Throughout the game I received text messages from back home as yet again, I was unable to hear the game as I am currently in Lancashire at University. The service in my house is very poor though and I received three messages all at the same time. They read as follows:
Message One: "Wolves 2-1 up, Newton penalty and Miller! Correction, make that 3-1. Rae has just scored!"
I was ecstatic; I couldn't believe that we were winning. We never do any good in the Worthington Cup! Add to the fact that we had won only 1 in 5 and Rotherham were doing well this season, then it is a bit of a shock.
I was brought back to earth though when I read the next message, which simply read: "3-3."
My elation turned into anger, but I hadn't read the final text, which again was simple and read: "4-3 to Rotherham!"
I was now seething and decided to ring home to ask what was going on! When I was on the phone I was told we had equalised thanks to an own goal, which was described as a 'tremendous shot in to the top corner, but in the wrong net.'
At that time it was nearing the end of extra time and we were heading to penalties, which as everyone knows by now, we lost!
They are a lottery, but what angered me was that Newton scored a penalty in the game but in the shoot out sent his spot kick somewhere north of Scotland and Irwin, who was able to score penalties day in day out, with his eyes closed at Old Trafford, couldn't score in this shoot out.
Oh well, our Worthington Cup campaign is over too early yet again, but at least we can concentrate on the league! But will we concentrate...
We have Sheffield United on Saturday, who currently lie in sixth place, and we must sort out this defence! Every good team has a strong backbone and we cannot rely on Blake, Deano and anyone else to get the goals that will bail us out of trouble.
Jones needs to re-think some of his tactics and ideas, because as my colleague Dave Burgess revealed, our defensive frailties, especially in the first ten minutes of a game is absolutely shocking.
We need to shut up shop and build from the back, even if it makes for a boring game, who cares as long as we win!
I hate to say it, but we could learn from what our rivals West Brom did last year. They had two strong players in Clement and Moore at the back, who rarely let anything past them and they were able to take their opportunities up front and win, mostly 1-0.
We are two weak at the back. We don't have someone who is commanding and strong enough. Irwin has got respect off everyone in every league, but he is a quiet player. Lescott and Naylor are both young and also stay quiet and I don't really see Butler barking instructions.
I don't have the answer, but hopefully Jones can find it - SOON!
I haven't done a prediction for a while so here goes...
Despite being so negative regarding our defence, I am going for a positive result and saying, 2-1 to Wolves!
So, C'mon Wolves! Don't Let Us Down!!
steve_hermon@hotmail.com