Wolves have not won against Portsmouth in four Premier League games. D2 L2.
Not a performance that will live long in the memory of most Wolves fans is probably the best way to describe Wolves’ 3-1 defeat.
Both sets of fans were in good voice for different reasons but it was Pompey’s passionate blue army that left with their heads held high. Hopefully the defeat will serve as a bit of a reality check for Wolves’ players and fans in that we have now been beaten twice by the worst team in the league and failed to win in two games against Hull City.
Wolves looked complacent in their passing and at times it seemed as though Wolves were happy to pass the ball from side to side across the 18-yard line instead of getting either a cross or shot in.
It was good to see Sylvan Ebanks-Blake get half an hour to show if he has it in him to play at this level but last season’s top scorer failed to deliver.
A host of chances were spurned notably by Kevin Foley and Ebanks-Blake twice. Despite dominating most of the second half, a change of formation to 3-4-3 left Wolves exposed on the counter attack and they were lucky to finish the game having only conceded three goals.
I think Geoffrey Mujangi Bia may as well book his flight back to Belgium as he has failed to impress the fans and Mick McCarthy alike and I would be very surprised if Wolves decide to take up the offer of a permanent deal.
In contrast, his Charleroi team mate Adlene Guedioura showed good composure and willing to get forward when he came on and I expect McCarthy to exercise the option for a permanent deal for the Belgian once the season ends.
Ronald Zubar was Wanderers’ brightest player going forward which says a lot for the attacking prowess in Wolves’ midfield. This is definitely an area that needs to be addressed by McCarthy in the summer because David Jones is not good enough at this level as Wolves’ attacking midfielder. I expect a much better showing in next Sunday’s final game of the season against Sunderland.
Kevin Doyle did as well as could be expected and did well to score at the third attempt but Wolves will be unhappy at the nature of Pompey’s first goal in particular.
Better performance next week please!
For a more concise view check out my column in Monday’s Express & Star!
WFFS Blog: Season Review Part 10 – May
26 05 2010Wolves finished the season with 38 points.
Party time! Wolves have survived!
Portsmouth 3-1 Wolves: Wolves missed a host of chances but were also comfortably beaten by the already relegated club. Wolves target Aruna Dindane put Pompey ahead before Kevin Doyle equalised. However, further goals from Michael Brown and Frederic Piquionne soured a great day out on the south coast. The away end was littered with inflatables and Wolves fans were celebrating the fact we had survived in the Premier League. 35.
Wolves 2-1 Sunderland: What a way to finish off the season. Most of that national press labelled it as “Wolves beat nine-man Sunderland” but in truth Wolves would have probably won anyway. After Sunderland took the lead somewhat fortuitously, goals from top-scorer Kevin Doyle and Adlene Guedioura sealed Wolves’ fifth home win of the season. Michael Turner and Jack Colback were both dismissed late on after they both collected two yellow cards. 38.
Summary: Despite losing to Pompey that month has to be put down as a success as Wolves survived the drop. I just can’t wait for the fixtures to be released and for next season to start.
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