did not have a full strength side out last night. No Kightly, E Banks Blake and lest we forget, Elokobi whose absence has coincided with Wolves drop in their high tempo game that resulted in so much success at the start of the season. The One player that an experienced player like Carsley identified was Iwelumo and managing to identify that threat he proceeded to do something about it. Wolves were poor and now Friday is a MUST WIN game. Win this and the pressure goes back on to Blues who I Feel, if Wolves do win, won’t get more than a point at Charlton on Saturday. Let’s keep the faith and support our team.

    Report abuse

  60. 60
    rogerwolf

    The match was awful as it was so pathetic from our Players. I agree that Edwards was our best mid-fielder and why should he have been taken off before Ward and Henry. The Pitch whilst awful was the same for both teams – so no point in blaming that on the result. Whatever the reason for our defeat has to remain at the Manager and his tactics – Harewood on the Wing – we had Freind.Reed and Jarvis – Jarvis did well when he came on – Did he not have the only Shot on Goal to worry Taylor.
    Ward is not worthy of his place – Hill was doing well at left back only to be taken off for Ward to be put back into his position- WHY ?
    Lets get behind the team for the remainder of the season at least – Mick cannot blame the Fans – its about time he owned up to his own failings

    Report abuse

  61. 61
    wembley66

    all blues fans have no brains – why else would you watch that dross every other game at home!!!

    Report abuse

  62. 62
    g g gander

    To all proper wolves fans, the Blues game is in the past, look forward get behind the WOLVES for the rest of the season support them all the way [COME ON YE WOLVES]

    Report abuse

  63. 63
    stavros

    hopefully bounce back on friday, gotta agree with 50, poor selection- ward and harewood weren’t at it, should of been jarvis and vokes, the pitch resembles my local park pitch, ref gave some strange ones and definetly our worst performance of the season. swains article sums this up.

    Report abuse

  64. 64
    harrogate wolf 1

    god help us if we play like that on friday why ward on the left wing what happend to friend well i hope mick looks at it, well at least we are at the mol were our pitch is premiership not non league we can play some football on the ground UP THE WOLVES

    Report abuse

  65. 65
    brummierobwolves

    41) We will still be there from here to the end of the season mate.
    Major session after the Doncaster game to celebrate promotion!!!

    Report abuse

  66. 66
    Sam Wolf

    McCarthy, Reading and Birmingham are not good football teams and they have taken 10 points out of Wolves this season, how can you and Moxey say we are in a good position to take on the premiership.

    Come on Guys lets apply some common sense, if Birmingham, Reading or Wolves manage to go up there, it will be lambs to the slaughter we haven’t played decent football since Christmas and no one has taken our place at the top, how bad is that?

    This is the worst championship football I have watched for years.

    Report abuse

  67. 67
    brummierobwolves

    50) Should have been the reference Nick. I believe the better celebration could be at Barnsley or even earlier!

    Report abuse

  68. 68
    besty

    it’s ok for you mr swain you don’t have to pay and watch this rubbish, out played out classed out of our brains if we think we’ll go up playing the last 5 games like this,sort it out muppet or you can kiss goodbye to the wolves at the end of the season.

    Report abuse

  69. 69
    BENTLEY WOLF

    absolute shocker, rubbish pitch, another useless ref, blues wanted it more, it was a scrap from start to finish, if we go up we need at least 6 new first teamers, harewood did’nt do enough for me, hennessy was at fault for the 2 goals, should never have let mimms go back to blackburn, confidence has gone, surely we can’t throw it away now???

    Report abuse

  70. 70
    Alan Jones

    We were out fought, thought and ‘Super Mick’ was super thick with his tactics. Literally men against babbies and if, and its a big if now, we get automatic promotion. Who the hell is going to come to Wolves with MM in charge?

    The sending off should have given confidence to push on but as all season lacking any creativity from midfield, all defense and GK are prem squad players no more. More of 2003 – hoping to ge a result. MM is not the man for me in the prem or CC, never has been and never will. We sleeping giants should realise that we will not wake up in our life time and debate forever that we deserve to be in the prem because we has some sucess in the 50′s.

    Keeping feet firmly on the ground but hoping for miracles

    Report abuse

  71. 71
    caribbeanwolves

    The only thing that will not change, never can, when we reach the Prem is the supporters. Everything else is up for grabs and mean everything, the CEO, the Manager, the players, they all need to be assessed and the question asked if they are good enough. Do not give me that crap about loyalty, we must survive two years in the Prem and then gradually build. Look at history it never lies, teams that have survived have done so by making courageous decisions, Wigan being the best example. Not suggesting for one second that MM is ditched but the club need to ask if he is the right person to give us a chance of survival. Based on his loyalty to poor quality players and some tactical decisions that leave you gasping I am not too sure. Anyway we are top and two wins will get us there, then we can ‘enjoy’ a post mortem.

    Report abuse

  72. 72
    KRO - LEN

    For once it was nice to see the blues players putting in 110% . Game has gone now and i honestly hope that we both go up together . To all the negative comments on here about either team being lambs to the slaughter in the prem .Money Talks and this year is the biggest TV deal in premier league history . Stoke and Hull should stay up and lets be honest either blues or wolves will be able to offer bigger wages than teams like them . Keep Believing !!!! KRO

    Report abuse

  73. 73
    roytheboy

    A bad night with so many on-offs (injuries, pitch etc) which we will learn from. I am over it now. Still top, still 8 points clear of 3rd and the chance to put it right on Friday, which I’m sure we will. Keep the faith, keep behind the team and MM and I’m still confident that at the end of the season we’ll be 6 points clear – hopefully of Reading !

    Report abuse

  74. 74
    Billywiseman

    Martin-You say it all-

    Unable add any real constructive comment-On this Blogg mate I agree with you completly-I am to-day a YES MAN–Say it all mate perhaps the players will get our feelings
    through your BLOGG and the comments of the many disillusioned WOLVES FANS on this blogg.

    I pray and hope our Friday showing will be better–It has to be

    Crazey Dave

    Report abuse

  75. 75
    MattyWolf

    We weren’t beaten we were humiliated by a Birmingham team who themselves don’t boast a great deal of class. I think there were several questionable tactical decisions Hill off for Jarvis, when Ward was very poor and Keogh being brought on for Iwelumo, i’d have rather brought on Vokes. I thought Harewood had a good game and Foley was and i hate to use the old cliche “different class” Hennessey needs to pull his game back together as he is costing us goals at the moment. However the ref didn’t help matters!!!!

    Report abuse

  76. 76
    danny o'neil

    I’m sure I speak on behalf of all fans. Last night was very disappointing, the performance the heart, the nerves and the result. However we are still 2points clear. If you could turn back time to the end of january remember the mess we were in then?! The boys have worked hard to get us back into this position, so although last night was gutting for all, lets remember we are top and we do deserve to be there.

    This friday lets raise the roof on the southbank and get behind the boys, win, lose or draw because we can still do this, stay calm. We are the 12th man, then maybe we might hear a little song out of the north bank, I’m sure they are cardboard cut outs in that stand.

    WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!

    Report abuse

  77. 77
    Beardowolf

    Please, please, please …..lets just forget the hell of an evening last night.
    We can debate it til the cows come home….and achieve what? It’s too late now, lets get on with the next game.
    Everyone get your backsides down to the Golden Palace for the last three home games….(yes even the one that’s on Sky Friday!!!) and sing your hearts out for the lads, if everyone put as much effort in getting behind the lads as they do slagging them off, we will have a fantastic atmosphere to push the lads forward!!!
    3 wins out of 5 lets get them at home….every game is now a must win…..so get behind them!!!!!! (sorry I now this is a swear word for most Wolves fans!!!)
    How often do we get this close to being promoted automatically?? We don’t!!! so be part of it….
    Sing it loud, Sing it proud all the way to the Premiership……….
    We can do this, it isn’t over yet let’s just pull together….”COME ON!!!!!!!” ;-)

    Report abuse

  78. 78
    cotswolf

    I don’t understand thick Mick’s persistence with Ward on the wing, obviously must be a relative of his, cos the man is useless on the wing. Also why put Harewood on the wing with Jarvis sitting on the bench? Well, if big Chris & SEB are out for next few weeks, I’ll be surprised if we win another match, cos we know he’ll play Keogh up front, who couldn’t score in a brothel. Another blown season for us I fear.

    Report abuse

  79. 79
    hughesy

    Hi just wanted to say we werent at it last night, but that happens and I can deal with that. Im sure we will bounce back!! What has really upset me is being hit by a coin outside the ground – moronic behaviour. Also a young lad was hit in the face with a bottle. All of this gets swept under the carpet; Ive mentioned it to some blues fans at work and they were really embarressed.

    Anyway, on a lighter note did anyone else see Rob Lee sat amongst the wolves fans!!

    Report abuse

  80. 80
    Manchester Wolf

    Everyone agrees it was a poor performance. We were up against it with such a poor ref.

    At the end of the day we are still top of the league and if we cannot get promoted with some of the teams we are due to play then do we deserve to go up.

    What really amazed me was a report I read about the tackle on Iwelumo and that all sides of the ground gave him a standing ovation. All those Wolves fans at the crowd witnessed the cheers from the so called football supporters who are nothing but SCUM. At least as Wolves supporters we joined in the respect given to one of their ex palyers before the game.

    Report abuse

  81. 81
    Malagablue

    I will be back Saturday morning after you have been embarrased by the worst team in the Fizzy Pop League.
    Dear me, some of you don’t like the truth do you.
    I never mentioned the Blues being better as a team or having better supporters all I did was tell it as it is. YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH and you have BLOWN IT AGAIN BIGTIME. Speak to you Saturday Grace and all the other people who choose to have a go just because I told the truth.
    You won’t beat SOUTHAMPTON and you know it. Boing Boing

    Report abuse

  82. 82
    Fan_Rich_Wolves

    Lets Hope both Matt & Carl can get fit in the summer beacuse they are so much better in goal. Waynes communication is so poor. His release play is terrible. Stearman should be playing no matter what.

    And i am getting so sick of seeing ward & keogh play it bores the hell out of me watching those donuts trying to play footie. Lets hope we can win on friday!!

    Report abuse

  83. 83
    JIWAL

    Stop kidding ourselves, we are play off bound, and the usual gutless surrender.The majority of these players dont want promotion, it would put them all on the dole!!

    Report abuse

  84. 84
    Ye Olde South Bank

    Yet more pointless dross from Swain. So, the Manure v Vile game was a bit classier than the Big Girls’ Blouses v Wolves? Talk about stating the obvious. Someone tell him that’s why promoted teams get around £35m: to improve their squad.

    Listen to Swain and we may all as well pack up, go home and kick the dog. Why bother with promotion? Why waste time having dreams of glory? Why bother even going along to your local, non-Premiership club to watch a game?

    I know this may come as a shock to the Villa-supporting numpty, but neither Wolves NOR Blouses, if promoted, will have exactly the same team. Yes, we’ll both be signing some and releasing some. Shock or what?

    Anyway, bring on the Scummers and let’s go out there and beat them. The Blouses game is done, dusted and history. By the way, Malaga Blue, we’ve already beaten the Scummers 2-1 at St. Fairy’s, so I think you’ll find the ‘bogey’ has been laid to rest.

    Don’t concern yourself with our game…I’d concentrate on your game at Charlton, if I were you. It’s a disaster waiting to happen and, after the unsporting, disgraceful abuse Chris Iwelumo had to suffer at the hands of your utterly MORONIC fanbase, here’s hoping the Addicks do precisely that.

    Nice to see a crowd at St. Andrew’s, by the way…even if it did take “Kids For A Quid” to bribe your lot through the turnstiles.

    Crap ground, crap pitch, crap ownership and crap fans. That’s Blouses for ya.

    Report abuse

  85. 85
    JIWAL

    With Southampton drawing last night, they will be up for another battle of Friday. They will come at us, put us under pressure. Time to drop carthorse Berra and bring Collins back..at least he scores goals! If we only draw this game, we are destined to miss out on auto promotion.We will not win at Derby or Barnsley, and home games against QPR and Doncaster are hardly gimme’s either. All this thatnks to McCarthy not knowing his best line up after 41 games, pathetic. He should be sacked now, and let someone else drive us forward over the last 5 games. If he plays Ward again on Friday, we may as well get the infamous banner ready. There is no excuse for producing garbage like we did at Blues. They are all so called pro’s . we just didn;t want it, in fact, we were a bunch of cowards. Talking of which, ship Harewodd and Quashie out now, waste of money, we will need it for next seasons battle to get out of this league.

    Report abuse

  86. 86
    ordo ab ch

    Lee Carsley mean’t to take out Iwelumo, it was totally strategic. We have Ebanks Blake injured and Kightly is out for the season. Taking out Iwelumo weakens us further and takes out a certain style to our game..Birmingham knew that.

    It’s asthough it will be a repeat of 2001/2002 season, but at least we played fair with dignity if we don’t go up. That little bit of individual talent can make all the difference alas Kightly, Blake. We have to mend our cadecus and get them going again.

