Crucial win

This could turn out to be the most crucial win in the whole season.

We looked up for it and again used our bouncing back ability once again. It was quite disappointing last week but we came here and did exactly what we set out to do. Win whatever it takes. We didn't play as well as in previous weeks but we certainly did enough to deserve the points.

Jarvis must take huge credit, he didn't give up even when he saw Mears had it and he got the goal. I thought in the first half we defended quite well. Zubar once again was solid and the others did nothing wrong.

Adlene was superb, I think he was the difference in the middle, while Henry was sweeping up behind and Jones using the ball with effect. Foley has me saying this every week, he played well. He always does and I feel sorry for him that he doesn't get to play his favoured position.
Doyle harassed the Burnley defence, and forced them into silly mistakes. I'm sure he would have scored had Jensen not assaulted him. Surely that is a red card? Had it been an outfielder would it have been a red?

We rode our luck today, but when have we had much luck?  The back heel was great play by Clarke Carlisle, he placed it to perfection! I'm glad we scored one that like because or players don't shoot enough and maybe this might make them shoot a bit more.

Hahnemann - 7

Zubar  - 7
Craddock-7
Berra - 7
Ward - 7

Foley - 7

Guedioura - 8
Henry - 7
Jones - 7
Jarvis -8

Doyle - 8

Two more Claret and Blue away games, can we get some points though?

Burnley v Wolves Preview

This was a very big game back in December. We won that one (and scored two!) and this one is obviously even bigger than that one. The team that wins this one will create a mini gap and a crucial one above the others.

We put in a great performance at the Molineux and won with ease. We need to put in a similar one. Burnley had a mid week match against Stoke, which is always tiring and have a small squad, we have to take advantage. But when have we ever taken advantage, we aren't clinical enough.

For the fifth straight game Mick will be picking the same side, eventually this has to get some sort of momentum going and we have played well recently. Burnley will probably be making a couple of changes themselves, with Steven Fletcher returning and others returning.

The appointment of Laws said it all to me. It didn't give out a signal of intent to stay in the league, and they have won just one game since he has taken over. Their away form is still terrible, and their home performances have looked less impressive as time goes on. I think they will finish worse off out of us Hull and them.

Last time we harassed them from the start, which is why we scored our first. Carlisle dithers to much  and Bikey has played midfield a lot this season so they won't be great at the back. we have to score some goals in this match, our team is capable of scoring goals. We need to be more positive once we get to the penalty area, take some risks and keep shooting.

Hahnemann

Zubar
Craddock
Berra
Ward

Foley
Guedioura
Henry
Jones
Jarvis

Doyle

3-1 to Wolves. Doyle, Foley and Keogh.

Wolves 0 Man Utd 1

It's just the same everytime isn't it?

We can definitely match these teams, but we just can't score. We are good at building play up, but once we make our way to the penalty area we look lost. The lack of players taking a shot from distance is frustrating, only Adlene seems to like shooting.

Our defence was excellent bar the goal. It was a bad bit of defending from Jody Craddock and he repeated that later which nearly gave them another goal. Next to him Berra was solid, I can't recall him making a mistake in that game. Ward, facing probably the best winger in the league, did well. Valencia got past him a couple of times but it was encouraging that United started booting it up to Valencia. Zubar had Nani in his pocket, he was solid and so nearly got an assist at the end.

The best player on the pitch had to be Henry, how many times did United break and there he was covering the out of position full backs. And when he got the ball, he picked out some great passes. Adlene Guedioura put in a great display, he never gave up and hardly ever loses a challenge in the middle. David Jones was quite bright, always looking for the right pass and had a decent effort on goal.

Matthew Jarvis didn't look quite as confident as he had in the previous weeks. When he did take his man on, he had the beating of Brown and Neville and put in some good crosses. Notably the one for Ward which he should have scored. On the other side Kevin Foley was his consistent self. It's just the lack of attacking flair that concerns me, he doesn't have that natural instinct an attacker needs.

Doyle ran the Manure defence ragged. His run through the middle was fantastic, a shame he couldn't finish it off. I hope he scores next week, because it would be fantastic if he got ten by the end of the season.

But what a shame about the end. The three subs made us more attacking and carved out one real chance. A scramble in the area and you would put your money on Vokes to score from there. Last season Vokes scored so many late goals, he could have been a real heroe. Keogh looked slightly sharp and Sylvan was a lot sharper. He seemed to know where Doyle would be, and linked up well with him.

Hahnemann - 7

Zubar - 8
Craddock - 7
Berra - 8
Ward - 7

Foley - 7
Guedioura - 8
Henry - 9
Jones - 7
Jarvis - 7

Doyle - 8

SUBS: Ebanks-Blake - 6, Vokes - 6, Keogh, 6

Another 'must win game' next. Burnley are quickly falling apart and we need to win this game to create a gap between us and the bottom three.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
by oodinjeta

Wolves v Man United Preview

The great Manchester United return to the Molineux, anyone remember what happened last time they played there in the league? Kenny Miller's winner set up one of the greatest Wolves win for a while. But how different it is now.

We aren't bottom, and United aren't top. They won't be talking about Wolves' famous victory in 2004, but about what side Mick picks. What the pundits on ESPN will obviously talk about will be what happened in December.

The ten changes, the ridiculous fine we got and maybe even how many changes United make?

They've just won the League Cup. they have a HUGE match in midweek and suddenly they have a few injury doubts. Rooney somehow is injured, even though he played ninety minutes for England on Wednesday. Berbatov has a few problems with his knee and Michael Owen is out for the rest of the season. Who plays upfront, I reckon Berbatov on his own, depends if Rooney is declared 'fit'.

Last time, the feeling before the game was that we had a chance. United weren't doing too well, had a few injuries and that we could give them a game. Then Mick gives them the win and they beat us easily.

Mick says we won't make any changes. The only change I might make is Milijas for Jones but Mick wouldn't do that. Jones didn't impress me against Bolton. He almost lost the ball twice with no one behind him on the half way line and got two soft free kicks. He doesn't seem quick enough, in his mind. He has a decent freekick (when he's not flicking it up) but he hasn't got that ability on the ball that Nenad does. He has done well recently, and he's just returned from injury and might need a rest.

Team:

Hahnemann

Zubar
Berra
Craddock
Ward

Foley
Jones
Henry
Guedioura
Jarvis

Doyle.

If we get any kind of result it will be depending on Super Kevin Doyle (and Jarvis). If he can get us an early goal we might just be able to get something.

1-0 to United.

And here, watch this.

Captain Fantastic

Henry is especially good at holding off players.

No, I'm not talking about Mick.

There is a man at Wolves who does not receive the enormous credit he deserves.

The player who, along with Doyle, has looked most comfortable in the jump from Championship to Premier League.

That man is Karl Henry.

Moaned about because he passes sideways and often called 'the crab'.

Even though this is his job. To give the ball and let it go. He knows his capabilities, he does not go for glory and works his socks off. With the likes of Jarvis, Kightly, Doyle and Ebanks-Blake bombing forward, someone has to hold back and cover. Henry has done this from day one and done it to almost perfection.

The only fault I ever saw in him was holding onto the ball for too long. This only occurred at the start of the season and every game he improves at this.

Slowly though, attention is being brought to him. By other clubs. He was today linked with Aston Villa, Sunderland and Blackburn. I can see why.

The club I think he would most suit is Villa. They have players like Young, Milner and Downing to use the ball and create chances. They need someone to do the dirty work and just get it to the more creative players.

So when you see him pass it sideways don't groan, remember he is doing his job.