News Index

Archived News:

31st October 2008

Team News

Cardiff: captain Darren Purse, midfielders Stephen McPhail and Joe Ledley and striker Jay Bothroyd have all shaken off knocks.
Peter Whittingham is pushing for a recall, but Mark Kennedy, Riccardo Scimeca and Tony Capaldi are injured.

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy could recall defender Richard Stearman to the squad.
Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme looks okay to start again after a back problem, but Jody Craddock, Matt Jarvis and George Elokobi remain sidelined.

29th October 2008

D Ward Extends Loan

Championship side Watford have extended the loan of Wolves defender Darren Ward for a second month.
30 year old Ward started his career at Vicarage Road, has featured in all of the last five games for the Hornets apart from the Wolves game.
He is now available up to and including the Championship game with Doncaster on 29th November.
Ward is ineligible for next month's Carling Cup trip to Swansea, having already played in a previous round for Wolves.

Match Reaction

Wolves are back on top of the Championship after two Sylvan Ebanks-Blake goals saw off Swansea City 2-1 at a wintry Molineux.
But there was no celebrating from central defender Richard Stearman, who was dropped on his return from suspension after reporting late for the game.
A freak tea-time blizzard, which left the pitch covered in snow, blocked Black Country motorways and Wolverhampton-born Stearman suffered when becoming stuck en route from the East Midlands.
"I was not going to play Neill Collins but Richard phoned one of the lads to say he was late," said a displeased Mick McCarthy.
"I was already doing my team-talk when he arrived and I would have looked soft if I'd played him.
"It doesn't matter how late he was. If you are one minute late for your flight to Bermuda in the summer, you miss the plane."

McCarthy was much happier with the players who featured in ending Swansea's five-game unbeaten run.
Although Wolves hung on at the end, the manager added: "I was worried about this game because Swansea are a good side.
"They pass the ball as well as anybody but Sylvan is a good player and nobody else in our team could have scored that first goal."

28th October 2008

Wolves 2-1 Swansea

45mins: GOAL, Ebanks-Blake gives Wolves the lead.
Half Time: Wolves 1-0 Swansea.
49mins: Goal, Pratley levels the score.
57mins: GOAL, Ebanks-Blake gets his and Wolves second.
67mins: Wolves substitution, D Edwards on for Kightly.
76mins: Swansea substitution, Butler on for Gower.
76mins: Swansea substitution, Pintado on for Britton.
81mins: Wolves substitution, Mancienne on for C Edwards.
87mins: Wolves substitution, Keogh on for Shackell (injured).
Full Time: Wolves 2-1 Swansea.

Weather Update
from www.wolves.co.uk

Tonight's referee Richard Beeby has confirmed that tonight's game against Swansea is to go ahead barring any deterioration in the weather conditions which at present haven't been forecast.
Mr Beeby has arrived at Molineux and confirmed (at 4.30pm) that there are no problems with the playing surface ahead of the 7.45pm kick off.
Barring any major change in the weather conditions the game is currently not under any threat.
If there is any change then an announcement will be made on WOW and local radio and television stations will be informed immediately.

27th October 2008

Team News

Wolves: Michael Mancienne could make his debut after joining on loan, while defender Richard Stearman returns after his one-match suspension.
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is expected to replace Carl Ikeme, who has a slight back problem.

Swansea: will be without full-back Marcos Painter, who will be out for six months with ruptured knee ligaments.
He was stretchered off during Swansea's win over Southampton, while goalkeeper Dorus De Vries (broken jaw) is out.

26th October 2008

Loan Signing

Wolves have signed Chelsea's England under-21 defender Michael Mancienne on a two-month loan.
The 20-year-old centre back, who agreed the deal on Monday afternoon, will be with the club until 29 December.
Mancienne has previously been on-loan with QPR.
Wolves said they have been "unable to progress" a loan enquiry from MK Dons for Matt Murray as fellow goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has a slight back problem.

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said after the match: "There was some rubbish defending, rubbish finishing, it could have been 6-6.
"I thought there were some very strange decisions and the penalty got what it deserved by being blazed over the bar because I don't think it was one.
"If his is one, Chris Iwelumo's in the first half when it was 1-0 is an absolute stonewaller. That all said, it was a highly entertaining game."
"We had 19 clean sheets last year. We were second best I think and we finished seventh.
"We conceded far less goals than (last season's champions) West Bromwich did.... so I think scoring goals is the real thing, but then I'd like to keep a clean sheet and I'm sure Aidy would."

