Pure dejection

By Tom Bason
February 20 2011

After a Jamie O'Hara wonder goal had given Wolves a first half lead at the Hawthorns, Albion struck back in the 92nd minute to share the spoils. Here are a few of my thoughts:

- Foley in for Hammill - I thought initially that this was a negative decision, but it allowed Zubar a little more protection, and so he was able to push forward a little bit more. Foley worked very hard defensively, often doubling up on Jerome Thomas with Zubar, and while he lacks the cutting edge upfront that Hammill may give, he got forward and kept the ball well.

- Albion were forced to leave out Youssuf Mulumbu, and he was a massive loss to them. Paul Scharner and Graham Dorrans struggled to deal with our midfield-3 in the first half. Who knows if a fit Mulumbu may have made a difference, but he would certainly have added some bite.

- Had it been on TV today, a few neutral fans would certainly have had their opinions shattered. While Wolves are viewed as a team of thugs built in the model of Mick McCarthy while Albion are the suave sophisticated European model, it was definitely us who kept the ball on the ground and some of our ball retention in the first half was excellent. In comparison, Albion looked to hit Odemwingie and Fortune as early as possible, completely bypassing their creative midfielders.

- Jamie O'Hara, Wolves legend. What a way to score your first goal for a new club, and what a game in which to do it. A short freekick from Milijas was swept into the top corner from the edge of the area, you won't see a better goal this weekend. No matter what he does in a Gold shirt now, we will forever remember that moment.

- I have more love for Kevin Doyle than any heterosexual man should have for another man I've never actually met. But, today he was poor. He was very rarely involved in the play and his frustration was shown in the one opportunity he did have to get on the ball. Breaking from the halfway line, he had all the time in the world to slip Matt Jarvis through on goal but kept possession too long and the chance was lost. I thought he should have been removed when Milijas was withdrawn for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

- Today's referee, Mike Dean had an excellent game. While it wasn't the most competitive derby in the world, he kept his head and his cards in his pocket. I can't think of any controversial decisions on either side, and he reffed it very well.

- Seeing Albion's lineup was just like watching Fulham last season, especially the midfield. A sitting midfield snotter alongside a deep lying playmaker with two inverted wingers narrowing the pitch. For Scharner, Dorrans, Thomas and Brunt read Etuhu, Murphy, Duff and Gera. Hodgson is already stamping his style at the Hawthorns.

- Richard Stearman and Christophe Berra are developing into an excellent pairing at the back, neither are short of pace and so can keep a high defensive line which closes the space in midfield. Unfortunately, we defended too deep in the second half, and allowed Albion the space to attack us.

- Matt Jarvis in the first half was excellent. Gozalo Jara never got close to him, and had we managed to get the ball wide to him slightly more, I've no doubt he would created something. In the second half though he faded, as the whole team did, yet had the best chance of the second half. For the second time in 3 games, he fluffed his lines infront of goal, and both misses have been costly. If he has England ambitions, he needs to work on his shooting and composure infront of goal.  

- The goal. Wayne Hennessey should have done better with it, that is without question. But equally, James Morrison was given far too much space to shoot on the edge of the area. Following on from superb performances at the Emirates and the Reebok Stadium, he looked slightly nervy today, misjudging a couple of crosses. But, I still definitely believe he's our best option in goal, and now is not the time to be getting on his back.

- We won't know just how valuable this point is until next week. Blackpool at Molineux is now a vital match, and has to go down as a must win. Given their precarious position above the relegation zone, they will be desperate not to lose. I personally think that Birmingham will comfortably stay up (with the bookmakers generally agreeing), meaning we've taken just two points from six games against our relegation rivals. This is an appaling record and is something we need to set right next week

- Chris Brunt, man of the match? What a joke that is. Assuming they were just taking into account Albion players, I thought Jonas Olsson or Nicky Shorey were more deserving.

- The trouble at the end was very disappointing, arguably the most disappointing aspect of the entire day. There's no need for it in this day and age, and it shines a negative light in the eyes of the media on the whole of the Black Country. It's no surprise that Sky won't show the games if this is going to happen.