21st February 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said after the match: "Just recently my team has been picking itself.
"The fundamental thing is that we must continue to win our games to keep us in with a chance of making the play-offs.
"I think we deserved to win and our goal was well taken. We had some good spells but we also had some pretty poor spells when we gave the ball away."

20th February 2007

Ipswich 0-1 Wolves

33mins: GOAL, Ward gives Wolves the lead.
Half Time: Ipswich 0-1 Wolves.
48mins: Yellow card, McIndoe.
68mins: Ipswich substitution, Haynes on for Lee.
68mins: Ipswich substitution, Garvan on for Roberts (injured).
82mins: Wolves substitution, Craddock on for Keogh.
83mins: Ipswich substitution, Clarke on for Legwinski.
84mins: Wolves substitution, Bothroyd on for Kightly.
90mins: Wolves substitution, M Davies on for Ward.
Full Time: Ipswich 0-1 Wolves.
 

Ipswich: 0

Price, Richards, De Vos, Bruce, Legwinski, Peters, Lee, Walters, Wright, Harding, Roberts.

Subs: Supple, Garvan (68), Casement, Haynes (68), Clarke (83).

Cards: Yellow: None. Red: None.

Wolves: 1

Murray, N Collins, Olofinjana, McNamara, Henry, Edwards, Potter, Ward, McIndoe, Kightly, Keogh.

Subs: Budtz, Craddock (82), Bothroyd (84), M Davies (90), Clapham.

Cards: Yellow: McIndoe. Red: None.

Attendance: 20,602

19th February 2007

Team News

Ipswich: captain Jason de Vos is one of four key players set to boost the ranks.
Top-scorer Alan Lee and midfielder Owen Garvan are back after serving suspensions and Jonathan Walters also returns after being cup-tied.

Wolves: will leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to include midfielder Michael Kightly.
Kightly is confident he can overcome a hip problem, while at the back Gary Breen returns from a three-match ban and Jody Craddock is in contention.

Johnson Goes Out On Loan

Wolves striker Jemal Johnson has joined Leeds on a one-month loan.
The 21-year-old moved to Molineux from Blackburn in August but has seen his first-team chances limited following the arrivals of Andy Keogh and Stephen Ward in the January transfer window.
Johnson has made 24 appearances (10 as sub) for Wolves this season, scoring three goals and manager Mick McCarthy revealed that Wise had previously tried to sign the player in January.
Under the terms of the deal Johnson will not be allowed to play against Wolves when Leeds travel to Molineux this weekend.

18th February 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said after the match: "The players have been excellent and given the club, ourselves and me an opportunity to have a chance of being promoted.
"Now it is, the pressure mounts, there's tension and expectation.
"We won the game in the first half. It was two moments of inspiration and 90 minutes of perspiration."

17th February 2007

Wolves 2-1 Burnley

5mins: GOAL, Kightly heads Wolves into the lead.
28mins: Yellow card, Gudjonsson.
40mins: GOAL, Ward gets Wolves second.
Half Time: Wolves 2-0 Burnley.
46mins: Burnley substitutions, McCann on for Gudjonsson and Lafferty on for Jones.
53mins: Goal, McCann scores.
65mins: Wolves substitution, Craddock on for Kightly (injured).
67mins: Yellow card, Duff.
77mins: Wolves substitution, Bothroyd on for McIndoe.
88mins: Burnley substitution, Foster on for Duff.
90mins: Wolves substitution, M Davies on for Keogh.
Full Time: Wolves 2-1 Burnley.

16th February 2007

Team News

Wolves: defender Jody Craddock could return after being sidelined since December with an Achilles problem.
Gary Breen is suspended while doubts remains over the fitness of Craig Davies, who has a knee injury.

Burnley: Midfielder Alan Mahon is expected to remain out for another week with his hamstring injury.
Danny Coyne is expected to continue in goal, while winger Steve Jones has suffered no reaction to his foot after playing last weekend.

