When you read the 4-0 scoreline you’d be inclined to think that the forward players were the stars of the show. However, this was not the case at Hillsborough on Saturday.
Jo Lescott was awesome. He and Butler were given a torrid time by livewire Shefki Kuqi at the reverse fixture in September but the tables were turned back by the central defender.
At times, Jo’s reading of the play was that of a seasoned Premiership player. He observed, stepped in and took control.
Ok, sometimes Jo’s ball distribution wasn’t as good as it could have been but for all Kuqi’s running he got no change from Jo.
It took Wolves a while to get into the game. Scrappy interchanges from both teams and lack of possession created a scruffy opening.
However, Miller’s movement was providing an outlet. Adam Proudlock, in for the injured Ndah, was initially out of position, possibly not accustomed to being played as a direct centre forward.
The first goal came from Miller’s movement opening a whole, which his through ball Proudlock tucked away.
The second was great interchange play between Ince and Kennedy and sparkies excellent low back post cross found Proudlock once again running in to score.
2-0 at half time and you couldn’t see a repeat of the amazing turnaround that Wednesday enjoyed against Reading in their last home fixture.
In fact as the game wore on, Wednesday got progressively worse. Wolves did briefly cause themselves some problems as the game went flat but the killer third arrived when once again Kennedy found Miller who’s tame header was spilt over the line by Pressman.
Deano added an embarrassing fourth as he had ages to make his mind up before powering a low drive past Pressman.
4-0 was flattering, perhaps 3-1, but Wolves will have to play better than this against stronger opposition to maintain the play-off place they once again hold.
Cameron was particularly disappointing, he seemed to be intimidated by the physical presence of Daryll Powell.
Murray had little to do, Irwin and Naylor were solid and got forward well when the opportunity presented itself.
Butler was also solid and the understanding with Jo seems to be once again there like last season.
Newton was busy, Ince tiggerish as ever and Kennedy providing deadly delivery and unlucky not to score in the second half when hitting a post.
Miller was foraging, not offside as often as recent weeks and Proudlock took his chances well. In a mammoth goal mouth scramble in the second half he was unfortunate not to get a hat-trick.
Wednesday were poor. I can’t realistically see them escaping relegation from what I saw. Three of the current bottom four are going down and my money is on Stoke to survive.
However, perhaps we can help Wednesday, and ourselves, next Saturday by taking three points from the Withdean.
However, 6th place – things are looking good with players on top of their game and almost an embarrassment of riches in the 2 forward positions with Blake and Deano on their way back.
Email me with any feedback etc. at:
dave@wolves-mad.co.uk