14-12-2014, 00:30
A Game of Two Halves
The first 45 minutes was our best 45 minutes at S6 this season but we fell apart after the break.
We could have gone in front in the first minute but Lee's heavy touch took him away from goal & the chance was lost.
May was giving the Wolves back line a torrid time with his excellent runs. The Wolves back four were terrible and chances kept appearing. May burst through brilliantly, sidestepped the keeper but contrived to scuff his shot towards an empty net allowing a defender to get back & clear. He got through again, working space cleverly before tripping over the ball when one on one with the keeper.
Another defensive mistake allowed May clear but with just the keeper to beat, he poked it inches wide.
Wolves had one good chance on the break but that went inches wide of Westwood's left hand post.
An exciting first half with lots of good football with McGugan & Lee particularly passing the ball around well with Maguire & Drenthe flitting in & out of the game but both looking dangerous at times.
Sadly the second half was a complete contrast. It was a surprise that Nuhui was retained after his worst 45 minutes in a Wednesday shirt. Wolves could have scored three times in the opening five minutes of the second half as Wednesday appeared half asleep. Westwood parried a shot straight to a striker who fluffed badly.
Nuhui was soon replaced by Lavery as we had lost control of the match. McGugan faded out of the match completely & Lee was less influential. Drenthe fired in one brilliant shot that went just past the post. May passed off a couple of half chances, to set up team mates instead while Lee missed a simple tap in from six yards and then the ball bounced off May's knee when well placed six yards out.
Wolves created as much at the other end as we were regularly cut open. Thankfully their finishing was as profligate. That was until the introduction of Leon Clarke, who took just 30 seconds to ghost in the far post to have an unchallenged tap in from three yards. Need to see the TV replays but we shouldn't be letting a ball float across our six yard box without anyone going for it.
We might have had a penalty when Helan was sent crashing just inside the box but the ref gave it outside the box & again when May stayed on his feet when he was pulled back. At the death we had a free kick in a dangerous position but Maguire fizzed it wide.
Westwood - 6 - may have been at fault for goal but made several good saves
Palmer - 6 - hardly noticed him second half
Lees - 7 - dependable as ever
Loovens - 6 - one brilliant tackle
Helan - 6 - got away with early mistakes
Maguire - 6 - good bits & poor bits
McGugan - 6 - great first half but disappeared
Lee - 6 - great first half but missed two good chances
Drenthe - 6 - flitted in & out of the game but two great shots
Nuhui - 3 - worst game in a Wednesday shirt, not involved
May - 6 - tremendous outside the box but poor finishing
..................................................................................
Lavery - 3 - as ineffective as Nuhui
Despite Nuhui's poor performance, we were actually worse after he went off. We persisted in taking throw ins down the line for flicks but with two small forwards, we lost the ball every time. We also looked more vulnerable at set pieces without Nuhui's towering presence.
Why take him off if we cannot play without a big striker?
May had one of those days. He should have had a first half hat trick but instead came away with nothing. I have little doubt that he will come good but it might take some time. Wolves were the worst side we have played this season yet they walked off with three points.
Where next?
SG needs to have a re-think. Nuhui isn't good enough but Lavery & May isn't going to work. Can May play as a lone striker? Where can we find a big striker who can work with May & chip in with a few goals?
The first 45 minutes was our best 45 minutes at S6 this season but we fell apart after the break.
We could have gone in front in the first minute but Lee's heavy touch took him away from goal & the chance was lost.
May was giving the Wolves back line a torrid time with his excellent runs. The Wolves back four were terrible and chances kept appearing. May burst through brilliantly, sidestepped the keeper but contrived to scuff his shot towards an empty net allowing a defender to get back & clear. He got through again, working space cleverly before tripping over the ball when one on one with the keeper.
Another defensive mistake allowed May clear but with just the keeper to beat, he poked it inches wide.
Wolves had one good chance on the break but that went inches wide of Westwood's left hand post.
An exciting first half with lots of good football with McGugan & Lee particularly passing the ball around well with Maguire & Drenthe flitting in & out of the game but both looking dangerous at times.
Sadly the second half was a complete contrast. It was a surprise that Nuhui was retained after his worst 45 minutes in a Wednesday shirt. Wolves could have scored three times in the opening five minutes of the second half as Wednesday appeared half asleep. Westwood parried a shot straight to a striker who fluffed badly.
Nuhui was soon replaced by Lavery as we had lost control of the match. McGugan faded out of the match completely & Lee was less influential. Drenthe fired in one brilliant shot that went just past the post. May passed off a couple of half chances, to set up team mates instead while Lee missed a simple tap in from six yards and then the ball bounced off May's knee when well placed six yards out.
Wolves created as much at the other end as we were regularly cut open. Thankfully their finishing was as profligate. That was until the introduction of Leon Clarke, who took just 30 seconds to ghost in the far post to have an unchallenged tap in from three yards. Need to see the TV replays but we shouldn't be letting a ball float across our six yard box without anyone going for it.
We might have had a penalty when Helan was sent crashing just inside the box but the ref gave it outside the box & again when May stayed on his feet when he was pulled back. At the death we had a free kick in a dangerous position but Maguire fizzed it wide.
Westwood - 6 - may have been at fault for goal but made several good saves
Palmer - 6 - hardly noticed him second half
Lees - 7 - dependable as ever
Loovens - 6 - one brilliant tackle
Helan - 6 - got away with early mistakes
Maguire - 6 - good bits & poor bits
McGugan - 6 - great first half but disappeared
Lee - 6 - great first half but missed two good chances
Drenthe - 6 - flitted in & out of the game but two great shots
Nuhui - 3 - worst game in a Wednesday shirt, not involved
May - 6 - tremendous outside the box but poor finishing
..................................................................................
Lavery - 3 - as ineffective as Nuhui
Despite Nuhui's poor performance, we were actually worse after he went off. We persisted in taking throw ins down the line for flicks but with two small forwards, we lost the ball every time. We also looked more vulnerable at set pieces without Nuhui's towering presence.
Why take him off if we cannot play without a big striker?
May had one of those days. He should have had a first half hat trick but instead came away with nothing. I have little doubt that he will come good but it might take some time. Wolves were the worst side we have played this season yet they walked off with three points.
Where next?
SG needs to have a re-think. Nuhui isn't good enough but Lavery & May isn't going to work. Can May play as a lone striker? Where can we find a big striker who can work with May & chip in with a few goals?
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.