It’s Just Like Watching Brazil

By: Matt | August 23rd, 2008

Ipswich 0 Wolves 2

No…really, it is JUST like watching Brazil, and I’m not talking about Ipswich Town (they’re just like watching Austria). Wolves strolled to victory at Portman Road in a performance full of passion, energy, and attacking pass and move football. Only three games in I’m trying to not get too excited, but so far we look like the real deal. Chairman Steve Morgan’s repeated mantra of consistency, when backing McCarthy in the face of last season’s doom mongerers, seems to be reaping rich rewards as Wolves start to look like a team who are comfortable in their shoes, after a painful period of wearing them in.

Wolves dominated from the start, and memories of last season’s tight, negative displays away from home are starting to become a distant memory. Wolves could easily have scored four or five, in a performance that saw them first to every ball. Ipswich weren’t allowed any time to settle as Wolves breathed down every blue and white neck on the pitch. The home side didn’t know what had hit them or how to deal with it. That early dominence was rewarded SEB planted a header past Richard Wright after after cross from Matthew Jarvis after 21 minutes. It was similar to the first 20 minutes here last season, then we dominated until until Eastwood missed a penalty. This time SEB did the business and there was no real turning back from that point.

The first fifteen, maybe twenty minutes of the second half were slightly shaky as the arrival of Counago made a real difference to the home side and there was one stunning save from Hennesey to keep them out. After this Wolves took control again, ironically after the impressive Elokobi was stretchered off after what seems a nasty knee injury. This seemed to break the Ipswich momentum, and Wolves made two quick substitutions, bringing on Ward to replace Elokobi (with Collins moving to left back and Ward playing in the middle) and also Edwards replacing SEB. Bringing SEB off seemed a decision made too early at the time, as Wolves fans hoped we wouldn’t cling on for a draw. We needn’t of worried, as Wolves from that point dominated the midfield once more and Edwards put in a magnificent attacking performance.

Kightly had a great chance after some lovely skill to double the lead but it went agonisingly wide. Stearman also got in a point blank header from a David Jones cross to the far post that I still don’t know how Wright kept out. Then Alex Bruce was sent off for a two footed lunge at Dave Jones (he did take the ball and miss the man, but dangerous all the same) and you could see the Ipswich heads drop. A minute later Jarvis cracked in a stinging shot and the speed of Edwards to react and smash the rebound off Wright’s chest was electric. Game over. We then went on to create a glut of chances, with Jarvis the closest, hitting the post in injury time.

Player ratings:

Hennessey 8 – didn’t have a lot to do but what he had to do he did well including that stunning save.

Elokobi 7 – Haynes is a very tricky player and he is used to leading full backs a merry dance with his speed. He wasn’t used to having a full back match him for pace which left him with nowhere to go. George’s injury is a real blow, especially if as reported he could be out for a few months

Foley 7 – solid, faultless performance, some good attacking play.

Stearman 9 – he seemed to grow with the added responsibility that came with Craddock’s absence. Led the defence well and also contributed up front a number of times. Excellent performance.

Collins 7 – Didn’t put a foot wrong all match apart from a couple of headers that didn’t quite make the distance. He kept things simple and effective.

Jones 8 – ran midfield in the first half with Henry, both tackling and moving the ball forward quickly. Excellent display despite losing that control briefly early in the second half.

Henry 8 – good captain’s performance. Was fierce in the tackle and he showed good skill and awareness in keeping the ball and instigating attacking moves.

Kightly 7 – some sparks of brilliance and that jink in the box that nearly resulted in a second goal for us was majestic. Never stopped running, fighting for the ball.

Jarvis 9 – my MOTM. He is currently our best winger, which says it all. Constant threat and played hi spart in defending too. One tackle back followed by a sprint down the wing to beat the full back was one of many examples of his hard work. Shattered at the end. Fantastic performance.

Iwelumo 7 – worked hard and was a real handful and never gave up. Some of his flicks for SEB were excellent.

SEB 8 – It was men against boys at times, He nipped in superbly in front of Richard Naylor to plant his header firmly beyond Wright and he probably did more leading of the line. Held up the ball well and some of his touches were excellent.

Darren Ward 7 – he didn’t have a huge amount to do when he came on but what he had to do he did well.

David Edwards 8 – Played justbehind Iwelumo and he was full of energy and speed. A great finish which showed great anticipation and could easily have finished up with a hat-trick.

Keogh – only on a couple of minutes and did well but not long enough to give a rating.