Sunday 23 August 2009

Wolves reax

Duncan Castles, Sunday Times

At times magnificent in the flexibility and invention of their forward play, the Manchester multimillionaires garnered a single Emmanuel Adebayor goal from long periods of dominance, ultimately allowing Wolves to play on their famed defensive frailties. Here, the equalising goal did not come, but on another day, against stronger opposition, it will. Lescott’s task could prove proportionate to his inflated transfer fee.

Clive White, Independent on Sunday

It was just the kind of goal, coming at just the kind of time, to help dispel any first-night nerves on the part of City in front of their hugely expectant fans. Had they followed up quickly with a second, as they could have done through Adebayor again and Robinho, they may have turned on the style. As it was, they were gripped by a developing panic, that was probably kick-started by Matthew Jarvis when he forced Given into a full-length save. It almost did for them.

Jamie Jackson, The Observer

They kept on coming. Robinho forced a free-kick from Richard Stearman which had Tevez worrying the keeper from the rebound. The Brazilian danced down the left and squeezed off a shot that was heading for the angle. Then Tevez, when offered a header by Barry, could only miss past Hennessey's right post.

This all meant the worry Hughes had as half-time came and went was the usual one that manifests as a result of missed chances and a 1-0 scoreline. "I would be more concerned if we weren't creating. We've had a good week – three games, three wins, three clean sheets," was Hughes's verdict on the profligacy and an eight days which has also included a win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, following victory over Blackburn last weekend.

Mark Ryan, Mail on Sunday

Robinho wanted his share of the limelight as City toyed with the opposition and twice failed to stretch keeper Wayne Hennessey with his finishing. Adebayor had unselfishly set up his fellow striker on the second occasion. Then, when Ireland fed Adebayor again with a threaded pass in the second half, the ex-Gunner was clean through with Hennessey at his mercy. Rounding the keeper with nonchalant ease, Adebayor took the ball too wide and found the side-netting as the goal gaped.

The introduction of Craig Bellamy failed to provide another goal, with the Welshman proving equally wasteful in the danger area. And you began to wonder what sort of punishment better opponents would have organised for a group of men who almost seemed drunk on their riches.

Danny Pugsley, Bitter and Blue

A home win, as expected, and continues our impressive home record from 2008/09. An average performance though, one in which we could have come unstuck in on another occasion, but equally, one in which we would have won at a canter if we had gone in at the break 2-0 up - which on the balance of play we should have done.

Norfstander

I guess we have to take the positives from the performance. We did create several chances and another goal would've probably seen us relax a bit and stick to our a-game. Adebayor was perhaps the only one of ours who had a very good game, he again seemed very hungry, leading the line well, dropping out wide, even into midfield to put himself about. With Thursday night's game in Barcelona it was perhaps to be expected that we might look leggy later on, and we certainly did. Three valuable points on the board, though, and two clean sheets. As much as we could have played better today sometimes you just have to muck in and graft for the three points, and we certainly did that.

1 comment:

clevblue said...

They even attack us when we win, Ho-hum. One game at a stage in the season where the team are still developing an understanding, showing such mouthwatering skill that I can only guess what is to come. Happy days.