Claims of crisis allayed as Wolves win at a canter
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 v Sheffield United 0
One of the benefits of penning a voluntary sports blog is that deadlines are self imposed. Come the appointed hour there is no sub-editor breathing down my neck chasing copy. I can also decide where and how I choose to watch the game and I have to admit that on Saturday I remained in the warmth of my home. Whilst the visceral thrill of communal goal celebration is clearly absent it does present benefits.
To begin with it allowed me to watch the whole of the Wales v Scotland Six Nations opener, in which the home team confounded everyone by destroying a Scottish side who were viewed as pre tournament dark horses. And then, during half time at the Molineux, I could tune in to the enthralling finale in the France v Ireland game. When in the 72nd minute Teddy Thomas’s blistering try – subsequently converted – put France 13-12 ahead it looked for all the world that the French Cockerel had triumphed. But they had not counted on a resilient Irish pack and the brilliance of Johnny Sexton. As the game went into overtime the Irish forwards, like a British Tommy on the western front, continued their inexorable advance into opposition territory. It was around phase 34 when they finally took the plunge Conor Murray feeding Sexton who was now some forty odd yards from goal. As his kick rose into the air the French team could only watch in vain as the ball sailed arrow straight and with sufficient purchase to clear the crossbar. From the jaws of defeat had an Irish win been sealed, Les Bleu’s heartbroken.
As for watching the Wolves on television one gets multiple replays of thrilling highlights none more so than their two first half goals which for different reasons were possibly as good as they have scored all season. The first, a measured curling strike from Ruben Neves was high on the spectacular scale and got better with each subsequent repeat – mainly because the ball set off outside the right hand upright before curling beyond keeper Simon Moore who had no chance of stopping it. And the second, by Diogo Jota, an intricate move demonstrating close quarter ball control and incisive passing of the highest quality.
As for the overall performance it was up there with the games v Leeds United and Aston Villa. Jota is back to his best. Ivan Cavaleiro is maturing into a dangerous forward of power and skill. In midfield Alfred N’Diaye is the perfect half back foil to the elegant Neves and at the back John Ruddy had but one speculative attempt on his goal to save.
Come the winter Wolves won’t be very good. The winter is half done . Long live the winter.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruddy 6, Elliot 7, Coady 8, Boly 7, Docherty 7, Douglas 6, Neves 7, N’Diaye 8, Jota 8 Sub Gibbs- White, Cavaleiro 8 Sub Afobe, Costa 7 Sub Bonatini
Sheffield United: Moore 5 Sent off, Baham 6, Stearman 6, O’Connell 5, Baldock 6, Evans 6, Fleck 6, Stevens 6, Holmes 6, Wilson 6 Sub Eastwood, Clarke 5
Attendance: 29,311
Referee: Darren Bond 8
©Mark Brennand