Most people would have settled for a draw in this tricky away game at Reading, but more would have expected a 0-0 than a 3-3 scoreline. After conceding only 3 goals in their opening 8 games, Wolves became the third visitors in succession to concede 3 at the Madejski Stadium. And after scoring only an average of one goal a game from the opening 8 games, and going into the game without main striker Nouha Dicko, Wolves scored three second half goals to secure a point.
Jackett persevered with Clarke as the stand in for Dicko and played Saville as a defensive midfield player with Evans moving to a more attacking role;
Ikeme
Doherty, Batth, Stearman, Golborne
McDonald, Saville
Henry, Evans, Sako
Clarke
It was an unimpressive first half from Wolves although they could have been ahead in the first few minutes when George Saville was sent through with only the keeper to beat but couldn’t do so. Thereafter in the first period Wolves were getting plenty of possession but not opening up their opponents whereas Reading were more direct and looking the more likely to break the deadlock. And when they did so it followed uncharacteristically poor defending by Wolves. They failed to close down a short corner leaving the home side all the time in the world to deliver a dangerous ball into the box, and when it came across, Hector got ahead of Stearman at the near post to head in.
It was difficult to see where the goals would come from for Wolves with wide men Henry and Sako hardly in the game first half and Clarke ineffective. But between the 51st and 55th minutes the game came alive with three goals. First Henry turned in a Sako cross, then Evans latched on to a loose ball in the area to put Wolves ahead. But within a minute it was level again when some quick passing got through the defence and with Doherty dragged into the middle, Taylor was free on the left of the area and slotted home.
The second half was a much better game to watch and Wolves looked to have won it when a Sako corner was deflected in for an own goal by Blackman. And in the end it was a disappointment for Wolves when a deflected Murray shot found the net in the 89th minute.
Ikeme 7 – couldn’t be faulted for any of the goals and despite the goals fest didn’t have a busy afternoon
Doherty 6 – caught out of position for Reading’s second and wasn’t quite on his game as much as recently
Batth 8 – by far the best of the Wolves defence
Stearman 6 – beaten on the near post for the first goal and not as convincing in this game
Golborne 7 – steady enough at the back but rarely managed to get forward
McDonald 6 – not at his best here and found little time on the ball
Saville 5 – never really got to grips with the midfield and missed a good scoring chance early on
Henry 7 – justifying his return to the team and had a good second half
Evans 6 – battled hard but looks more comfortable in a deeper role
Sako 7 – not able to get into the game much but still added two assists to his impressive Wolves record
Clarke 5 – one or two nice touches first half but his lack of movement off the ball is a disadvantage to him and to the way Wolves play.
Edwards played a part in the third goal. McAlinden had a lively few minutes. Van La Parrra made little impact.
It was good to see a few goals in a Wolves game for a change but there will be disappointment that they couldn’t see out the final few minutes to get a valuable three points.
But now Wolves have two home games this week to present a real chance to consolidate their promotion credentials. It’s Huddersfield on Wednesday then Wigan on Saturday at Molineux. We wait to see if Dicko will be fit to return after his hamstring injury, but if not I would like to see McAlinden get a chance. Hopefully there will be a return to the McDonald/Evans partnership in the deep lying midfield roles. Then there is a choice for the attacking central midfield role with Edwards, Jacobs and Van La Parra all contenders.
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