[Archived] Wolverhampton Wanderers Away

[hollowsr]

I would! It's not like we haven't "flirted with relegation" earlier this season, and Wigan have reached their results with a brand new central midfield duo and some quite appalling players in their first 11. To be fair though, they have had a decent striker and a revelation named N'Zogbia on their team as well.

We have flirted with relegation but come the business end of the season we were fine, and if you believe that anyone here would accept good football but not getting results over results and bad football you are crazy (no offence) West Brom played good football last year and got relegated. If we were in that position people would want the manager sacked in a heartbeat!

For a club our size and with the finances available I'd take mid table every day of the week! Yes some things haven't worked out great this year but we've done ok as it has turned out. At the moment we don't have players who can play good football for one thing, besides Dunn, who will run at people with the ball and keep it?

[LeChuck]

There's no point of having this discussion.

Yes you're right...

You know, I sometimes get the impression that he makes ludicrous decisions just on the off chance that they work out so that he can gloat in front of the press.

When you're thinking like that, there really is no point.

[alexanders]

So many taking the ###### here.

He has said that we are now safe and would like to go as high up the table as possible, but he wants to use these last games to experiment and try out something - hence why we did go 3-5-2 from the off. We tried Bastürk - who I thought looked decent at times, but seem to lack the match fitness. Roberts have been moaning and this was probably a game to try and see if Roberts is useful for next season. Also the reason why Kalinic was submitted since he is sure to be a starter next season. Andrews actually did a very good game today and the 1-2 with Di Santo was a beauty.

As some say that some is praising Sam Allardyce for everything he does , some are really blaiming him for everything. I bet if Molineux ran out of beer you would blame Sam.

He is taking us forward and I have a big faith in Sam!

We are punching above our weight!

[hollowsr]

He is taking us forward and I have a big faith in Sam!

We are punching above our weight!

Taking us forward I can agree with if you mean with the youngsters brought in to the team.

Punching above our weight I definitely agree with as you look at BIG clubs like Newcastle and Leeds

[Steve Moss]

He has done well with us this year and I was happy with 13th at start of the season but disappointing that we could have got higher but give it away with results like this.

This was my initial reaction. Then I took a breath and thought maybe it was my disappointment clouding my thinking. A point is not a disaster, after all.

I posted this sometime ago on a thread and I reckon Rovers could easily have bagged themselves at LEAST another 14 points IF they had been more positive.

I understand where you are coming from but I don't think this is fair. When I put on the blue and white specs in evaluating the games we should have won, we'd be 4th by my math.

More realistically we've lost games we've should have won and won games we should have lost. Considering the clubs, money and talent ahead of us on the table, we are just about where we should be, maybe even a little better. And that is down to wise man management (Sam) and wise financial management (John Williams).

It's never HIS fault is it? Have to say one thing though - he might not be a brilliant manager, but he's been a lucky one. I fear for us if that ever runs out.

Napoleon once said something to the effect that he'd rather have lucky generals than brilliant ones.

We really need to find a new home for Andrews - for his sanity and our own.

I agree with this part. Knowing that there will be another sacrificial Rover on the dock as soon as he's gone. Apparently Rovers fans need someone to hate on their own squad, which puzzles me.

And Andrews is not the worse player in the PL. He does do things right on occassion and screws up on others. He's not a world beater. He's a proper sub and should be treated as such.

Pedersen was by far the worst player, I've tried to defend him but he really does offer nothing. New contract should be ripped off on that performance. His free kicks are shocking, and he is the worst culprit for just kicking ti aimlessly forward

I think this is accurate. Other than a few odd performances, I've seen nothing in him which instills confidence.

He has said that we are now safe and would like to go as high up the table as possible, but he wants to use these last games to experiment and try out something - hence why we did go 3-5-2 from the off. We tried Bastürk - who I thought looked decent at times, but seem to lack the match fitness. Roberts have been moaning and this was probably a game to try and see if Roberts is useful for next season. Also the reason why Kalinic was submitted since he is sure to be a starter next season. Andrews actually did a very good game today and the 1-2 with Di Santo was a beauty.

