Awesome!
What a great way to respond to the criticism leveled at the team and fans alike after Saturday’s game.
Every player was fired up for this one. Tackles were being won and second balls and opposition being closed down with tenacity.
Blake was the cream of the crop.
Returning to the starting line-up Blake produced possibly his best performance to date for Wolves. Great running, holding up of the ball, bringing players into play and two great strikes – all you can ask from a forward and more.
He might have had three if another surging run after the half-time break hadn’t just gone the other side of the post.
Murray was also excellent. Might seem strange when the scoreline suggests otherwise but he pulled off a great save to deny Preston after just 10 minutes. If Preston had gone 1-0 up I still think the way Wolves approached the game that we would have got something from the match.
However, Murray came and got all the balls that were in his territory as well as proving an excellent shot-stopper.
What a refreshing change it must make for the defence when Oakes stands on his line all the time. Considering it was only his third ever game for the club it was a performance to remember and one that bodes well for the future. On current form when Oakes is fit he has to be the one on the bench.
Other notable performances from a tiggerish Cooper, Rae and Ince combined with some great runs and crosses from Naylor and the team was unrecognisable from the one on Saturday.
Preston played their part. They were unlucky to be up against an inspired Murray and they do have some quality players who, on another night, would have got more from the game.
Special mention also to Deano. What an absolutely stunning strike just before half-time. A great drag back that allowed him to face the goals, leave the defence stunned and then chip over the keeper into the net. Superb.
Also a Forlan-esque like relief when Miller came on to score the fourth. For once he got the rub of the green with a bounce back into his path to then go on to finish in off the far post.
The crowd also played their part. They sang and cheered all the players and let them know that they are 100% behind them when they produce this sort of performance.
However, all this said we need to find a consistency and eliminate the cycle of good, bad and ugly and be able to tighten up against the better teams like Leicester on Saturday.
There was a spell at 2-0 in the second half when Preston came at us with nothing to lose and there were some holes to be seen again.
However, it was a throroughly enjoyable evening and to those who decided not to come after Saturday well you missed a great game.
Also, my lucky white T-shirt continues its unbeaten run and will be worn at Leicester on Saturday and my friends mocked its power!
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk