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2009-04-06T13:47:33Z

Get in the mood for tonight's match at St Andrew's with the latest Blues View:

Ian Wright is my hero - Chris Iwelumo

2009-01-08T13:37:54Z

CHRIS Iwelumo admits he is one of life's worst losers - which is just the reason he needs to try to help ensure Wolves maintain their latest unbeaten run at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

And the Scottish International knows his goals will be vital in ensuring his side keep up their seven-point advantage at the top of the table.

Goals he gets inspiration for from his all-time footballing hero - Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright.

The 6ft 4in striker said: "I am probably one of the worst losers in the world ever.

''No matter what I am playing, whether it is football, monopoly or cards! I am terrible.

"But I think players have that mentality and at Wolves I am no different and neither are my team mates. We want to win every game we play and every time we go out on to the pitch."

Iwelumo knows his 15 goals so far this season - on a par with his team-mate Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - have been crucial to his side's good form.

And he's determined to keep on scoring and one day get Wolves into the top flight - so that he can pit his skills against Wright's former Gunners club.

"My dream is to play against Arsenal at The Emirates," he reveals. "I am a secret Arsenal fan as well as a Celtic fan and would love to play against Arsenal.

"I remember once when Celtic could have bought Ian Wright and Mark Bright from Crystal Palace for £1 million but Celtic felt it was too much.

"Wrighty then went on to join Arsenal and became an absolute legend.

"He was a fantastic striker and when I was at school in games I was always Wrighty. He was my hero and inspired me to try and be like him."

Iewlumo admits he is on the crest of a wave at Molineux right now. He said: "This is

the happiest I have been in my career and I have been a professional for 13 years now.

"I have had great times at other clubs but I really feel at home now and did so within a couple of weeks. I think that is why I have done what I have so far and I just hope I can keep going.''

Iwelumo's prowess in front of goal has tempered slightly since his spell out with an ankle injury but he is keen to get back to those Wright-inspired performances.

"I missed a couple of games through injury and have had a few chances lately but haven't put them away.

"It is important to get another goal soon and then get some momentum going again.

"The run-in to the end of the season now is the hardest part and goals will be crucial."

Iwelumo has been a huge hit with the Wolves faithful and believes the team are livign up to the expectations of the crowd this season.

He said: "The spirit here is amazing and we have a good team spirit and good morale.

"Everyone here is level-headed and no-one is getting carried away - we are all united as one and hopefully that is becoming apparent on the pitch.

"It is all heading to what we hope will be a fantastic outcome."

Iwelumo may be inspired by Ian Wright in front of goal but says at Molineux it is manager Mick McCarthy who is the team's shining light.

"I think people will see that the manager wants his team to represent him here and that is what we are trying to do.

"We are an honest bunch and when we do suffer a defeat we try to bounce back as soon as we can, as we have shown.

"We have the right characters here. I am 30 and one of the older boys and there are a lot of younger lads here too but we all work well together."

Iwelumo reflects. "We went to Preston and we were unbeaten, we beat them 3-0 but then I don't think we won a game then for the rest of that month.

"But we bounced back and we all know it hurts to lose and so we try to get over it the right way by winning again.

"We now need to keep channelling our energy and our mental strength. We have strength in depth too in the squad. Everything is right at the moment.

"We know however that the Championship is the type of league where things can go wrong very quickly.

"We just need to make sure if we do slip up that we come right back."

He added: "After the Reading and Swansea defeats we went on to win seven in a row and after the Norwich game we went on to win seven in a row. I know we lost at QPR and only went on to three wins after that, and have had a couple of draws, but we are unbeaten again so there are always positives to be taken.

"These are happy days and we are heading in the right direction."

So what do the Mackem fans think of Carlos Edwards?

2008-10-03T07:44:57Z

Well, just as us fans were licking our wounds from Tuesday night and cojotating in our minds who was going to fill the wing voids at Molineux (Gray, D Edwards, Keogh, Ward..?) - Mick moves at warpspeed to bag Carlos Edwards on loan from the Black Cats. So is he any good?

Looks like a good move by Mick. One Mackem fan described this as the "last chance saloon" for Edwards, but there's no doubt the player has skill and pace and needs a new challenge to bring back fitness and confidence after some savage injuries.

He was a class act in the final months of Sunderland's promotion season, and it's no disgrace that he's on the fringes at the Stadium of Light after the arrival of the great Steed Malbranque.

A new signing always gets me scrambling onto message boards to get the views of fans where the player has just come from.

So what do the Mackem fans think of Carlos Edwards? Here's a selection from blackcatchat.net

"Good move for all concerned. Let him get his confidence back playing regularly" (theexile)

"They get someone who's proven at the level they're playing at. We get him match fit and regular games" (Enfield Exile)I

"He needs games but I don't think he'll end up being good enough unless McCarthy can remind him that he needs to at least try to run past people and make space for himself."
(flavonoids)

"I reckon he will play well and they might buy him. At this point in his career I'd let him go and cash in on him given the chance. Shame like as I always thought he would do
well in the Prem. Time will tell I guess if he gets some games and comes back refreshed." (Giddup Sausage)

"Good club for him to go to. They're scoring for fun, if he doesn't find his form and confidence there he never will." (icanbelieveitsnotspavin)

"Hopefully he can go out get a few games and get his confidence back and maybe in three months we will have the old Carlos back on our books!" - (MrT1980)

"Think a move to Wolves will do Edwards good. Not sure he's up to Prem standard but hopefully he'll do well down there. " (Mackem Madness)

Heady days at Molineux as Wolves rack up a magnificent seven wins in a row

2008-09-29T10:33:30Z

By Ian Peasley - not me!!

Trailing 2-1 with 12 minutes to go and looking defensively shaky in the swirling wind and rain, I wonder how many Wolves fans at Plymouth's Home Park on August 8 would've imagined their side would be sitting proudly at the summit of the Championship with a ginormous 22 points out of 24 just seven weeks later? Heady days indeed.

Super Mick's name is once again the chant of the terraces, Sir Jack's back to enjoy the renaissance and converted left-back Stephen Ward is, well, playing magnificently! As if the glorious, fast-flowing, expansive football wasn't enough on Saturday, the home faithful even had the luxury of some Michael McIndoe baiting to leave the ex-Wolves man in no doubt his parting words are as fresh in the fans' memory as on the day he uttered them.

The manner in which McIndoe - a fine player in his time at Molineux before Matt Jarvis was seen as the way forward - snatched his track top on the bench said it all about the way opponents are feeling playing Wolves these days. They're just not getting any joy! Bristol City's famed two-pronged wing attack was disabled by Wolves' organised defence, forcing the Robins into narrow punt down the middle tactics aimed at the ever-willing Dele Abebola.

So who is your man of the moment so far? Eight games in, and without wanting to get carried away, there are so many success stories in the Molineux camp at present. Pacy defensive kingpin Richard Stearman is growing in stature with every game, showing great ball skills and constant cajoling the troops. He's surely a captain in the making.

His growing assurance and skill in supporting other defenders really is allowing his comrades to flourish to the extent that two much-maligned players - Neill Collins and Stephen Ward - are enjoying the best spell of their Molineux careers. Ward is proving tidy in possession in his new role, a tight marker and seems to be getting to grips with knowing when to look for the intricate pass and knowing when to clear his lines which he does with conviction.

Not forgotting Kevin Foley who had his best game of the season on Saturday with some maurauding support play down the right flank. The midfield is also looking stronger with David Jones and the resurgent Karl Henry at its heart.

Jones has a powerful presence and his crisp forward passing is allowing Wolves to attack from the wings with more speed and impetus than last year. Sorry Seyi, but Wolves have £3million in the bank and haven't been weakened in the engine room. And Dave Edwards is one hell of a player to have on the bench if you need to freshen things up!

Kights is forever an enigmatic, irrepressible box of tricks while Matty Jarvis's impressive bursts of speed and good crossing are giving Wolves the ammunition for the big guns up front to pull the trigger and down the opposition with greater ease. Of course success breeds confidence and the potency of Iwelumo and Ebanks-Blake up front is beginning to rub off on Andy Keogh who has markedly improved over the last two games.

So, the league table makes startling reading. Five points within the promotion zone, ten points clear of the play-off places, and just eight games played! Surely our golden summer will come to an end soon and we'll be brought back to reality... this is Wolves after all! Will we do a Watford and blow up or can we emulate Reading and storm our way to the Premiership? Seven weeks gone, just 30 more to go to find the answer...!

Hate to say I told you so....

2008-09-15T06:13:56Z

But... Sam Vokes.... inspired by my praise he decided to score two goals to help Wolves to an amazing win over Charlton.

Sam Vokes = the new Steve Bull.

You heard it here first.

Wolves or England?

2008-09-10T10:11:44Z

Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has reopened the club V country debate in his recently-released autobiography after admitting that he'd be more bothered missing a penalty for Liverpool than England.