25th October 2008

Watford 2-3 Wolves

1mins: GOAL, Iwelumo gives Wolves an early lead after 43 seconds.
21mins: Goal, Rasiak levels the score.
40mins: GOAL, Jones gives Wolves back the lead.
Half Time: Watford 1-2 Wolves.
47mins: Goal, O'Toole levels the score again.
59mins: Yellow card, Henry.
60mins: Penalty, Jones fouled O'Toole.
61mins: Smith puts it over from the spot.
69mins: Yellow card, Collins.
71mins: GOAL, Gray puts Wolves back into the lead.
71mins: Watford substitution, McAnuff on for Harley.
72mins: Watford substitution, Ainsworth on for Hoskins.
76mins: Wolves substitution, D Edwards on for Gray.
81mins: Wolves substitution, Keogh on for Ebanks-Blake.
83mins: Yellow card, Iwelumo.
86mins: Wolves substitution, Vokes on for Iwelumo.
88mins: Watford substitution, Henderson on for Doyley.
Full Time: Watford 2-3 Wolves.

24th October 2008

Team News

Watford: striker Tamas Priskin starts a three-match ban after being sent off midweek, but Grzegorz Rasiak is available after a shoulder injury.
Captain Jay DeMerit may return (hamstring) and winger Jobi McAnuff is now fit after his back problem.

Wolves: defender Jason Shackell is set for a full debut to replace Richard Stearman, suspended after his midweek red card in the 5-2 defeat at Norwich.
Jody Craddock (broken metatarsal) and Matt Hill (knee) are still not ready.

22nd October 2008

Match Reaction

Boss Mick McCarthy said after the match: "First things first, it's only fair to say that Norwich played extremely well tonight but we have helped them along the way by playing some ridiculous football.
"You just have to look at the goals they scored. The first one was a mistake, the second one was a mistake, albeit with a very good finish, and the third one was a mistake as well.
"If that wasn't bad enough we then go and concede a needless free-kick, get a man sent off (Richard Stearman), and then concede a goal from the free-kick as well. As I said Norwich got about us and worked us very hard but we're much, much better than that."

Reflecting on his team's recent indifferent form, McCarthy said: "We've had three defeats in four games now and have conceded 11 goals in the process.
"We have been making too many mistakes and it's a worry, I can't deny it. We have got to tighten up at the back and if the players I've got at the moment can't do that I'll have to think about bringing someone else in. We shouldn't forget that we are still second in the league but we're not doing ourselves any favours at the moment."

McCarthy was also critical of defender Stearman for the manner of his dismissal.
"It was very annoying because at 3-2 we had just got ourselves back in the game.
"I don't know if it was harsh or not but when you're already on a yellow card you don't go and get a second yellow like that. It was very disappointing."
 

21st October 2008

Norwich 5-2 Wolves

26mins: Yellow card, Stearman.
28mins: Goal, Ikeme puts the ball into his own net.
37mins: Yellow card, Lita.
39mins: Goal, Lita gets Norwich's second.
41mins: GOAL, Collins gets one back for Wolves.
Half Time: Norwich 2-1 Wolves.
58mins: Goal, Lita gets their third.
62mins: Yellow card, Henry.
63mins: Wolves substitution, Keogh on for C Edwards.
66mins: Penalty, Hoolahan fouled Ebanks-Blake.
67mins: GOAL, Ebanks-Blake scores from the spot.
69mins: Red card, second yellow, Stearman.
70mins: Goal, Lita gets his hat-trick.
73mins: Wolves substitution, Shackell on for Iwelumo.
75mins: Goal, Croft makes it 5.
77mins: Norwich substitution, Bell on for Croft.
78mins: Wolves substitution, D Jones on for Kightly.
80mins: Norwich substitution, Lupoli on for Lita.
86mins: Norwich substitution, Cureton on for Sibierski.
Final Score: Norwich 5-2 Wolves.

20th October 2008

Team News

Norwich: defender Dejan Stefanovic is back from suspension as City attempt to avoid a fourth straight defeat.
Adam Drury, John Kennedy and Antoine Sibierski are doubtful after suffering knocks during Saturday's 1-0 loss at Bristol City.

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy may keep faith with the same starting XI that beat Coventry, although on-loan winger Carlos Edwards is pushing for a place.
Defenders Jody Craddock and Matt Hill are not yet ready to return.

