7th January 2004

Ok, so we said in the preview that the game would not be 2-2, that because Mark Lawrenson had predicted such a scoreline. We were wrong, he was right, but how did Wolves not win this game? Wolves 2 Blackburn 2

 Following the good win over Leeds at Molineux and the drubbing Wolves received at Ewood Park on the opening day it was important Wolves did not drop any points - They didn`t, but it was still two points lost.

 After a dire first 10 minutes, Wolves had a golden chance to take the lead. Now, cast your mind back a few weeks to Spurs away. Camara missed a sitter at 2-1, Spurs went down the other end and within seconds had scored. Tonight, Rae missed a sitter, Blackburn went down the other end and within seconds had scored.

 Shaun Newton teased the Rovers back line with tricky footwork and slipped the ball across the face of the six line, Rae stormed in but was unable to convert the ball towards goal.

 Blaming Rae is slightly harsh. Very harsh infact, as Rae, again, was Man Of The Match by a county mile and he was powerless with Blackburn`s opener.

 Emerton sped away along the right flank, squared the ball and Andrew Cole smashed the ball home from 6yrds. Good goal, but the Wolves defence failed to pick up the runner (Cole) again.

 Wolves piled on the pressure, with Henri Camara the instigator for most of Wolves threat. Rae, Cameron and Newton all missed good chances before Henri Camara blazed over from close range signaling the end of the first half.

 Like the first half, the opening ten minutes was dire. However, due to the absence of Paul Ince, Club Captain, wearing the armband for the night scored his first goal of the season.

 Newton crossed the ball into the box, the Blackburn back line failed to clear and Butler headed home from 8yrds.

 The noise level in Molineux was then turned up and Alex Rae then scored a superb goal to give Wolves the lead.

 A superb build up found Rae 25yrds from goal who passed the ball into the net with the direction of a striker on top of his game. He`s not a striker Rae, but he is certainly on top of his game.

 Camara had the chance to put the game beyond doubt, but his shot hit the post and, like the first half, Wolves were made to pay for their miss.

 A ball was swung in from Emerton, the defence failed to clear and substitue and possible Wolves target Dwight Yorke headed home from close range.

 On the whole, two points lost - however that hope is still there. More performances like this one and Wolves have more than just a chance of staying up.

 Wolves 2 Blackburn Rovers 2