No going to score the players as I cannot comment on commentary.
Much much better, hopefully will keep it up. Midfield younger and quicker will mean we attack better.
from Commentary,
Lescott, sounded near his best a few slight problems.
Rosa, Ince, Frank and miller were Awesome as was Aliadiere
Tomasz
11-03-2006, 17:26
Just got back. Whole team played really well, should have "put
them to the sword" but it's a good win against a team doing well in the
league, and I think that puts us sixth, get in! :D
bod101
11-03-2006, 17:27
if they played like that every game then we would probably be top.
the tempo was far quicker than usual and slightly more direct passing and movement, would this have anything to do with the absence of kennedy and anderton?
good performances all round and enjoyable to watch.
Tomasz
11-03-2006, 17:28
would this have anything to do with the absence of kennedy and anderton?
I'd be interested to see the stats on results when Kennedy's been playing and results when he hasn't...
bod101
11-03-2006, 17:30
saying that though, it maybe also to do with the absence of cort as without him the lazy option of punting the ball long isnt there.
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 17:33
Guys who went... Frankowski sounded as though he played well. did it seem as though he played well ?
Wayne Clarke seemed impressed and kept saying once he got a few more games got up to match speed he would be a good option.
Wombourne Wolf
11-03-2006, 17:33
Great performance, every one was superb. Miller MOTM
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 17:34
Wombourne surprised me..
On commentary sounded like Rosa first half, with Aliadiere as overall MOTM
Tarcisio Mifsud
11-03-2006, 17:37
The contributers who were present for the match are now on line, how about getting a more detailed verdict please? Thanks in advance.
Wombourne Wolf
11-03-2006, 17:49
Miller, Aliadiere, Rosa and Lescott all stood out, but i thought Miller for his effort, running and commitment overall shaded it. We dominated from start to finish and must of had around 20 efforts today. I was hoping Frankowski would break his duck before the end but unfortunatly it just wasnt going for him.
As for Cardiff you can tell they are a team made up of Albion rejects, really awful. Especially Ardley on the right, he got caught out time and time again.
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 17:51
Thanks Wombourne
Wombourne Wolf
11-03-2006, 17:54
From where im sitting Koumas was lucky to stay on the pitch for a 2 footed challenge on Rosa, but its difficult to say if he made contact. Aliadiere was quick, tricky and supplied the first with a great ball across the six yard box. Rosa was full of running and even got stuck in now and again. But going forward we looked immense, everyone was up for it today, movement, pace and quickfeet. Although last ten minutes we could of added one or two more but Aliadiere, Miller, Ricketts, frankowski were guilty of being too kind and trying to set one another up for a simple finish.
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 17:58
Womborne I still think we lack confidence to shoot. we tend to over play... hopefully that confidence will come
GG27
11-03-2006, 18:15
except for a 15 min spell at the end of the 1st half totaly dominant.Jerome hardly had a kick Lescott was top draw today, Edwards steady as ever ( especialy after being switched back to right back 2nd half) Gypes unsure at right back commanding in 2nd half, Naylor not at his best but pretty good going foward , Rosa the new Cameron?? Lots of running lacks a bit of quality good workmen like performance, Ince seamed a bit more like his old self bossed the midfeild let the others do the foward running, Rickets poor 1st half much much better 2nd half , had a few chances to score.Miller MOTM 1 of the best performances i have seen from Miller (i am STH of many years!) full of running real danger when he ran at them maybe should have been a bit more selfish on occasion?Frankowski encouraging, better distribution needs a gola to see the best of him i think. Clinical Ali different class he's got pace to burn very skillfull will definatly score more goals if we get the ball to him , tired late on. The best home performance of the season for me, enjoyed it for a change!!smileys/smiley32.gif
holloholloway
11-03-2006, 18:17
and your thoughts on hoddle
GG27
11-03-2006, 18:23
Well it was definatley more of a 4-4-2 today for me so he got that right , no Cort , midfeilder's who like to go foward , strange to start with Gypes at R/back , but switched it at half time , so overall i would say he earnt a quater of his £10k today smileys/smiley2.gif
Wulfhere
11-03-2006, 18:27
I actually enjoyed it, one of perhaps three or four games that I have enjoyed this season. Miller and Alliadere were brilliant, I thought Gyepes and Edwards also played well when they played in their correct positions, Lescott and Naylor also had their best games for weeks.
Ince did OK, Rosa made a lot of good runs and was generelly positive, Ricketts did OK buy neither Rosa or Ricketts win the ball or make any great contribution defensively, today it did not matter on another day if might and they may struggle away from home.
Frankowski will probably be a good player in a 4-4-2 but is too lightweight to lead the line, nice turn for his penalty, he got what he was looking for.
The really good thing about the game was instead of passing infront of the Cardiff defense Miller and Alliadere kept running at them and they had a great deal of trouble containing them. A bit more pace from midfield as well with Ricketts and Rosa, they are not the bravest of players but preferable to Anderton and Kennedy IMHO.
We played well today against what I thought was a poor Cardiff outfit, If you want to be critical we should really have won by a lot more.
Edited by: Wulfhere
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 18:32
Wulf he led the line preety well today. He played better than Cort has since Cort came back from injury. So i'll take Frank over Cort at the moment.
As for lightweight Rosa etc. if we move the ball that quick and work that hard then i'll take that over Kennedy and Anderton. We really did move the ball at pace toda. On paper this looked one of our hardest games and we totally dominated.
holloholloway
11-03-2006, 18:32
So are you saying you would have been happier with cort instead of frankowski. Would you say frankowski looks worth 1.4 mill?
Wulfhere
11-03-2006, 18:39
So are you saying you would have been happier with cort instead of frankowski. Would you say frankowski looks worth 1.4 mill?
If we continue playing our current system then I consider he is a waste of money, if we play 4-4-2 he would not get in the team ahead of Miller or Alliadereat the moment. Cort make a great defensive contribution at set pieces, Cort is better in the air and has scored 10 goals this season.
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 18:46
So are you saying you would have been happier with cort instead of frankowski. Would you say frankowski looks worth 1.4 mill?
If we continue playing our current system then I consider he is a waste of money, if we play 4-4-2 he would not get in the team ahead of Miller or Alliadereat the moment. Cort make a great defensive contribution at set pieces, Cort is better in the air and has scored 10 goals this season.
Cort has played 23 games and scored 10 goals.
Frank has played 1 full game, 2 games being subbed and 3 games has sub. Today we sounded far more mobile up front, the interchange play was better. the ball seemed to stick, for a big guy Cort does not hold the ball up well (it has never been his game). Frank seems far more mobile, and his touch seems better. All this obviously from listening to =commentary not from first hand view.
Papa
11-03-2006, 18:55
Complete Joy - Well done Glenn Hoddle your boys done you proud. Highly fluid and purposeful team effort. That's the Wolves we want to see and know they are capable off. Hope the w!$*uz on the fringe takenot.
Postma - Still looks fat but never really tested
Edwards - Dunno, Ok. Got stuck in. Freezes in the final third.
Naylor - Naylor again. Cant help but hate i mean love the guy.
Gyepes - Splendid
Lescott - Class on the ball but had an easy afternoon and flaps at crosses and corners.
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
Ince - The Guv'nor. Dont think he's got another season in him though.
Miller - MoM. An absolutely outstanding performance. Cardiff had no answer, just want the bloke to break the net from thirty yard's every so often.
Ricketts -I dont rate him one bit but he made himself available for a pass. Wont do it consistently. He'll be $$$$$$$in $$$$$ next week.
Aliadiere - Close second toMiller. Instrumental in our dominance. Get's the ball and head's for goal, very neat footballer.
Frankowski - He was excellent today, held the ball up well and passed excellently. Must be a c*!$! to mark.
PS Koumas was the player of the first half. Head and Shoulders. Was unlucky to get booked as well - best tackle i've seen at the Mol for yonks.
Edited by: Papa
RyanWolf
11-03-2006, 18:57
Surely Hoddle must take note that a 4-4-2 is the way forward sans Kennedy and Anderton.
glasgowwolf
11-03-2006, 18:59
Ryan Not sure they played 4 4 2, it sounded very much like 433, but with a quicker midfield and a more mobile front three
Brizzlewolf
11-03-2006, 19:03
Encouraging but with Aliadiere and Miller being the best out there and neither featuring after the end of the season....
Aliadiere...........Frankowski...............Mille r
Hoddle confirmed this in the interview on the wolf. Why people find it so hard to see i really don't know. smileys/smiley5.gifEdited by: ProudWolf
Hibbitt was King
11-03-2006, 19:12
Today showed why Miller's best position is in a free role behind the forwards. He was so much more like the player who came to us on loan.
He may prefer to play as a striker, but he's far more effective for the team when he plays like he did today.
Papa
11-03-2006, 19:15
Hoddle confirmed this in the interview on the wolf. Why people find it so hard to see i really don't know. smileys/smiley5.gif
smileys/smiley36.gifsmileys/smiley36.gifDid he $$$$$$$. It was 4-3-3 all the way except they kept an eye on Koumas more the second half.
WorcesterWolf
11-03-2006, 19:22
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
Papa
11-03-2006, 19:26
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
On reflection he was superb and i'd sign him upbut he's the sort of player who frustrates me because you never what your going to get - needs time to settle i suppose.Edited by: Papa
saturday boy
11-03-2006, 19:28
Gypes, Lescott and Edwards played as a three in the first half quite clearly. We became more defensive when Cardiff had the ball but I wouldn't call it a traditional 4 at the back. Whoever was around at the time tended to slot in.
Frankowski and Aliadiere were playing as a conventional front 2 with Miller and Naylor both getting forward down the flanks.
Second half was very much a 4-3-3 with Miller on the left and Aliadiere on the right with both players preferring to cut in more often than not.
WorcesterWolf
11-03-2006, 19:48
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
Time will tell. NO GOOD.
Plays with 100% effort and passion, runs at defences, has undoubtable quality. No doubt you want Kennedy or Sicknote in the side instead then.
FoetalYouth
11-03-2006, 20:03
I'm in shock, I've come away from a Wolves game after being entertained, with fast, flowing, attacking football.
Dave Jones was treated to a standing ovation from the crowd before kick
off, which he certainly seemed to appreciate. Wolves took the lead with
a cracking goal, Aliadiere's sublime first touch put him in perfect
position to square the ball a yard off the goal line for the onrushing
Rosa to tap in. We continued to have most of the play for the rest of
the first half, I can't remember Cardiff having any real chances.
The second half was delayed for quarter of an hour by some Cardiff fans
in JL7 who had taken it upon themselves to start scrapping with the
riot police. No apparent interferance by any Wolves fans, the other
three sides of the ground just amused themselves watching those idiots
get kicked a bit by the police before calm was eventually restored.
Second half we were producing more of the good football we played
in the first, Rosa, Ricketts, Aliadiere and especially Miller were all
getting joy from running at the aging Cardiff backline. The game was
wrapped up when Frankowski was knocked over in the box, Miller coolly
converting from the spot. Frankowski was unlucky not to get on the
scoresheet, countless centres that would have given him tap ins were
cut out by the Cardiff defence.
Ratings:
Postma: Very little to do, almost fluffed one save in the first
half but managed to dive on the ball after spilling. Kicking better
than it was, still leaves a lot to be desired. 6
Edwards: Quiet game, started at centre-half before moving to
right-back. Not much to do defensively or going forward due to our
all-action midfield. 6
Gyepes: Fantastic. He's a great presence at the back, and made a Lescott-esque forward run in the second period too. 8
Lescott: Much better from him today, far more assured, no $$$$$$$-ups this week. 7
Naylor: Not good, not bad, standard Naylor performance. Someone please keep him away from the set pieces. 6
Rosa: Tapped in the goal well, another all action performance, picked up a knock 2nd half, subbed for Davies. 7
Ince: A quieter game today, did his job, had 2 runners in midfield alongside him so he didn't have to. 6
Ricketts: I thought he was excellent today, worked his little socks
off, ran all over the park, and put in some terrific crosses. 7
Aliadiere: Excellent. He's a class act and should be playing
premiership football. Set up one, could have set up three or four. 8
Frankowski: No goal again for the little Pole, but a better
performance, playing mainly in the centre. Caused problems for a
defence who had to look after him whilst Aliadiere and Miller ran at
them from the wings. 6
Miller: Also excellent, full of running again and scared the Cardiff defence s!$*less. Deserved a goal today. 9 MOTM
Sub:
Davies: Took over from Rosa, game was over by the time he arrived. 6
If we play like this for the next 8 games I have no doubt we'll
reach the play offs. Funny how we always seem to play well when
Kennedy's out of the side.</span>
Papa
11-03-2006, 20:06
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
Time will tell. NO GOOD.
Plays with 100% effort and passion, runs at defences, has undoubtable quality. No doubt you want Kennedy or Sicknote in the side instead then.
Edit. Silly post by that Papa idiot.Edited by: Papa
Essex Wolf
11-03-2006, 20:10
Just got home about 5 mins ago and for first time in ages it was a good journey home.
The overall team performance was far better than of late with all departments working well.
Should have been a bigger scoreline but I'm not moaning.
MOTM was JLo for me who gave the Cardiff attack no time or room.Chuffed for Rosa and the whole team looked far better.
WorcesterWolf
11-03-2006, 20:12
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
Time will tell. NO GOOD.
Plays with 100% effort and passion, runs at defences, has undoubtable quality. No doubt you want Kennedy or Sicknote in the side instead then.
He's not good enough. END OF
Well personally I disagree. But lets leave it at that eh. We don't want a 'fight' breaking out between our own fans, should leave that to Cardiff.
