Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
The most bizarre Wolves game ever
Friday 20th November 2009, 9:15AM GMT.
‘Le Hand of God’ from France’s Thierry Henry this week got Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd thinking of a comparison at his own club ahead of the Chelsea trip.
Never mind the Ballacks, Terrys, Coles, Drogbas or Lampards of this world, Carlo Ancelotti will still have enough strength and depth in the Chelsea squad to put out a team oozing with quality on Saturday.
You would think that playing the Premier League leaders next at the fortress of Stamford Bridge isn’t really the ideal tonic for Wolves after the mauling handed out by Arsenal.
But perhaps facing a team that have won all six league games at home, scoring 16 and conceding just one goal in the process is just what the doctor ordered.
You would have to be as delusional as Jedward to think that Wolves could get anything from the game. But with expectations low and with the Liquidator ringing in our ears before kick off, who knows what we might achieve.
So call me an irksome, tone-deaf, spiky-haired, uncoordinated pop-star wannabe, but stranger things than Wolves winning at Chelsea have happened in the past surely?
Without sounding negative, I would be an advocate of packing the midfield and switching to a 4-5-1 on Saturday. Let’s give Kevin Doyle a rest after ‘Le Hand of God’ and play Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Andy Keogh or even Stefan Maierhofer as the lone striker to bring Matt Jarvis back into midfield.
The French have called it instinctive, but I would call what Thierry Henry did on Wednesday night as just blatant cheating. The luck really wasn’t with the Irish and who knows if they would have gone on to win the game, but the whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
I was trying to recall a similar incident at Wolves and the one that springs immediately to mind is the most notorious example of unsporting behaviour probably ever witnessed at Molineux – Michael Branch’s display of stupidity against Nottingham Forest back in February 2000.
The most bizarre game I’ve ever witnessed started with Forest’s Tony Vaughan getting sent off for getting in the way of an Ade Akinbiyi head butt.
Akinbiyi then had to be persuaded and man handled by Keith Curle to leave the pitch, after obviously not quite grasping the complexities of what a red card meant.
After a couple of cracking goals by Ludovic Pollet and Darren Bazeley, Lee Naylor was pole axed near the half way line and Forest goalkeeper, Dave Beasant, attempted to kick the ball into touch so that Lee could receive treatment.
Unfortunately his kick didn’t quite make the touch line and Branch cleverly collected the ball, rounded Beasant and tucked away Wolves third goal before 25 minutes had even elapsed.
The goalkeeper was apoplectic with rage and many of us thought that he was about to snap this particular Branch in half. David Prutton was then sent off and Forest finished the half with nine men.
Rumour had it that the police went into the dressing rooms at half-time to tell both teams to calm down and, as a result, the second half was a complete non-event. A weird and almost surreal experience, not least because I was watching the game with a Forest fan!
But like the Henry handball, the Branch incident left a nasty taste in the mouth. Perhaps he acted out of ignorance and wasn’t aware of what was happening with Naylor. David Platt, the Forest manager at the time, claimed after that he was promised by the opposing dug-out Wolves would score an own goal to repair the damage.
That obviously didn’t happen, but it really should have and let’s be honest, it wouldn’t have made a jot of difference to the final result anyway.
In the same year and at the other end of the fair play spectrum, Paolo Di Canio shunned a goal scoring opportunity and caught the ball from a cross instead of scoring an easy goal when he spotted Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard lying injured on the ground.
Paolo won the FIFA Fair Play Award in 2001 for his generous act and is remembered fondly for that achievement as well as ‘that’ push on the ref, a bit of a volatile temper and that fantastic bicycle kick that won the goal of the season in 1999.
What people don’t remember is that Di Canio has appalling right-wing views and could often be seen giving the fascist salute during his playing time at Lazio.
So perhaps Henry now needs to save a baby from a burning building or cure cancer so that he doesn’t go down in folklore as that cheating French bloke who cost Ireland a place in the World Cup, rather than the brilliant footballer he is.
I really felt for Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle and I don’t think Kevin should be in a Wolves side on Saturday and face the prospect of another demoralizing defeat. That’s why I would rest him on Saturday. I’m sure Mick and the boys will give it a real go on Saturday, but it probably is about damage limitation.
Even the small crumbs of good news that some key men could be out for Chelsea really doesn’t mean a lot, just look at the players that could take their place.
So, obviously my head tells me that we will probably lose by three or four goals on Saturday; but my heart is whispering to me that Wolves could get something.
I can still vividly remember my last visit to Chelsea in March 2004. We were coming to the conclusion of our first Premiership season and I think we all knew that relegation was knocking on the door.
