Aston Villa 0 Wolves 0
Saturday 27th August 2011, 5:00PM BST.
Wolves and Aston Villa emerged with their unbeaten records intact after a low-key derby draw.
Mick McCarthy’s side will be happiest with the point, as Villa should have won after dominating most of the second half and creating the most chances.
Emile Heskey was inches away in the first-half from six yards out, and, after the break, Kevin Doyle nodded Richard Dunne’s header off the line and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey tipped over Chris Herd’s header, both immediately before the hour mark.
Wolves’ only serious chance came in the 20th minute, when the unmarked Stephen Hunt’s downward header was diverted wide by goalkeeper Shay Given at point-blank range.
But perhaps the biggest talking point was the crowd, with thousands of empty seats in the 30,766 crowd owing to the game being televised live with a 12 noon kick-off time and on a Bank Holiday weekend.
Wolves settled well but it was Villa who created the first chance, when Stiliyan Petrov drove a few feet from 25 yards after the visitors’ defence got sucked in to Heskey on the Villa left.
McCarthy’s side replied with Hunt’s chance from Stephen Ward’s deep cross.
But Villa had the best chance of the half in the 24th minute when Heskey got ahead of Christophe Berra to fire inches wide, after Gabby Agbonlahor got the better of Richard Stearman to send in a low centre from the left.
Chances continued to be exchanged and Jamie O’Hara was a foot over from just outside the box with a curling shot, after excellent link-up play between Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher on the Wolves left.
Villa continued to find their left flank a productive route and Stiliyan Petrov popped up there after springing the offside trap, only for Hennessey to be alert to smother his cross ahead of Heskey.
Villa ended the first half as the more dangerous team and young right-back Chris Herd wasted the chance to make a name for himself, getting underneath Petrov’s corner after climbing above Fletcher only to head over.
Villa quickly got on top after the restart and Agbonlahor got past Roger Johnson to see an angled shot smothered by Hennessey, Charles N’Zogbia curling a free kick straight at the goalkeeper after James Collins had been fouled in the follow-up.
Alex McLeish’s side cranked up the pressure and, with Wolves struggling to deal with Agbonlahor, the pacy forward saw a cross just evade Darren Bent by inches.
Then Kevin Doyle saved Wolves when he nodded Richard Dunne’s header off the line from N’Zogbia’s corner in the 59th minute, before Herd’s header was tipped over by Hennessey seconds later from Agbonlahor’s centre.
With Wolves being over-run, McCarthy made two changes to protect their clean sheet, bringing on Kevin Foley and George Elokobi for wingers Matt Jarvis and Stephen Hunt.
N’Zogbia wasted another chance when Wolves were caught dozing at a corner, firing well wide from Petrov’s flag-kick, Villa’s 10th of the afternoon.
But just as Villa were looking to crown their domination with a goal, Wolves came through the storm and quelled the constant pressure they were under, by keeping the ball better without creating anything themselves.
After a lull in the game, Villa emerged with a fine chance to have sealed it when Bent rose above Elokobi at the far post from substitute Barry Bannan’s superb cross, but his header landed on top of the net with Hennessey stranded.
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Poor performance attacking wise, but to get a draw is fantastic, and something we no doubt wouldnt have done last season. No doubt there would have been a few raised eye brows at his substitutions, but they turned out to be game changing and really gave us a chance at the end. I think this match, even though we wernt at our best shows how far we have come since last season. 7 points from a possible 9 is a fantastic start, hopefully we can keep it up.
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My god Wolves were shocking today. Doyle didn’t put a foot right…USELESS.
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I just cant help thinking that if Stefan was in the side we may have just clinched the game. Why oh why did you leave us STEFAN!
:)
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Just too feel Stefans embrace just one more time. How i long for him.
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A low key performance but a hard earned point.
Grinding out results like this demonstrates why we signed Roger Johnson.
Mick got the tactics spot on when he withdrew Hunt and Jarvis, it closed down the space and allowed us to start passing the ball around.
It goes without saying that Stephen Ward had another good game (sorry Numpties you were wrong again..).
Unbeaten after 3 games – it just keeps getting better……
UTW
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Good result-a game we would have lost last season-we did show tremendous spirit to withstand Villa’s second half performance!!!
7pts from 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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well another point, just, after a 2nd half battering it was nice to see the lads holding firm and then a fight back 7 points before September, make a pleasant change
UP THE WOLVES
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Already posted on “Saturday’s Match Action As It Happens,” and will simply add here by noting that we took out what we put in, which was a hard earned away point, against a local rival no less. Same starting eleven as previous two games. Many positives if one looks beyond the score line. That was a likely loss last campaign. Not with this hard hat crew! Expect our guys to get better, even yet, and turn some of these performances into three points when we get more experienced in this type of situation. Oh, and for a few minutes, just to shut-up our resident moaners, “We are Top of the League, I say. We are Top of the League!” UTMW!
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V good point…
Alot of the team was off-colour and one would not be overstating by saying it was a dissappointing performance and surprisingly at times we were out fought.
Doyle and Fletcher were very poor all game hardly kept the ball or made a decent pass.
20 minutes after the break our defence looked very frail.Johnson was caught out a few times,Berra is starting to look alot more composed.
Jarvis was poor and so was hunt,O’hara was better after the changes were made.Ward played ok and did more than jarvis did the whole game when ward was put in his place….
Foley as to be in the team as this lad is 7-10 player everygame.He can be the “denis irwin” for wolves.
One as to look at the 3 games played this season and say in terms of points we have what we deserve.
It would be nice if we could somehow bring in 2 quality players.”PLEASE”.
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We (Wolves) still urgently need a first class left back!
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Another competent performance, the defence for the most part kept it’s shape and when Villa did break through Hennessy was superb.
We had chances in the first half that should have been converted, but a valuable point that most of us would have settled for before the start of the game, and another clean sheet.
It was pleasing again to watch some of the football we played working the ball from defence up the field, and when the long ball was used it was effective.
Substitutions in the second half signalled that we were going for a draw.
Ward I thought had an excellent game and the pleasing part for me was the way he closed the attacker down, something that has been lacking in so many previous games.
After several good comments from McCarthy I was disappointed to read his comments yesterday about Henry being always on his team sheet, what does that do for players hoping to break in the team, which he has said before is possible, not a very bright comment on any player, no one should be told this by the Manager, will he never learn!
As I have said Henry has played very well for the last two games, however today I thought he was poor, reverting back to playing team mates into trouble.
I hope McCarthy doesn’t stick with Stearman at RB,he was exposed time again, Foley is the best RB, when will he concede this I wonder?
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A good point earned, would have taken that at the start.
Too many poor performances in mid-field and wide. Fletch & Doyle didn’t get the service to make them dangerous. Very little went right for O’hara. On a positive note, the defense did well and no injuries (I think) although Fletch got a sore foot. I’m loving this! Top of the Premiership! Hope Chelsea lose!!
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think today demonstrates the team spirit, we were 2nd best a lot of the match but never gave in,…but we do need some fire power up front, as well as pace…at the moment our only other striker is Vokes and that isnt good enough. lets keep it going now with two back to back home games to come another 4-6 points please!!
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Okay, #3 Maierhofer’s Men, because you have your trademark smiley face, does this mean you really feel the Hoff would have sealed the deal and knicked us all three points? Do you use these posts to rile the rest or are you actually serious this time? Let’s hope you get your German-Austrian honed and share as much, if your idolization of the Hoff, on his new club’s various blogs and websites, and save space here! UTMW!
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Baggie On Crack, we didn’t play at our best today but we still got a result away to villa. Need to play better next game and keep the run going. UTW
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BOC – Which goes to show just how far we have come. We were no where near our best and yet still scraped a point. Its something that the top teams manage to do all the time. Im actually more pleased having seen this performance as it shows that even when we dont show up, we are still a more assured side and capable of getting the points required.
Hopefully we will be back on form against Spurs, and pick up at least a point. Theres no denying that we have started this season brilliantly though.
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We were poor in many ways today, but it’s a valuble point and it’s importantant to grind out points when the team isn’t playing well.
I thought mick’s double substitution looked negative, but it seemed to steady the ship and we ended the game fairly strongly. I was hoping that Milijas would come on for either Henry (whose passing was negative and often put the recipient under pressure) or O’Hara whose passing was most often wayward and was not alone in having a bad day. Ideally I would like to see him play alongside O’Hara at the expence Of Henry, with O’Hara doing the ugly stuff that KH does, and Milijas proving some quick, quality balls to our front two. They didn’t get a look in 2nd half.
Still, Villa were a much sterner test than our previous 3 opponents so far this season and we got a point away from home. Ward looked one of our most composed players on the ball today, Berra is improving, Foley did well when he came on and we got a clean sheet- thanks Wayne.
Oh, and if I was manager, we wouldn’t currently be top of the league!!
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pleased to get the point but think the same as other fans we need a couple of quality players as we did seem to struggle for a good while in the 2nd half but we must say thank you to the boys and mick good subs do your best on monday and get some cover to help us keep up this brilliant start please. up the wolves
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very poor performance save henessey and Ward
The midfield especially O ‘Hara, were awful…to gain a point from this performance was really down to the keeper and Ward….more players needed me thinks
utw
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A point at Villa park, can’t complain about that. Have to say that O’Hara had his worst game in a Wolves shirt though, lost count of how many of his passes went astray! Hennessey kept us in the game, and Ward was our best outfield player today. UTW!!
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Wow ~(again).All the early posts are realistic. We were shocking for 20mins after half time,but determination and physical bravery kept us in the game. In football terms we didn’t deserve anything, but for digging deep and putting our bodies on the line we did. The substitutions were very unpopular in the crowd, but undoubtedly why we were fairly comfortable for the last 20 mins. 33 points to go to target 1.
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I will take a point and a clean sheet away from home but as a spectacle it was poor stuff from both teams. Our defense was fairly solid and when we broke down Hennessey did well.
