Coventry City 2 Wolves 1 - Post analysis

Feb 9 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Post

COVENTRY CITY 2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ manager Mick McCarthy can rarely say his young side have failed to deliver this season.

Riding high at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship table, they have rarely let him down and, if anything, have exceeded expectations in providing him with gifts in front of goal.

But if the Yorkshireman had counted on his players providing him with some 50th birthday cheer then he was cruelly disappointed as the three points he had asked for were gifted Coventry’s way.

Even a last-gasp chance for top striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to redeem the side with a 93rd-minute penalty was wasted as Wolves sank to a 2-1 defeat at the Ricoh, courtesy of goals from Michael Doyle and Leon McKenzie.

Sam Vokes did his best to keep in his manager’s good books with a 73rd-minute lifeline for Wolves – his seventh goal of the season.

But in the end McCarthy was left considering a drink to commiserate, rather than celebrate his birthday with family and friends.

He said: “It’s clear that we are letting goals in too easily – the goals we are conceding are just too milky and we are giving teams too many chances.

“Bizarrely enough last season we had 19 clean sheets and didn’t get in the play-offs.

“This season we’re not getting clean sheets but we’re scoring goals. They are definitely our strength – we are powerful at that end – but we need to tighten up at the other. Mistakes are costing us.”

McCarthy had made three changes from the side held 3-3 by Norwich in midweek. Dave Jones was left out despite his recent good form and replaced by Nigel Quashie while Chris Iwelumo returned for Andy Keogh following his midweek misses in front of goal.

Wolves unveiled former Hearts skipper Christophe Berra, with the centre-back making his debut despite a stomach bug which has plagued Molineux in recent days.

Chris Coleman played former Birmingham striker Clinton Morrison with Leon McKenzie up front for Coventry while he too had a Scottish debutant in former Livingstone skipper James McPake at the back.

Wolves’ first real chance came on nine minutes when Stephen Ward set up Matt Jarvis, only for the winger to fire into the side netting.

Iwelumo then put through Michael Kightly, only to be denied by Westwood before Morrison got the better of Kevin Foley.

He spun the ball out Dave Bell but his shot flew wide of the outstretched arms of keeper Wayne Hennessy.

Wolves then upped the ante with England Under-21 stars Ebanks-Blake and Kightly combining to give Iwelumo a free header but the ball flew over the bar.

The home side were 1-0 up on 24 minutes, however, after Morrison got the wrong side of another England youngster Richard Stearman but his shot rebounded under Hennessey off the post.

It fell straight to the feet of Doyle who slammed it home for only his second goal of the season.

Berra saved Wolves further embarrassment moments later with a good headed clearance from Ben Turner before having a chance of his own, only to see the ball glance wide.

Quashie then saw his left-footed shot from a free kick, awarded for a foul on Ebanks-Blake, fly just wide.

After Jarvis had seen chances go begging at the start of the second half, it looked as though Wolves might find a way back as they dominated the second half.

And there was Vokes to head home from on 73 minutes to give the 4,700 travelling Wolves’ fans cause for celebration.

But Coventry were not about to make McCarthy’s day and Jordan Henderson – who was the hosts’ best player all afternoon – eventually made his skill tell setting up McKenzie for his side’s second.

Ebanks-Blake might ensured honours ended even when he was upended by Turner with seconds to go but saw his spot-kick saved well by the keeper.

Wolves still top the table but have just 14 games left to plug their defensive frailties. They have now conceded 42 goals this campaign – almost as many as struggling Derby – but thankfully they possess an impressive goals-for tally of 61.

Scorers: Doyle (24) 1-0, Vokes (73) 1-1, McKenzie (75) 2-1.

COVENTRY (4-4-2): Westwood, Wright, McPake, Turner, Fox, Henderson, Beuzelin, Doyle, Bell, McKenzie (Eastwood, 76), Morrison (Best, 87). Substitutes: Marshall, Hall, Best, Sawyer.
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward, Kightly (Reid, 86), Henry (Edwards, 84), Quashie, Jarvis, Iwelumo (Vokes, 61) Ebanks-Blake. Substitutes; Higgs, Keogh.
Referee: Michael Oliver ( Northumberland).

Bookings: Coventry – Wright (foul); Wolves – Ward (foul).

Attendance: 21,167.