The fact that Wolves mustered just a single shot on goal ninety minutes tells the real story. Sure there was the fracas involving Mills on several occasions but the real headline was that Wolves were woeful throughout the game.
Taking to the field in the unnecessary black away kit, it seemed that Wolves players didn’t recognise their colleagues whenever they had possession.
To the late arrivals bemusement, Joey Gudjonsson was named as a substitute. He then proceeded to produce a performance that suggested he should have stayed on the bench.
Colin Cameron had been injured in the warm up, prompting the switch and the lack of squad strength in depth was evident as the Wolves team coach driver was named as a sub.
In an instantly forgettable forty-five minutes the only thing of note involved Lee Naylor. First elbowed in the face by Mills then he cleared off the line from yet another free header from a Boro corner.
The midfield was struggling as Camara was anonymous; Miller once again out of position on the right of midfield and Gudjonsson was a joke.
In fact one of the highlights was when the Icelander managed to hit a wayward shot over the home stand and out of the ground.
It was clear that Wolves were never going to score and that a second successive 0-0 draw seemed Wolves only real hope.
However, as Wolves passing and link play became even worse in the second half Boro realised the game was there for the taking.
Mendieta was the difference between the sides and his passing and movement was causing the Wolves midfield and defence real problems.
However, when the goal came it was in controversial circumstances. Mills once again tangled with Naylor with the referee, not for the first time, handing the home side the advantage.
But Naylor and Mills became entangled in a spat, the Wolves defence lost its concentration and Mendieta fired home a terrific shot from 20+ yards. Even after the ball had gone in Wolves players were pushing and shoving Mills and I thought that
We knew that that was that and Jones decided to take the 1-0 defeat as we made no attempt to go for broke. We still broke with, at most 2 players, and Kennedy, on as a substitute, was asked to play on the right which was a complete waste of time.
The second goal was well worked after a swift break and then when Rae got sent off for a two-footed tackle on Mills it summed up the afternoon.
Afterwards, the nearby, Dr.Browns pub, there was nothing I or my friends could remember in the game that we could use as a positive to take forward.
It was an opportunity missed as Boro were there for the taking.
They had nothing beyond Mendieta to offer. However, the
I think Jones once again got the team selection and formation wrong.
Ok, there was nothing he could do about Cameron but what is going on with the training regime and physio table when we have so many injuries?
Why don’t we have the likes of Luzhny and Okoronkwo on the bench? How does Sammy Clinigan get onto the bench when he’s never played a game? Why is Keith Andrews on loan when Gudjonsson can get in the team?
So we have to start again next week against
Miller has no idea on the right; Iversen has no idea full stop. Without Cameron we have no real goal scoring threat. Sure, we are 4 points ahead of
Kachloul looked bright last week but again is one of the long list of injuries and we need these sort of players, including Blake, back and firing if we are going to remain outside of the bottom three.
That amazing comeback last week alreay looks like a long time ago.
Come on the Wolves!
E-mail me with any comments to dave@wolves-mad.co.uk