Jarvis was quite atrocious in this game with Capello present and deserved to be yanked off. OHara had an off day and our forwards had little or no decent service.
One thing for sure it demonstrates our lack of depth in quality to be a consistent team. Another performance like that against the better teams will prove to be disastrous. The Prem needs to rethink the midday kickoff because both teams and the crowd looked half asleep!!!
Come on you Wolves
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MM tells us that HENRY is on top of his form and he shows that he is not a premiership player playing like a crab again. How MM can pick STEARMAN ahead of FOLLY is beyond belief. Not a good performance but we managed a point, we still need a LB and a ball winner in mid-field.It looks like MILIJAS has upset MM.
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What on earth was that? With the exception of Wayne, none of them were any good today. Constant passes to opposition, hardly a shot on target, Reversion back to the old hoof,head and hope mentality which I thought had gone.
Any more like that and we will not be in the top half for much longer! Great improvement next match is required.
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Let’s take the postives out of the last four games people, 1 goal conceeded, 3 clean sheets, 3 away games, and all four we all know we may have list a couple of years ago, has our time come yet, another 15 games will tell, but so far I am immensely proud of Mick and the boys and proud to be a wolves fan, u t w
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We must overlook the performance today..7points is a terrific return and we have 4 points from two away games.
Only said it last week will say it again as in his time in the premiership he as been given a terrible time by me and many others mostly justified.Ward my baby you have become a man keep it up kid it can only get better for you,I just cant help wandering did “trappatoni” say something to him as Ward is looking very much a premiership player….
Go and have a break lads and well played so far so good.
Thank you “wolves” come on me babbies………
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Great point today but a rather toothless display up front. Not sure whether it was the early kick off or a late night but the front two didn’t have a great day and both seemed low on energy.
Back four looked good until Nzogbia got the better of Ward. Although the substitutions did have an effect, would liked to have seen MM put on another CM, maybe Milijas and take off a forward (Doyle) when AV were on top. That we we may have stopped there distribution rather than dealing with the effect.
That might seem a bit critical given we gained a hard earned point which gives us a great start.
All in all a fantastic start and big up to MM and the team.
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It was clearly a game of ‘two good defences’,with Wolves defence being under most of the pressure over the 90mins. But you cant play exciting attacking football every match, sometimes you have to go away and defend well,and grind a result out,and in today’s match, that’s excatly what we’ve done. You must remember the onus was on them to attack, which they did,bit our defence stood firm/solid. Id like to say ‘well done again to Stephen Ward’ as i said yesterday i hope he could keep N’Zogbia quiet, which is what he did,so well done to him. I think Hennessey was clearly our m.o.t.m. he was top class,although modern day gk’s do worry me always pushing the ball out rather than holding it? But im more than pleased with a draw especially a ‘clean sheet’ again. And i think MM was right to withdraw our two wingers,and bring on two defensive minded players,as at that time Villa were over running us, but soon as they came on i couldn’t see a goal coming from either side and it had 0-0 all over it afterwards, so well played to ALL the lads,great point well earned. UTW:
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HOW FAR HAVE THE MIGHTY WOLVES COME
HOWEVER IT WAS LIKE A TRAING GAME TODAY AND BOTH TEAMS PLAYED FOR THE DRAW
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND THE BAGGIES ARE IN OUR SHADOW ONCE MORE LOOKING UP AND WISHING
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wolves were crap, expected a lot better
subs as expected, use to it now
good point though
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If that had been a boxing match, the ref would have stopped it! On a positive note, the defense played well – all be it riding their luck at times, and the result was more than we deserved. In previous seasons we would have lost that one heavily.
But midfield, attack, ball retention and attacking play were awful. We started well, and bizarrely may even have nicked it in the last 5 minutes, but overall that was a very poor Wolves performance.
Good substitutions probably saved us losing.
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FAIR PLAY TO THE WOLVES AN OFF PAR PERFORMANCE BUT STILL GRINDING OUT RESULTS LONG MAY IT CONTINUE
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10 Bickley Wolf – Good News we have a two quality Left Backs already at the club – Ward and Elokobi!
Just accept it and move on…….
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Decent point
Away, against another unbeaten team, clean sheet & top of the league!!!
Not great going forward but excellent defensively again!!!
Also McCarthy got his subs spot on & allowed us to get a foothold back into the game at a time when we were being overun, in the end we finished the stronger team & IMO a tad unlucky not to pinch it, though that would have harsh on Villa.
And for me it was a pen on Ward, but then unless we have a player broken in half we just don’t get them.
2 home games up next, let’s see if can can be unbeaten after 5 games, I think we can.
KTF
Wolvesforever
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ohara was awfully today and looked knackered at times would of like to see milijas given a chance for at least 20mins after his performance midweek! other than that happy with the draw and point thank god villa finishing was crap!
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ohara was poor and looked knackered most of the time,would of like to see milijas come on for 20mins after his decent performance midweek!happy with the point and thank god villa finishing was poor today!