Gio Pippinardi
11-03-2006, 20:21
Rosa - Irritating today like a nettle rash. I dont rate him one bit, he's one of those busy pointless players who has a good game every four. Hopeless unless the team is playing well, Bruce Willis today though. Yippy yaye eye !!!
That has got to be a joke smileys/smiley36.gif
Time will tell. NO GOOD.
Plays with 100% effort and passion, runs at defences, has undoubtable quality. No doubt you want Kennedy or Sicknote in the side instead then.
He's not good enough. END OF
Well personally I disagree. But lets leave it at that eh. We don't want a 'fight' breaking out between our own fans, should leave that to Cardiff. He is better than Dead Anderton and Mark Kennedy as a central midfielder.smileys/smiley2.gif
dr cool
11-03-2006, 20:30
Encouraging but with Aliadiere and Miller being the
best out there and neither featuring after the end of the
season....
jeremie might be with us when we get promoted ..
drsmileys/smiley16.gif
derbyrameater
11-03-2006, 21:30
If we had lost this game I would have still enjoyed the way we played, by far the best since the beginning of the season.
Why can`t we have half time entertainment like that when its a boring game. Did the riot police, when they appeared raise the temperature. According to WM it was the plods that delayed the restart, would it have calmed down if there had been something to watch on the pitch? bought back memories. Felt sad for the the peeps not involved trying to get away from it.
The game itself, a deserved win that wasn`t papering over the cracks like some of the recent ones.
Postman pat, not a lot to do, 1st half was rooted to his line on one occasion when the ball was scooped up in the air and was coming down around the pen spot.
Edwards better at right back
Ghippesh better at centre half
Lescott some excellent work with ball
Naylor some won`t like to admit it but he put ali away for the first goal, the new free kicks almost worked, for anyone but the blind.Good link play with Miller
Rosa looks like a new mickey
Ricketts more of a linking game spreading the ball to the wings also some neat touches through the middle
Ince some tough tackling in the pudding in the middle
Miller joint MOTM, looks a much better playerwhen givenan almostfree role behind the front players, when running through the defence their two centre halves really tried to butcher him
Ali joint MOTM really intelligent running on and off the ball, tired in 2nd half, seemed to switch with miller in 2nd half to the right side
Franki a hell of a lot of positive movement off the ball creating space for others to run into and surprise surprise they were doing it, can jump a bit for a midget, knows how to use his body which I think is how he won the pen, running for the ball then decellerated a little and percy went straight into the back of him, then couldn`t stop himself from giving what looked like a little pushsmileys/smiley36.gif
Pitch a bit of a pudding in places
Ref thought he bottled it a bit in 2nd half whether that was to do with what was going at the side, who knows
Ball Boys did they draw straws for the 2nd half, they should have put that useless tart over there she coswould have learn`t to run fast, they were looking over there shoulder for the rest of the game
Tactical, we were lucky they didn`t capitalise from 3 or 4 corners and a few free kicks they had a spare man at the back totally unmarked, this is not a new error, we seem to got to sllepEdited by: derbyrameater
The Bear
11-03-2006, 21:50
I thought Frankowski looked quitegood today. His movement was much better and he was only just stopped getting on the end ofsome squared balls a couple of times. It was a superb little diagonal run into the box for the penalty. Exactly the sort of movement I like to see forwards make.
He still gets knockedabout too easily though and sometimes could do with making a bit more 'perceived' effort by chasing balls a bit further. Looking a bit more promising now though, and maybe needs a run in the team alongside Miller and Ali to build up his understanding of his team-mates.
Ali wasgreat and looks really dangerous when he cuts inside, as was Miller when running with the ball from deep. Both superb, and gave their defence a torrid time.
Lescott was back to his imperious best and never gave Jerome or Thompson a sniff. Gyepes struggled a bit in the first half to win headers but was also imperious in the second half. Tried a Lescott style run through the middle and almost created a goal!
Our midfield today was much, much better. Ince defended superbly and his positioning was spot on in every occasion. Ricketts and Rosa both wanted to get the ball forward quickly which is something we've been lacking with Anderton and Kennedy. Rosa is a strange one because he's not a tackler but closes players down quickly and never stops running, with or without posession. Deserved his goal.
Naylor was superb in the first half, playing more as a winger than a full-back and combined well with Aliadiere several times. Virtually all of our attacks started with a short ball to him and him running forward with it. Definitely one of the unsung heroes today (and many other games) for the amount of ground he covers and attacks he initiates.
All in all a fantastic performance full of pace, creative passing, movement and chances created. I fully believe that apart from Ross instead of Edwards at RB and maybe Davies in midfield that is our STRONGEST line-up we can put out.
I was buoyed when I read the team and the performance was infinitely better than most games this season. If Hoddle changes this team from now until the end of the season for anything other than injuries he deserves to be buggered with a taffy-stained police baton.
Wulfhere
11-03-2006, 22:23
Gypes, Lescott and Edwards played as a three in the first half quite clearly. We became more defensive when Cardiff had the ball but I wouldn't call it a traditional 4 at the back. Whoever was around at the time tended to slot in.
Frankowski and Aliadiere were playing as a conventional front 2 with Miller and Naylor both getting forward down the flanks.
Second half was very much a 4-3-3 with Miller on the left and Aliadiere on the right with both players preferring to cut in more often than not.
We clearly did not play a orthodox 4-3-3 or wing back system it was a but of both. When Naylor goes forward the defense shuffles across to cover and then we have three at the back. It it sort of a half wing back system. One point, when Naylor takes the corners on the right it leaves us very exposed on the left hand side. Alliadere did get closer to Frankowski when Naylor pushed on he was sort of half in half out at times. I like him when he gets out wide and he has space to use his pace but there is no doubt that the movement and pace of Miller and Alliadere is what won the game for us IMHO.
I don't think that you consider that Miller played a wing back role, he played as a attacking right sided player who defended covered defensively when it was required. I think in the seconf half it looked a bit more balanced because Edwards was more comfortable than Gyepes in the right sided role.
Jim Bowen
11-03-2006, 22:26
Good to see Gyepes back, his no nonsense defending is just what we've been missing. He also brings the ball out well and more often than not plays the simple ball, not just hit a aimless long ball up field.
Lescott was back to his sublime best and apart from a couple of miss placed passes he was immense. Cameron who? made him look like an average Championship striker.
Ricketts was good, needs to get more confidence in front of goal, in the second half he had a couple of half chances but took too long to make a decision so the chances went.
Rosa - I'd prefere Davies but thought he did okay, nothing special, but does the simple thing, got the ball wide quickly, plays the ball into feet. Good celebration too, celebrated like he'd won the World Cup. smileys/smiley4.gif
Aliadiare - premiership quality. Has pace, good first touch and superb technique. If only we could have got him a few months earlier. Would like to see him playing on the shoulder of the defender, I think he'd do a lot more damage!
Miller - My man of the match by a mile. Great first touch, linked up well with Naylor and Ricketts in the 2nd half. But his driving down the right in the first half was superb and even got a few decent crosses into the box. Took his penalty well.
Same team and system next week Mr Hoddle!
Wonder Boyo
11-03-2006, 23:23
Just got back after an agonising journey on Virgin Trains....however I really enjoyed the game today. My only complaint would be that this time we really didn't "put them to the sword". We could have scored 6 or 7 with the chances we created. We are still guilty, particularly in the second half, of trying to walk the ball into the net. Sometimes somebody just needs to shoot.
I'm really pleased Jones got a standing ovation which was received well and that Kevin Cooper was also clapped on to the pitch. Good attitude by the fans, made me proud. In fact the fans were great from the start, supporting the team but still managing to give Koumas and Purse the bird. As for Koumas, you can tell he fancies himself but he would have been a great addition to our squad (he won't ever be coming after his reception today). Thought he was superb in the first half.The whole half time thing between the police and Cardiff fans looked a bit nasty. ON the way home I listed to Cardiff fans calling Talk Sport who all said the WM Police were over reacting and heavy handed. I can quite believe that from what I saw.
Postma - No major saves but looked sfae when called upon - 7
Edwards - Did well, coped with what little he had to do - 7
Naylor - Tried a lot of "stuff" going forward and you have to give him credid for being brave enough to have a go but gave the ball away a lot - 6
Gyepes - Solid - 7
Lescott - Had CJ in his pocket, some superb tackling. A couple of dodgy passes - 8
Rosa - Created a lot and did a lot of good running off the ball, especially in the first half. Lightweight in the tackle - 8
Ince - Good solid, commanding display - 7
Miller - MoM. A superb performance. His attitude is top notch, gives absolutely everything. Brilliant running at defenders time and time again. I really don't think he should be taking corners though. Surely he should be in the box when we have corners - 9
Ricketts -Good performance. Made himself available going forward, some good passes and not afraid to havea shot - 7
Aliadiere - Ran Miller close for MOM. Has class, Cardiff defenders were frightened of him with good reason. Good running off the ball and good work for Rosa's goal - 9
Frankowski - Very good today, seemed to play better with Ali and Miller without Cort. Held ball up well and good running off the ball. He always looks fed up though! - 7
Goldwolf
12-03-2006, 00:07
Most of the posts are agreeing pretty much on the player scores and I'd go along with them, with Miller my MOM.
What I thought might be worth looking at is what exactly was different to the dreadful display against Stoke. Two things really stand out to me.
