stretch takes a look at wolves win at Portman road.
Blue skies and sunshine greeted Wolves fans making the journey to Ipswich and Gold and Black filled the service stops along the A14. This could be considered the most important game of the season after Ipswich’s surprise win at Bournemouth, defeat would have piled the pressure back on Wolves after they had seemingly done enough with the win over West Ham. The reward for a win surely Premier League survival.
As poor as the points return Ipswich have had they have shown considerable fight and skill at times and should really have more points than they do, throwing away many good positions. A confident Wolves team on a good run would travel with expectancy but a positive result is never a given in this league.
Unsurprisingly , still without the option of Cunha, Vitor declared an unchanged team.
Team
Jose Sa, Toti Gomes, Emmanuel Agbadou, Matt Doherty (Rodrigo Gomes 65), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Santiago Bueno 88), Andre, Joao Gomes, Nelson Semedo (C), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Pablo Sarabia 65), Marshall Munetsi, Jorgen Strand Larsen (Nasser Djiga 96)
First Half
Ipswich began on the front foot but with Wolves easily absorbing the inevitably pacy opening with no chances conceded. Wolves began to take a foot hold in the game within 5 minutes and looked to have the edge on quality. Joao Gomes and Andre quickly asserting their dominance in the middle of the park.
Slick movement and passing saw Larsen racing into space but the keeper was able to cover the angle and save comfortably at the near post.
More good work created a good position for Bellegarde just outside the box but he couldn’t quite find the top corner and another attempt by Toti which was comfortably collected by the goalkeeper.
The game continued with few chances for either team but Wolves forcing numerous corners. Then out of the blue Ipswich scored. A recycled free kick was lofted to the far post and a free header back across the box made it a simple task for Delap to slot home. The Wolves defence had been excellent up to this point and the slowness of movement to cover the cross and knock was out of character at this point and something that did not repeat itself for the rest of the game.
The goal of course took several minutes to confirm through an offside VAR check throughout which Wolves fans sang there thoughts about the oh so boring VAR, even when it was potentially in our favour, something recognised by Ipswich fans many of whom stood and applauded our stance.
The closest Wolves came to scoring was from a bizarre lapse by the Ipswich keeper letting the ball under his foot and scraping it off the line with a desperate backwards dive. The resulting free kick on the 6 yard line always looked a good opportunity, but I am not sure I have seen a free kick of this nature hit the net with 11men standing on the line. Agbadou’s effort falling well short of a potential goal.
The half finished with many Wolves fans bemoaning the lack of speed and width in the wide areas, That said they hardly deserved to be losing at half time and there was a feeling of confidence that the game could be turned around. They were in control of the game but lacking a cutting edge.
Surely with the referee showing sufficient bias to the home team to secure VIP tickets to see Ed Sheeran he would perform better in the second half.
Second Half
Wolves started with considerably more intent and the gap in quality began to show. A terrific run and shot from Joao Gomes smashed against the upright and rebounded to safety. The shot count was building towards the final total of a handsome 22, with efforts from Bellegarde and Strand Larsen. As the game progressed the doubts grew that the performance that deserved reward was not going to deliver.
The terrific Wolves support urged the team forward but Ipswich stood firm. A change was needed and Vitor acted early bringing on Sarabia for Bellegarde, who had played well and Rodrigo Gomes for Doherty giving a more progressive look down the right. Gomes immediately injected some urgency and pace down the right, his direct play and crossing, just what was needed.
In the end it was Sarabia who made the important contributions shooting and reacting to his own rebound to shoot again on the turn. Not the cleanest of strikes but it bounced it’s way into the bottom corner. Parity at last and great release of pressure.
8 minutes later and Sarabia was there again to find the clinical pass to a stumbling Larsen who could do little else but bundle the ball over the line. Larsen again, Larsen again, Larsen again Ole Ole a song still ringing in this writers head this morning. Inevitably VAR had to waste some time by carefully reviewing the goals for offside but nothing could stop Wolves now.
The game was played out with effortless ease by Wolves with Ipswich failing to lay a glove on a strong defensive unit fronted by a dominant midfiled. A stressful afternoon which rightly ended in a routine and deserved 2 -1 win.
Wolves are now surely safe and need to look at targets above them. Finishing the season strong will be essential for the recruitment and most important the retention of our best player.
ARTICLE BY STRETCH
Started in 1970 standing on a stool in South Bank and have been screaming at referees ever since. Worked my way round the ground, Billy Wright, North bank and now made it to the Steve Bull. Moving as various friends came and went as well as accommodating age changes of the pesky kids who are also bitten. As passionate as ever despite the stress of VAR shortening my life expectancy.