Wolves secured a 5 goal win at Molineux on Saturday and finally gave their fans something to cheer about after a run of ineffective home performances. Strikers Afobe and Dicko lead the way with some excellent finishing and left their fans hoping there may yet be a play off push between now and May.
After the disappointing performance at Norwich, manager Kenny Jackett made three changes to the line up with Golbourne returning at left back instead of Hause, Henry replacing Van La Parra, and Dave Edwards coming in for Jack Price who was laid down with illness.
Kucszcak
Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Golborne
Henry, Edwards, McDonald, Sako
Afobe, Dicko
Wolves made a positive start with Sako crossing just too high for Henry on the far post and then Henry striking just wide from 25 yards. Then Iorfa showed his attacking ability with one low cross scrambled clear then the keeper cutting out the next one after a fine run down the right by the full back. And after 21 minutes Wolves went ahead when an excellent through ball by McDonald picked out Afobe who finished with confidence.
Wolves were playing well now and Henry forced a good save from the keeper before Dicko hit a shot just wide. Then after 28 minutes it was 2-0 with Afobe turning provider to set up Dicko who turns inside his defender and shot low into the net. The Wolves strike partnership really looking a handful today.
But Rotherham then started to lift their game with Broadfoot heading over and then Derbyshire hitting the post in a let off for Wolves. Danny Batth twice makes fine challenges to foil the visitors then Kucszcak makes a good save as the game suddenly looks far from over. Brilliant play by Iorfa gets Wolves on the attack again as he beats three players on a run forward but just before the interval Derbyshire missed another chance for the visitors by miscuing his effort.
The opening period of the second half sees Rotherham camped in the Wolves half and they were close to pulling one back when a Derbyshire header was pushed over the bar by Kucszcak. The visitors looked well capable of getting back in the game but then Wolves breakaway after 64 minutes and a Henry through ball finds Afobe who calmly side steps the keeper and slits the ball into the empty net.
Kucszcak then makes another fine save and on another day we could easily have seen a repeat of last seasons 6-4 scoreline between these teams. With a home game against Fulham on Tuesday, Jackett decided to withdraw Dicko and Afobe midway through the second half with Van La Parra and Doyke coming on. The Irishman getting a rousing reception on his return to the team.
Rotherham twice come close again with the Wolves keeper foiling them each time. Then Sako gets forward and his shot is deflected wide, and from his corner Dave Edwards headed in the 4th. And in the 80th minute it’s 5 as Van La Parra sets up Sako for a right footed finish. And in the last minute it was almost 6 as Van La Parra’s cross is inches away from the onrushing Doyle on the far post.
Kucszcak 7 – made a string of fine saves and is clearly a good shot stopper if not so confident coming off his line
Iorfa 7 – made some good runs forward and looks a fine prospect
Batth 6 – made some good saving tackles but made some loose passes out of defence
Stearman 6 – some good moments on the ball but didn’t always look secure defensively
Golborne 5 – didn’t get forward much and lost possession a few times
Henry 6 – did well in setting up the third goal and gad a steady game in a tucked in role
Edwards 7 – gave Wolves some positivity in the central midfield
McDonald 7 – good to see him getting forward more and a fine assist for the important first goal
Sako 6 – usual mixture of good and bad moments but ended the game by making the 4th and scoring the 5th
Dicko 8 – a real handful for his former club and took his goal well
Afobe 9 – excellent finishing and an assist as well, looks like an excellent signing
Van La Parra 6 – a good cameo performance and set up the 5th
Doyle 6 – great to see him back in a Wolves shirt and inches away from a last minute goal
A confidence boosting result for Wolves and real encouragement to be drawn from the strike force. Another home game on Tuesday, that one against Fulham, and another win would put them right in touch with the top 6
Share this article
Related Articles
