Wolves rally to share points

Wolves 2 v Wigan Athletic 2

There was a moment during the second half when one felt that it was not to be Wolves’ day. As the game entered the 67th minute a good move down the left ended with the ball at Bakary Sako’s feet. Enjoying his best game of the season the Wolves winger fired the ball into the box from where it ricocheted into the six yard area but incredibly away from the advancing duo of Nouha Dicko and David Edwards. Scrambled for a corner Wolves at last made use of a dead ball kick, when Wigan could only clear Scott Golbourne’s cross to Sako, on the edge of the box. Rather than blast it over the bar (as he is wont to do) for once the Mali international displayed a deal of composure by side footing his shot delightfully into the net to restore parity. Enlivened Wolves would continue to press only to be repelled by the Wigan crossbar and some stout defending. As games go it was as entertaining as we have seen this season and in the wake of the midweek defeat to Huddersfield restored a sense of belief that the team has the wherewithal to prosper in Europe’s most competitive league.

I can’t claim to have a back channel to Kenny (forgive the phraseology) but he must have read my blog following the Huddersfield game. For the visit of Wigan 4-5-1 was restored, as was David Edwards with new signing Yannick Sagbo back on the bench. The first half hour was a relatively benign affair with the home side the more dangerous, prompted by Bakary Sako whose passing and ability to beat players was first rate. However it would be from a cross from his fellow winger, Rajiv van La Parra, by which Wolves broke the deadlock midfielder David Edwards heading home unchallenged from close to the penalty spot in the 31st minute.

Of late Wolves have been at their most vulnerable following a goal and so it proved here. From the restart Wigan went straight down to the Wolves end forcing a free kick on the edge of the box close to the bye line. Shaun Maloney’s precise free kick picked out James Perch who rose to head home. A quarter of an hour later Wolves’ defensive frailties were again exploited when a left wing cross from Andrew Taylor was allowed to reach Marc Antoine Fortune, Richard Stearman slipping to allow the ball passed him. Bringing the ball down quickly the Wigan striker fired into the roof of the net to give the visitors a half time lead. All of which lead to a stirring second half.

Reflecting on the game Manager Jackett will be pleased with the manner in which Wolves fought back, less so with their defending. Last week Danny Batth was featured in the Sunday Times for his role at the fulcrum of the League’s meanest defence. Since when Wolves have let in eight. It was the written equivalent of the commentator’s curse.

He will also be pleased with the number of chances created less so that they were not always taken. Though Dicko is a willing servant with an ability to beat opponents in a manner which suggests to me that he doesn’t quite know how he did so, he will never be a consistent goal scorer. Too often his shots are either badly struck or blocked indicating that he doesn’t have that split second ability to get the ball heading goal wards. Whether recent signing Sagbo is any more clinical, remains to be seen.

Wolves: Ikeme 6, Docherty 6, Batth 6, Stearman 5, Goborne 6, MacDonald 6, Rowe 6, Van La Parra 6 Sub Henry, Sako 9, Edwards 8, Dicko 7 Sub Sagbo

Wigan Athletic: Carson 6, Perch 7, Ramis 6, Bartlett 6, Taylor 6 Kwist 6 Sub Forshaw, Cowie 6, Maloney 7, McLean 6 Sub McManaman, Huws 6, Fortune 7 Sub Delort

Attendance: 21,288

Referee: Andy Davies 5

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