Wolves had as many goal scoring opportunities as Spurs but ended up on the wrong side of a 5-2 defeat. For any of you who saw the highlights, the difference was Camara’s amazing miss compared with the deadly finishing of Wolves old-boy Robbie Keane.
In comparison to the previous two away league fixtures, to create so many goalscoring opportunities, was a real bonus. However, to concede five goals for the second time in 5 days once again highlighted our defensive frailties.
The turning point was Camara’s inability to get us back on level terms at 2-2. Clean through with only Keller to beat he lifted the ball well over the bar.
After that Spurs exploited Wolves’s fullbacks to the maximum. Keane’s off the ball movement was causing major headaches and opening up huge holes in the defence. Naylor especially was shocking, the opposition now has targeted him as a weak point and it might be time to see what Luzhny can do with Irwin switching sides. The introduction of Deano was also a boost as he looked like he had more purpose than Blake.
Overall, it still reads as a big hammering by a team we were hoping to catch up with.
As I was in Dublin I watched the live coverage of Leeds v Chelsea and Leeds played very well. I don’t think we can rely on Leeds being worse than ourselves to give us one team we can count on finishing below us.
As to where we go now – well we certainly have to work on the defence and finishing. Villa this Sunday is looking like another massive must win game. With Villa being thumped at Man United and having scored as few goals as us, whoever comes out of the game with 3 points will have a huge advantage going into the New Year.
It’s a game we can win if we can strike the balance between getting the goals to win us the game and defending like our lives depended on it.
As for the cup draw at Kidderminster it’s going to be a tricky tie. The Harriers will see this as the perfect time to put one over us. Aggborough is a bumpy pitch and although Kiddy haven’t done too well this season this is their Cup final to quote the cliché.
A hard week on the training ground getting back to basics awaits the squad this week.
E-mail me with any comments/feedback to: dave@wolves-mad.co.uk