Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Iwelumo aiming to boost Wolves
Wednesday 30th December 2009, 11:28AM GMT.
The Scotland international made only his second start of the season in Monday’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City after a twice broken metatarsal.
But he proved he can be a threat in the Premier League by winning the physical battle against City’s defence.
And the 31-year-old is hoping to push Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake all the way in 2010.
“I was delighted to be back in the team after the gaffer gave me the shout,” said Iwelumo.
“I felt the best I’ve done for a while on Monday night, so to get a start was brilliant and hopefully I can get fitter, stronger and sharper and bring something to the table.
“The City game was my first 90 minutes and I was getting a little tired near the end, but I felt good.
“I’m back in the frame and I’ve got to build on it and hope I can bring something positive to the boys.
“We have a good mixture with the strikers we’ve got but everyone has to do their bit.
“Since the Tottenham game I’ve been training every day and getting stronger and stronger.”
Iwelumo is hoping to put a mixed 2009 behind him. The former Charlton striker missed the Championship title run-in and celebrations after damaging medial knee ligaments against Birmingham in April.
Then he broke his foot just minutes into his comeback on pre-season tour in Australia, before suffering the same injury on his first game back against former club Stoke on October 31.
“Looking back, 2009 wasn’t as good as it could have been for me,” admitted Iwelumo. “It’s probably about nine months since I’ve had regular football.
“But that’s part and parcel of football with the injuries you pick up.
“You just have to take it on the chin, but that’s all behind me now. I got back in against Stoke and re-fractured the foot again, then it was another six weeks without doing anything.”
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Needs better service from the wings to score though. Number of crosses we had the other night was great, but not many that went anywhere near the danger area.
Report abuse
Sell him in January and get some money for him!
Thanks Chris but you are out your depth now mate!
Report abuse
I thought Chris did very well against City. He won a lot of headers. WW have to take their chances when they are on top and build from that. Quality crosses into the box from deep areas are they key. WW keep the ball and move it around with confidence these days. We are a dcent team who can trouble anybody. Must be ruthless with taking our chances.
Report abuse
Chris my man the only thing that needs to be brought to the table is simply “”GOALS”"!
Can you avarage a goal a game between now and the end of the season hand on heart? NO!
Can you average a goal every 2nd game ? NO!
Can you average a goal every 3rd game ? NO!
Can you average a goal every 4th game ? NO!
Can you average a goal every 5th game ? MAYBE!
This means you will score 3-4 goals in the remaining games which is 18.So are yo bringing enough to the table ? NO.
I can only say you will bring more than E-banks on the above statistics and that is not good enough as he as only scored once and maybe as had only been in scoring situations three times!!!He can HUFF and PUFF but in this league YOU need more MATE!!
Report abuse
Like Chris but–Our service to him is not there–I think he holds the ball up well but DOYLE is our only threat and the opposition crowd him out…..We have a problem the number of goals scored speaks for itself—I still think we need a proven Centre Back but will go for two new forwards who can score..
Results going our way with others failing to move on–Keep the Faith..
Crazey dave
Report abuse
Message to Mick :- Watch the first half from the stands, and you may see what the fans see and make the correct substitutions (hence jarvis & crosses)
Report abuse
Needs to learn the offside rule
Report abuse
“Winning a physical battle against the City defence”? Is that why the score was 0-3 then? A striker MUST score. We have plenty of effort from ‘strikers’ at the moment but they need to score!!
Report abuse
NO 2 you know nothing about football.Won virtually everything in the air and a big asset. the problem against city was the idiot manager leaving the only two players likely to create anything on the bench. Jarvis and Milijas have to play!!!!!!
Report abuse
i like his heart and attitude, is he prem quality? well yes on a good day in a hesky style.do we need that? with an attacking midfielder running on to his delivery? yes and we have the man to do it
at this stage in your career mate you have to options 1 move on and become a championship hero or stay and be a bit player because mick wont drop seb for love nor money and he bought hoff and will have to play him soon to justify his investment or …….sell all of you in jan and get anther striker in personally i dont think any one is better at our club at what you do chris and i would love to see you hit a rich form again
Report abuse
No point having someone to win the ball in the air if the midfield supporting him include muppet Surman, two full backs and a holding player. Where are the goals going to come from Mick??
Report abuse
Chris, I really hope that you can do what you say, you tried like hell the other night, but you and the who team were trying to impress the ‘gaffer’ and not playing as a team.
A strikers position is there if you can start to score goals like last season…its doubtful that Morgan will increase the squad in january, as he seems to want success on a shoe string, and don’t worry about impressing the ‘gaffer’ his number is already up, believe me.
I would give McCarthy another month of survival
Report abuse
We need a left back(Ward was too easily done against Liverpool, hence his daft sending off) a tackling midfielder to help Henry, a midfielder who can chip in with 5 or 6 goals between now and the end of the season and a striker who can score 10 goals before the end of the season. The prize is to stay up, Morgan needs to do his sums, is that shopping list worth next years Premiership money?
Report abuse
4 wanderer in eire-why don’t you give him a chance!2nd start? why don’t you ask the same question to Doyle and our other strikers, and before anybody has a go-I think he is a great player-but- he does not score enough goals.8-it’s his job to attack not defend!
9-change the record!and has for himleywolf-no comment!
Report abuse
Sell him he’s useless. All he does is give away fouls. Will never score a goal at this level.
Report abuse
the way he is playing surely is a secret,you were fab till christmas last year than just faded into obscurity,need to improve ,desire good ,effort good ,performance poor ,not good enough for prem
Report abuse
Jermaine Pennant is being offered to Villa is he?…interesting.
Just a basic point to make, but if our players are running around so much that they need to be rested all of the time, maybe we could consider getting footballers in who keep the ball, show for the ball and pass to each other. At the moment our players give it away and then run around like the clappers after it again.
Report abuse
NO 2 looms done more in this 1 match than seb has done in all the matches hes played he won more headers held the ball up better and hes got better positional sense than seb who seems to just run around in circles like a mad man so if we sell looms then sebs got to go as well? the fact we lost the game was mad micks fault playing players out of position again and keeping the best players on the bench not bringing them on or bringing them on way to late to do anything mad mick has not got a clue in the prem these things you can get away with in the championship but not the prem you need your best team playing all the time,on anouther note i see bolton have sacked megson watch them start picking up points now something to think about morgan a change could be just what we need for survival,,,WE ARE WOLVES,,,ilk
Report abuse
I’m sorry but Iwelumo did not win the physical battle against the city defence and I am sorry to say that IMHO he is just not good enough for the level of football we are playing at now. It seems the only striker we do have who is good enough is Doyle.
Quality signings in January are needed not dross like Halford, Castillo Maeirhofer and no excuses please Moxey, Morgan and McCarthy ambition needs to be shown not championship players on championship wages and preferably players that are fit enough to play two games in a week
Report abuse
why was milijas on the bench with jarvis surely we need our inform players on the pitch every game from the start .iwelumo sadly you are out of your depth in this league and you are not the only one.
Report abuse
To all you fans what do you think of Sam Vokes coming back and teaming up with Doyle, do you think that would work just a thought!
Report abuse
I like Chris Iwelumo and I think in certain situations he is useful squad player. Unfortunately he is not good enough to start matches in the premier league. There were too many times the other night when he was waiting for the ball to drop to him, which made it easy for the Man City defence. When he did win the ball it was a wayward header or miss controlled. I think we should be looking to sign a forward in January with that extra bit of class. Who can control the ball in tight areas and feed either Doyle or Blake, who are both out and out strikers and don’t work that effectively together in my opinion. An old head from a Europe might be the answer.
Report abuse
Those of you who thought Iwelumo did well on Monday must have been watching a totally different game. His 1st touch was abismal, he had no clue what to do with the ball once he got it, and trying overhead kicks at your age Iwelumo – forget it. Sell him while we might still be able to get something for him!!
And No.6) DoleWolf – totally agree.
Report abuse
I concur with most of the posts today.Chris has suffered from both his injuries and that miss for Scotland, which has affected his confidence.Ebanks has had enough selections and has failed miserably.We need a star quality striker in Jan and also a creative midfield player.As far as the Manager goes: I feel he should be rewarded for his work so far but has shown{even to a blind donkey] that he is tacticly deficient and completely out of his depth in the premier division.I would like to see him moved upstairs and a young progressive coach appointed ASAP who would identify the star players urgently needed.
Report abuse
Blackwell wants Halford on loan. Can’t we do a permanent deal with Sheff United and use him and his towel as makeweight for Kilgannon ?
Report abuse
21. I like Vokes but he is progressing nicely at Leeds and we will benefit from that in the long run so I say leave him to learn his trade. Sell Lumes and go get Kevin Davies I say. Still believe SEB will come good it took Bergkamp a year to get to grips in the Prem so even the best can struggle at first.
Report abuse
Regarding Sam Vokes – after a good start at Leeds, is he actually still getting the games? I may be off the mark, but recently he doesn’t seem to have featured much.
Report abuse
whichever way we look at it, all our strikers apart from doyle are really struggling in the prem, the service from both the wings and centre mid just aint there, and theres only doyle who seems to be able to find space and create chances himself. i dont remember lumes causing any hassle for city on mon night, they won every header from every corner and free kick into the box. we arent getting goals from midfield, (only milijas and edwards have scored this season). although henry is doing a half decent job, he never scored in the championship last season so he’s realistically got no chance of getting on the score sheet this time round, its ok having a holding midfielder if youve got the likes of gerrard, lampard, modric, faregas etc to compensate this, obviously we have nothing of the sort, if we dont buy a decent proven forward ie beattie,(stoke) and a decent on rushing midfielder, ie sidwell (villa) in january then i think the only way we can be successful in the new year is to play a 4-5-1 formation with 2 wide players, henry and mancienne in the middle, and milijas playing in the hole just behind doyle to help provide some small degree of a link from midfield to upfront, which at the moment is non existant. arsenal played 4-5-1 and beat villa on sunday, (at home) as did liverpool in beating utd (at home) earlier in the season, apart from that, god knows what we can do, bloody knackered after writing all that now!!!!
Report abuse
May I point out to you part time fans it took Steve Bull a long time to gel and score goals when he came to us so give Chris a chance
Report abuse
I am a fan of Sam Vokes but anyone who thinks he is doing well at Leeds is not keeping up. He cannot get a start or a goal in a free scoring team in League 1 so he is not the answer. Neither is Big Chris much as I like him. Kevin Davies suggestion is a joke as he will be on twice what any of our squad earns, and is not likely to be available anyway. I think the observation that Doyle normally has at least two defenders on him is accurate and comes from the fact that we are always playing quite deep – hence all the set piece goals. So a big, quick striker is what we need and a right wing as I have no confidence that Kites is going to be properly fit this season- any sensible suggestions?
Report abuse
29 – I can’t be bothered to look it up but I think you’ll find Bully scored a hatful straight away and by the time he’d been here as long as Chris he’d scored about 70 goals. No that any of that has any relevance to today’s situation.
Report abuse
No.24 I agree that MM has been brilliant for Wolves and we need to keep him. We need to build and that needs longevity plus financial help in that position. However, I do think your suggestion of a more tactically aware “assistant” is a great idea. Peter Taylor to Brian Clough!
Report abuse
29 yes but Bully was still young, and you dont get time to learn, in the prem, unless mad MM is your manager
Report abuse
no 29 – take your point BUT Bully was still taking any possible chance to shoot even tho most were way way off target – nobody currently (Doyle excluding) has confidence to try. we need a Kevin Davies/James Beattie to link with Doyle but don’t imagine they’ll be released
Report abuse
I agree,.. he did ok saying how long he had been out,..at least the ball stuck up front a little longer than with SEB, who sadly looks out his depth,…but more worryingly are already the little whispers coming out that we are not going to be doing much in the Jan transfer window and that M.M. is looking at Keogh, Kightly and Edwards to come back and make the difference….sorry if thats the case we are going down, knew when I bought my season ticket that it was all false promises and we as fans would get shafted again…and just in case anyone asks,..ive had a season ticket for 19yrs now
Report abuse
29 We’re going down faster than the Titanic. We need goals urgently. No time for anybody to “come good” As Andy Gray pointed out in the Man City match. “Only two of the players out there tonight have scored a goal in open play” Says it all mate!
Typical Championship players – clueless in the final third when faced with Premiership defenders.
Report abuse
I think we might have a small chance to bring Beattie in, Doyle and Beattie up front!!!!!!
Report abuse
MM and clipboard are not the men to take us forward. Tactically inept, Nuff said
Report abuse
14 JOHNWOLF:I have no choice in whether he plays or not Micko is giving him his chance I am just telling you and him that we need GOALS and this is what is required to be brought to the table more than headers and holding up the ball or physical presence.He can play in the last 18games then me and you can watch our beloved WOLVES in the championship!!
Time is not on our side to be giving this that and the other chances its a ruthless game and gambles have to be taken I know but the big man as never been a prolific goalscorer and if we are not going to buy anyone then surely VOKES can be given the chance as he will gain experience in the prem for when we come back again!!!were as chris will have moved on!!
Report abuse
The game is all about opinions JOHNWOLF I take on your point about giving chances but surely you are aware he will not score the goals or are you?
WOLVES need a proven goalscorer from the prem I am also aware such a purchase may not get the goals but we will be taking lesss of a gamble as we need goals.
All the domination in the 1st 22min against city how many shots did our strikers have ? NONE. And this as been the case for the whole season DOYLE is a good player but I am sorry he is never going to be 15plus goalscorer the best thing he does is stick his “PIGEON CHEST OUT” When running and walking on the PITCH!!
Stats say I am corect when he does have shots they are mere trickles!!!
Report abuse
the facts are that no matter who we have up front if mad Mick plays 7 defenders(with the keeper) and also a defencive midfielder in “the only way is back Henry” as he did against City we are finished, what chances are we going to create?, we had enough players on the pitch and bench Monday for everyone to play in their natural positions but no mad Mick likes to play them out of position,…hey Mick may as well give big George a go upfront!!
Report abuse
so we have mr trickle up front, mr bump on the wing (or treatment table), mr tall on the bench, mr brave in defence with his twin brother and mr fun giving great one liners after the match to sky and the press
how about mr fat cat telling mr fun how much he can spend before we mr bus !!!
Report abuse
18. Don’t say a lot for him then does it?
Lets face it Wolves are a championship side with a championship manager and play championship style
football. FULL STOP
Report abuse
30,Noisy said:
Dec 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm Well nice to see all the muppets back. Could you all make one of the following your New Year’s resolution:
1. Look up ’supporter’ in the dictionary (if you have one)
2. Apply for your ‘premiership’ coaching badges so you can take over when there is a vacancy (not for at least 6 months so you should have time to upgrade from your ‘B’ licences)
3. Go and be a ‘fan’ of another club (I could make a suggestion but even they don’t deserve you)
Is this really you who made these comments on the Wolves 0 Man city 3 page? Now you to be in line with most people.I too have followed Sam at Leeds very few appearances.
Report abuse
Great fella, great attidude
But off side way too much for me
simply put, championship forward.
sorry big fella
Report abuse
Chris is an honest guy but we should cut our losses and wage bill and ditch him ASAP. We need quality to survive and I’m afraid he just doesn’t fit the bill. Jermaine Beckford may be much hungrier.
Report abuse
44 – Malta
Not sure what your point is. I support the team and try to be positive rather than only writing comments that reflect the last game. This doesn’t mean that I cannot see where we are weaker and which players are good enough. I just despise the idiots who seem to have no other agenda than ‘thick Mick’ ‘muppet Mick’ etc etc and never make a sensible point.
Report abuse
noisy the sad fact is some people use this message board to have a pop at people and belittle them, dragging things up from days weeks or even months ago to stimulate what they think is a debate, they fail to see that it is a direct forum that is for now with issues that should be addressed now, there is no history to scroll back on and no way of looking back at previous posts made by people
so in short some people prefer to bully rather than debate ….an ego trip may be
personal remarks are never called for and people should concentrate on there point and not belittling others
Report abuse
47,Noisy—–Sorry mate did wish to offend just pointing out a slight shift in tone to the man c comment.Whilst i try to look on the positive side i am becoming increasingly frustrated not just with the last 2 games but the season in general.We are all entitled to our opinions and whether or not we agree/disagree we should respect that opinion.Have a very happy new year and lets look forward to a better 2010.
Report abuse
You too mate.
UTW
Report abuse
Looks like my little mole from down Compton way,could well be right.
Kilgallon/Commons in.
Halford out.
Report abuse
To all Wolves supporters wherever you may be…
HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR, AND WOLVES IN MID-TABLE!
Report abuse
42. ean33
Great posting, thanks for the laugh! Also agree with the sentiment.
Report abuse