Irish Wolves and Opposition Irish

[Charlie Darwin]

Hunt has actually looked decent at centre mid. He's not the headless chicken I'd have predicted.

[the bear]

Hunt has actually looked decent at centre mid. He's not the headless chicken I'd have predicted.
more the cultured professional i predicted

[geysir]

He's playing an advanced role. Near the end of the half, he lost possession and was about to put in a tackle from behind to recover the situation but thought better of it. Some signs of a thought process going on.

[Charlie Darwin]

I've never seen a team give the ball away on the edge of their own box so many times.

Forde got 70 minutes. Unlucky to be taken off I think - Arsenal got nothing down his wing all night.

edit: and just as I say it, Nenad Miljas sent off for a lunge after giving the ball away on the edge of his own box. It wasn't even a foul - shocking decision.

[geysir]

Mick can be seen screaming and gesticulating from the sideline, Why me! why does it always happen to me!

[Charlie Darwin]

That's probably a worse decision than the Sammon one. At least Sammon's was actually a foul.

[geysir]

Even when Hennessy dives the wrong way he collects the ball with his feet.

[geysir]

This is worse than Moscow.
Injury time .. 6 minutes :tremble:

[Charlie Darwin]

It's actually ridiculous the number of non-fouls Arsenal are being given. Doyle just penalised now for winning the ball.

[tricky_colour]

Great point for Wolves, I didn't think they were gonna do it when they went down to 10,
but pretty comfortable in the end.

[Charlie Darwin]

Arsenal played some amazing passes over the top of the defence, who looked completely ragged the entire game. Gervinho did a job on Ward in the second half (though he has absolutely no protection from Jarvis) and Benayoun/Arshavin offered very little down Forde's wing. Funnily enough, that sending-off might mean some more game time for Forde.

[Stuttgart88]

I've never seen a team give the ball away on the edge of their own box so many times.

Forde got 70 minutes. Unlucky to be taken off I think - Arsenal got nothing down his wing all night.

edit: and just as I say it, Nenad Miljas sent off for a lunge after giving the ball away on the edge of his own box. It wasn't even a foul - shocking decision.Didn't see it - wasn't watching the game - but it sounds like it might have been like a tackle by Ciaran Clark vs Stoke last night. He won the ball cleanly but I still think it was an awful tackle. We've had this debate before (after the Hutton v Long tackle) but there was no duty of care shown by Clark. If he was just slightly out it was a leg breaker. Player's lose their composure after losing the ball carelessly. I know I used to, until I got pulled up by a ref for it, rightly.

[drummerboy]

Was impressed by Forde. Kept the ball very well and passed it very well. Worked back and wasn't afraid to take on his man. Great prospect for us.

[Charlie Darwin]

Didn't see it - wasn't watching the game - but it sounds like it might have been like a tackle by Ciaran Clark vs Stoke last night. He won the ball cleanly but I still think it was an awful tackle. We've had this debate before (after the Hutton v Long tackle) but there was no duty of care shown by Clark. If he was just slightly out it was a leg breaker. Player's lose their composure after losing the ball carelessly. I know I used to, until I got pulled up by a ref for it, rightly.
I didn't see the Clark one but this was a clean tackle. He left the ground a bit but his studs were parallel to the ground and he took the ball cleanly.

[geysir]

The ball went a bit too far ahead of Miljas and he tried to retrieve it with a lunge, but the ball was always between his outstretched foot and the Arsenal player.
Reminded me of when Roy Keane (who kept on his feet) got booked against Portugal away, for a similar attempt to win the ball from Pinto. What the ref sees is the lunge/tackle and other player being upended but doesn't see that the ball was the meat in the sandwich.

[tricky_colour]

Just found out there is no MOTD tonight, maybe they will show a bit on Saturday.
I love to see the game again as I only caught a few glimpse of it.