15th February 2007

FA Charge Gyepes Agent

The Football Association has charged agent Sam Stapleton with improper conduct over the transfer of Hungarian Gabor Gyepes to Wolves.
Gyepes, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, moved to Molineux on loan from Ferencvaros in July 2005.

"The charge stems from an invoice issued by Stapleton, on which he provided false bank details," said an FA statement.

Stapleton has until 22 February to respond to the improper conduct charge.

The Fa statement added: "Stapleton pleaded guilty to the criminal offence of false accounting before the Central Hertfordshire Magistrate's Court in October 2006. The FA's case relies on the same facts."

13th February 2007

Friendly Win

Wolves beat Hereford Utd 5-0 today in a reserve friendly at Compton Park, during which Gabor Gyepes made a trouble free comeback.

A minute before the break, Daniel Jones opened hr scoring with a 20-yard free-kick after a Hereford defender had been penalised for handling.
Half-Time: Wolves 1 Hereford 0.
In the 65th minute, Bothroyd spotted the keeper out of his goal and, from the halfway line, the striker hooked the ball into the net over the retreating Keeper.
Gyepes came on for Jody Craddock with 70 minutes gone and four minutes later Hughes took a pass from Jamie Clapham and lifted the ball over a defender before chipping past Lewis.
Rohan Ricketts scored a fine individual goal for the fourth in the 79th minute when he ran from the halfway line wide on the left before netting with a precision shot into the far corner.
Hughes got the fifth and his second goal of the afternoon when he headed home from close range following a cross from Bothroyd.

Wolves: Budtz, L. Collins (Spalding 77), Clapham, Gleeson (Salmon 45), Riley, Craddock (Gyepes 70), E. Bennett (Ricketts 45), M. Davies (Bailey 77), Hughes, Bothroyd, Jones (E. Bennett 77).

Loan Update

Stockport are to extend their loan deal for teenage Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey by a further month.
The 19-year-old Welsh keeper has been in impressive form since joining Stockport on 13th January, keeping clean sheets in all six of the games he has played.

They have won all of those games and Hennessey told Wolves website: "The fans have really taken to me.
"They keep singing 'Wales' Number One'. It's great to have that sort of support behind you and I am happy to stay."
Wolves have an immediate recall clause in the agreement with County should Wayne be needed back at Molineux.

11th February 2007

Match Reaction

Mick McCarthy was "absolutely delighted" by the attitude of his team, who also won at league leaders Derby in December.

He said: "That was as good a performance as against Derby. I thought today we were good value.
"I don't think it was a fact of Preston not offering much, I think we outplayed them.
"I'd like to be in the play-offs. There isn't a great deal between any of us.
"We seem to have gone two steps forward and one step back sometimes. But this week we are on a high again."

And he paid tribute to Irish strike duo Andy Keogh and Stephen Ward who caused the Preston defence plenty of problems.
"I had wanted to play 4-4-2 and maybe not had the right blend or mix before. They set it up and linked up well for one another today.
"It was a good performance from both and I'm very pleased with them both."

Wolves took an early lead after Keogh and Ward both had shots hooked off the line by Matty Hill.
Olofinjana followed up to fire into the net, despite having an ankle problem in the wake of a midweek game for Nigeria.
He had been doubtful prior to the match, but McCarthy said: "Twenty-four hours makes a big difference with a fit guy like him."

10th February 2007

Preston 0-1 Wolves

8mins: GOAL, Olofinjana gives Wolves the lead.
15mins: Preston substitution, Whaley on for Ormerod (injured).
37mins: Yellow card, Wilson.
Half Time: Preston 0-1 Wolves.
80mins: Preston substitution, Mellor on for Pugh.
80mins: Wolves substitution, M Davies on for McIndoe.
84mins: Red card, Wilson.
Full Time: Preston 0-1 Wolves.

9th February 2007

Team News

Preston: are without winger Lewis Neale with a neck injury, while Patrick Agyemang (hip) is not ready to return.
Callum Davidson (hamstring) is doubtful and Czech defender Pavel Pergl will have to wait for his debut, despite being granted international clearance.

Wolves: defender Jackie McNamara returns from suspension but Gary Breen serves the second game of a three-game ban.
Craig Davies could return to the squad, and Jodie Craddock may feature for the first time since before Christmas.

Clyde Retires

Wolves and Northern Ireland defender Mark Clyde has had to retire at the age of 24 following a series of injuries.
Clyde, who won two international caps under Lawrie Sanchez in 2004, has been battling against serious ankle and knee injuries for the last two years.
He missed the whole of last season, and a brief return this term came to an end in August when he sustained a shin injury against Preston.

Clyde said: "I have come to the decision that enough is enough.
"This has been going on now for more than two years. I talked it through with the club's physio and the doctor, and they were on the same wavelength.
"It is not going to go away if I carry on. But if I quit, and stop training every day, then there is a chance Iwill not be as aware of the symptoms."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy expressed his sympathy for the player.
He said: "It is a sad day for Mark and for the club, because we are losing a good player.
"He is a young lad to be taking this step, but I admire him for it. It is a brave thing he is doing, but he has made up his mind that he is not going to sit around injured and is going to go on and do something else.
"He is an absolutely smashing lad, and everyone at the club wishes him well."

8th February 2007

Players Could Be Loaned Out

Mick McCarthy has confirmed he is willing to let Jemal Johnson and Rohan Ricketts go out on loan.
Midfielder Ricketts and striker Johnson are down the pecking order at Wolves with an array of options available to McCarthy.
And the Molineux boss will consider allowing either player to leave the club on a short-term deal.

"We've got five strikers so if Jemal and Rohan want to go out on loan we will consider any offers," McCarthy is quoted in the Independent.
Ricketts is out of contract at the end of the season and his future appears to be away from Wolves.

7th February 2007

Mulgrew Injury Update

Wolves are waiting to discover the extent of Charlie Mulgrew's injury that he picked up in the warm-up of Scotland's under-21 match on Tuesday.
The defender damaged ankle ligaments while preparing for the friendly game against Germany at Broadwood.

Club physio Barry Holmes confirmed the injury was not the ankle that has already kept Mulgrew on the sidelines for several weeks this season.

6th February 2007

Wolves Duo In England U19's Squad

England under 19s go into action against Poland tonight with Mark Little and Mark Davies both in the squad.
Davies was absent from the 16 when Wolves played Plymouth on Saturday and boss Mick McCarthy is hoping the midfielder might get a full 90 minutes under his belt in the sell-out game at Bournemouth's Dean Court.

Boss Mick McCarthy said on WOW: "It was a tactical decision not to include Mark on Saturday.
"Since coming back from his (knee) injury he's only played 15 and 30 minutes against Oldham and 45 minutes against West Brom (plus injury time v Barnsley) - and like most 19 year olds he's desperate to be involved.
"He's not had the opportunity to start yet because the other lads in that position have been doing well.
"It's not for me to try and interfere with other people's decisions but I would be happy for him to get 90 minutes against Poland to keep his match fitness up."

5th February 2007

International Call-Ups

Wolves new boy Andy Keogh is relishing the opportunity to link up with the Republic of Ireland squad.
Striker Keogh, a £600,000 signing from Scunthorpe, admits he thought he had been on the receiving end of "a wind-up" when he was informed of his international call-up for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in San Marino.
But the 20-year-old Dubliner aims to make the most of the opportunity given to him by Steve Staunton.

Keogh said on WOW: "I've said it before that I thought it was a wind-up that I had been called up to the full Irish squad, and it is only now starting to sink in.
"But it's amazing to think I am going to be working alongside such great names of the Irish game, the kind of people I looked up to when I was just starting out as a youngster. I can't wait to get amongst them."

