This is the first time we have played the Dingles in the Premier League and Roy Hodgson had the pleasure of taking us into it as his first game in charge of us.
A couple of changes were made by Hodgson for his first game most notably Mulumbu out with a hamstring injury which meant Scharner was in at holding midfield his favourite roll and Tamas back in at centre back, also Tchoyi got back on the bench and Kiely was given a place on the bench for Carson who was ill.
First Half
The game began with both sets of fans in good voice and pushing on their side, unfortunately Wolves got the better start and pushed the ball forward high at every opportunity. They seemed to be targeting Shorey and Jara in the air and it was working; this was a great call by Mick and when they went down the wing Jara was all alone against Jarvis who ripped him to shreds at times. Saying this, Jara was very good positional and kept his head well not to charge in and get a card.
Wolves put lots of balls in the area with little success and Albion cleared but were forced into the way the Dingles were playing, very much route one which doesn’t suit the players we have. This meant Fortune was being relied on and he couldn’t do much with players like Stearman and Berra on him.
O’Hara had a early chance blocked by Olsson. Albion’s best chances fell to Odemwingie with him getting a chance off a Nicky Shorey cross, we pushed from corners with Olsson getting a header only to be denied by the ‘keeper. Then Odemwingie missed the best chance of the half heading wide unmarked from a Brunt corner.
Then Tamas won an aerial battle and headed wide. Scharner was then extremely unlucky when he made a diving header brilliantly placed but was saved full stretch by the goalkeeper.
Then the break through. It had been a middle of the park encounter and Wolves won a free kick on 40 minutes and they took advantage with the ball rolling short to O’Hara to strike from 20 yards out, he hit it sweetly it curled and dipped past Myhill and the away fans were celebrating.
Second Half
We seemed to start better but on 50 minutes Tamas confused everyone with a pointless header under pressure from Matt Jarvis and let the midfielder in, with the goal gaping and only Myhill to beat it looked for all the world like the dingles were going 2 up but somehow he put it wide, all credit to Myhill for standing up as long as possible and maybe putting him off but there are no excuses for the Wolves player. Fortune then drove into the box and from a tight angle saw his shot pushed into the side netting for an Albion corner. Odemwingie then had an open goal that he couldn’t miss but Elokobi blocked it. Fortune was then involved when an Odemwingie header fell to him 6 yards out and he didn’t strike it!
Wolves breathed a sigh of relief and cleared. Olsson again rose highest off a corner only for Jarvis to clear off the line. Vela who had come on for the injured Dorrans then had a volley deflected and pushed away by the Welsh ‘keeper.
The 83rd minute and Wolves had another chance; yes they were out the game for that long! The ball was slid across the box with Ebanks Blake waiting but Tamas slid across to deny the English striker. Morrison then had a great chance to set Vela away and waited for the last available chance and then over hit the pass so the ball went for a Dingle goal kick. This was the last straw for many Baggies fans who were leaving with two minutes to go. Then four minutes added on, we pushed with the spirit we can show. The ball was hit nicely by Morrison and the ‘keeper parried it away; I thought it bounced in front of him others say it bobbled, honestly who cares? Vela ran to the ball and the Mexican play maker scored from 6 yards out in the roof of the net to secure a vital point for the Baggies. The home fans went mental, anyone outside the stadium ran back in and celebrate with the ones who had stayed on to support their team to the death.
On Refection
We actually played well but lost the middle of the park battle. Without Mulumbu we are a very different side. He is pivotal to our survival. This was in a way a disappointing result but it’s another point to safety.
Mick got his tactics spot on in my book, he fought in the middle showed spirit and used his height advantage where possible. It was a shame to see so many players not showing the passion the fans have, only Scharner and Olsson really showed it, with glimpses from Tamas.
I hope Roy has learnt from his first game on the touch line what he has to work with, we did well at the back but next game we have to play 5 in the middle and take Fortune out for Mulumbu that’s the only thing I would change, we need to show more fight but if we go 5 in the middle then we can use our more creative players and give Thomas a chance who was doubled up on all game, also it gives us more fight in the middle of the park, but it does mean we are relying on Odemwingie heavily.