1, The player changes
Firstly having Rosa and Ricketts in the midfield in front of Ince, instead of Anderton/Kennedy, gave us much more movement and energy. Rosa was better in the first half and Ricketts in the second, but their constant running and pace dragged Cardiff around and made spaces for the strikers to exploit. We all think that Kennedy and Anderton slow the play down too much and today just provided ample evidence that this is true. We were much sharper at getting the ball forward.
The swop of Frankowski for Cort was being hailed on the radio as being significant by some. Myself I'm undecided on how critical it was. For sure Franky played the best game I've seen him have. He got more involved, he linked well with Aliadiere and Miller and he was unlucky not to score. He was certainly in the right place for a few second half crosses that were desparately cleared. However I can't help feeling that the way we played today would have meant Cort would have had one of his better games too. Of course this can't be proved so I'll give the Pole the benefit and say he did improve the side.
The return of Gyepes was welcome. As has been noted he had an excellent game once he was playing down the middle rather than right back.
2, The formation change
As this is Hoddle we are talking about it is still hard to describe the formation today, but it was definitely altered from the Stoke game. Although not a straight 4-4-2 there was a definite shift towards that with Miller tending to stick to the wing and Aliadiere staying more central. Hoddle spoke on the Wolf about playing different formations when we were defending or in possession, with both full backs playing as wing backs. All I can say myself is that the full backs were looking to push forwards. Hoddle also said we shifted back more towards 4-3-3 in the second half which was evident with Aliadiere moving further right. But as both he and Miller were causing Cardiff nightmares with positive forward running from their wide positions and the goal attempts continued to flow then no-one was complaining.
Whatever the net outcome it worked, we looked a million times more potent than on Tuesday and the only criticism is that we should have scored more goals. I think we were helped by a Cardiff side who came to play but ended up having a very bad day at the office.
So next week, do we get Jekyll or Hyde?
Zigzag Wanderer
12-03-2006, 02:02
Would like to see him playing on the shoulder of the defender!
A-ha, Jim lad!
28th March 1965
12-03-2006, 02:41
I hate being entertained therefore thats why I only comment on defeats............We want Hoddle out at the end of the season and those $$$$$$s on the pitch play like that......$$$$$$$ing traversty.....
I do tend to agree with somebody above that Rosa is pretty crap..........He runs about like a headless chicken looking all busy and that but rarely does he win a ball and do something with it....
Papa
12-03-2006, 02:57
I do tend to agree with somebody above that Rosa is pretty crap..........He runs about like a headless chicken looking all busy and that but rarely does he win a ball and do something with it....
I dont know what think about him if i'm honest but i've had a few beers and on reflection he was very good today so i take it back. Every one of those players was a credit to the shirt todaybut i just dread themall playing like muppets next time out. I thought it was the same system as Tuesday but they were completely different in every respect - cant work the swines out.
Kenneth and Jeremie were nothing short of exquisite and the passing in the final third and the movement off the ball was sublime. Quick and direct. I've got to agree with what somebody said that Cort would have been as effective today. Make the Play Offs and we'll win the damn thing.
28th March 1965
12-03-2006, 03:10
I've not taken to Rosa just yet but looking at him so far he does seem to run around a lotwith little effect , and please Denes ditch the plaster cast you seem to wear it just like it's one of those charity wristbands.....
I'm being a grumpyb!$*!$*daren't I can you just tell I've had a whipping at poker tonight , anyway I'm not normally positive but today we moved the ball around at 100 mph and we actaully did something with it , Miller , Alibaba and Ricketts were tidy and quick and bombed forward with a purpose..
Lescott and Gypes Creepers looked untouchable at the back and shock horror Edwards looked tasty going forward but looking on the negative side when Edwards and Naylor went forward and lost possession they vacated a space that a good team would have punished us 9 times out of 10 , Ince looks like he may be kicking a ball too much though not sure if he's mad or just plain stupid in the head if he thinks he'll get one more season , to me I think he' shot and it's time for him to bow out gracefully at the end of the season , the mind is still active but his legs have gone.
Davies is the future in that midfield and the kid will be a star properly next season , he reminds me of Ronaldinho but without the skill , he can glide past players and stays on his feet it's very gracefully and hypnotic and I feel like I'm in a meadow with green grass and looking up in the clouds pointing up a one that resembles a woman I shagged 5 years ago I can tell you she was a boster (Thanks Mark smileys/smiley2.gif)
Franky , Miller and Alibaba , well Franky got us the penno but again he looked lost today and hasn't fitted in for me just yet , give him time I suppose when he hits the net he'll go ona Bergkamp type run soon , Miller and Alibaba were outstanding and the pace and movement created was a joy to watch , Postma's kicking was better and was rarely troubled so no slaggings off for him today....