[geysir]

Here's a few highlights (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnaadt_a-w-footyroom-com_animals#from=embediframe)

The big plus was the starting debut by Forde. Not that he set the game on fire but was busy and looked confident on the ball, for such a young player that registers as a big positive on Trap's mentality factor.
Hunt was here, there and everywhere, set up the goal with a bit of neat football and invariably a few interventions in the box. He started the game in advanced CM position and ended up in his familiar role at LM, sometime in the 2nd half. I'd say he had an average game with the bonus of composed play that set up the goal. Ward had good stint, even if he was left trailing by Gervinho a few times, one period in the 1st half he made a good clearance out from the box and followed the move with a great run to receive the ball outside the Arsenal box and laid it off nicely to Jarvis? who flecked it up. Generally he covered the threat coming his way, resulting in balls into the box that even the Wolves' centre halves could deal with.

Mick has just signed a young product of the Iceland advanced academy of football excellence, a midfield player called Eggbert, Egg for short. That signing can only be a positive.

[tricky_colour]

Thanks geysir, fortunately I have managed to find a a full download of the game.
I had been watching it for 15 minutes but could not for the life of me pick out Anthony Forde.
That was because I was going by this the picture on this page.
http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/team-news/team-news-forde-handed-first-wolves-start_11528.html
http://i.smimg.net/11/52/anthonyforde_20110112.jpg

Which is somewhat different from the picture on the Wolves site (below).


http://www.wolves.co.uk/javaImages/5d/97/0,,10307~9869149,00.jpg

[Charlie Darwin]

Here's a few highlights (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnaadt_a-w-footyroom-com_animals#from=embediframe)

The big plus was the starting debut by Forde. Not that he set the game on fire but was busy and looked confident on the ball, for such a young player that registers as a big positive on Trap's mentality factor.
Hunt was here, there and everywhere, set up the goal with a bit of neat football and invariably a few interventions in the box. He started the game in advanced CM position and ended up in his familiar role at LM, sometime in the 2nd half. I'd say he had an average game with the bonus of composed play that set up the goal. Ward had good stint, even if he was left trailing by Gervinho a few times, one period in the 1st half he made a good clearance out from the box and followed the move with a great run to receive the ball outside the Arsenal box and laid it off nicely to Jarvis? who flecked it up. Generally he covered the threat coming his way, resulting in balls into the box that even the Wolves' centre halves could deal with.

Mick has just signed a young product of the Iceland advanced academy of football excellence, a midfield player called Eggbert, Egg for short. That signing can only be a positive.
Do you know anything about the English player Mark Doninger playing for Akranes in Iceland?

Selected in Les Rosbifs' overseas English team of the week here: http://lesrosbifs.net/2011/12/les-rosbifs-team-of-the-year-2011-includes-celtic-los-angeles-galaxy-men/. Gary Martin of the same club also included.

[geysir]

Nah, just heard his name a few times, Akranes (IA) were playing in the 2nd division in 2011, gained promotion without breaking into a sweat. IA have a proud football tradition and getting relegated was a blow.
The 2nd division highlights rarely make the tv and my live time would be spent attending about 6 KR games over the season.

So, Doninger and Martin making that list is a curious one, considering the standard in the 2nd div, or it all goes to show what a massive achievement it was for Pats to overcome IBV in the Europa league :)

[theworm2345]

Wolves 1-0 down to lowly Bolton, Ward just cracked one against the bar from 25 yards. Wolves can't afford to lose this one.

[Irwin3]

Good to see Foley back on the bench after his injury. Couldn't see Wolves losing this beforehand. Hope they get back into it.

[theworm2345]

Perfect start to the second half there, set piece from the left channel, cross whipped in right across the face of goal and Fletcher produces the headed finish from a couple of yards out...1-1. Ward actually played the first half in midfield but has shifted back to fullback after the introduction of Edwards for Elokobi.

Honestly I think Fletcher is as valuable to Wolves as van Persie is to Arsenal.

[theworm2345]

Still 1-1, Wolves brought on Doyle after about an hour just had a decent chance from a Hunt cross which Jaaskelainen saved. Foley on now after about 80 minutes, game has been pretty even in the second half.

[Sullivinho]

Honestly I think Fletcher is as valuable to Wolves as van Persie is to Arsenal.