19th October 2008

Match Reaction

Mick McCarthy said after the match: "Sylvan actually ran off the pitch and you're not offside if you fall off. You're not seeking to gain an advantage by staying off the pitch, if that's the rule then he's not offside.
"But maybe we had a bit of good fortune with that.
"That's our best win, that's a tough win against a tough side. We had to win and we've done it.
"I saw the players on Friday and we've had four of five away on international duty until Thursday - Carlos (Edwards) only got back on Friday.
"It's easy to lose on a day like today. With all the players we've had out through injury and suspension, it doesn't help the cause.
"Coventry could feel aggrieved they haven't got a point out of it but that's the way it is - we've won ugly."

18th October 2008

Wolves 2-1 Coventry

6mins: Goal, Mifsud gives Coventry the lead.
42mins: GOAL, Kightly equalises.
44mins: Yellow card, Doyle.
Half Time: Wolves 1-1 Coventry.
47mins: Yellow card, Kightly.
49mins: Yellow card, Eastwood.
59mins: GOAL, Ebanks-Blake heads Wolves into the lead.
69mins: Coventry substitution, Morrison on for Mifsud.
69mins: Coventry substitution, Beuzelin on for Gunnarsson (injured).
81mins: Yellow card, Foley.
81mins: Wolves substitution, C Edwards on for Ebanks-Blake.
81mins: Wolves substitution, D Edwards on for Keogh.
84mins: Yellow card, Tabb.
85mins: Yellow card, Henry.
85mins: Wolves substitution, Shackell on for S Ward.
92mins: Yellow card, Best.
95mins: Yellow card Fox.
95mins: Yellow card, Iwelumo.
Full Time: Wolves 2-1 Coventry.

17th October 2008

Team News

Wolves: attacking stars Michael Kightly, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo are all available.
Kightly (hamstring) and Ebanks-Blake (knee) have been passed fit and Iwelumo, fresh from his Scotland howler, has served his three-game ban.

Coventry: boss Chris Coleman is unlikely to make any changes to the side that thrashed Southampton 4-1.
Freddy Eastwood returns to Molineux for the first time since his summer move to the Ricoh Arena.

15th October 2008

Murray Loan

Mick McCarthy has said goalkeeper Matt Murray is likely to be available for loan once he has had some match practice.
The keeper is now three games into his recovery from over a year out with a cruciate knee injury, and was forced off at half time of yesterday's friendly against Wigan with a dead leg.
That problem is nothing serious, and with Wolves two other keepers Wayne Hennessey and Carl Ikeme currently battling it out for the goalkeeping spot Matt may be sent for more competitive experience should a suitable loan opportunity materialise.
And the Wolves boss believes any clubs with potential goalkeeping problems would welcome Matt's assistance for a loan, believing his three Wolves keepers could all excel at the highest level.

January Transfer Money

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey says the club have a transfer budget "provision" for January but insists the money will only be spent on the right players.
Speaking at a fans' parliament meeting held at Molineux on Tuesday, Moxey hailed the club's impressive start to the Coca-Cola Championship season
"All that with a team showing an average age of less than 23," he declared.
"There's a provision for January but it depends whether it's the right player at the right price. It's not just a question of doing it at any cost.

14th October 2008

Friendly At Compton

A Wolves X1 lost 1-0 when they played Wigan Athletic in a friendly at Compton Park this afternoon.

Wigan got the only goal of the game in the  21st minute lead following a Joe Holt corner. The ball was deflected past Matt Murray with Jonathan Breeze claiming the last touch.
Matt Murray limped off at the interval suffering from a 'dead leg' that he had picked up midway through the first half.
Friend was causing Wigan problems with his forward runs and crosses, and Mark Salmon twice fired over the bar as Wolves pressed for an equalising goal.
A dipping shot from Davies was deflected wide before, with 70 minutes gone, Salmon's header was cleared off the line by Jordan Mustoe.

Wolves X1: Murray (Woolley 45), Melbourne, Friend (Malone 63), Shackell (Batth 58), Williams, Salmon, Davies (Winnall 86), Potter (Whitley 58), Hemmings, Winnall (Bennett 63), Gray (Dunleavy 58).

