Admittedly, Sheffield United, managed by former West Bromwich Albion manager Brian Robson, had settled for a point before the game even started but opposing keeper Paddy Kenny wasn’t forced into a meaningful save until the last 10 minutes, when Bothroyd and Olofinjana both had chances. 

Wolves kept the same team that drawn 1-1 against Norwich, with fans favourite Freddy Eastwood again being kept on the substitute bench despite a lack of goals in recent times. The first real effort on goal came via a long range effort from veteran debutant Gary Speed, whose 20-yard drive forced young goal keeper Wayne Hennessey into a splendid full length dive down to his left to tip the ball around the post. Jay Bothroyd had two chances to whip in set-pieces from similar positions, but neither came to anything, Neil Collins heading the second wide. The nearest Wolves came to breaking the deadlock in the first half was a goal mouth scramble following a Karl Henry cross.

Wolves were unchanged in the second half, but the first chance fell to former West Brom and Leeds striker Rob Hulse, whose effort was watched wide by Hennessey. Anyone expecting Wolves to be galvanised this was to be sorely disappointed, as the second chance of the half fell to former Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie following a defensive mix-up, but Hennessey was able to save comfortably. Just after the hour, Keogh was withdrawn for Stephen Elliot to boos from all four stands, and cries of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ aimed at McCarthy. The final two chances fell to Wolves, with Jay Bothroyd hitting a weak effort too close to Paddy Kenny after being sent through on goal by Olofinjana, and then Olofinjana himself forced a comfortable save from Kenny.

0-0 was a fair result, but fans were left scratching their heads and asking themselves questions. One answer has already been answered, with McCarthy admitting that Keogh was substituted as he has been suffering from a cold, but this raises another question. Why was Keogh starting if not fully fit, when there is £2.25M worth of striking talent sat on the bench, both of them signed by McCarthy within the last 6 months? Eastwood, who started the season superbly appears to have had the confidence drained out of him, and is without a goal since a brace against Blackpool on August 25th. The final question is regarding Matt Jarvis. This is the player who was supposedly brought in as a better replacement for Michael McIndoe, whose Bristol City side are currently sitting in 3rd spot in the Championship, with only goal difference separating them from Watford in top spot. Yesterday, we played a defensive midfielder wide right and a striker wide left. While both are guaranteed to give their all, neither has the required guile to create chances for the front-two. This was plain for all to see, and when Ward was withdrawn, it was another striker who filled this role in Stephen Elliott.

McCarthy is now under real pressure to turn this slump around, and we are entering the January transfer window with only one of his big-money summer signings really paying off, the reliable Kevin Foley. Fans, and Steve Morgan, must be looking on, praying that McCarthy can realise the positions that need strengthening (left-wing, central midfield and decent cover for the seemingly irreplaceable Michael Kightly) and bring in players that are good enough to improve the team. It isn’t often that Wolves fans would admit to being jealous of their Black Country rivals, but even the most ardent Wolves supporter could be forgiven for looking at West Brom’s ‘For’ and ‘Points’ columns in envy.

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