Cameron Proves The Point For Wolves - Match Report

By Scott Cooper
April 8 2006

WOLVES saw their hope of reaching the play offs disappear with a shameful performance at Plymouth Argyle last week, so Glenn Hoddle asked his players to put things right against Coventry City at Molineux on Saturday.

During the week the Wolves boss decided to recall Colin Cameron from his loan spell at Millwall. The Scot was due to stay in London until the end of the season, but following the pathetic display away at Plymouth a week ago the Wolves boss must have thought Cameron would add some steel to the midfield.

Hoddle had previously told Cameron that he was surplus to requirements and could leave Molineux at the next available opportunity should an offer come in during the January transfer window. However with nobody making a move and Cameron still with Wolves once the transfer window had shut, the Wolves boss thought it was best to ship the fans favourite out on loan to the leagues bottom club Millwall.

It was a move which wasn't backed by the mass Wolves support and fans showed their disappointment at the decision by chanting his name at games including most recently away at Plymouth Argyle.

However despite being told he could leave and despite being shipped out on loan to a club who look set to be playing league one football next season the Wolves boss decided to start Cameron ahead of Davies - the only player to be able to hold his head high following last weeks defeat.

The fans again chanted "There's only one Colin Cameron" as the players entered the field against Coventry City today and the Scot made an immediate impact. His non-stop running, will and determination earned him a standing ovation from supporters every time he took a corner and the fans sang "are you watching Glenn Hoddle?" as Cameron gave Wolves a 2-0 lead within 22 minutes.

The Wolves boss had reverted to a 4-4-2 formation similar to the one which was so effective against Cardiff City last month. Lee Naylor returned to left back whilst Lescott, Craddock and Ross made up the defence. Seol had pleaded for a chance to start in the week and was given his wish on the right whilst Mark Kennedy sat on the left of Midfield with the tried, tested and proven midfield duo of Ince and Cameron in the centre.

£1.4M "goal machine" Thomasz Frankowski and Jeremie Aliadiere lead the attack and it was Wolves who got off to a dream start by scoring the fastest goal of the day.

Lee Naylor and Paul Ince stood over a free kick on the edge of the area after Cameron had been fouled by Page after just 40 seconds and the Wolves captain curled his free kick up over the wall and into the net.

Wolves looked bright with a midfield in total control of the game. Kennedy and Aliadiere both came close before Wolves took a 2-0 goal lead on the 22nd minute mark.

The electric Aliadiere picked up the ball in his own half and ran at the City defence. His pace had been causing problems in the early stages and his run took him to the edge of the area. The Arsenal youngster then back heeled the ball to Cameron who fired home from the edge of the area. The Scot pointed to the back of his shirt as chants of "sign him up" rang around the Stadium.

At 2-0 it looked as if Wolves would go on a rout but a cross two minutes later was left by Postma and Stern John headed home from close range to close the gap to just one goal.

Wolves however refused to give in and great work by Aliadiere again gave Wolves a 3 on 1 break, the ball fell to Kennedy who's shot cannoned off the post to safety. That wasn't the only guilt edge chance Wolves missed either. Paul Ince produced some good work in the box and laid the ball off to Frankowski who blasted at the 'keeper when it looked easier to score.

Wolves were set to pay for missed chances after the break and that they did. Gary McSheffrey curled a beauty of a free kick past Postma in the 60th minute to level the scores.

The Wolves performance in the second half was nothing like that of the first and loud boo's greeted the player at the final whistle after another disappointing performance in one abysmal season.

 WOLVES 2-2 COVENTRY