COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Wolves (A)

Blues triumph in dances with Wolves

The team was announced and, at best, could only be described as makeshift but, by the end of hostilities, those out would no doubt appreciate a fight for places still exists.

Wolves went for it from the off and their 4-4-2 line up demonstrated intent but they had underestimated the acumen of our manager who recognised our plight and flooded midfield which thwarted Wolves by us having the extra man and on the break we were to expose their deficiencies.

Wolves did press for some 20 mins and, but for some superb marshalling and vocal work by Neville allied to grit and determination from our back four, plus endeavour from Heitinga and the effervescent Osman, we drew their sting. Ok, so Ossie had to clear from the line. Jags came close to giving away a pen. And Hibbert dealt with anything thrown down the flank that fed Jarvis as obviously McCarthy had targeted that area as a perceived weakness that the new England left winger could exploit... but, like many others, he had underestimated the class and dogged tenacity of Hibbert.

We flew by the skin of our teeth for 19 mins but it was enough to blunt the Wolves' fangs and so it proved in the 20th minute when Heitinga once again broke up a Wolves move and fed Osman wide right. Ossie looked up, made progress then delivered the cross that found Beckford making the required run that enabled him to glance home beyond the keeper and send the faithful into raptures and (although it was not apparent at the time) set the tone for the rest of the game.

On the half-hour mark, Osman got clear on the right and delivered a beauty to the head of Beckford who headed powerfully but too close to the keeper who parried away. The Blues now looked the better outfit even though the hosts huffed and puffed but without causing too much anxiety, apart from nothing more than forays forward that could have been dangerous but were well dealt with by our rearguard.

It seemed we were doing a professional job no matter our injured-player woes and from a corner on the 40 min mark that Baines whipped in the keeper made a great save by tipping away a header from someone I could not see from my spec. But Beckford was first to the ball and cut it back to Neville who surprised all and sundry by thumping it first time past a startled keeper into the top corner from some 18 yds. We were all delighted and even more so when Neville after seeming to take an age in deciding his celebration suddenly sped to the corner flag and did a ?Cahill?.

2-0 at the break would do us and we started to celebrate that fact but more and better was to come on the cusp of half-time. Heitinga again broke up a Wolves attack, fed Bilyaletdinov who loped forward and two defenders seemed to invite him to shoot. Well he did and from some 30yds with a shot of stunning velocity arrowed the ball past keeper and hit the net before said keeper had even completed his dive. To say the faithful celebrated was an understatement yet many shook heads as the Ref. blew for H/T and to find ourselves 3-0 up with the team and bench on view makes many wonder how good we could be given just a bob or two.

The second half was best described as a ?non-event? as we seemed confident in our ability to hold it. Howard made two good and crucial stops. Bilyaletdinov got booked near the 50-min mark. Hibbert continued to frustrate Jarvis. We did have the odd attack and from one of these Osman had a shot blocked. Magaye, who had been less than influential, was replaced on the hour mark by Big Vic and the fact there was little between them does not bode well.

Vic should have scored from another sporadic attack but missed the chance with the keeper wrong-footed. Bilyaletdinov fired over when well placed. Vellios replaced Beckford on 70 mins and continued in the same vein as Beckford, plenty of running and endeavour but without really being convincing.

Then, with 10 mins to go Bilyaletdinov limped off to be replaced by Academy hopeful Adam Forshaw and, to be honest, for 10 mins he looked the most promising of the youngsters on view. Time will tell. Final whistle and all just sort of celebrated, sang a couple of songs while the players paid homage to the travelling faithful then filed away into the sunshine, many via Asda, which is handily placed.

MotM: Phil Neville.... followed closely by Hibbert and Distin.

Overall a welcome win, a decent day out and, for all the problems with injuries, it is encouraging to witness 14 players laying down a marker and challenging those unfit to win back their places rather than expecting automatic recalls. I was pleased with today?s efforts but I do have concerns over Gueye and Anichebe as both seemed to spurn the chance given to them.

I think from now till end of season will be a good slot for the manager to have a look at one or two hopefuls whilst still striving for as high as possible finish. To be where we are now after such a disappointing season both on and off the pitch is quite remarkable. Manager and players deserve some plaudits. Now can the board perform a comeback that mirrors the team's and give us yet another fighting chance of progression next season? I hope so as I have renewed my ticket... come on, Bill, make my sacrifice worthwhile.

Blackburn next and with every point vital to them should ensure a good afternoon out. As things stand, the best we can do is ensure that Manager and players understand ?We want a Show? and come off the ground with smiles on faces. See you there.
UP THE BLUES

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