Indeed. Take his goals out and where would they be.

Bit of a sickener for the Scots him being unavailable for them. Fell out with their manager over a text or something trivial like that.

[geysir]

That was one awful match. The cameramen gave up trying to spot the flight of the ball in the 2nd half.
One bright spot was Doyle's contribution, looked sharp after he came on for the last few minutes.

[theworm2345]

Just got back home, Doyle starts up front with Forde and Ward also starting (haven't pinpointed where they're playing yet), Foley and Hunt on the bench. Wolves apparently started very slow but just started coming back in to the match.

EDIT: I think its 4-5-1 with Forde on the left side of midfield, Ward may be behind him at left fullback. Been relatively even since I turned it on though Chelsea the better side. Ward should've scored with a header on about 32 minutes.

EDIT2: Forde off at the half for Jarvis, didn't see much of him in my 15 or so minutes watching.

EDIT3: 1-0 Chelsea, Ramires goal after a corner bounced in the box. Ward was marking him, should've done better defensively. Probably will go 4-4-2 now and bring Fletcher on.

[tricky_colour]

Surely we will be seeing Hunt coming on soon?
The substitution didn't seem to work too well given they scored soon after.
They need to bring Hunt on to rough Chelsea up a bit.

[theworm2345]

Surely we will be seeing Hunt coming on soon?
The substitution didn't seem to work too well given they scored soon after.
They need to bring Hunt on to rough Chelsea up a bit.
Apparently not, Foley will be on soon for Edwards (their last sub), perhaps to slot in on the right side of midfield...Foley's first appearance since August I guess. Jarvis hasn't been ineffective but he hasn't been effective either. I've never really rated him too much but he has pace and on occasion can produce a decent ball in to the box.

[tricky_colour]

I have to say I think it is folly bringing on Foley, I can't see him changing the game.

[tricky_colour]

Foley looks a bit of a liability judging by his recent efforts at getting the ball away,
that's not the area of the pitch to muck around in.

[tricky_colour]

Wardy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-1

I was not expecting that, doubly good for Ward who was getting some stick for the first goal (unfairly) and a miss (I didn't see it).


Hope they can hang on now.

[theworm2345]

Wardy!! Ball in to the box, the talisman Fletcher knocks it back to roughly the penalty spot and Ward drives the ball past Cech. 1-1.

[geysir]

An emphatic strike.
Though, perhaps about 8 minutes too early?

[theworm2345]

An emphatic strike.
Though, perhaps about 8 minutes too early?
I blame you for that.

[Stuttgart88]

SSN saying Cech just made a great save from Doyle, last moment of the game.

[tricky_colour]

Wolves almost got a last gasp equaliser too, still a very creditable performance from Wolves.
Would have been a magnificent one had not Lampard battled one back.

[tricky_colour]

SSN saying Cech just made a great save from Doyle, last moment of the game.

Yea I thought it was Doyle he got in a close range header but Cech tipped it over, I thought it had
gone in for a moment, on the stream. It as actually the last two touches of the game.

[geysir]

Well, it was a decent expected save but not a great save.
Perhaps it was the exciting drama of a last gasp chance that Wolves created out of nothing, 20 seconds over the 3 minutes allotted, that led to describing it as great.
I think it was Doyle who got his head onto a flick on but couldn't direct it away from Cech.

Cech looks better with his mask on

[geysir]

EDIT3: 1-0 Chelsea, Ramires goal after a corner bounced in the box. Ward was marking him, should've done better defensively. Probably will go 4-4-2 now and bring Fletcher on.
At the time I thought it was either a brilliant piece of skill or a fluked piece of brilliance by Ramires, before he turned on a 6 pence and slammed the ball into the net. Either way, Ward was beaten fair and square by a piece of brilliance.
However the defending by the whole Wolves defense for the second goal left a lot to be desired. Still it took a lovely bit of skill from Torres to set up that winning goal.

[irishfan86]

Plenty of Irish involvement in today's FA Cup match between Birmingham and Wolves, which is now at half-time.

