Wolves’ Strength in Depth Shines Through: Charlton 1 Wolves 3.

I must sound like a broken record. Every week I trot out lines about Wolves winning with great, one touch, pass and move, attacking football. The display at Charlton was much the same, Wolves are getting predictably boring…and long may it continue.

This match illustrated the depth of quality Wolves now have in their young squad. Injuries to Craddock and Elokobi? No problem, bring in Neil Collins and Stephen Ward (and if they get crocked or lose form, new signings Shackell, Hill and Friend are waiting in the sidelines). Iwelumo get’s injured in the warm up? No problem, come on down Andy Keogh. Jarvis not as effective as normal? No problem, sub him and bring on international match winner Sam Vokes.

This game also illustrated Wolves new found resilience and belief, going a goal behind is no longer a problem. McCarthy opted to keep an unchanged side, preferring Stephan Ward at left back to either Matt Hill or George Friend (a decision probably made easier by a slight injury to Hill) and Collins keeping his place over new signing Jason Shackell. An injury to Iwelumo in the warm up also forced McCarthy to bring in Andy Keogh in his place.

The game started badly for Wolves, a 30 yard volley by Charlton’s Bailey flew into the net after only 3 minutes. Hennesessy got a hand to the ball but couldn’t stop it going in, although I felt he could have done a little better. Wolves soon settled down, the game flowed from end to end and as the first half wore on Wolves started control the play, Jones grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck in midfield. Chances came and went for Wolves; Foley had a shot tipped around the post, SEB took the ball around the keeper and his shot trickled just wide, Kightly shot narrowly wide and Keogh’s smart finish was ruled out for offside.

The second half started as the first half finished, Wolves mainly in control and Charlton fading. Wolves looked a more committed, confident, skillful and fitter team. I never doubted an equaliser would come (really, I didn’t and I can’t remember ever thinking like this before) and when it did come it was slightly fortunate. Wolves had a free kick just outside the Charlton penalty area, it was taken early, flicked through to Keogh, and as he shot, Bailey went in hard taking his legs away just after the shot was released. Most Wolves fans were following the ball going just wide of the post and so were surprised but delighted to see the referee point to the spot. SEB took the penalty and hit it straight down the middle as usual (why opposition goalkeepers haven’t cottened on to this yet I just don’t know).

From then on there was only one team in it, and it wasn’t Charlton. However, Jarvis was unusually quiet on the wing so McCarthy opted to take him off and bring on Vokes, pushing Keogh out on to the wing. With 9 minutes remaining, a through ball found Ward scarpering up the wing, he managed to get a foot to the ball just before it went over the goal line and put over a beautiful cross which Vokes intelligently poked in with the outside of his foot. Leading away from home with under 10 minutes left, did we shut up shop? No we went in search of a third and we rewarded for our intent when with a few minutes left, Henry charged through from midfield to the edge of the area, he had lots of options and decided to pass to Kightly, his shot was palmed away by the keeper nicely into the path of Vokes who headed in a simple third for Wolves.

Hennessey: Took a couple of crosses well, not much to do but I felt he could have done better for their goal, particularly with his positioning. Maybe this is a little harsh.

Foley: Solid as usual. Some good interchanges with Kightly and a good shot in the first half.

Stearman: Solid at the back, goog going forward. Went on an amazing attacking run in the second half but his weak finish let him down.

Collins: Solid. Alongside Stearman he is building a good partneship at the back. Could be difficult for Shackell to force his way in.

Ward: Solid, committed display. He won everything in the air and made countless tackles. Lovely cross for the second goal.

Kightly: Not his best, but still tore through the Charlton backline on a number of occasions. Almost scored and Vokes was there to put in the rebound. Sometimes a little too selfish

Henry: man of the match for me. Strong, athletic, powerhouse of a display. A true captain’s performance and all over the pitch. His run for the 3rd goal was typical of his display.

Jones: His quick thinking led to the penalty, with a nice ball through to Keogh from the free kick. Great partnership with Henry, turned the game for Wolves in the first half.
Jarvis: Struggled to get into it today but worked hard.

Keogh: Really impressed with him, intelligent, unselfish play, created most of our chances. Always running into the channels and can’t remember him losing possession once.

Ebanks-Blake: Strong solid performance, took a while to get back into the groove with Keogh but soon settled in, he’ll score more as the season goes on. There’s never a doubt he won’t score when we have a penalty.

Subs:
Vokes: He certainly knows where the net is. A deft flick from Ward’s cross for his first. The second wasn’t easy either, nice controlled header. Welsh Wonderboyo.

Edwards: He’s great playing just off the target man. Not involved as much as the last few previous games but tried hard.

Gray: Only came on in injury time.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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