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Wolves 1 Nottm Forest 0 25/09/2001 |
| Match Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Report by JD Wolf
Oh what a couple of wins can do. Confidence among the fans and players alike was apparent from the kick off, I just hope that expectations don't run too high, as in previous seasons and hang round our necks like a rancid a*****n fan. A crowd of 24,350 (nice tax fiddle Jez) rose to the occasion and spurred Wolves on to a frenzied start. Sweet passing, played at a venomous pace tore into the red shirted forest, who didn't seem to know what had hit them. Blake, Miller, Kennedy and Newton all played their part in a piece of Brazilian magic that culminated in Miller's shot being easily saved by their keeper. Forest seemed all over the place, but soon rallied and put 11 men behind the ball to cope. This will be the tactic of most clubs this season and so we will have to find a way of breaking them down earlier. The fierce pace couldn't last and with Forest determined to dig in and slow the game down, it all went a little boring (or was that because it was so good to start?). More attacking play on the half hour saw Blake's header saved, but really Forest had took the wind out of our sales and things got a little frustrating. The fans became tense, as in the first few minutes we sensed an easy victory, if we had of scored in the first few minutes then we would have probably scored a hat full. As the game drifted off to half time, I began looking around at the crowd - how do you eat your half time pie? I tend to fold back the foil and bite into it, however every one around me in the South Bank seemed to pick off the top and eat it with their fingers - very interesting, which was more than I could say for the last 10 minutes of the first half! Talking of pies why do we always run out half way through the first half? Is it cus fat Jez has eaten them all? The second half started off a little better, with the crowd buoyant after hearing that Crewe were 2 up away at Burnley, top of the league was there for the taking. On the hour the every busy Miller took control and fired in a ferocious shot which cannoned off the post, this spurred us on a little, but we still couldn't find that elusive opening. The bad blood from Branch's goal a couple of season's ago was still apparent - with the Forest fans singing "same old Wanderers - always cheating". However they got there own back as Muscat kicked the ball out after Blake was injured - Wolves obviously expecting the ball to be played back from the throw in, however Forest kept the ball. This incensed the fans and players alike with Newton going straight into the book for a lovely challenge on one of the culprits. This incident spurred on players and fans alike as we suddenly became determined to win, the attacking play became more frantic as we looked for the punishment that Forest deserved. Worryingly Miller was stretchered off with a shoulder injury and replaced by Proudlock. Proudlock took his chance by chasing down every ball - the added impetus proved essential as in the 90th minute as Kennedy's cross was met by Newton for a delightful header into the net - his third in as many games. The crowd responded by singing "we are top of the league - say we are top of league" only for this moment to be cut short by Burnley's last minute equaliser. Overall a battling performance - proving that we don't give up too easily. Some delightfully excellent attacking play, backed up by determinedly solid midfield and defence, we just need that little bit more knowledge in breaking down teams who are determined to play for a draw. Bring on Rotherham!! Man of the match - difficult to choose; Newton or the ubiquitous Cameron possibly. But generally an excellent team performance.
Attendance: 24, 350
Goals: Wolves: Newton (90 mins)
Best Player : Miller (2 votes); Newton (2 votes)
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