Beaten but not Disgraced
WWFC
By Simon Garner
September 24 2009
Well I am not usually one who really cares much for the Carling Cup, but for obvious reasons we all had an eye on how well we would fair last night against Manchester United in front of the Sky cameras.
One could argue that as it wasn't a full strength Manchester United team that we were going to look and play better than we would against a full strength team. That maybe so, but if you look at the squad that they did put out ALL of their players have played or could play international football. Weak side? I think not.
From the off we looked like we were going to be able to match them in most areas, and for parts of the game some would argue we were the better team. Perhaps we should have got one, maybe two goals; if only their muppet of a defender hadn't swapped sports and rugby tackled Kightly when clean through we would have been 1-0 up. Part of me thinks that maybe we might have found it easier to score against 11 men (yes I know it sounds odd) but I think that there might have been a bit more space to run into and the chances to score. I would like to put special praise to Christophe Berra. After what some might call a shaky start to his Wolves career, the past 2 games the guy has been immense. He has had the opposition centre forwards in his back pocket and winning most things in the air. Let's hope he can do the same against Darren Bent and co on Sunday!
Alas it wasn't to be, but I personally think that the team have done us proud. Yes it was only the Carling Cup but surely that it gives the team more experience and the belief that they can go to places like Old Trafford in the league and maybe grab a valuable point? Mick McCarthy has got this team playing well and with the belief that we can stay up and push on up the league. Sunderland on Sunday is going to be a tough game, hopefully we can get something out of the game, who knows maybe even win!
The futures bright, the futures old gold! Onwards and very much upwards!
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"My assessment was that we weren't good enough to win it - we've been sat down, patted on the head and sent on our way.
"Nice old Wolves, come up put on a show but don't upset the apple cart. It annoys me."
I agree with the sentiment, but it's also Mick's job to motivate them into being apple cart upsetters. I agree it was promising overall Si, and Berra looked a different player to the one I've been reading about over the last six months.
However I thought the midfield duo of Henry and Castillo showed far too much respect to the Utd players, who had too much time for their slick passing moves. If we are going to play two defensively minded players they have to be a lot more aggressive.
Kightly was bright and was robbed of a golden opportunity to score. Again, we showed far too respectful even when they were down to 10 men though.
I had a particular eye on Maierhofer after watching a couple of those p*ss-take videos compiled by Austrian fans. I was relieved to see he's not as bad as the videos made out. His movement off the ball was good in general, and he looked capable of playing at this level - not just a big lump. I thought there were times when SEB and Kightly opted to pass to each other too often rather than bringing Maierhofer into the game more, especially when he created a lot of space for himself.
Eleswhere Elokobi was skinned a few times but you can see the potential there - he was more comfortable on the ball than I expected. SEB looks a bit off somehow, a bit sour is the only way I can describe it. Hahnenann saw too much of the ball when we had possession - a sign for me that we collectively lacked the confidence and self-belief to come away with a result.
Overall I'm encouraged as improvements are not difficult to make as long as the players learn and adapt quickly to life in the prem. Really looking forward to the next game, which is a good sign!
There's Only One Jody Craddock - Sign Him Up!!!!