Well perhaps we are going to get the change in Divisional status after all however, on current form this looks more likely to be to Division 2 and not the Premiership!
The half empty stands at the end of the game told it’s own story. We had all realised that after going 3-1 down we weren’t coming back this time. Many people left before the end, I stayed to watch the crowd’s reaction and also the players.
The crowd had gone quiet but they did not barrack the team. Even at the end there was only minimal booing of a very ordinary performance. Perhaps this is a sign that the fans are getting used to defeat and that we are resigned to this season being written off already.
As I heard the starting line-up whilst walking round the ground to take up my seat in the Stan Cullis I thought – Ndah, what’s he doing in the team? Well, with Cooper still struggling for fitness I think Jones thought Ndah’s pace could break down the United defence.
Ingimarrson also returned and there was a home debut for Edworthy. Miller started up front as expected in place of the out of sorts Deano.
None of the four changes made any difference.
With the exception of Rae and Murray the rest of the team should have their wages docked.
We did go 1-0 up when Ndah put the ball on the floor for the first time in the game and ran at the United defence. They were so surprised that Ullathorne kindly sliced the ball into his own net.
However, all this served to do was bring United into the game. They put a little bit of pressure on us before the break and that was enough to get through our fragile defence.
Murray had pulled off a great recovery save from Ndlovu after spilling an initial shot but he had no chance with the shot from Tonge. For some reason Irwin had decided he could do Brown for pace, lost the ball and the United winger crossed to the unmarked Tonge who connected superbly with the ball to fire home.
Unprofessional once again. Hold a lead until half-time? No, that would be too easy.
United realised they could win and killed the game within 5 minutes of the second half. Firstly, a static Lescott watched as Alison ran across him to power home a header beyond a helpless Murray.
Then more comical defending left Tonge in a great position to fire home from close range – game over with 40 minutes remaining.
Some players – very few - huffed and puffed but it was embarrassing.
The match was summed up by Blake missing late on with a header he managed to put wide and then Miller tamely heading into Kenny’s hands when a consolation goal was on the cards.
I am now having trouble imagining how the majority of these players managed to get us into 3rd place last season. It was either a fluke or the influence of the missing Kennedy and Cameron makes us an effective 1 or 2 man team.
There was just no cohesion. There is no quality and more worryingly there is no grit and determination.
I don’t know where we go from here – there are so many poor performances being turned in by nearly all players that we just don’t have the number of replacements required.
Here is my summary of the players on Saturday.
Murray – going to be a great keeper. Give him 10 players in front with the same ability and determination and we’d be top of the league.
Irwin – now starting to look as though we should have let him retire in the summer – same applies to Ince.
Edworthy – tried to guarantee his position by giving hospital balls to his colleagues.
Lescott – is this the same player as last season? Perhaps we should sell now and cash in before teams realise he can’t pass.
Butler – awful an example of how not to defend.
Ndah – shocking. Which team would ever consider buying him?
Newton – what is he still doing in the team?
Ingimarrson – woeful. Looks out of his depth in this division.
Rae – the only one who has tried consistently every game. Felt sorry for him on Saturday playing with the rest of those wasters.
Blake – not as good on Saturday but he can’t do it himself all the time, needs some support.
Miller – the worst £3 million signing in Wolves history.
Cooper – came on and at least he tried. Be better when fully fit, I’d play him in the centre.
Sturridge – pre-Wolves form. Can see why Leicester sold him now.
Therefore keep Murray, Rae, Cooper and Blake and find 7 others for Stoke!
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk