|
|
Post by PureOldGold on Jan 30, 2009 15:05:08 GMT -1
Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake believes victory against Watford is so vital they must win “by any means possible.”
The 16-goal hotshot admits results are all important, as Mick McCarthy’s side seek to hit back after five league games without a win, that has seen their Championship lead cut from seven to two points.
Ebanks-Blake said: “We need to win the game by any means possible. It’s all about results at this stage of the season.
“I don’t think anyone is concerned about whether or not we play the best football, it’s about getting results and where we finish up at the end of the season.
“It’s the way football goes that we’ll probably end up not playing as well but actually winning a game.”
Shackell, who is set to replace the suspended Neill Collins, stressed Wolves had reached crunch time as they seek an end to their winless run.
The former Norwich defender said: “This is a big couple of weeks now. It’s getting to the stage where we just need to win by hook or by crook.
“Whether it’s ugly, pretty or whatever, it doesn’t matter – three points is the key. It doesn’t matter how ugly the game is, we need to get back on a little run and win a couple of matches to push on now.”
Ebanks-Blake insists confidence remains high in the camp despite Wolves enduring their worst run of results for a year.
The striker said: “We’re still in confident mood. We’ve been in situations like this already this season and have a good manager who steadies the ship.
“We’ve got good players as well – they don’t become bad players overnight because of a few indifferent results. There’s a real confidence within the squad and we need this game, so we’ll take it to them.”
|
|
|
|
Post by PureOldGold on Jan 30, 2009 15:34:28 GMT -1
The leaders take on Watford on Saturday before Norwich head to Molineux the following Tuesday.
"It's a big week for us now, let's not hide from that," McCarthy told the club's official website.
"It's unfortunate that it's two teams at the bottom end of the league and expectation will be greater for us but they are two really hard games.
"Everybody is fighting for something but we've got two home games and need to be trying to pick up six points if we want to stay top of the table.
"It's all getting bunched up behind us. Cardiff won the other day. Swansea are picking up points, they are all making moves."
|
|
|
|
Post by PureOldGold on Jan 30, 2009 15:35:05 GMT -1
Wolves defender Neill Collins is suspended for the clash with Watford.
Collins serves a two-match ban after being dismissed in stoppage-time in the midweek defeat by Reading for foul and abusive language.
Manager Mick McCarthy was scathing of his team's performance following the 1-0 reverse which cut their lead at the top of the
Championship table to just two points and could make further changes.
McCarthy could also be without on-loan midfielder Nigel Quashie after he suffered an injury on Tuesday night and was replaced by Dave Edwards, who could be in line for a starting role.
Watford boss Brendan Rodgers has no new injury or suspension concerns for the trip.
The Hornets have won their last two matches against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup and Burnley in Championship action, so Rodgers is unlikely to change a winning side and could keep faith with the same starting XI.
The only long-term injury concerns for the Hornets remain goalkeeper Mart Poom - who has a shoulder problem - and Gareth Williams.
Williams' hopes of a return have suffered a setback this week after he suffered swelling around his injured knee.
The Scottish midfielder broke down in training and no timescale has been placed on his latest recovery spell.
|
|
|
|
Post by ovechkin8 on Jan 30, 2009 16:21:38 GMT -1
Will be a very tough game but perhaps boosted by the confidence of back to back wins anything is possible as the Wolves have not been on that great a run recently.
Wild speculation at the moment over Smith and whether we might be getting in Varlos Vela.
The next few hours should clarify things. As to our horrendous away record a point would be a great result and hopefully with Williamson now at the back things shouldf turn round.
|
|
|
|
Post by Golden_Boy™ on Jan 31, 2009 9:53:05 GMT -1
We have an excellent away record at Wolves. Not feeling confident today though.
|
|
|
|
Post by southdownswolf on Jan 31, 2009 10:20:29 GMT -1
Last 7 head to head at Molineux:
Wolves W1 D5 L1 F5 A5
Pretty much even.
|
|
|
|
Post by Golden_Boy™ on Jan 31, 2009 10:32:03 GMT -1
Sorry, SDW. Meant overall. 2008/9: W 3-2 (A) 2007/8: L 1-2 (H), L 0-3 (A) 2005/6: D 1-1 (H), L 1-3 (A) 2004/5: D 0-0 (H), D 1-1 (A) 2002/3: D 0-0 (H), D 1-1 (A) 2001/2: W 1-0 (H), D 1-1 (A) 2000/1: D 2-2 (H), L 2-3 (A) 1998/9: D 0-0 (H), W 2-0 (A) 1995/6: W 3-0 (H), D 1-1 (A) 1994/5: D 1-1 (H), L 1-2 (A) 1993/4: W 2-0 (H), L 0-1 (A) The last Wolves players to score in a home win against Watford: Simon Osborn (2) and Steve Froggatt. Saying that, i'm still not confident!  |
|
|
|
Post by southdownswolf on Jan 31, 2009 16:39:34 GMT -1
'bout time we got back to winning ways. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by PureOldGold on Jan 31, 2009 18:11:09 GMT -1
Wolves stayed top of the Championship after a straightforward victory over third-from-bottom Watford.
