Wolves on cruise control
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Cardiff City 0
Those who follow Wolves will recall that Friday 30th November 2018 was an uncomfortable night. A decline in both form and confidence had seen the Old Gold slump to four defeats in a row. A trip to lowly Cardiff presented an opportunity to get back on track and steady nerves. But it didn’t happen as Wolves were out muscled by a side fashioned from essentially journeyman stock. There was further concern that the 3-4-3 formation so favoured by the manager had been rumbled, the midfield pairing of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho outnumbered and the forward line too often exposed and incapable of retaining possession. Five days later Wolves defeated Chelsea at home, in possibly the defining game of the season. Since when, they have barely looked back.
I say barely because on Tuesday, for the second time this season, Wolves were defeated by bottom side Huddersfield mustering nary a chance. 46% of the Yorkshire side’s points have been garnered from Wolves, a bizarre statistic that must leave Manager Nuno scratching his head. So, against that backdrop, how would Cardiff part II play out?
The scratching of the head initiated a change in personnel, but whether this was a reaction to Tuesday’s defeat or a long term plan to rest players ahead of the forthcoming FA cup quarter final is not clear. Whatever the reasoning it worked as Wolves won this encounter at a canter, a two minute spell with a quarter of the game done, essentially securing the victory. Not that the blitz had been evident, the first ten minutes seeing Cardiff decamp themselves in the Wolves half. Then in minute fifteen lovely interplay between Morgan Gibbs White and Raul Jimenez resulted in the ball reaching Diogo Jota who with the goal at his mercy made no mistake.
Two minutes later Jota dispossessed the ponderous Sol Bamba, before exchanging quick passes with Jimenez, the Mexican eventually blasting home. And that, to all intents and purpose, was it.
Though Cardiff battled gamely, without the talismanic Junior Hoilet their attack was toothless, a returning John Ruddy enjoying the easiest of games. For Wolves Adama Traore’s pace caused the occasional moment of excitement but the lack of an end product tends to makes his forays more bluster than real deal. Gibbs White also needs to sharpen up his control if he’s to fulfil the promise that he clearly possesses.
Wolves should have extended their lead in minute 73 when Neil Etheridge made an excellent save to deny Jimenez. And with the game just about done Ruben Vinagre’s length of the field dash ended with a fine strike which was again saved by the Cardiff keeper.
The win consolidates Wolves position in the top half of the premier league. Who’d have predicted that back in August?
Wolves: Ruddy 6, Bennett 6, Coady 6, Boly 7, Traore 7 Sub Cavaleiro, Vinagre 7, Dendoncker 7, Saiss 7, Gibbs White 6 Sub Moutinho, Jota 7 Sub Doherty, Jimenez 7
Cardiff City: Etheridge 7, Peltier 5, Morrsion 6, Bamba 5 Sub Manga 6, Bennett 6, Gunnarson 6, Camarasa 6, Ralls 7, De Cordova Reid 6 Sub Paterson, Zahore 5, Niasse 6 Sub Healey
Attendance: 31,309
Referee: Andre Marriner 9
©Mark Brennand