Another fine point for Wolves

In a thoroughly entertaining game Wolves secured another point that could so easily have been three after being by far the better team in the second half. They are certainly earning their place in the top six and if these standards can be maintained then a second successive promotion is not out of the question.

Jackett decided to rest Dicko and give Clarke his chance up front while James Henry was recalled after two good showings from the bench;

Ikeme
Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golborne
McDonald, Evans
Henry, Saville, Sako
Clarke

Wolves controlled the game well early on with their passing game but When they did get the chance to attack, Charlton were looking the more likely to score and after 6 minutes Tucudean headed wide when he should have scored. Henry was making some positive runs on the right and when he got in the box he tried an overhead kick that bought a good save from the home keeper.

Wolves were having most of the possession and Sako had a shot saved before Evans was narrowly wide with a cross shot. But Charlton were getting plenty of men forward when they attacked and Batth was forced to concede a corner from which Charlton took the lead after 25 minutes. The corner to the near post was turned in on the volley by Bikey, a disappointing way to concede. And it was almost two in a minute when Tucudean was sent through but shot just wide.

It was an entertaining game and Wolves were almost level a couple of minutes later. Clarke laid the ball back to Daville whose shot rebounded out after hitting the inside of the post. And there could gave been goals at either end with Tucudean fluffing a good chance and Evans shooting just wide.

Dicko replaced Saville at half time as Wolves went 4-4-2. Clarke was more in the game now but his header from a Dako corner was well over, then with Dicko they set up Sako who bought a good save from the keeper. And when Dicko created a good chance for Clarke he completely mishit his shot. Then the striker shot at the keeper from a narrow angle when a square ball to Sako would have created a clear chance.

Wolves fans were getting frustrated with Clarke’s efforts but they were soon in a better mood. Sako brought another good save from the keeper and then Wolves tried an out swinging corner for the first time and Danny Batth met Henry’s cross with a firm header that ended in the cornet of the net.

The visitors were close to going in front when Sako played in a Dicko who was stopped by Bikey who dallied on his clearance and was robbed by Henry whose shot hit the post. Wolves looked the more likely winners and Dicko and Doherty both failed to make half chances count after being set up by Sako. Batth then had to defend well in a lively finale before a McDonald ball into the area created a last minute scramble that Charlton eventually cleared.

Ikeme 7 – another good game and needed to be quick of his line to cut out through balls a couple of times.
Doherty 6 – caught out a couple of times defensively and wasn’t able to get forward much
Batth 8 – outstanding in the defence again, and finally managed to turn his threats from corners into a goal
Stearman 7 – a sound game defensively against a decent team
Golborne 5 – not his steadiest game and gave the ball away more than usual
McDonald 6 – more loose passes than usual but still a positive presence
Evans 8 – one of his best gams to celebrate his new contract and looks a fine prospect
Henry 8 – right back to his best here and a constant threat with his positive runs
Saville 5 – started deep alongside McDonald but then moved forwards after twenty minutes with Evans dropping deeper and not effective in the more forward role
Sako 7 – caused the home team plenty of problems with some good runs and through balls
Clarke 5 – anonymous in the first half, more involved after the break but made poor decisions when given good openings
Dicko 7 – lively second half
Edwards 6 – put himself about without making a great impact

This will go down as a good point for Wolves against a lively Charlton team that look set to be amongst the promotion challengers. And by the end Wolves looked the more likely winners