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Thought we where poor at time today,it was only going one for the 1st 15min of second half. Did not agree at all with the subs MM made, but i was the fool. MM got it right. Before you can try and get anything from a game you have to make sure you dont loose and the subsitutions realy worked and got us the point. Small low today but still a good away point and looking forward to another high against Spurs.
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Yeah wasnt a great performance but lets get perspective 4 points from two away games 1 goal conceded in 3 games and we are defending much better as a unit. I agree there is massive room for improvement on that performance which is surely a good thing. No one with two braincells or more can argue that FACT!!!
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Poor game, evens 1st half, villa shaded it 2nd, good point for wolves. Well done and a very good start to the season, Bring on Stoke boing boing
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Hard earned point today.
We are not going to play free flowing football every game. Our main aim is still to build on the last two seasons and finish somewhere around mid table, although it is nice being top briefly.
Listened to the game on 5 Live and heard our fans singing Who the f*** are Man Utd.
(PRICELESS).
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Good point, first half we were neat and tidy but second half yeah Villa on top for 20 minutes and I feared the worse when big George came on to face the Zog but when the Villa winger was getting more in the game he was taken off, thanks Alex. Anyway 7 points and joint top with Chelsea couldn’t ask for better start but we all know we won’t be staying there for much longer so lets enjoy being second in the prem while it lasts!
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14 PLEASE READ.
14 ‘Seatle Wolf’?
Get a grip Grampar. Its nothing serious. Theres like a 100 posts saying all the same thing. I just like to try and bring a little light and laughter to this already sadisticaly broken envioment that we live in.
Seatle Wolf, you are a very dense homosapien.
Good day to Sir!
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Quite a few below par performances today.
Arguably our man of the match was Wayne Hennessey who made a few crucial saves. Stephen Ward also had another good game and set up our best chance for Hunt. Good decision by the manager in making the substitutions when he did. It effectively stifled Villa’s attacking play.
When you put it in perspective it was a valuable point gained. I’m sure that in the bar after the match it will be McCarthy buying the drinks with Mcleish drowning his sorrows.
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In certain positions this year, Last season we would have:
1. let in a rubbish goal late on at blackburn. -2 points.
2. Let Fulham back in the game at 2-0 and possibly just hung on. -0 points.
3. Deffo would have conceded today and would have suffered a 1-0 or 2-0 defeat. -1 point.
We have improved and not letting points slip from our grasp is a major confidence boost not just for the defence but for the team.
Long may it continue :-)
UTW
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A few people have said we would have lost this game last season !!! we won 1 nil.
very poor today for most of the game. midfield and attackers were very bad and its a good job wayne and the back four defended very well !!
sorry but henry back to what he does, nothing constructive very negative. but will say wasnt helped with very little offered up front.
clean sheet another point on the board but will need to play better against the spurs,
UTW
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We were poor on the whole today, can’t play well every game I suppose. There wasn’t much flair out there but we battled hard and gained a very good point.
Would still like to see us go for Nedum Onuhoa who can cover left back and centre half should injuries and suspensions strike. We may yet also get Spearing and the supposed comments of a month ago might just have been a decoy (perhaps we should have gone for Palacios at Spurs who is a good defensive midfielder who gets stuck in) Emnes from Boro or Sturridge would also be good now SEB’s crocked lets just wait and see.
Still be disappointed with anything below 14th place.
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great result but what was wrong with doyle he was really bad didnt seem interested (hope for no particular reason),when we knocked it about it was good but the high ball to doyle NEVER WORKED ONCE ! long ball at least hit them at fletcher please,but well done everybody
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Wolves were awful for most of the Game, but a point is a pretty fair result(Villa weren’t much better)…
Doyle and Fletcher were missing most of the game and O’Hara was terrible…
Hennessey is much improved, as is Berra…
Johnson is someone we’ve needed for a long time…
My Last words are for Ward who is the most improved player at Wolves, dropping him would be crazy just to appease transfer crazy fans…
I LOVE YOU WARD!!!!
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Only decent performance today was Hennessey. Henry needs replacing (yes he had an ok game against Fulham but was nowhere to be seen at Blackburn) & O’Hara can’t play in a 442. Johnson couldn’t make a pass and were Doyle & Fletcher on the pitch?
No ambition to win the game as seen by Mick’s substitutions. Yes you could argue that they quitened down Villa but should we not be trying to win those games? Need options before the window closes
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Pleased to come away with a draw with such a poor performance and lets give praise to Ward for yet again putting in another excellent effort.
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Remember MM talking about how we didnt ‘nick’ many points last season, well today we certainly did. And if were gonna be top 12 were gonna need to do more of that. Terribl game, deserved nothing but i would have taken a point before the game and happy with a point in refelction. 7 pts from 6. good return. well played lads
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A well deserved point and a clean sheet. However, we have improved from last season, but we seemed to be flat footed in midfield in 2nd half and lacking ideas. We didn’t hardly win a ball when it was in the air. Lack of fluid movement, there was plenty of space for players to go into and overlap on wings but it did not happen. Jarvis was okay but he lacks technical ability, ie. drag backs n step overs etc. Stearman! nice lad but not quite good enough, get rid! Henry! lacking insight, should have bought Millijas on for 2nd half. We still need at least two more players before it shuts, ie. Scott Dann and a midfielder, possibly another sharp striker as well. Looking forward to the Tottenham game, am sure we willgive them a tough game.UTW
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3&4, Are you stefans missus?