Add to that England's travelling army suffering from falling numbers and Fabio Capello admitting that he'd prefer to play away from Wembley to avoid the Three Lions faithful's boos and groans.

So what do you think? Would you choose an England victory over Croatia tonight or three points against Charlton on Saturday?

No surprises at Blake interest...

2008-09-09T11:23:09Z

I'm not at all shocked at news that Aston Villa are thinking of a bid for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the transfer window.

A very shrewd signing by Merlin and proof again that there ain't many bad players that come out of the Man Utd youth ranks.

Hopefully Wolves will be in a good enough league position for Wolves to keep their star striker happy.

I never get tired of seeing a striker in Old Gold scoring goals like this!! Brings back memories of a certain Tipton striker.

Or this!!

Sam's the man for the future....

2008-09-08T11:55:31Z

A few Wolves fans lost their faith in Mick McCarthy last year due to a few dodgy signings but old Merlin's eye for a player can't be criticised, Sam Vokes is living proof of that.

A lot of the spotlight has been on Chris Iwelumo who has been a revelation since his arrival, but Mick's other pre-season striker signing could just be a real star of the future for Wolves.

A timely reminder from Sam the man came against Azerbaijan at the weekend when Vokes played for Wales.

It won't be long before Vokes is demanding a starting role for Wolves, this kid looks like a good young prospect...

Wolves 5 Nottingham Forest 1

2008-09-04T15:11:12Z

MOLINEUX was swept by sunshine and filled with smiles as Forest were torn apart by magnificent Wolves.

Mick McCarthy's men climbed to the top of the Championship on the back of a breathtaking first half-display which brought four goals.

Forest were unpicked by wave after wave of fast, confident, stylish football. It was a carnival and amongst all the acclaim and joy perhaps one smile said it all.

Three minutes before half-time Michael Kightly thumped a 20-yarder into the top corner to make it 3-0. It was a tremendous strike - as stunning as it was simple.

It took the roof off. And as Kightly started a jig of celebration and the crowd went bananas. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake beamed from ear to ear at the success of his fellow striker.

This Wolves squad love it when each other does well - and that sort of spirit can take you far.

You need quality too, of course. And of that, McCarthy's men have a fair bit too. Kightly was terrific, albeit against a Forest defence with a Corinthian "after you, sir" approach to tackling. Matt Jarvis sparkled on the left.

At the back, Richard Stearman towered against an opposition which, although tattered at the back, attacked promisingly at times. Then, in the middle, there was Karl Henry.

Kightly did the spectacular stuff and did it well but Henry's influence, binding all together with David Jones in central midfield, was just as impressive.

Jones got the ball rolling in the 13th minute with a sweet sidefoot finish past a retreating defence. Tormented by Kightly and Jarvis, Forest were flustered, stretched and outclassed.

The second goal was lucky, goalkeeper Paul Smith's punch rebounding off Wes Morgan into the net. The next three were high quality.

On 42 minutes came Kightly's barnstrormer. Ninety seconds later, Jarvis raced behind the defence and crossed perfectly for Chris Iwelumo to hammer home. On 62 minutes it was Kightly's turn again. Unforgivably shown inside, he accepted the invitation and again left Smith helpless.

Inevitably, after such a memorable first half, the second was a bit of an anti-climax. McCarthy gave some of his key men a breather but still chances arrived. Twenty seconds after the break, Iwelumo was denied by Smith and, late on, the goalkeeper produced a wonder save from a close-range effort after the striker was teed up by Andy Keogh.

Pre-match, Forest boss Colin Calderwood labelled this game a "barometer" of where Forest are, following promotion. Storms ahead then. But they won't wander into a whirlwind like this every week.

WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey 7; Foley 7, Stearman 9, Collins 8, S Ward 8; KIGHTLY 9 (Gray 79), Jones 8, Henry 9, Jarvis 8 (Edwards 6 65); Iwelomu 8, Ebanks-Blake 7 (Keogh 6). Not used: D Ward, Ikeme.

FOREST (4-4-2): Smith; Chambers (Wilson 71), Morgan, Breckin, Bennett; Perch (McCLeary 71), Cohen, Moussi, Martin; Earnshaw, Tyson (Cole 71). Not used: Thornhill, Roberts.

Referee: Grant Hegley (Herts)

Rotherham 0 Wolves 0 (Rotherham won 4-3 on penalties aet)

2008-08-27T14:29:13Z

TO put it mildly, Wolves' Carling Cup run ended in unglamorous fashion.