Oh and last but not least the Cardiff fans got a beating happy days....
Papa
12-03-2006, 03:42
he reminds me of Ronaldinho but without the skill , he can glide past players and stays on his feet
They said the same about Michael Gilkes.
Big Saft Kid
12-03-2006, 10:40
For me there a very strong connection between a good perfromance and a 2-0 win, and the ABSENCE OF ANDERTON AND KENNEDY. If we play without those two in the starting line up for the rest of the season, we may (just) make the play offs.
glasgowwolf
12-03-2006, 10:51
mmm seems to most posters saying rosa and Frank played well with a couple saying they did not.
On commentary it said andf came accross as Rosa being the best player in the first half seeing a lot of the ball. His performance dipped only when Koumas silly billy went through him and should have been red carded. For me Frank is a more mobile cenmtre forward than Cort.
EasternWolf
12-03-2006, 12:08
Much appreciate the comments. I am consigned to listening over the net for the rest of the season because of work committments.
I note that in the News of the World (!!) Naylor and Rosa made the Championship team this week as well as Paul Jones in goal. So other people thought Rosa played well.
The thing that really concerns me is the fact that the way we played, and presumably will continue to play, relied heavily on the pace and workrate of Miller and Aliadiere (or Aliaderee as the Cardiff commentator pronounced it). Of course we wont have these two players next year and I really hope we are not simply going tohave Seol and Cort trying to do the same.
Brizzlewolf
12-03-2006, 12:19
Encouraging but with Aliadiere and Miller being the best out there and neither featuring after the end of the season....
jeremie might be with us when we get promoted ..
drsmileys/smiley16.gif
I hope you're right and that coupled with Portsmouth having a strong surge and getting Blouse ans A****n relegated would be just about perect.
Big Mack
12-03-2006, 16:02
Excellant performance. Miller my MOTM but pushed hard by Lescott, Ali and Gypes. One gripe is that we should have scored more, esp in opening half hour, and in last ten when it seemed they wanted to pass it into the net!
quirky_birky
12-03-2006, 16:11
I agree with most of what's already been said.
Formation looked somewhere between a 4-4-2 and a 3-5-2, depending on where Naylor was. I couldn't make my mind up which it was supposed to be. Changed to a 4-5-1/4-3-3 in the second half once the game was in the bag.
Franek didn't look like the "missing link" as far as goals are concerned, but played well and linked up well with Miller and Aliadiere. Hopefully he'll find the net in the next game and prove that he's a snip at £1.4 million. Probably picked up a few bruises courtesy of Purse.
Rosa - a 100%er. Also a midfielder who knows where the goal is (a novelty at Molineux this season!). I reckon he'll get better as he settles in and gets used to the style of play.
Ricketts - played as well as I've seen him.
Miller - not a winger, but you wouldn't know it from yesterday's performance. Probably my motm.
Aliadiere - a superb bit of business getting him in on loan. A potent threat.
Lescott - looked more like the Lescott of old. Kept Jerome quiet.
Gyepes - commanding.
If we played as well against Reading then we'd turn them over for sure. If only...
Pengwern
12-03-2006, 20:40
At last it feels like a promotion push! Haven't we all yearned for this?
I can't remember being entertained like that by Hoddle's team before and
I can't remember us making a genuine rival look so second best for ages.
Roll on Watford & Preston.
I think we have finally & suddenly come into blistering form because:
1 Frank & Denes have had another full game and are learning fast how to
cope with English Football; there is more improvement to come from
them both and it will come quicker in a winning team
2 Ali is getting match-fit and is one of the very best young attacking
players in Europe. Too good for anyone except Arsenal, Chelsea or
Liverpool.
3 Rohan also is getting match-fit after a lengthy lay-off and is someone
who can lay off a good pass in the final third - a rare ability at this level
4 Gabor is back and getting match-fit after a lay-off, giving us two rocks
in central defence , which is essential against the type of striker most
Champiionship teams have
5 Ince is back and getting match-fit after a lengthy lay-off
6 This has given confidence to the rest of our best players and we are
now starting to gel.
14 points from our last 6 games. If we keep that up over the next 6 we
will have 72 with two games to go!
I think Hoddle's battle-cry that our season starts now should be taken up
by the rest of us (at least until the end of the season, when we can start
looking at why it did'nt start in August) because there is nothing quite
like a team with such a good set of players on paper which suddenly finds
top form and surges into the play-offs for a semi,or even a final if Palace
slip, against a dissapointed Leeds or a totally demoralised Sheffield
United. Can you imagine Aliadiere and Miller on yesterday's form running
at Butler, bless him?
