Rudderless Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Blackburn Rovers 0

It is eighteen months since Blackburn last visited Molineux. Emboldened by recent promotion from the Third Division, Wolves beat Blackburn 3-1 a result which prompted the following observation.

“Though you may prefer not to, cast your mind back for a moment to the Wolves side under the management of Terry Connor. Chaos was a word that springs to mind closely followed by laughing stock. Thinking back to those dark days nobody could have envisaged the transformation that has taken place in the ensuing two and a half years. It’s actually shorter than that because things as we know went from bad to worse until the arrival of one Kenneth Jackett. Yes Wolves at this level are a club with resources others would die for. But as we are witnessing at Manchester United, it doesn’t matter how much money you spend, unless you can articulate a method of play and assemble a group of players who will buy into that method of play you will not get very far. Jackett has achieved both in almost the blink of an eye and for that alone he deserves great credit”.

Today’s goalless draw made it three at home in a row. It was far from a classic and as with the game against Ipswich last week the Molineux faithful had to wait until deep into the second half before Wolves managed a shot on goal – albeit executed by Bjorn Sigurdarson, a striker not noted for his high goals per game ratio. Blackburn hit a post and towards the end of the game Carl Ikeme made two a excellent saves to deny the visitors their opening. But bar these sporadic moments the pulse rarely raced.

So how are Wolves fairing eighteen months on from Coach Jackett’s miracle transformation? If truth be told not quite so well and here are some of the reasons. Events over which the Wolves Coach has had no control (and for which he cannot be blamed) include; Bakary Sako departing, Benick Afobe wanting away, Nouha Dicko and Jordan Graham being injured. And, last but not least, limited funds being made available to replace them.

Aspects over which he has had control and for which I consider him to be wrong include; the lack of pace and creativity in the side, the purchase of Conor Coady, the sale of Scott Golbourne, the man management of Kevin McDonald, ditto Joe Mason, ditto Bright Enobakhari. The latter, who played today for the first time since the game v Cardiff City back in January, should have been getting a regular run out from back in October rather than now at the fag end of the season.

So if you were rating Coach Jackett’s season out of ten you’d probably be looking at a 7. The parachute payments have ended. Those coming down are potentially large clubs with parachute money to burn. The task of escaping the Championship is looking increasingly remote.

Wolves: Ikeme 8, Iorfa 7, Batth 6 Hause 5, Doherty 6, Coady 6, Price 7, Saville 6 Sub Hunte, Henry 6, Mason 6 Sub Enobakhari, Le Fondre 6 Sub Sigurdarson

Blackburn Rovers: Steele 6, Marshall 7, Duffy 6, Hanley 6, Kilgallon 6, Lowe 6, Bryant 6 Sub Gomez 7, Lenihan 6, Grimes 6 Sub Jackson, Bennett 6, Graham 5 Sub Brown

Referee: Mark Brown 8

Attendance: 19,538

©Mark Brennand