Against League Two opposition, inside the running track of a three-quarters deserted athletics stadium, Mick McCarthy's rejigged team was a shadow of the fluent attacking force that has adorned the Championship this season.

During 120 dreary minutes, it was impossible to distinguish aspiring Premiership side from League Two outfit.

Then came penalties - and Rotherham sealed the passage they deserved.

The shootout started well for Wolves as David Jones scored and former Walsall loanee Pablo Mills was denied by Carl Ikeme.

But Kevin Foley's miss handed the iniatitive to the Millers. When Stephen Elliott's kick was saved, Rotherham had control - and they kept it.

Great was the joy among home fans who did remarkably well to generate atmosphere in the three-sides-empty venue.

For the second round running they had knocked out a Championship side on penalties. Good effort.

For Wolves? Well, embarrassment? Maybe a bit. Disappointment? Perhaps a tad.

They wanted to win, yes. But their performance was, to say the least, low key.

It says much that Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Matt Jarvis were out "injured" but will face Forest on Saturday.

If there is a genuine concern from the night it surrounds a defence which was troubled by League Two strikers.

After only 90 seconds, Neil Collins and Darren Ward left the ball to each other, allowing Reuben Reid to race through. Ikeme stood up strong to block. Forest's scouts will have also noted how, on 72 minutes, Mark Hudson stole between Richard Stearman and Darren Ward but lifted a great chance over the bar.

The edginess in Wolves defence showed when Stearman, forced to head behind for a corner, bellowed at Ikeme for not coming to collect.

Ikeme was certainly culpable when he spilled a cross deep in injury time but Reid screwed a sitter of a rebound wide.

Wolves never achieved any attacking momentum. With Michael Kightly shackled, only Stephen Ward posed a threat. He found the net after 18 minutes but was ruled offside and also fired two fierce shots over the bar.

As the second half and extra time wore on you felt surely Wolves must perk up - or at least wake up. But they never did.

Rotherham needed the win more, wanted it more and fully deserved it.

ROTHERHAM (4-3-3): Warrington; Lynch, Fenton, Sharps, Nicholas; Harrison, Cummins (Mills 117), Hudson; Reid, Broughton (Taylor 105), Rhodes (Burchill 115). Not used: Yates, Cann, Tonge, Green.

WOLVES (4-4-2): Ikeme 6; Foley 7, D Ward 6, Stearman 6, Collins 5; Kightly 5, Edwards 6 (David Jones 99 6), Henry 6, Gray 6 (Elliott 78 6); Keogh 5 (Iwelumo h/t 6), S WARD 7. Not used: Hennessey, Davies, Daniel Jones, Potter.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Ipswich Town 0 Wolves 2

2008-08-23T16:35:52Z

SYLVAN Ebanks-Blake scored his second goal of the season as Wolves' promising start continued with an impressive win at Ipswich.

Last season's top scorer in the Coca-Cola Championship headed home in the 21st minute from a cross by busy winger Matt Jarvis, before midfielder Dave Edwards made his second consecutive goalscoring appearance as a substitute.

He came off the bench to score the final goal in Wanderers' 4-1 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday last week, and was on the mark again as Mick McCarthy's men made the most of Town being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Alex Bruce was dismissed for a two-footed challenge.

Ipswich, who responded to losing their opening game of the season at home to Preston by winning 3-0 at Burnley last week, welcomed back highly-rated forward Danny Haynes for young midfielder Liam Trotter - who scored at Turf Moor.

For the visitors, Neill Collins replaced Jody Craddock at centre-back after the club captain was ruled out for three months with a foot injury at Wednesday.

Wolves had the better of the opening exchanges but almost fell behind when Kevin Lisbie capitalised on indecision by Richard Stearman after being put through by Jonathan Walters.

Wanderers striker Chris Iwelumo had the first shot on goal, which was comfortably saved by Richard Wright, before Jarvis could only shoot weakly following Karl Henry's run through midfield.

But the visitors went into the lead when Jarvis twisted and turned on the wing, before crossing for Ebanks-Blake to claim his second goal of the season.

Lisbie swivelled smartly in the box and nearly equalised after good work by Haynes.

Collins was left unchallenged in Town's area but headed wide from Kevin Foley's cross, before Wolves failed to clear Haynes' cross - and Walters volleyed over the bar.

Haynes also fired over following Tommy Miller's free-kick moments, before the half-time whistle sounded.

