Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Charlton Athletic 1
Another very credible away point yesterday at Molineux and more evidence that we can mix it with some of the best sides in this division.
It was another tight game that could have swung either way, which has been a feature of our season thus far with only our win at Blackpool having more than one goal in it. Even at Forest we might have snatched a late equaliser, albeit it would have been undeserved.
The current system suits us well with the players available to Powell. Dorian Dervite has grabbed his opportunity and is doing enough in his holding midfielder role and Lawrie Wilson’s doing more than enough it seems on the right in front of Chris Solly. Meanwhile Ceddy Evina has been offered a run in the team that a lot of us felt he deserved and Rob Hulse maybe more than a little rusty but in less than a week has showed Addicks that he has the know how and the want to lead the line.
The goals for column is a concern though as is only two clean sheets in 14 games. Plenty to work on as two tough home games are next up on the agenda and no one will know more how vital it is that we start to perform at The Valley than Chris Powell. We’re still learning though and as our homework improves we need to make sure we our work in the classroom is spot on.
Addick Bloggers at Molineux: Doctor Kish
Powell-ometer: An unchanged line up delivered another excellent point on the road. Powell now has a week to work on our home form.
Elsewhere: Lennie Lawrence’s Palace (it hurts me to write that) won at previously impenetrable Leicester. Cardiff went top after thrashing Burnley at home and Middlesbrough move 3rd after beating Bolton late. Eric Black moved closer to getting the ringmaster’s job at Ewood after Rovers beat Watford 1-0, Hull won at Ashton Gate 2-1 and Forest came from behind to put four past Barnsley. It was a good day for the clubs near the bottom, except for Ipswich who were beaten at Portman Road convincingly by Sheffield Wednesday. Millwall stuffed Huddersfield, Birmingham won at Leeds although Neil Warnock was happier than he was on Tuesday by all accounts. Peterborough beat Derby 3-0 and finally Blackpool and Brighton drew.
We missed ther first ten minutes CA, courtesy of crap motorway traffic, and got there just after they scored – first time I’ve not been bothered abiout getting to a game late. We wobbled a lot first half but held on. As you and others rightly say, second half we were in the ascendency and I’m so glad we went up there to see it. Wilse and Solly have sorted the right hand side – my son’s mOM was Solly. Didn’t put a foot wrong, won the ball back several times when he shouldn’t have, and delivered such a lovely cross for Hulse to head wide.
My MOM was Hamer – took crosses under a lot pressue on several occasions, got his whole body behind all their shots bar the goal. His distribution was good too, aprt from the handball outside the area…Morrison and Cort very solid as ever. Lovely to see Cedric where he should be. Didn;t go forward with total gay abandon (instructions I suspect) but a smashing cross for the goal. Pritchard was usual bombing end to end self – but some very important tracks back. Dervite does that role very very well (think Hughes could do it too). Hulse is a bit of an enigma – should have scored three but he at least is getting in the right positions, and doing lone man job very well. i’d stick with him. Kerkar and Johnny a bit anonymous.
in short we have played two strong Championship teams away this week and probably could have taken all 3 points in one or both. We are two points off relegation and three off mid table. Everyone is nicking points off each other – reckon the gap between relegation and promotion play offs could be small come the end of season.
4-5-1 at home wil be a problem if teams are coming to the Valley for a draw – but I don’t expect Boro or Cardiff to be doing that somehow, At times our players get caught in position when running forward with theball, as they wait for support. Hulse worked his way past two defenders wide left, and then crossed it, with no one within a country mile! Reckon we may need someone faster and with a bigger engine than Johhny if we play 4-5-1 at home.
Interesting what Ketts said about the lofty perch the away fans are given – blimey were we in the Gods! I had to get on hands and knees to see one corner, as the roof of the stand along one side blocked it out.. but there is a lot of leg room and big seats. The Wolves fans were extremely quiet (they probably roused themselves 2 or 3 times only) , and as the game wore on the 150 or so Charlton fans singing well out sung the home fans – although I’m not sure anyone could hear us way down below.
But I remember what it was like when we first got relegated from the premiership – in relative terms a team just promoted from League 1 isn’t very inspiring.
If you get a chance read the Daily Mirror report today – it is entirely about one of their players going to the Africa Cup, and the entire team sheet is wrong – quality journalism!
Pembury Addick
Great report.Thanks PA.