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What game where some of u watching Ward was good!! He goy skinned every time down the right and for stearman, he is just not a premiership player, when foley came on we looked better.
Doyle & flect where poor today, but overall pleased with point going away from home and not considing is pleasing to see!!
Please Mick , still think we need centre midfielder two defenders and 1 x striker
Up the wolves – Tottenham next and QPR hopefully 4 points out of these two games
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To put it into perspective, we’re 3 points ahead of what we got from the same three fixtures last year with one more clean sheet and one extra goal. Shame it looks unlikely we’ll be strengthening further in this transfer window as I think that could be the difference between seriously pushing for top half and simply flirting with it
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1 Nenad, Wouldn’t you look knackered most of the time,if you had a partner like his.
2 Good point.Disappointed how little Doyle and Fletcher got out of Dunne and Collins.
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I wasnt getting carried away by the 2 wins before this game.
we defended well, henn,johnson,ward did really well, but poor posession, and kept giving the ball away was own down fall. henry,ohara were poor on the ball and fletch and doyle didnt do enough up front.
Micks subsitutions made the difference and gave us the point. jarvis and hunt didnt have good games defending or attacking and foley and georgie did better. I’m not Mick’s biggest fan but this was really good management
We would have probably lost this game last season but didnt
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The whinings for another left back leave me speechless. Ward to me is a top notch defender. He has come on in leaps and bounds this season, did you whining doomsayers not watch his overlaps and attacking runs from left back and defensively he was sound playing on a top player. Get over it you lot. Foley to me needs to be our permanent right back, he calms the side down whenever he is on the pitch.
We played indifferently today but finished the stronger side. Keep it up Wolves you are doing each and every one of us proud.
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Never been an MM fan but today I thought he did good when we were clearly under the cosh. Better, I would have thought to have staggered the subs by a five minute interval. Milijas for Hunt. Foley for Jarvis. Ward off and G Unit into left back, perhaps we might have scored, later in the game. Keeping a rampant Villa at bay the most important aspect in salvaging a point.
Would have we got away with the same trick against top 6 opposition in another four weeks time……….I’m not so sure. Johnson great choice as skipper but a big bubble on his shoulders which is bound to burst under pressure as the season goes on. A left back of his caliber and we would really be meaning business.
UTW
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I agree with Wight Wolf (24) about the hoof, head and hope mentality. In the first two games they got the ball down to their feet, kept possession and then passed it slickly. Lovely to watch. That’s a major difference between strugglers and champs. Good result though. Let’s hope they learn from it. UTW.
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The beginning of the end. We’re going down.
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Apparently Villa’s lowest home crowd for 5 years says it all really.Very astute Villa fans not wanting to waste their hard earned money watching that dross.
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Is it just me , But when ever Foley comes on I breathe a deep sigh of relief and feel that the damage is not going to be that bad after all?
UTMW
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Defended well (Berra and Ward have improved and Johnson looks a great signing), but poor going forward. Good point, and great substitutions by Mick when game was slipping away.
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Grateful for the point. I’d gone for 1-1 but expected/hoped for a far better game.
As I recall it was a similarly disappointing match when Villa visited Molineux last year, maybe the wish for local bragging rights mitigates against an attractive spectacle.
I found the substitutions difficult to appreciate but I must confess the ship did steady a bit after they’d been made. However, George’s howler soon after he’d come on had the left flank gaping open, it made a point that’s been made before many times already, but it looks like Mick is going to have to soldier on with him. C’est la vie!
Top of the league again, even if only for minutes, so keep the wagons rolling!
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5 billy quiet. Why dont u just put this ward and elokobi thing to bed its boring. We aint signing a left back so lets all just forget it. Are we gonna have to listen to this drivel everytime they have a good or bad game?? there gonna make mistakes and they will have good games lets just get behind them. Personally i would like to sign a left back but its not gonna happen so i hope ward continues his early season good form and stays fit!
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No 6 Happy Clapper.
What’s with this
“a game we would have lost last season”?
This was actually a game we won. Can you
please explain what exactly your point is?
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Mr B Quiet – I wish you would remain so – on a day when Wolves ‘ground’ out a result and demonstrated a different quality to their performance you have to have a go at others – what is the point now of calling someone who offers an opinion a numpty. Any semblance of someone taking you seriously goes out the window and shows that you are no different to those who have showed their dissatisfaction at the 3 M’s or certain players in the past.
Cheer up.
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Why didnt milijas get a run today as his passing game may of been able to unlock the Villa defence as everyone else in the midfield either game the ball away easily or always looked back.
Proud of the team for the seven points out of nine.
UTW
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Having watched the match a further two times it was very apparent that physically the players looked drained.