Town's revival continued after the interval, with Pablo Counago replacing Alan Lee up front. The Spaniard exchanged passes with Walters, before firing tamely at Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Lisbie burst forward and rolled the ball across for Haynes, who should have done better than fire the ball over the bar.

Hennessey saved smartly from Counago as Town continued to press, although Michael Kightly caught the home defence napping from Iwelumo's knock-down and fired wide.

Ipswich's players appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty as Stearman cleared Miller's effort off the line following a smart Town move involving Haynes and Lisbie - before Wolves left-back George Elokobi was carried off, with Collins moving to left-back and Darren Ward coming on at centre-half.

Wolves also replaced Ebanks-Blake with Edwards, while Haynes was forced off with a muscle injury - with Trotter coming on.

Wright pulled off a superb save from Stearman's powerful header. But after Ipswich midfielder Bruce was sent off for a two-footed challenge on David Jones, the visitors doubled their advantage as Edwards pounced to stab home when Wright parried Jarvis' shot.

Andy Keogh replaced Kightly late on before Jarvis hit the post following a superb run, but Wolves were already assured of victory which took them second in the table.

Northampton Town keen on Mark Little

2008-08-22T08:01:53Z

NORTHAMPTON Town manager Stuart Gray is targeting Wolves defender Mark Little as a replacement for Gabor Gyepes, who has left the club to join Cardiff.

The 20-year-old made 17 league appearances during a loan spell with Town last season, and is yet to feature in Wolves' first team this season, so McCarthy may agree to a loan proposal from the Cobblers.

"Mark came in here and did very well," Gray said. "I see that Mark hasn't featured in the Wolves side so I know he will probably be getting a bit frustrated.

"The most important thing is if we bring a player in they've got to be better than the ones we've got."

Karl Henry set to be handed the Wolves captaincy

2008-08-22T08:00:39Z

KARL Henry is set to be handed the captain's armband and will lead Wolverhampton Wanderers in the absence of injured defender Jody Craddock tomorrow at Ipswich Town.

Wolverhampton-born Henry was given the job of captaining his home town club last season when former skipper Gary Breen was missing through injury and now his replacement Craddock will be absent for three months after breaking his foot against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend Henry will take on the responsibility once more.

"There's no reason why Karl won't be captain," said manager Mick McCarthy.

"I've watched the Sheffield Wednesday game again and he was absolutely brilliant. Chris Iwelumo got the man of the match award but Karl covered more ground than anyone.

"He gets things together and tidies things up. He does all those dirty little jobs that people don't particularly notice.

"I didn't think the previous game against Accrington was his best, but he really was 'back on blob' on Saturday"

Chris Iwelumo urged to bring the best out of Sam Vokes

2008-08-21T11:40:20Z

MICK McCarthy has called on Chris Iwelumo to help bring out the best in Sam Vokes.

Iwelumo, 30, has made an explosive start to his Molineux career since moving from Charlton in the summer.
The much-travelled striker, now with his 11th club, has scored four goals in his opening three games for the club.

And McCarthy is hoping he will help the deveopment of 18-year-old striker Vokes, who signed from Bournemouth during the summer.

"I've been trying to find someone of Chris' ilk for the last two seasons and never managed to do it," said the Wolves boss.

"We were in for him when he joined Charlton but I think that deal was already done because of Phil Parkinson.

"I'm just delighted we've got him now because of what he brings to the team.

"I also think he'll be a huge influence on Sam Vokes. I'm not saying they're the same players, but they're both bigger players.

"Anyone watching him on Saturday would say he played like a centre forward. People can play it up to him, he sets it up, gets it wide, gets in the box and scores goals.

"That's what he's doing. We've also got two good penalty takers on the pitch, because he takes penalties as well. I think he's a foil for any of the other strikers to be honest."

Mick McCarthy's happy with his style

2008-08-20T11:38:16Z

MICK McCarthy has no plans to change Wolves' style for Saturday's game at Ipswich Town.

The manager was pleased with his side's attacking play in the weekend's win against Sheffield Wednesday.
And McCarthy intends to stick with the same philosophies for the trip to Portman Road.

"It's very different away from home but it should have the advantage of making it a big, open game," said McCarthy.

"We played that way for 90 per cent of the games last season away from home. We played 4-3-3 at Crystal Palace and beat them - that was my plan to play the same way when we lost to them here. We did the same at Burnley and won that game playing 4-3-3 and playing really well that day.

"But in the main, we play 4-4-2 and had a decent away record last season.

"So the answer is yes, we can play as good and as devastating away from home."