COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Wolves (A)
By Ken Buckley :: 06/05/2012 Two points dropped from a game that drove this fan mad as we produced the football that should have ensured a comfortable victory but a combination of poor first touches and lack of shots when we were in the box did for us.
16 Wolves were on course for equalling a Premier League record in losing 10 home matches on the trot and the faithful were confident we would help them achieve this but Wolves showed a defensive defiance that frustrated and in the end thwarted our quest for a goal: last-ditch tackles, bodies thrown in abandon to block shots and passes put up a barrier which meant, for all our excellent approach play, their keeper was rarely extended. Perhaps if they had produced this determination in previous matches, they would not have been Championship bound.
A first half saw the Blues dominate and flowing joined-up footie led to opportunities in the box but Wolves used a sort of funnel system that thwarted us time and time again. Pienaar schemed and probed once again underlining why it would be productive if a deal was possible in the summer. Jelavic and Faddy both went close before Osman was floored just inside of the box with the ref just feet away but he just shrugged and waved the play on. Since the diving controversy of a few weeks ago, refs seem quite unwilling to give any decision at all.
Pienaar then picked out Jelavic with a superb through-ball, the Croat strode on and planted the ball home only to be hauled back for offside, a decision that has since proved to be wrong. In that first half, Wolves seemed to be of little threat except from a couple of set pieces.
Half-time and the chat was centred on how on earth we were not at least three up. Also, the Wolves fans 'Gallows humour' in sort of celebrating relegation in song and verse. They did have time though to produce the tired 'Sign on' song by way of a taunt.
The second half was not much to write home about. We pressed but, without the urgency of the first half, it was as though the players expected a goal to turn up, such was our superiority; but expectancy is one thing, fulfillment needs to be worked hard for...
We had chances and none more takeable than when the excellent marauding Hibbert put in a superb cross that a man of Fellaini's height should have done much better with than heading over when afforded a free header in the six-yard box. Jelavic took a free-kick that had the keeper scrambling to his near post to parry away. Pienaar sent one over the bar as he shot whilst falling.
The game started to peter out as Wolves pressed when they could and did create some chances that ended the same way as ours had. A game with nil-nil written all over it was what we were now watching.
Before the end, Jelavic missed a great chance after being put through by Fellaini, when one-on-one with the keeper, he dragged the shot wide. In his present form, you would have wanted the ball at no other's foot. Stracqualursi, on as sub for Faddy, did have the ball in the net but the goal was ruled out for offside by Fellaini.
So the game ended in a disappointing draw and we left the ground leaving the Wolves fans to do whatever you do at your last home game when you have been relegated. MotM: Jagielka
Overall, best described as disappointing. We were miles ahead of Wolves and only managed a nil-nil which surely give Board, Manager and players food for thought as we will soon enter that summer transfer window which produces much talk on the OS and media but often ends up as just that; just talk.
A look at the bench today screams out for action but, being without money, the horse trading needs to start sooner than later. If we need to sell to buy then let's do it early and hope we get top dollar for our sale and the manager sign gems for buttons. Sounds fanciful but the state of the club as reported leaves little room to manoeuvre. I think in the main the fans understand our position but more and more would like to see some early action to at least give hope that we will look that bit stronger next term. Over to you, Board and management.
Newcastle next and a win will see us finish in 7th place and above our neighbours. To me, finishing 7th is far more important than bothering about the neighbours as it represents extra money and a bit of it just might go to the manager to trade. Newcastle are in good form but so are we and I am looking forward to a win from a tight encounter.
See you there to find out.
UP THE BLUES
Reader Comments
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And the problem I can see next week is we'll go into the game against Newcastle knowing a point will secure seventh and play for the point and get carved up by Cisse and Ba and Cabaye.
I noticed that Barkley was on the bench and didn't get a run and Cahill came off for Magaye. I would have liked to have seen Drenthe running at the defence but he is not one of Moyes's favourites, so it seems. IMO both Vellios and Barkley should have started and then changed it around after an hour.
Let's hope Chelski put The Victims to the sword once more this week and we wrap up 7th.
Our good form is very fragile, because we don't have strength in depth. One or two key players lose form or get injured and we're an ordinary side again. We're skint so Baines is the most likely cash cow, we surely cant let Fellaini or Johnny go.
Cahill continues to look pretty ineffectual when starting and our squad is thin. Imagine what would happen if jelavic was injured and we didn't buy pienaar....once again moyes needs to try and unearth some cheap gems in the summer.
Mikel suffered a bad last 12 months following injury, but his creativity alongside Pienaar was the most enjoyable football under Moyes. We had neither at the start of the season and the football was dire. Pienaar returned In January and there has been a distinct improvement - him being cup tied needs no more comment. But 1 man cannot do it all and for Moyes to rely solely on him shows his fear of creativity and his reluctance to gamble on anything creative. Osman might have quick feet but look at the stats, for a midfielder he has only created 3 goals this season and scored the same - that in my book is not creative nor is it an acceptable return.
Until Moyes gets a balance of flair, pace and workmanship and accepts that winning one game gets us more points than 2 shocking draws we are faced with more of the fare served up at Wolves. Despite all the possession real chances were few and far between and their goalie was in truth not very busy. Percentage football is all we will get, to not beat a relegated team and to have so few real chances against the worst defence in the league sums it up - not a knee jerk reaction this was just more of what we get on a regular basis so why are we surprised?
Spot on; 2 draws ( especially if, all things considered, it was there for the taking ) gives you 2pts...net gain +2
1 win gives you 3pts plus a spare game to maybe get another 3 pts...potential net gain 6pts.
QED
To be fair, not just in this game, even in some of the recent games we've won.
With a few of them, there's some shocking decision-making when it comes to picking that last 'decisive' ball.
We have possession, there's a lot of good movement, the ball is moved around well and then it seems a timer goes off in some heads that says "Well the time for this bit of possession is up, I have to play it, even if I know it's not on"
But.....we/they DON'T have to play it.
There's NO rush.
The 'trick' is keep it.
Keep moving, keep IT moving and space WILL open up.
Giving possession of the ball away without being FORCED to, is (imo) a crime.
This conversation would'nt have been possible though before January, as we were were pretty clueless. Progress at least..
The Blue fullback is trapped with the ball at his own corner flag surrounded by 6 of the rs opposition.
Q) Who is the attacking team blue or red?
A) Blue! he has the ball, you can't score without it.
It was two points dropped, but you can also look at it as a point away from home albeit against a piss poor side.
So much for Barkley getting game time.Barkley should of replaced Timmy. and Baxter should have replaced Jimmy Mc.
Was disappointed leaving the ground as already stated two points lost.
Wolves are relegated. On paper we should have smashed them. But last week this team put 4 past the much hyped Swansea. United only managed 2 against the same opposition.
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285 Posted 07/05/2012 at 01:41:27
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Osman, Hibbert, Jagielka and especially McFadden, Straq and Gueye......in the name of Christ, Allah, Buddha, Preki and Howard Kendall, please just go! Go!
To see Round trying to explain it all afterwards and saying he would have been delighted with 7th at the start of the season was the final insult. We will never win anything under these people.
I'll be booing certain people during the lap of honour next week, including Moyes. Not good enough.