The normal “HUNT” was so subdued that even his header was in slow motion.
Jarvis had the beating of “herd” but was never able to get out of first gear.
Fletcher and Doyle were not provided brilliant service,but when they did receive the ball they immediately gave it away,Doyle’s 1st touch was non existent.
I beleive that the players were running on empty.
I for one am pleased we have the break coming,on the other hand we cant afford players to go away on international duties and come back injured or even more tired..
Foley as to start,Foley is a very competent player and makes good use of the ball.
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Read the headline “Mick McCarthy on his bike”, if only ! Chaps and Chapess’, this dross is a more representative prediction of the season ahead rather than the could only dream about 7/9 points; I appreciate that MM is 300% better as a manager thanks to his education at the expense of real progress at WWFC, but he still is only at the level of the likes of Warnock,McLeish,Martinez,Bruce and Pardew; If Lambert and Rodgers had one season at the top level under their belts, they would be way ahead of Muppetto; Why isn’t he, dumber and dumber strengthening the squad now they have got a fortunate kick-start to the season; Get £20m+ out, buy a left back (£5m), quality midfielder (£9m), a fast striker (£9m), go for a top 10 finish, bank an extra £6m in place cash, get to FA cup final, another £6m, add some glamour to the image of the club after this runt of a game and Scote of a manager; MM out Paul LAMBERT IN !!!!!!!!
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Problem was we kept giving the ball away. O’Hara, Hunt and jarvis were disappointing in this respect. Because of this the back four were put under a lot of pressure, but, despite individual mistakes they dug deep and survived, particularly that 20-30 minutes of the second half. Stearman stuck to his job of marking probably their most dangerous forward, Agbonlahor, he lost him a couple of times but he battled well. Despite some of the comments on here Karl Henry played his part during that period and was unlucky to get booked because of an underhit pass from his captain.
Hennessey was excellant and had that little bit of luck with crosses he parried.
Praise goes to MM for his substitutions which swung the game back in our favour. Foley and Ward did really well in the wide positions. How many times have you seen a penalty given for that challenge Herd did on Ward ?
In previous seasons we’d have lost that match. A great point, lads.
30. YAAL. If Wolves were crap, how was it a good point ?….and I think you need to think again about your comments on the substitutions.
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A great start,but the game only highlighted the fact that we need at least two players to make us a real force in the prem.I would like to see us go for Roque Santa Cruz [on loan] and get a deal with Owen Hargreaves.Those are the two positions which are screaming out for improvement.On the plus side, the form of Wardinho has been exceptional so as that of Berra.I cant believe that McCarthy can say that he is happy with his squad as it stands.We now have a great opportunity to push on and be a real force, but this will only happen with the addition of a couple of QUALITY players. UTW
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Because of the high cost of tickets and the T20 finals at Edgbaston I watched it all on television. The worrying thing for Villa must be the amount of empty seats amongst the claret & blue faithfull. Is that a Economic or McLeish effect ?
The match ? Below par, but, definately a point well battled for by our defence, Henry and Foley when he came on.
Contrast the two late penalty decisions at Ewood Park against Samba and Villa Park against Herd. Hmmmm!
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both teams cancelled each other out, the vile had the better chances but wwfc showed they are made of sterner stuff this season.
apart from a one error from elekobi and a few mis placed passes from ,o’hara,henry and hunt, we dominated in defence, so much so that nzogbia had to be hauled off.
all in all 7 points from 9 ,2 clean sheets, top four after august, at the moment is very satisfying.
would be utterly depressed if after 3 games wwfc were bottom and out of the cup…
jack the hat from the dark side seems a bit quiet…. and long may it continue… utw
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Well played Wolves and Villa. Good start to the season for you both. 7 and 5 points from 3 games is not bad going in anyones book.
Boing Boing
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Wolves are back in their old ways, time to stand and stare.Also, players such as Stearman ,Henry, Doyle and Hunt do not seem to be able to read the game. In Hunt’s favour is his enthusiasm. How lucky we were yesterday. O’Hara , enthusiastic but his game yesterday was poor. For me, he is trying to hard to make up upon the defincencies within the Wolves team. When he was at Totenham he was OK with the good players and we have to realise, we have MM and they have Harry. As yet we have not met any team that is capable of taking us to the cleaners, but they will be here soon enogh, so MM, get wise As for Henessey and his fear of coming out and attacking the ball, well would you like to play behind the Wolves defence?
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I went to the game and yes it wasnt the best match I have ever watched(or worst tbh) the most disappointing issue was the empty stadium why didnt Villa knowing that the game was on the box make the tickets 20 quid and a tenner for kids there would have been a bigger crowd on both sides – £43 for a seat is way OTT
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Was at villa pk yesterday ,what a fantastic point,we met a team that was bigger and stronger than us and battled as hard as us, there was very little space for creatave players to display their talents , a few of our players where off the pace a little today . We started well for first twenty minutes and i thought the game was pretty even till half time hunt and hesky should have scored , 2nd villa threw everything at us ,the defence held firm, MC.Cartys subs changed the game back in our favour , we looked the more likely to score in the last 10 mins ,a deffo penalty for ward. and what about the morons booing mc cartys subs?.YOU Learn a lot about your team in a game like this full credit the kept battling and got a well deserverd point ,
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Yes the substitutions did work out well and probably saved the day but for goodness sake why is Foley not included from the start. Had he been, those in midfield may have performed much better and we could well have nicked all the points.
Against a better forward line it would surely have been three points down the drain. MM is gambling right now, we need two more quality defenders, one of course being a left back, failure to sign them this week will surely see us back in the basement and struggling.
Poor show considering all the current ‘Clapping’
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I reckon that we made more passes sideways and backwards than we did forward. Alas, similar to the last three seasons, yet opposite to the first two matches. Did MM go out for a draw I wonder.
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Huge problem when good players run at Stearman or Berra. Foley and a new central defender are a must. Johnson is so good he’s making Berra look almost Prem quality which we all know isn’t the case. Otherwise 7 out of 9 against three teams from the EPL group of “average “teams that we had so many bad results against last season is very encouraging.
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Ward has been excellent so far, LB is not what we need. After this match, Striker or CM is more what we are short. Like everybody saw, Doyle-Fletch was lacking today, SEB injured so we had Vokes. Vokes is not premier league level. In the bench only CM was Miljas, who is not very defensive. Thank God either O’Hara or Henry didn’t injured.
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Tonto,
As you are the only one that didn’t understand my comment!!
I will add the word ‘TYPE’ of game i.e. under the cosh and withstood the pressure and finished strongly thanks to MM’s subs.
Some people can’t think of anything constructive to say, so they have a ‘dig’ at people that do!!
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#42 Maierhofer’s Men…
Like I thought. So easy. Hook, line and sinker! You seem to be a low resonating, crank pot. Continue to add your banal humor to any forum you like, to support that status, and know I will be absent from keeping you company, responding as such, as with everyone else who clearly realizes your self-gratifying nonsense hits the target with just one plonker on these forums…sadly, just yourself. Cheers!
UTMW
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Well done on your fantastic start to the season,
I thought your defence played brilliant against a great Villa team and I thought you were unlucky not to come away with all three points which would have put you a deserved joint top.
It doesn’t do your start justice that you’ve started slipping down the league, I’m sure it’s only temporary and before much longer you’ll return to your right full place in the Premiership.
Adéu
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HAPPY CLAPPER 84,
I assume you mean people like Liverpool Wolves and Sir Billy Quiet & Bereton Wolf, to name but three, after Tonto, that is?
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Hennessey – Wolves MOTM
Ward – Excellent and I wasn’t a fan previously
Stearman – Tried hard but not a right back
Berra – Ok, not a lot of shirt grabbing
Johnson – Ok
OHara – Too many bad passes
Henry – The crab – why not try Milijas?
Jarvis – Ineffectual
Hunt – Inefectual
Doyle – Not at the races, requires service
Fletcher – Didnt get involved as above
Elokobi – OK
Foley – Good
Vokes – Can’t remember
Well earned point, though good job Insomnia often forgets to consider the ball when he is playing. Villa just shaded it but they weren’t anything special. McCarthy proved why he is manager and we are not with tactical subs.
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Still buzzing after a great point at the Villa, 5th in the Prem and only ONE goal conceded, and Stoke’s late winner and the Baggies points total.
Felt I needed letting down a bit, and sure enough reading some of the posts on here has done just that.
WHY SO NEGATIVE?
These are the best times at Wolves for 3 decades.
For heaven’s sake enjoy them!!
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Let’s put things into perspective
We went to Villa, who this year have spent £34m on 2 forwards & got the point most sane wolves fans wanted before a ball was kicked.
The plus points for me were the defence, yes we were not as fluent as we have going forward but at the same time I can’t remember Hennessey having to pull off any ‘worldies’
Let be happy with the point we deserved & move on to Spurs, who really didn’t deserve to have 5 put past them.
KTF
Wolvesforever
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Ok it was a bore draw but that’s fine with me I would have been glad with a draw before the game.
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Shall we sing a song for you?
to the song War:
Ward! huh!
What is he good for?
Absolutely stunning!
Ward! huh..
What is he good for?
Absolutely stunning!
Sing it again….
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84, Say what you mean, we’re not all so super intelligent as you, as my name probably suggests. I know my limitations, do you know yours? Maybe learn to type…….
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77 exWolfcub. Suspect you are not who you say you are because anybody who has watched Wolves over the last 12 months can see the glaring errors in you opinions.
One question. How’s Harry feeling this morning ?
Happy Tesco shopping
82 MiddleSborowolf.
For you information Berra has been almost error proof this season, whilst Johnson is still settling in and has made a few errors. However he’s a good leader and the whole team should benefit. Cut the sarcasm.
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Happy With the point! Andyes there does need improvemnt here and there but theres no pleasing some of you!!! Oh and BOC are you bored or something?? as you cant really write about your team you at the moment can you?!
