Wolves 2 – 1 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
31 Oct
The overriding emotion after the Arsenal defeat was that of pride. The Blues had worked for each other, played some pleasant football and the scoreline didn’t do us justice. But fast forward a week and the overriding emotion following this defeat to Wolves is of anger. Anger at how toothless we were, especially in the second half, anger at how lacklustre we were, anger at the lack of passion from our players. But take nothing away from the home side. They fully deserved this victory. City were hounded by Wolves.
After Emmanuel Adebayor had given us the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, it was virtually one way traffic. Wolves were sprightly, pugnacious and had more desire than us. They were first to every ball, stronger in the tackle and more creative going forward. Nenad Milijas levelled the scores in the first half before David Edwards notched the winner early in the second period to leave City fans feeling deflated.
My good friend Roberto Mancini was devoid the services of inspirational captain Carlos Tévez, so elected to hand a debut to Mario Balotelli alongside Emmanuel Adebayor up front in an attacking 4-4-2 formation. Nigel de Jong suffered a slight injury in training on Friday so missed out, whilst Kolo Touré returned to the side in place of suspended Dedryck Boyata and was handed the captain’s armband.
A pulsating first half between two sides both intent on playing at a high tempo was a refreshing change from a number of recent fixtures, and it was new signing Mario Balotelli, making his first start for the Blues, who was right in the thick of the action. He could have opened the scoring after just a minute or so when he shot wide following a James Milner cross.
City had come out of the blocks at a frightening pace and the Italian had another opportunity, but this time he blasted over after some good work from Adebayor. The home side weren’t completely out of it however, and they were making their presence known with a series of strong challenges, including one from former Blue Richard Stearman that landed Balotelli on his backside. And it was Stearman again who produced the tackle which led to the opening goal for City.
David Silva showed great ingenuity to drag the ball back from the byline, but before he had time to reap the rewards, Stearman had taken his legs in the penalty box, thus resulting in a clear decision for Mike Dean, a referee renowned for his penchant for awarding penalties. With no Carlos Tévez, it was left to Adebayor to take the spot-kick and despite never oozing confidence, he strode up and sent Marcus Hanhemann the wrong way.
But any thoughts that the goal might knock Wolves’s resistance were quickly dispelled as they replied in the best possible manner. After David Edwards had hit the post with a header from a corner, the ball fell to Serbian midfielder Nenad Milijas who sweetly placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner, leaving Joe Hart with no chance.
I thought that half-time would be a helpful respite for City, but it turned out that we restarted the game without an iota of passion, creativity or desire. Wolves were piling forward, and after a poor headed clearance from Kolo Touré, the ball fell kindly for David Edwards to fire home and send the home fans into raptures.
But instead of increase the tempo of our play, the City players seemed to retreat into their shells. Balotelli, who started the game so brightly, fizzled out into a disaster, shirking away from challenges and looking slow and lethargic. Yes, it’s true that we will have to wait to reserve judgement on him for a while, as he has only just returned from injury and he needs time to adapt to a different style of football, but in the second half, he looked like a poorer version of Bernardo Corradi, and capped off his miserable debut with a yellow card, on account of his persistent mouthing-off at Mike Dean.
Mancini brought on Adam Johnson in attempt to liven things up, and immediately, the youngster delivered. He tricked his way past George Elokobi before pulling the ball back on a plate for Adebayor. However, the Togo striker could only fire over. That was a mere blip on an otherwise impressive afternoon from the much-maligned Adebayor, whose workrate and desire were matched only by James Milner and David Silva. The final few moments fizzled out with City never really threatening, and Wolves recorded a much needed and much deserved victory.
I concluded my Arsenal review with a hope that City would learn from that defeat. It seems that after this game, they need to spend more time in the classroom.
Good report. It infuriates me too that we spend all this money, deliver from our end but it doesn’t always get reflected on the field of play. Some sleeves need rolling up and some players need to reflect on where they are and what they can achieve. Since Chelsea I’ve been disappointed with Milner. We will need to more creative against the Baggies. Invite them on and it will start to look bleak.
As a wolves fan who went it was a great result for us but one that wasnt expected after the start you made. You pressed us high up the pitch not allowing our back line or midfield time on the ball to get it out wide. After 15 mins that seemed to stop and with no real width from city left the wings open for us to push on and create a chance or 2. You have a fantastic squad and in players such a silva people who can open up any defence but when playing so narrow it doesnt stretch the opposition as much and always teams to defend in numbers in the centre.
Good luck for the rest of the season bar the return fixture.
One fantastic phrase in this – “he looked like a poorer version of Bernado Corradi” >>> Hahaha thats brilliant.
Good, fair, honest, accurate review of the game
Hope this blog gets the praise it deserves
Wolves fan in peace. Great report. Why oh why did mancini ignore Johnson who we were all dreading?! We literally don’t have a left back worthy of the name (ward a failed 100k eircom striker filling a hole) and your world class tormentor ignored?! And bellamy…the best player seen at molineux last season (bar drogba, and possibly tevez & pionaar) and he’s on loan at cardiff? I am infuriated by this and ive never sung blue moon once! Can someone explain? Ps, my blog is http://www.wolvesblog.com if u fancy a look?!
Thanks for all the comments. Ben, Johnson often makes an impact ffrom the bench, in the second half when defences are tiring. But whenver he starts, he always disappoints. He does well for five minutes, but fizzles out and at the moment, he’s much better coming off the bench. As for Bellamy, as good a player as he was, he was too much of a disruptive influence around the squad, so Mancini thought it fit to be rid of him.
It would just worry me that Mancini is falling out with his best players. Tevez barely speaks to him does he? Why is he (allegedly) alienating the stellar performers who the team should be built around?
And then there’s Yaya going home from a recent game at half time to ‘beat the traffic!!!’
It all smacks of a leader who can’t lead and instill discipline.
No manager should stand for that. It is taking the p**s out of you lot, who have got stuck in the traffic in your thousands for years (I remember you selling out Maine Road every game you played in div2 – no other fans could claim that)
Why am I banging on about it?! I’m a Wolves fan! I just genuinely want City to do well and for all the millions, you are being a bit short changed IMO, if that’s not an oxymoron?!
* And surely Johnson needs a run of say, 6 games, and then see how he’s looking? In and out for a young kid can’t be helping him, or your team?