    Report abuse

  87. 87
    joeywolf

    watching harewood gave me the blues!!!!!!

    Report abuse

  88. 88
    tellitlikeitis

    JIWAL and joeywolf

    Get a grip !
    Harewood has hardly been playing first team football this season and has to get used to how his new team mates play. Judge after a couple of games.
    Oh by the way – nice to hear from you again JIWAL, we missed you while we were on our unbeaten run, still, nice to see you haven’t lost the nack of finding the positive points in a poor situation !!

    Report abuse

  89. 89
    fenwolf

    Wasn’t the Shrewsbury game supposed to keep the players sharp so we didn’t give such a poor performance??? I could not see the merit in such a fixture at the time and I certainly can’t now! Ward and Henry should not play again this season and Harewood had one of the worst debuts I’ve ever seen, but then he’s hardly played for 2 years – he might be natch fit for the playoffs!

    Report abuse

  90. 90
    Wolves Mick

    Martin – no mention then of Fulham, Wigan, Portsmouth, Bolton, Man City …all teams that have gone up in recent times and established themselves as top flight teams. Is it compulsory we have to keep the same side when we go up or something ? We are just trying to get out of this division at the moment ….then we can plan how we do as well as possible in the Prem.

    Report abuse

  91. 91
    brummierobwolves

    79) You beat half a Wolves first choice team… well done. You are a tin pot club and have no history. Now Sheff Utd have won the panic starts for you.
    Now jog on you Blue Nose clown!!!

    Report abuse

  92. 92
    Wolf 1

    Everyone keeps on how good Brum played with 10 men, well
    we have played with 9 players all season because no way is Ward or Keogh pro Footballers, they would not get a game in any other team, and they also have long term contracts. That should tell you everything about MM and our stupid club.
    PS get the banner out.

    Report abuse

  93. 93
    Robert Perry

    i thought i had to comment on this article.We were awful against Blues and to be honest we havent played well for a while.But I have watched quite a few premiership games this season which havent been much better so to compare Wolves with Man U and Villa is disgraceful.If we get promoted(and I am not sure we will)everything will depend on the amount of money we spend,and I conservatively estimate that figure will need to be around£50,000,000,for us to have any chance of survival. Does anyone honestly believe we will spend that amount of money?.

    Report abuse

  94. 94
    Billywiseman

    Martin-
    Having read your blogg after the game I agee and then you go onto make comment about if and when we get up–After the Birmingham game and the conduct of the Manager and team this season could totaly rebound and we will not get up-
    It is a possibility but if we fail to turn it around on Friday and at Derby then we are really in the mire-I hope not.

    I am not interested in what Brum has or has not done they have always spent lot of money compared to Wolves-When Bruce’e got an injured player he went out and spent big-Forget about the pitch the Premier League should have dealt with that–There is no comparision between us and Brum two completly different mangement and accountant styles drive each.

    What did we spend when we went up–Not alot-One player if I recall that had played premership football 27 times in 7 years–Yes we had Miller-and others but they were here before the prem. No one wanted to play for us well that appeared to be the gist when we the supporter asked.

    Tell us What team you would play after the de-barcle at St. Andrews. Post it in the Blogg and lets see how near you are to MM selection–

    I will wager you may be far away for certain positions

    The ideology of any team that wants to win is play your best and consistent player that get results–MM has not done that he persists in ringing the changes- thats why we are in this position-Yes we have injuries but one player may make a difference but not that much.

    The Injury to SEB was unforseen yes-Chris well we had 10 men to beat we could not do that-

    I hope we go on to get up YES – I still pay to go alright but I have to say what we are being served up is not worth the money Mate.

    Having led the Champ for so long we are struggling to hang on and that should not be the case.
    Forget about the BRUM GAME lets move on-

    Crazey Dave

    Report abuse

  95. 95
    Billywiseman

    I forgot to mention the Man-o Camera–Yes Okay-But was he really that good–Time proves not so–Crazey Dave

    Report abuse

  96. 96
    truewolves

    JIWAL/MALAGABLOUSE/ WHATS THE MATTER ? won nothing and you never will wwfc champions 2009 GOIN UP AND STAYING UP LOL

    Report abuse

  97. 97
    JIWAL

    86
    Shouldn;t you be with the other sour faced morons on Molineux Mix?

    Report abuse

  98. 98
    tellitlikeitis

    95 – Shouldn’t you be in the queue to get yer happy pills ?

    Report abuse



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