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Mick’s complete negativity has allowed our rivals to steal a march on us. We are now 2 pts behind the two manchester sides and we allowed Chelsea to draw level with us – albeit they have played two relegation certainties at home.
But come the end of the season this negativity could be the difference between automatic champions league qualification and having to go through the qualifiers.
Bet Hoddle would haven’t have let tactics get in the way.
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no 67 tonto, i agree with happy clapper.
Remember we did lose the 1st game to villa last season to a late goal from heskey when stearman and elokobi were ball watching but that was at molineux.
lets see where we are in having played 10 games or so but i dont think buying johnson completes the jigsaw in our defence. I still think another centre back and full back would help and Ive said this so many times we also need a defensive midflelder who can can tackle, but also hold and pass the ball.
No disrespect to Villa but If we play with ohara and henry against the likes of man utd, liverpool, man city and they give the ball away like they did we will be routed.
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The Real Lincoln Wolf – I have plenty of constructive things to say. It just annoys me how many negative people there are on here. Im of the opinion if you want to see great football every single week, support Barca. We will always have shortcomings but as long as they give 100% Ill be happy. I remember the days of Mark Kennedy et al. too well.
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LIVERPOOL, Tranquillo is my point. Your annoyance with other people who don’t share your views often spills over into forms bordering on unpleasantness on these pages. What is constructive from one point of view is not always true from another. Sir Billys love affair with the S Ward is always summed up by himself as…get used to it….so…….
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A crap game, yes, and Wolves barely showed up, attacking-wise -but who cares? Undefeated in our opening three games says only one thing to me: Never mind the quality, feel the points!
As the away side, we’d all have taken a draw before kick-off and we got it, so job done. I wouldn’t fancy paying to see dire games like Saturday’s on a regular basis, but I can stomach the odd one -if I have to- if it means we get precious points on the board. That’s the third season in a row we’ve left Vile Park with at least a point in the bag, so I’m happy.
Oh, and we’ve lost only one Premier League game in the last seven, stretching back to last season, so that’s real progress in my book. So, very well done, Wolves -and that goes for Stoke City, too. Their late, late winner just put the cherry on top of a very nice cake. That’s just 1 win in 29 games for the Tescos against the Clayheads -including 20 defeats. You gotta laugh, aint ya? Lol.
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I thought Mick was bonkers when he subbed the wingers. But it was a brave call and he was spot on. If he hadn’t, we’d probably have lost. The game changed in our favour at a stroke AND we finished the stronger AND we nearly nicked it at the end with a couple of set pieces. Shame we can’t play Spurs sooner while they’re shaking. Can you imagine some overpaid big-time charlie asking Mick not to play him because he wasn’t in the right frame of mind? Nor me. Speaks volumes.
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Not the best of performances but encouraging we kept ourselves in the game when under lots of pressure and looked fairly comfortable last 20 mins after Micks substitutions. Yeah it was negative but it was important to consolidate the point as opposed to being caught trying to go for the win. Would of liked to seen Keightly on earlier for Fletcher and play as support for Doyle. I think Fletcher was struggling form the kick on the ankle first half….
Well chuffed with the start to the season but maybe the fact SEB (injured) isn’t in the squad now will make Doyle and Fletcher relax as opposed to putting pressure on them to perform everygame. I hope we can get 2 more players in the transfer window. A good defender and striker. I think we have enough in the midfield to get a strong team together especially with Edwards coming back from injury. Think hes a good engine…
Would take another point at home to Spurs but with the poor start to the season they’ve had no reason why we cant pick up all 3…. UTW
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I see Scott Dan is available for 5 Mill . I really think that’s a bargain that wolves should not turn down!!!!!
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I can not believe the comments on here!
A point at Villa park is a very good result for a club of our stature.
We were toothless in attack but strong in defence throughout. Mick’s substitutions rescued the game, securing us a point we looked very much like relinquishing with 25 minutes left.
For any numpty to call for MM’s head (!) at such a juncture is beyond ridiculous. The man’s already a Molineux legend – this season will hopefully cement that.
Once we go out and spend £400 million on our squad, we have every right to be disappointed with an away point at a top half team. For now, it’s cause for optimism.
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I sit here, read these threads and wonder if ANY of you lot were watching the same match as me!
I thought that we showed a more mature attitude to the match than we have in previous seasons. There was no “hoof-and-chase” just measured passing and keep-ball.
From 1 to 11 they played well. Villa were always going to have the lions share of possession, they were the home side and they came out second half firing. We withstood that and Mick made his substitutions. At the time I too thought they were a bit negative but he was right and I was wrong. They took the sting out of the game and stopped all of the Villa pressure.
It wasn’t a match for O’Hara’s expansive passing, or for flying wingers with overlapping fullbacks. It was a professional performance and I cannot remember Villa having a chance they should have done better with.
The Express and Star report above reads like Villa battered us, which even the most one-eyed Villa fans wouldn’t admit to.
Keep it up boys. WE ARE FOREVER WOLVES!!!
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