I know one swallow doesn't make a summer but this came on the back of
a decent little unbeaten run, even though one of the performances
sucked.
Del Woppio
13-03-2006, 09:19
Tactically, Hoddle got it spot on, well done. First half was a fluid formation, playing a 442 out of possession...
SP
GG,RE,JL,LN
KM,PI,DR,RR
JA,TF
Turning into a 352 with the ball...
SP
GG,RE,JL
KM,DR,PI,RR,LN
JA,TF
Secong half went to the 433/451 to protect the lead.
Should have had Gyepes in the centre from the start*
There was more width from the start which was greeat - Postma had options for the first time in an age.
SP - 7/10 Still needs more work on his kicking - but throwing to good effect.
GG - was better in the middle 7/10
RE - so very dependable. if only he could overlap and cross he'd be the Welsh Gary Neville. 7/10
JL - Very comfortable on the ball (in fact, to comfortablt at times). Took on 3 players in his own third late in the first half, leading me to calling him a stupid, but talented, pillock. 8/10
LN - Didn't look himself going forward, but didn't make any mistakes at the back. I'll take that. 7/10
KM - Ubiquitous in his coverage of the pitch, looked a real danger with the ball at his feet. Should have gone off after his injury. 8.5/10
PI - One of his quieter days, couple of tackles, but went long periods being unnoticed. 6/10
DR - Best game yet, first half especially. All over the shop, busy, annoying, and useful on the ball too. This bloke is going to be a good buy. 8/10
RR - direct, skillfull, pacey. All the things we have lacked, Rohan brought to the table. When he's good, he's good...7.5/10
JA - This boy is on a different level. Pacey, skillfull, intelligent. Aways looks like he has so much time on the ball. Always involved. 9/10
TF - Some excellent movement, and good link up play. couple of loose passes, but played well. Once he gets his goal, they'll fly in. 8/10
Subs - MD, on for DR on 66 mins. Some good touches, and a cuople of dribbles, but no influence on a game already won. 6.5/10
Wolves fans - 7.5/10. In good voice from the start, helped by the early goal Gave DJ & Coopsa good reception without making the current lot feel like c*!$!, which i was expecting. TBH, i was expecting a fight between Wolves fans over varying degrees of DJ worship, but thankfully didn't happen. We DESPERATELYneed some new songs.
Cardiff played quite poorly, but defended quite resolutley. just awful on the ball. And i don't care how much of a pillock he is, Koumas would be cracking down here.
Ref, 6/10. couple of poor decisions
GH - One of the best Wolves games I've seen this season. If Glenn can produce 7 similar performances then i will print of my petition, and all it's signatures, and turn it into a tunic. i will then proceed to wear it to the play off final.
*We don't need to buy a replacement for Ince, we need to keep Lescott, and move Gyepes into midfield.
Markwolf
13-03-2006, 09:50
smileys/smiley36.gif "If Glenn can produce 7 similar performances then i will print of my petition, and all it's signatures, and turn it into a tunic. i will then proceed to wear it to the play off final."
Irish Wolf
13-03-2006, 21:38
I picked the right game to go over for! It had everything, including a riot at half time...
Was expecting the worst, but was pleasantly surprised by this performance. I was feeling that Hoddle had too much of the Tinker Man about him, and I suppose I'm still not convinced that this fluid arrangement is suiting the players....
The Positives.
Miller, awesome performance and never say die attitude. And plenty of skill to go with it. I have supported this Club for 40 years and I honestly can't remenber a more committed display by a player in Old Gold. He should have gone off after that knock which looked nasty and most players would. Inspirational!!!!!!
Aliadiere. Big talent and he will be a huge asset for the run in. Can see he and Kennyswitching sides and running at the oppositionand being a fantastic feature of our play and that partnershipwill flourish as they get to know each others games.....
The Centre Backs. Solid, no worries for me.
Franky. I watched him a lot and I liked what I saw in him. I am not sure that he is best suited to thelone central role GH gave him because of his lack of inches, but he is a diamond footballer who links the play well and he got better as the game went on. I also liked the way he challenged for the long high punts sent up to him even though he was dwarfed by Purse.
Negatives
Midfield. I thought we were vulnerable there esp in the latter stages of the first half when Koumas ran through us easily on more than one occasion. Ince is still immense and was on Saturday....but he can't have that level of performance in his legs each game. Rosa and RR are two nice players but they need Ince to be doing the hard stuff for them and if the 38 year old is not on his game, that midfield will be over run.
Overall.
Left the ground feeling a lot better than i ever thought that I would. The big word for me now is MOMENTUM. Can we build on this and really do it at the business end of the season? The Captain holds the key to answering that question in my view.