13th October 2008

Givemefootball.com - Exclusive Kightly Interview

Michael Kightly is one half of Mick McCarthy's ‘twin terrors' who are hoping to fire Wolves into the Premier League. Along with Matt Jarvis, Kightly has been identified as the man who will provide ammunition for the likes of Chris Iwelumo and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake to score the goals that will return Wolves to the Promised Land. However, Kightly isn't shy of scoring a goal or two himself as a tally of 14 strikes in 48 league starts for the Old Gold boys is an impressive feat for a wide man and he has been an integral part of Wolves smashing home 24 goals in their first ten games of this campaign.
Read the full interview at: Givemefootball.com

12th October 2008

International Round Up
from www.wolves.co.uk

Dave Edwards scoring his first Wales goal has been the highlight of a busy weekend for Wolves' clutch of internationals.
Dave produced a clinical and indeed vital finish to break the deadlock in the first half as Wales beat Liechtenstein 2-0 at the Millennium Stadium yesterday, Ched Evans grabbing a deflected second after the break.
It was a Welsh win containing a heavy Wolves influence as keeper Wayne Hennessey kept a clean sheet and striker Sam Vokes also started before being withdrawn at the expense of Evans shortly after the interval.
Dave received the man of the match award following his goalscoring performance and was understandably delighted.

Unfortunately Dave's heroics were unable to be matched by Chris Iwelumo, who came off the bench on 56 minutes for his first Scotland cap in the 0-0 draw with Norway.
And while he undoubtedly added some much needed punch to the Scottish attack and indeed produced an impressive overall performance, there was no fairytale ending to his belated call-up as he missed a straightforward chance to break the deadlock within eight minutes of coming on.
Chris will now return to Wolves as will Stephen Ward and Darren Potter who turned out in the Republic of Ireland's senior challenge win against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

But there are still a clutch of Molineux men away with their countries.
Welsh trio Wayne, Dave and Sam have the small matter of a World Cup qualifier away at Germany on Wednesday, and Andy Keogh and Kevin Foley are with the Republic of Ireland senior squad welcoming Cyprus on the same night.
Richard Stearman and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, both unused substitutes as England under-21's won 3-2 against Wales on Friday night, have the second leg of the UEFA Championships qualifier to come at Villa Park on Tuesday.

Carlos Edwards meanwhile played the full game for Trinidad & Tobago as they drew 0-0 in Guatemala.
Trinidad & Tobago take on the USA in the Port of Spain on Wednesday night.

10th October 2008

Internationals

Wolves striker Andy Keogh scored in a senior challenge match with Nottingham Forest last night.
Keogh was one of four Wolves Irish players involved in the 2-0 win at Dalymount Park, scoring the second goal in the 62nd minute.
Kevin Foley played the full game, Stephen Ward 69 minutes at left back and Darren Potter came off the bench for former Wolves loanee Darron Gibson in the 55th minute.
Keogh now joins up with the full Irish squad ready for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Cyprus at Croke Park.

Kevin Foley has also been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Cyprus, after an impressive display in last night's challenge match win against Nottingham Forest. The in-form defender is yet to win a senior cap for Ireland despite featuring in several previous squads.
Richard Stearman and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are involved with the England under-21s ahead of tonight's first leg of the UEFA Championships play-off with Wales in Cardiff.
Wayne Hennessey, Dave Edwards and Sam Vokes are all battling for a place in the Wales team to face Liechtenstein at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow while Chris Iwelumo faces a similar fight to win his first Scottish cap against Norway.
Loanee Carlos Edwards is with Trinidad & Tobago for their qualifier in Guatemala.

8th October 2008

Fixture Update

Wolves league away fixture at Blackpool, will now take place on Monday 29th December with a 7.45pm kick-off, so it can be shown live on Sky Sports.
The match at Bloomfield Road was scheduled to take place at 3pm on Sunday 28th December.

7th October 2008

Friendly Draw

In a windswept friendly at Blackburn's training ground Wolves drew 1-1.

Blackburn took the lead on eight minutes when a foreign trialist beat Murray from close range.
On 71 minutes a superb ball from Alex Melbourne dissected the Blackburn defence and a clinical finish from Winnall drew Wolves level.

Wolves Team: Murray (Woolley 58), Melbourne, Shackell, Williams, Friend (Connolly 41), Salmon, Rosa (Winnall 45), Davies (Davis 58), Gray, Hemmings, Malone. Sub: Dunleavy.

Stearman Call-Up

Wolves defender Richard Stearman has been called up into the England Under 21 squad for the play-off against Wales.
Stuart Pearce has called on Stearman after Manchester City's Micah Richards was forced to withdraw due to injury on Monday.
Stearman, who has played a major role in Wolves' excellent start to the Championship season, will now hope to feature in the two-legged tie with Wales.
The first leg takes place at Cardiff's Ninian Park on Friday, with the second leg at Villa Park next Tuesday.