My brain says that this is correct and Sam was trying to mix and match it a little, to see what would come of it. My disappointment is demanding I leave work and drink beer.

[bobsterbrfc]

I am continually amazed that people might criticise Sam for anything during his time at Rovers. Even his "expert" comment I felt was justified.

[RIML]

There's only one Ryan Nelsen

[dazmaz]

We are punching above our weight!

To be perfectly honest I wish people would stop saying this. WE ARE NOT PUNCHING ABOVE OUT WEIGHT!!! if we where we would be fighting to save out lives every season. minus last season I believe the last time we where near the bottom was 2005. not to mention having qualified for Europe numerous times in recent seasons, does that sound like a club that 'shouldn't' be in the prem as the above quote implys?

[DeadlyDirk]

Around 12 months ago we were staring relegation in the face and have since then spent something like -15 million and have managed to progress into a mid table team as a result, were not going to suddenly turn into a top team overnight.

Sam isn't the best manager and makes mistakes but if he didn't then he'd probably be at a better club.

If you look at who's above us in the table I only really see Sunderland (On level points) and Birmingham above us who we could realisticly expect to be above and they have both spent a lot of money this year.

Were headed in the right decision and if Sam stays he'll make a few more mistakes, just like the players but that's football at a midtable club in the modern era.

I'm not a Sam lover or a hater but I think when you put things into perspective and look at the season as a whole then were doing alright and are headed in the right direction. It's not going to happen overnight, we just need to add to the squad and improve things a little at a time.

Arte Et Labore

[Tom]

It feels like two points lost today in the way it happened which is disappointing but the fact is before the game a point would e satisfactory for most and being safe as soon as we were this season even more so.

Sam has turned it around since January (when I myself thought he should have gone) and has earned the right to make the odd mistake and if I'm honest I think he should now have earnt the backing of the fans to a higher level than he has.

Fact is I think he will never have that whilst here, he got it wrong today with the change of formation but all managers do at times.

Chins up and let's keep the blue flag flying high especially when our status of pride of Lancashire is cemented further with a dingle relegation tomorrow.

[Guest andrewpickup]

i didnt go today so im not going to ###### my pants but win your home games..... so an away point will do

but did someone mention swapping with wigan?

wigan, on the industrial estate, bankrolled by a rovers turncoat crook, no fans, rotten club. idlike to see rovers perish in a fire with the scousers.

do i like wigan??

[Claytons Left Boot]

idlike to see rovers perish in a fire with the scousers.

Eh?

[Blue blood]

I was at the game today, first half it was Rovers game until about the last 5 minutes when hoofing it instead of keeping the ball kept us on the ropes.

The second half was end to end stuff really - Olsson had so much space down the left and wasn't really used, and Dunn was roaming a bit, but to go 4-5-1 was disappointing, especially when it just resulted in launching balls forward again.

Why give the ball away just to encourage another attack for the other team? 90 minutes is along time when you don't have the ball.

To be fair to Andrews, he didn't do that bad when he came on, at least he had two chances, the post shot was a good move, but I dispaired when he just passed it to Hannemann from 8 or so yards.

The defending for the goal was shocking - there was at least 4 Rovers players on the guy putting the cross in, yet it still made it, and a free header from 6 yards - rediculous.

Roberts had quite a good game today

Pedersen was by far the worst player, I've tried to defend him but he really does offer nothing. New contract should be ripped off on that performance. His free kicks are shocking, and he is the worst culprit for just kicking ti aimlessly forward

Just back from the game and this sums up pretty much all of what i was going to say. First half until we started hoofing it we were dominant - kalinic was unlucky with his header and we really should have got a second. Dunno why we started hoofing it as we were well on top.

One thing I do differ from STLR is I think going 4-5-1 was the right move. Not sure about brining Andrews on or putting Dunn on the right (though as said he didn't really stay there) but immediately after a poor start to the second half we looked a lot more solid defensively but also managed to create some meaningful counter attacks. We dropped the points in the 5 minutes before the equaliser when both peds and andrews missed one on ones. Peds shot was fierce but straight at the keeper, and Andrews' miss was the worst I've seen for some time. One of these had gone in we'd have definately weathered the storm and win. No way would a poor wolves side score two.

