Frustrating draw

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 v Newcastle United 1

Here’s a question. How many clubs has Steve Bruce managed since he retired from the field of play in 1999, as a robust wing half come centre back? Answer; 10 – Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic (twice), Crystal Palace, Birmingham City, Sunderland, Hull City, Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday & Newcastle United. Of these he was longest at Birmingham City where he oversaw 270 games, followed by Hull City (201). His win record is 38.3% and his modus operandi tends to favour pragmatic organisation over flair. As a Geordie he grew up supporting Newcastle United and is now very much in his dream job. Whether “the Toon” would reciprocate that sentiment is less evident. They loved Rafa Benitez who, despite having to work for the tin eared Mike Ashley, managed to steady the Club after a period of instability. But when arguing with a tin ear paled, off went Rafa to pastures new, the much travelled Steve Bruce the next to alight on the Newcastle United merry go round. Underwhelming was the fans initial reaction. But in fairness to Bruce, by applying a smattering of flair to the aforementioned organisation, he has steered the Magpies to a relatively comfortable 13th place in the Premier League albeit on the back of three recent defeats in a row. So how would they fare against the Old Gold?

In short quite well although they have their goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to thank for the draw, two point blank saves denying first Raul Jimenez and then Pedro Neto. Furthermore by sitting deep and making themselves hard to break down, Newcastle left Wolves scratching their heads for solutions. And their start could not have been better. The game had yet to reach its fifth minute when Matt Doherty and Joao Moutinho contrived to surrender possession on the right touchline. From there Newcastle moved the ball quickly Jetro Willems feeding Dwight Gayle before he in turn put Miguel Almiron free on goal, the mercurial striker hitting the top corner of the Wolves net with a fine strike.

The lead however was short lived when in minute 13 a corner from the right wing was side footed home by Leander Dendoncker unmarked on the penalty spot. Twenty minutes later Adama Traore cut in from the right before floating a delightful cross to Jimenez. As he headed the ball towards the Newcastle net the North Bank rose in celebration only to have their joy curtailed as Dubravka pulled off an instinctive save. It was a case of déjà vu in minute 75 as he denied Pedro Neto and had those opportunities been converted the score would have reflected Wolves’ dominance of possession. But as it was they weren’t and another game in which you would have backed the home side to win, went begging.

The WM phone in was, not unreasonably, hot with frustration that Wolves seem incapable of breaking down sides who come to defend. Yet a bit of perspective is required. Wolves have one of the smallest squads in the Premier League and through their involvement in the Europa League have played a third more games than most teams in the league. So to find themselves at this stage of the season with 31 points and in eighth slot is no mean achievement.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patricio 6, Dendoncker 8, Coady 7, Saiss 7, Doherty 6, Castro Otto 6 Neves 7, Moutinho 7, Traore 7, Neto 7 Sub Vinagre, Jimenez 7

Newcastle United: Dubravka 8, Hayden 6, Fernandez 7, Clark 6, Dummet Sub Lejeune 6, Willems 6, Joelinton 6 Sub Carroll, S Longstaff 7, M Longstaff 6, Almiron 7, Gayle 6 Sub Atsu 6

Attendance: 31,570

Referee: Peter Bankes 8

©Mark Brennand