5th October 2008

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was particularly disappointed with his side's defending.
"We recovered after going a goal down so early but we defended very poorly and our missing players would not have made any difference," he said.
"I blame the players who were on the pitch and I am very unhappy at the goals we have conceded.
"I feel very sorry for our keeper who was not at fault with any of the goals.
"I am delighted with the international break as it will give us a chance of getting all our players fit."

4th October 2008

Swansea 3-1 Wolves

1min: Goal, Gomez gives Swansea the lead after 30 seconds.
16mins: GOAL, Keogh levels the score.
28mins: Yellow card, Painter.
33mins: Yellow card, Gomez.
40mins: Yellow card, Keogh.
41mins: Goal, Scotland puts Swansea back ahead.
Half Time: Swansea 2-1 Wolves.
52mins: Wolves substitution, Vokes on for Friend.
53mins: Yellow card, Orlandi.
57mins: Goal, Scotland gets their third.
58mins: Yellow card, Scotland.
64mins: Swansea substitution, Tudor-Jones on for Orlandi.
72mins: Swansea substitution, Pintado on for Scotland.
81mins: Wolves substitution, Shackell on for C Edwards.
90mins: Swansea substitution, Bauza on for Gower.
Full Time: Swansea 3-1 Wolves.

3rd October 2008

Team News

Swansea: midfielder Ferrie Bodde is suspended for Championship leaders Wolves' visit to the Liberty Stadium.
Darren Pratley (ankle), Tom Butler (hamstring) and Marcos Painter (ankle) face fitness tests but Shaun MacDonald returns after hamstring trouble.

Wolves: could give Carlos Edwards his debut after the former Wrexham winger signed from Sunderland on a three-month loan deal.
Edwards has joined as wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis are injured.

Kightly Wins Player of the Month

The winner of the PFA 2UP Player of the Month Award for the Championship was announced today. The winner was Michael Kightly of Wolverhampton.
Kightly was recognised by football fans across the country, who voted on Givemefootball.com, as the best player in the Championship for September 2008.

Michael Kightly who, together with fellow wing wizard Matt Jarvis, has been largely responsible for Wolves' fantastic start to the season. Unfortunately for manager Mick McCarthy both star players have picked up hamstring injuries and they will be sorely missed.
Despite being coveted by a number of Premier League clubs in the summer, Kightly signed a new four-year deal with Wolves and has already rewarded them with some stunning displays, and goals, so far this season.
Mick McGuire says: "Wolves' great start to the season, I'm sure the manager would say, is due to all round team effort but one player who consistently shines is Michael in terms of his ability to score goals and his general, all round workrate and technical play, a quality which deserves a position in the Premiership hopefully with his current team."

One lucky winner who voted for Kightly will be chosen to come to a Wolverhampton game and present the trophy to the player. The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced later in the month.
To see all PFA 2UP Fans' Player of the Month winners for September and cast your vote in October's Award, visit: http://fansaward.givemefootball.com/vote?pid=2&cid=10032

Jones Signs New Deal

Wolves midfielder Daniel Jones has agreed terms on a new two-year deal at Molineux and then joined Oldham on a month's loan.
The 21-year-old is on the fringes of the Wolves' first-team and spent much of last season on loan at Northampton.
Jones has made 11 senior appearances for Wolves, and can be used in the back four as well as in midfield.

2nd October 2008

Wolves Loan Edwards

Wolves have signed Carlos Edwards on a three-month loan from Sunderland after wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis both picked up injuries.
The 29-year-old, who has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League for the Black Cats so far this term, will go straight into Mick McCarthy's squad for Saturday's clash at Swansea.
Edwards' arrival will be a big boost for Wolves after the loss of Kightly for around four weeks and Jarvis for at least two months to respective hamstring injuries in the midweek defeat to Reading.

Iwelumo Gets Call Up

Scotland manager George Burley has handed Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo his first senior call-up, and ,assured him he could play against Norway.
The 30-year-old will meet up with his new international colleagues for the first time on Monday ahead of the World Cup qualifier at Hampden on 11th October.

1st October 2008

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said after the match: "We have been beaten by a good side who have pace and power up front, a bit like ourselves.
"We had almost forgotten that bitter taste of defeat but the cost is huge with the injuries.
"We might have caught Michael's in time because he was just starting to feel a problem but everyone saw Matt go down. Stephen Ward also has a problem with his ribs and Andy Keogh had a knee in the back, so we have a few more problems to contend with.
"But I am proud of the start we had and I was delighted with the way we kept taking the game to them."