As with Saturday’s game, none of us travelled down to the Bridge holding out much hope. But, with 20 minutes to go, we were drawing at 2-2 and actually holding our own. Then substitute Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink sprung into action, scoring a hat-trick in the final 13 minutes of the game and a score-line of 5-2 really flattered Chelsea.
Our season isn’t going to be decided by the glamour ties against the big spenders. I’m sure Mick and the team are already looking ahead to the next three home games against Birmingham, Bolton and Burnley.
We will certainly need to see a healthy return of points from that trio of games if we are to go in to the January transfer window in a league position that will attract some quality.
Enjoy the game, sing as loudly as we did against Arsenal and who knows?
Up the Wolves!
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I was at that game, I cheered loudly when Branch scored that dodgy goal and I would today!
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Branchy that was shocking! I cant wait for the liquidator and Im sure we will change to our Westbrom version! Kevin Foley and Dave Jones are nearly there now which is great news as both players are important to us. Iwelumo is a fortnight away from full-training. Chelsea are full of quality in their squad so even if they have 4-5 out they still have international players coming in. Chelsea 0-0 Wolves its got a bore draw written all over it!!!
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Nathan no way can the incident be dressed down,it Was a blatent double handball,for which Henry should be banned from international matches for at least 3 games.Unfortunately in sport and Football in particular Cheats DO prosper and due to the vast sums involved the FIFA will stand idly by and probably blame the recession for the HAND OF HENRY.Regarding the Chelsea game have to disagree with resting players,Doyle especially.Players need all the match fitness they can muster and who knows maybe a goal or two would do wonders for their confidence.(Well i can dream cant i).To all of you travelling down tomorrow enjoy the day.
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On the Di Canio subject was it really that sporting???? I KNOW he caught the ball but the way people portray it its like he was a yard out with an open goal. He was actually on the edge of the box with the ball coming at him at a funny angle and he had about 3 players between him and goal. I HONESTLY wouldn’t have back him to score anyway! Never the less he did catch it and stop the game.
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Like the Ballacks bit! I think we could stiffle the Chelsea attack tomorrow and escape with a point.
Not really, we are going to get hammered!
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I agree that we need to go with a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-1-1. If we leave out Doyle, i think we would have no choice but to lead the line with Maierhofer. We must play Milijas in this formation and go with either Jarvis or Kites.
You are right about the strength in depth of the Chelsea squad. There was supposedly about 6 frontline players out at one stage but I think they will only have Lampard and Ballack out.
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In that game against Forest the manager did tell the team to score an own goal, but captain Muscat was having none of it and refused to.
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Drogba, Anelka, Joe Cole, Malouda, Essien, Deco vs Ebanks, Kightly, Jarvis, Henry, Castillo and Edwards
And fans think we can get something lol.
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Wolvesmod, on paper it looks like we are dead and buried, but whats the point going into the game all deafeatist?
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During a game against Forest the following season a similar incident occurred. However Dave Beasant made sure the ball went out of play by kicking it out of the stadium! As you can imagine it brought a rather large cheer from everyone within Molineux!
Back to the present day, we have a tough task ahead of us tomorrow and were not expected to pick up any points. Our season will not be determined on results against the ‘big four’ but a good performance against Chelsea will do our confidence the world of good in preparation for next Sundays game.
After slipping into the bottom three the boys need our support more than ever. I know that not everyone agrees with team selections or even certain individuals but as soon as the lads pull on that famous old gold shirt they give 100%. Let’s stick together, give them 100% in return and become that 12th man that they need!
Good luck tomorrow boys, come on me babbies!
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8. Thats why they are fans, and last time I looked this was football and stranger things have happened. Can someone please explain why being positive and supportive is wrong/negative?? I for one think this is about keeping the score down and oputting in a gutsy display to take heart from into the next 3 season defining games. 7 points is a min in my opinion if we are to seriously look at staying up and bringing in some quality in Jan.
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Chelsea with or without their best players are unfortunately still light years ahead of our squad. That is not putting us down but being realistic, we are just not of their standard and quite honestly we will do well to keep the score to 2 or 3 goals!
All that can be asked is that our lads give 100% throughout the game and if they do that and still get nothing, no one will be complaining!
Good luck anyway lads and just for once though it would be nice to get the ‘rub of the green’ and come away with something when we really don’t deserve to – it is certainly overdue!
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Brummierobwolves, surely you don’t think we should play the ‘Hoff’? Utterly butterly useless up to now.
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I think you’re being a bit unfair on Michael Branch in this article, it was obvious to anybody at the game, that he was unaware of the injury further down the pitch. He did his job, scoring a good goal. Beasant’s reaction, although understandable, was way over the top and I think that it was this which made the players decide not to give the goal back. It has been well documented since that Colin Lee asked the players to give Forest a goal, but the players, lead by Keith Curle refused. In football, these things happen, which is why the comments of Richard Dunne after the “Le hand of God” incident are so laughable. I didn’t hear him asking for a replay when he should have been sent off at Molineux a few weeks back. Swings and roundabouts!
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I was at that Forest game and I think you have something wrong! Did not Beasant’s kick not fully make it into touch, then he ran over and kicked it ovet the line. Branch then picked up the ball threw it in (against Beasant’s back) then ran on to it and scored??
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8)A normal positive Bob Wolf type comment. You may as well support one of the Blues – Birmingham or Chelsea!
Malouda is rubbish in any case.
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13) I think we should play Doyle, as he is the class act up front. If they were to not play him, I suggest we should not ask Sylvan to lead the line and Keogh – maybe due a spell back in the team soon – should not be chosen as the lone forward, as he is not an out and out goalscorer!
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Hi everyone who is Wolves through and through like me. I personally don’t think it matters who MM plays because I know that whoever he plays will give us 100%. I hope we could come away with something from this because that would shut the negatives up. I will be there cheering them on I will say 1.1 We believe in you. COME ON THE WOLVES
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I can’t see the point in stressing or moaning about this game or what comments people have to make. It’s our next three home games that we must win, so i say pick any old team for tomorrow and keep everyone fit.
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You really are deluded Nathan. I was starting to give you the benefit of the doubt, thinking perhaps you DID know something about football afterall.
But you have just gone and destroyed your new-found credibility.
You cant compare Branch with Henry. Henry is a world class player, verging on an all-time great. Branch is a League 1 player at best. Unbelievable.
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15……are you sure you were at the game?
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20.
Bill, what are you on about? Nathan wasnt comparing the abilities of the two players, just the situations they found themselves in.
It is you who is the joker with no credibility. Read properly next time.
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Bill at 20. I can see you tesco bag colours from here my friend.
The blogger is comparing examples of poor sportsman ship, show me where he says that Branch and Henry are comparable as footballers?
Its unbelievable that morons like you can use a computer without falling over.
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Grumpy [15]
Wrong game my friend. Go on you tube and you can see quite clearly what happens. Also match reports at the time are still available and they back up what ACTUALLY happened.
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20… Bill, you are a webmong my friend. Read before opening your giant gob next time.
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so what, do u think the irish were bothered about us in 86?????
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23.
Unfortunately, while I would like to dismiss Bill as a Tesco, there is a poster on the wolf called Bill McCai and he really is as stupid as his post on here suggests. :(
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I have not read all the replies on here but I can’t believe any Woves fan would want us not to put our best available team out every week!
Chelsea are a great side and our best players deserve the opportunity to play in these games – that’s what getting to the PL is all about.
Also shocks happen from time to time and we are hardly in a position to pick and choose games when we might pick up the odd point.
On the Branchy incident I thought it was GREAT!
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Truth, no.4. Who cares mate?!
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I seem to remember an incident in a Wales V Scotland world cup decider in 1978 when a Scottish player named Joe Jordan deliberately handled in the Welsh area and SCOTLAND were awarded a penalty, which turned the game for Scotland!!.
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I say put out a heavily weakened team tomorrow against Chelsea. We are going to lose anyway, so lets keep our best players fully fresh for the Blouse game next week. Thoughts?
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Silas – 31, you are an idiot. Whats the point of being in the top flight if we just put out weakened teams against the big boys? I think with the Chelsea injury list we have a good chance of an upset. Silas, you don’t even go to games, you said last week, so why bother commenting?
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Chelsea 5 0 Wolves
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We will do well to match Lawro’s prediction of a 2-0 defeat. Give 100%, show the public we’re not cannon fodder and come away with some respect.
Their second string is way too good for us. Head says a thumping. Heart says a narrow and controversial defeat. Maybe one with a blatant handball involved… :-)
But still dreaming of 3 points and the “shock of the season so far” headline…
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C’mon be fair, Michael Branch hadn’t gotta a clue that Naylor was injured, he just thought it was a miskick by Beasent, bless em.
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a sad postscript to the forest match was that Branch, whom i firmly believe acted instinctively in scoring, seemed greatly affected by the resulting controversy, and his great promise as a clever, goal scoring forward was subsequently squandered. As for dodgy decisions, my mate reckons we’re more often on the wrong end of offsides because our shirts stand out more than most oppostion teams…
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16.Yeah, Malouda was rubbish eh? Not a patch on Henry or Milijas
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10. I think Beasant didn’t actually get it out of the ground and it rebounded off the top of the Billy Wright. I also seem to remember that the referee booked him for it!
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