Wolves took the lead when Richard Stearman headed on a Kyel Read corner to Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who fired in.
The home side went 2-0 up when Michael Kightly crossed for Andy Keogh to slot home before Adrian Mariappa poked in Gregor Rasiak's pass for the visitors.
Substitute Matt Jarvis then crossed for fellow replacement Sam Vokes to head in as the leaders went four points clear.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"I'm relieved - we haven't won for five games.
"I found it interesting that so much gets made of it when we are top of the league.
"When all around you everyone is getting manic you have to keep calm."
Watford manager Brendan Rodgers:
"I'm very proud of the performance but disappointed with the goals.
"Obviously the first one from a corner the second one from a breakaway from our free-kick, the third goal was decent goal - a good bit of quality.
"I think the scoreline flattered - I thought our performance was very good.
"We started the game well today and conceded against the run of play. Second half we continued the level of performance. With a bit of luck today we could have got something from the game - I was proud of the performance."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Craddock, Ward, Kightly (Edwards 89), Henry, David Jones, Reid (Jarvis 70), Ebanks-Blake (Vokes 84), Keogh.
Subs Not Used: Higgs, Iwelumo.
Booked: Henry.
Goals: Ebanks-Blake 23, Keogh 67, Vokes 90.
Watford: Loach, Hoyte (Lee Williamson 58), Mariappa, Mike Williamson, Doyley, Smith, Cork, Jenkins, McAnuff, Priskin (Rasiak 68), Hoskins.
Subs Not Used: Lee, DeMerit, Harley.
Booked: Hoyte, Mike Williamson, McAnuff.
Goals: Mariappa 81.
Att: 23,571
Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).
|
|
|
|
Post by Golden_Boy™ on Jan 31, 2009 18:23:12 GMT -1
Didn't really expect anything - didn't get anything. Sounds like we played alright tho which is encouraging. Saints next is massive.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pete the Wolf on Jan 31, 2009 23:18:44 GMT -1
Sounded a good match. Couple of nice little selection headaches for MM as well with Craddock playing well ahead of the (hopefully!) imminent signing of Berra and SEB, Keogh and Vokes all getting on the scoresheet.
|
|
|
|
Post by ovechkin8 on Feb 1, 2009 15:36:19 GMT -1
Well I don't go away anymore but from the friends that did and the commentary 3-1 was a tad unfair.
We dominated for the first twenty with Wolves showing the nervousness that has affected their recent form , tugging back Watford players,
McAnuff missed an early good chance .No surprise then a nd a goal was ruled out for a challenge (apparently fair ) on Hennessey.
Then as usual a gift goal. Loach seems uncertain of his near post. The corner was not cleared properly from Steramans header and bundled in by Blake.
From then goals change games Wolves mounted raid upon raid and corner after corner and only a wondersave from Loach denied them.
We had a chance but Hennessey saved superbly twice from Hoskins and on the follow up from Cork.
Second half pretty even, with Williamsons header off the line from a corner by Stearman,but gifted two more goals one on the breakaway (schoolboy defending) and leaving Vokes unmarked fromn a Jarvis cross.
Priskin was lucky not to be sent off for an elbow on Craddock as early as three minutes and Reid ater being carded in the first half should have also gone for a cynical tugback on Smith in the second.
Wolves deserved it probably 2-1. Our fullbacks were shit. Hoyte despite coming from Arse lacks quality on the ball and is just an athlete and was subbed .Doyley too.
When you have these two rung ragged by Kightly and Keogh the centre backs have a tough time. That said Williamson had another very good game and Hoskins was superb.
For Wolves Hennessey was top class with that save just before half time ,Stearman a rock and Kightly a class apart.
If you don't go up I'm sure several Premiershite clubs will take these.
Our aim is survival starting with the Saints and I guess Wolves have a playoff spot wrapped up and of course will be looking for automatic promotion.
|
|
|
|
Post by PureOldGold on Feb 1, 2009 19:11:20 GMT -1
A fair assessment Ovechkin. I hope you stay up and i'm sure you will. Your defending must improve, you do let in some soft goals, going forward you look threatening at times.
|
|