Birmingham have Colin Doyle in goal and Adam Rooney up front. After the first half, Doyle has made a good save on Ebanks-Blake, while Rooney has been physical up front but isolated (playing as a lone striker). As it happened, he collided with Roger Johnson, who injured himself on the landing, so Kevin Foley replaced him.

On the Wolves side, Kevin Doyle is up front and seemingly continuing his poor run of form, while Hunt is playing on the left and while looking busy hasn't done anything of note. Ward is playing behind him at left fullback and made a good penetrating run into the box and has generally looked good going forward.

Pretty defensive game so far, probably only one goal needed to find a winner.

EDIT: Match ended 0-0...Colin Doyle made a great double save in the final minute to ensure the replay.

[DannyInvincible]

Some highlights from the match here:


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnig97_birmingham-wolverhampton-0-0-highlights_sport

Looked like Wolves had the better of the chances. Good goalkeeping from Doyle to keep Wolves out at 1:35.

[theworm2345]

Good point away to Spurs today, wasn't paying too close attention (watching Soton match), though had Wolves match on in the background...seemed like Wolves were under pressure for most of the match.

[geysir]

I watched a fair bit of this game. It was more distinguished by a poor Spurs who hit about 6 points and 5 overs from shooting range.
Only one double save made by Hennessy, so not that much pressure really.

[tricky_colour]

Heard on the radio that the Wolves owner was question MIck's performance and
comparing it to that of Norwich and Swansea.

[BonnieShels]

Heard on the radio that the Wolves owner was question MIck's performance and
comparing it to that of Norwich and Swansea.


Yeah heard that on NewsTalk myself. Strange comments.

[geysir]

Afaia, Wolves' owner has never commented about Mick, through good times or bad.

You'd wonder if Mick could ever build a decent team to move out of the dogfight zone? Some parts are his responsibility other parts have presented difficulties that Mick has done well to patch up mid-season. He has a few top class players out there in Fletcher and Johnson.

Hunt came on late against Spurs, enough time to give away the ball from a stray pass.
Ward was just okay. Foley looked a good footballer out there, very tidy indeed.

[SkStu]

Afaia, Wolves' owner has never commented about Mick, through good times or bad.

you're correct in that he is usually steadfast in his support of Mick but he also made some comments earlier in the week about the Wolves performances being unacceptable. I have a feeling the writing may be on the wall to some extent.

[tricky_colour]

I think he is perhaps optimistic if he thinks another manager will do any better.
I'd say there is more downside than upside in changing the manager at the moment.

Got this old data for the cost of the squads and wolves seem to be about value for money.
Albeit it is a bit out of date.

Manchester City - £323m
Manchester United - £228m
Chelsea - £215m
Tottenham - £191m
Aston Villa - £109m
Liverpool - £109m
Arsenal - £96m
Sunderland £87m
Everton - £80m
Newcastle - £68m
West Ham United - £61m
Fulham - £58m
Birmingham - £45m
Stoke - £47m
Bolton - £43m
Wolves - £39m
Wigan - £37m
West Brom - £34m
Blackburn - £32m

Also are they not doing better than last season?
Blackpool - £6m

[theworm2345]

Nightmare start for Wolves, stream just turned on, some sort of balls up in defence, ball breaks to Bent in the 18 yard box though he was going away from goal...but Berra hauls him down and the ref points to the spot. Was hoping Robbie would take it, but Bent steps up and sends Hennessey the wrong way...1-0.

EDIT: Kightly equalizes, nice work down the right, cuts inside, and curls his left footed effort beyond Given.

EDIT2: Wolves coming on strong now, had two great chances, one cleared off the line and one straight at Given...pretty open and entertaining game right now, night and day from the Birmingham match on Wednesday.

EDIT3: As I type that, Wolves take the lead. Corner in from the right from Kightly, Johnson(?) puts the first header (from roughly the penalty spot) goalward, and Edwards gets a flick on it to get it past Given. 2-1.

EDIT4: Since Robbie equalized the game has gone a bit more quiet...stupid petulant red card from Karl Kenry might have doomed their chance for three points (and even one point).