Jackie McNamara is desperate to help Scotland qualify for Euro 2008 - because it is his last chance to represent his country at a major tournament.
The Wolves defender, 33, has been plagued by injury this season and admits he does not have the legs to play on until he is 40 like some players.
He starred for Scotland at the 1998 World Cup and says he would love a swansong at the European Championships next summer before hanging up his international boots for good.
"This will definitely be my last campaign at international level," said McNamara. "I won't go on forever.
"I'm not one of those guys like Craig Brewster who can play until he's 40.
"It seems as if I've been running around parks since I was 16 years old."
He added: "I played at France 98 and the experience of that was fantastic.
"Looking back, you believed tournaments like that would come along all the time and I never imagined it would be the last major tournament we'd take part in.
"It would be great for everyone in the country if we could make the European Championships next summer or the World Cup in 2010."

The man charged with that task is new Scotland manager Alex McLeish, who replaced Walter Smith two weeks ago.
Smith led the Scots to the top of their qualifying group, before returning to Rangers last month.
And McNamara has no doubts that McLeish - who has met with his players for the first time at a squad gathering at the Turnberry Hotel - is the right man for the job.

He added: "Alex was the best choice because of his experience at international level and with Rangers.
"Walter Smith did a fantastic job and we've got our pride back and I hope Alex can take over from where he left off."

4th February 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his side could also figure in the promotion shake-up despite their rotten form at home, with only one win in their last nine home games.

He said: "We are certainly still in with a shout of the play-offs, though it would make it easier if we won all our home games, but we have not.
"Against Plymouth we played some good stuff, some frustrating stuff, conceded two poor goals, scored two good ones and could have won or could have lost.
"Welcome to the rollercoaster which is Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"We have not scored enough goals, but in Stephen Ward and Andy Keogh we saw two front players who were in a different class. They are a real partnership in the making."

However, McCarthy wants better backing of his side from home fans who, again, instead spent much of the afternoon calling for chief executive Jez Moxey's resignation.
McCarthy said: "We had a whole section of the ground shouting about Jez Moxey and I am sure if those fans were instead singing 'super Wolves' instead of 'Moxey out' it would be easier for the players."

3rd February 2007

Wolves 2-2 Plymouth

26mins: Goal, Plymouth score against the run of play.
32mins: Yellow card, Hayles.
33mins: GOAL, Ward scores on his full debut.
36mins: Goal, Timar puts Plymouth back ahead.
Half Time: Wolves 1-2 Plymouth.
51mins: Yellow card, Sinclair.
54mins: Yellow card, N Collins.
57mins: Wolves substitution, McIndoe on for Jones.
62mins: Yellow card, Seip.
62mins: Wolves substitution, Olofinjana on for Little.
69mins: GOAL, Olofinjana equalises.
74mins: Yellow card, Timar.
76mins: Plymouth substitution, Ebanks-Blake on for Hayles (injured).
78mins: Wolves substitution, Ward on for Bothroyd.
82mins: Plymouth substitutions, Buzsaky on for Sinclair and Gallen on for Fallon.
90+mins: Yellow card, Edwards.
Full Time: Wolves 2-2 Plymouth.

2nd February 2007

Team News

Wolves: defenders Gary Breen and Jackie McNamara are both suspended, so Rob Edwards could return to the starting XI and Lee Collins may be on the bench.
Jody Craddock is still out with an Achilles tendon injury, though Charlie Mulgrew is close to a recall after an ankle problem.

Plymouth: Rory Fallon may be given his first Championship.
Nick Chadwick (groin), Mat Doumbe (back) and Bojan Djordjic (cheekbone) are all definitely out.

Breen Gets 3 Match Ban

Wolves have lost their appeal against the red card shown to defender Gary Breen in Tuesday's 1-0 win at Norwich.
With the West Midlands side leading 1-0, Breen was dismissed for "serious foul play" after bringing down Canaries forward Darren Huckerby.

A player sent off for serious foul play must serve a three-match suspension.
Wolves believed the offence should have been classed as a professional foul - which carries only a one-match ban - but the three-game ban will now stand.