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Watford 1 Wolves 1 22/12/2001 |
| Match Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Report by Bizket Wolf
A bright and chilly day in Watford, only a 21,000 capacity ground but filled with 17,000 expectant fans. Three sides are new with the old one, with the Wolves fans in, being replaced at the end of the season - maybe Elton John needs to flog a few more cd's this xmas to pay for it! Pollet in for the suspended Butler and with Cameron still injured Robinson had another run around. Watford lined up 4-3-3 so my expectations were high especially after their midweek drubbing - hopefully their confidence would be gone.News of Roussell on the transfer list was no surprise (how else are we goner pay for Sturridge), however I'm not sure about Branch, he could be a useful squad player. Anyway a lively start particularly by Watford saw Oakes having to make a fine save on 5 mins and tip the ball over for a corner, this signalled what seemed to be an eternity, as Watford laid siege to the Wolves goal as we just could not clear the ball. However, on 8 minutes Blake was bundled over (why does he seem to get all of the attention from the opposition?) on the half way line. From the free kick Kennedy run down the left a put in a perfect cross for Newton to steal in at the far post and head the ball into the back of the net. 1.0 to Wolves and a perfect start. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Watford turkeys and for a moment we seemed to be back to our early season best. Blake and Sturridge looking particularly lively up front and neat passing and play from Kennedy and Newton. Lescott made an important challenge on 21 minutes as he was clear on goal, clearing for what should have been a corner to them - one of the many mistakes made by this ref (why can't he be demoted to the conference??). Then on 26 minutes just as we seemed to be taking control a very bad mistake by Naylor saw him completely mess up a clearance, the ball fell kindly to one of them and bang, in the back of the net and 1.1. This goal pepped up their confidence, and drain ours as they came more into the game, but it wasn't all one way traffic as a good move, on 35 mins, saw Rae have a vicious shot on the turn only to be well saved. Half Time 1.1 The second half started brightly and on 51 mins, Blake missed the easiest chance he will probably ever have, turning the ball wide when only 2 yards out and with an open goal. Chances for both teams were few and far between as the second half became a bit of an anti climax. Naylor was subbed for Camara (now that was a strange one - Naylor's confidence is obviously low), Cameron for Robinson and Ndah for Sturridge but we couldn't find many more opportunities. Blake was hauled over again in the penalty box but the ref decided not to look, then Muscat saw a 30 yard pile driver cannon off the post. But the game petered out as both teams seemed to settle for a draw. In fact reading reports afterwards, both managers seemed to be more than happy with a point - maybe they both planned it that way!! Overall a good performance, but why do we expect our midfielders to score - why can't the strikers, I hope that expectation doesn't weigh too high on Kenny Miller's shoulders when he returns after xmas. Lets hope that Preston players pig out on too much turkey and xmas pudding - see you at home to Preston on boxing day and Wolves give their fans a belated xmas present!!
Attendance: 17,389
Goals: Wolves: Newton (8 mins) Watford: Smith (26 mins)
Best Player : Kennedy (3 votes) Newton (1 vote)
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| Average player ratings are taken from a number of newspapers, magazines and web-sites ...more.... |
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