Two other points not mentioned by STLR

Nelsen - bar the goal when everyone went AWOL he was my man of the match. Got the goal and especially in the first half was imperious in clearing any wolves attack.

Final substitution - stupid. Roberts had one of his better games, was causing all sorts of problems and gets subbed for di santo. Should've been Peds off in my book and back to 4-4-2. Granted their was the late chance di santo was involved in but really Roberts should have stayed on the pitch to increase our chances of winning.

As a side note it was a good day out. Some good chats on the coaches despite the slight detour through random parts of wolverhampton, and it was reminiscent of football from another decade being walked/escorted to the ground by the police. Was quite impressed by molineux as a ground as well as our support's conduct and atmosphere.

[herbergeehh]

To sum up this game for me is very simple.

At 4-4-2 Rovers had the lead, the game, the possession and Wolves couldnt cope, There was only ever one winner with Rovers playing positive football.

What does SA do ?

Reverts to 4-5-1, employs the negative Andrews and what happens ?

Rovers concede the initiative, concede the possession, concede territory and give away a simple equaliser.

Sums up the gAme for me. We weren't playing well, but we were in control - 66% possession at some point? Then Kalinic off - and in our new formation we gave away all initiative.

after their goal even - we choose to replace Roberts instead of playing two up front. Why the hell do we not go for all three points v Wolves?? They were not very good.

Call me a Sam-hater if you like, I don't care. I certainly know that I'm not, but I can't be arsed to defend it. Today, his starting eleven was positive - but the subs were infuriatingly poor.

Then I read that our finishing cost us... yes, of course it did. as did our defending. and as did your goddamn tactical dispositions.

[RIML]

Nelsen - bar the goal when everyone went AWOL he was my man of the match. Got the goal and especially in the first half was imperious in clearing any wolves attack.

He was great today, he made up for his mistake last week. It's a shame he doesn't get the credit he deserves, 4 goals this season, it's time people took notice, there's only one Ryan Nelsen!

[Parsonblue]

The change in tactics took Wolves completely by surprise in the opening half hour. Playing three at the back with five in midfield and Roberts and Kalinic up front enabled the Rovers to take total control and resulted in Wolves having to make a substition at that stage to get themselves back into the match. From that point on the game was more evenly balanced with both sides creating and missing chances.

When Wolves started to get on top in the second half, Sam responded by reverting to the tried and trusted 4-5-1 and, in truth, at that point we started to look more threatening again. Although I'm no fan of Keith Andrews, I thought he strengthened the side when he came on as Kalinic looked rather disappointing again. I feel Kalinic needs to work on his upper body strength because he is too easily knocked off the ball.

I thought Salgado, Nelsen and Givet were the pick of our players today.

I must admit that I have completely changed my opinion about Salgado. He has used all his experience to adapt his game for the Premier League and whatever he might lack in pace he more than makes up for with his masterful reading of the game. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time and is a genuine threat going forward with his intelligent use of the ball.

I thought Nelsen was back on top form today while Givet was as solid as a rock. Both players seemed totally at home in a back three - a system which allowed Salgado and Olsson the freedom to get forward and support the attack.

Basturk made a number a astute passes in the first half and confirmed the impression I have gained of him in the Reserves namely that he is a very clever player who can make the 'killer' pass - something that we have lacked since Tugay retired.

It was disappointing to come away with just a point but I think it merely confirms what we already know - that without major investment we are not going to make the transition into a team chasing European football. However, at the moment, under Sam, we do not look like a team that is going to be threatened with relegation and in the present financial climate that has to be cause for celebration.

[Blue blood]

Honest question here: Who here would trade places with Wigan? They've scalped the Big Four numuerous times this season, played some really good stuff at times, but flirted with relegation most of the season. Would you take that over Sam's mid-table drudgery?

Funnily enough I mentioned this today on the way to the game. Honest answer is I don't know. The scalps would be memorable, and to be honest very few of our games this season (outside of the league cup) have been memorable. Can remember some cracking "ordinary" premier league games that we won from previous seasons, scalps and otherwise, whereas bar the cup games only the dingles home game sticks out as a memorable match.

On that basis - yes I think I would - but then loosing feels pretty rotten, and I'm sure that if we were in wigan's shoes I'd be longing for a more predictable team with more regular wins if not as many scalps/memorable games. Long story short I don't know - but I do wonder...

[LeChuck]

Honest question here: Who here would trade places with Wigan? They've scalped the Big Four numuerous times this season, played some really good stuff at times, but flirted with relegation most of the season. Would you take that over Sam's mid-table drudgery?

Not me. Whelan is already touting offers for Rodellaga and N'Zogbia. Thanks to Sam we're not in a position where we have to sell this year.

How was Basturk today by the way? Where did he play? Not much mention of him so far.

[Blue blood]

Not me. Whelan is already touting offers for Rodellaga and N'Zogbia. Thanks to Sam we're not in a position where we have to sell this year.

How was Basturk today by the way? Where did he play? Not much mention of him so far.

The lad can pass. Not top quality opposition but his passing really caused Wolves problems. However as some have said he looked a bit short of match fitness and he looked a bit too lightweight to me. Probably best as an impact sub for the moment till he gains fitness/bulks up a bit more.

[LeChuck]

The lad can pass. Not top quality opposition but his passing really caused Wolves problems. However as some have said he looked a bit short of match fitness and he looked a bit too lightweight to me. Probably best as an impact sub for the moment till he gains fitness/bulks up a bit more.

Thanks. Seems odd that Sam chose him to start on a day where we played 4-4-2, sounds like he'd be better suited to a 4-5-1.

Did he play in the middle?

[herbergeehh]

Yuo, to the right in a midfield 3, with Salgado on the outside. Had one or two good involvements, but far too lightweight.

[Blue blood]

Nope started on the right when it was 4-4-2, although we seemed to be more 3-5-2 at the time and he was the outside right of the 3 centre mids. Either way he spent a lot of time on the right hand third of the pitch. From what I saw I think he'd be best in the hole behind the striker too, he could feed a lot of balls through to our striker. Could see him providing Kalinic with a fair few chances although we'd be horribly lightweight up front.

[Majiball]

He was great today, he made up for his mistake last week. It's a shame he doesn't get the credit he deserves, 4 goals this season, it's time people took notice, there's only one Ryan Nelsen!

Yes Ryan was good today.

Can I ask though what RIML stands for as I'm beginning to the its "Ryan Is My Lover" its all you ever post about.

Its almost as if your the new jonnolad.

Topman hit the nail on the head today, far too deep and lumping balls aimlessly forward until it changes we'll alway be on the back foot.

[OsloRover]

The change in tactics took Wolves completely by surprise in the opening half hour. Playing three at the back with five in midfield and Roberts and Kalinic up front enabled the Rovers to take total control and resulted in Wolves having to make a substition at that stage to get themselves back into the match. From that point on the game was more evenly balanced with both sides creating and missing chances.

When Wolves started to get on top in the second half, Sam responded by reverting to the tried and trusted 4-5-1 and, in truth, at that point we started to look more threatening again. Although I'm no fan of Keith Andrews, I thought he strengthened the side when he came on

Completely agree. Some of the posters on here seem to think that it only matters what our team do and forget that there's an opposition team out there as well. Wolves stepped it up in the second half, Sam reverted to 4-5-1 to withstand the pressure and brought Andrews on who had a pretty good game.

Poor marking lead to the wolves goal, can't blame the tactics for that. Not for the exceptionally poor finishing either.

Wouldn't have taken Roberts off personally, probably Hoilett on for MGP or something for me but reasonably pleased with the performance and tactics today.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

Just saw their goal. Poor marking from Givet.

Andrews was so unlucky with his volley near the end. Good attempt.