The game was supposed to be an easy win considering the run Wolves were on and playing on Wednesday whilst Sunderland played on monday so I thought they would be demoralised except it was the other way around.
Sunderland started the brighter with a string of corners but Wolves defended them well, the first clear cut chance fell to Larsson after neat build up play from Bendtner but his shot had power just not accurate enough. Next a quick counter attack from a Kightly corner found Sessegnon on the edge of the box before he layed it on a plate for McClean however he chose placement which ended up against the side netting as it was very tame. This happened in the first fifteen minutes.
After that Wolves grew in confidence and kept possession well and had their first shot when the 18 year old Anthony Forde had a long range attempt which was spilled by Mignolet then gathered. Shortly afterwards Kightly had a low shot which went wide so nobody could say they weren’t very attacking.
Just before half time another long range shot this time for Sunderland by Bardsley went through a number of bodies although it bobbled wide. The next useful event was the whistle.
HT Sunderland 0-0 Wolves
A forgettable first half for us with everybody looking like they are dreaming of their summer holidays even though we have four and a half games left.
The second half started much he same with sunderland keeping possesssion but no clear cut chances until Forde again having another shot on target which was saved easily, also Eubanks-Blake found himself in the box after a neat one two with Fletcher but his shot was drilled wide otherwise the home fans really would have had somethng to moan about and not just the lack of ideas or creativity.
With Wolves on top their manager (Terry Connor) opted for a substitute with Forde making way for Jarvis. This nearly worked as Jarvis whipped in a good cross but Fletcher just couldn’t connect wih it properly.
With time ticking away Sunderland had their best chance of the match so far after good work which involved Bardsley, Sessegnon and Larsson which resulted in a clipped cross from Gardner to Mcclean and his diving header was surely in…sadly not Hennessey’s left boot saved it.
To respond Wolves took Kightly off for Edwards whilst Sunderlnd took a tiring Gardner out of the match for Campbell to inject some much needed pace and hopefully a goal or so they thought. I say this straight after the substitution Wolves came on ther attack using the wingers well as they kept switching, Jarvis swung in a inch-perfect cross for Fletcher and his header was goal bound apart from Mignolet’s brilliant reflex save pushed it away to Richardson.
Both sides were pushing for the winner so it ws ironic when Wolves brought off Foley for Zubar and when it finished as a bore draw although Sunderland could and should have won it in the 88th minute as Larsson’s stretching shot blazed over the bar when it looked easier to score. Wolves’ substitute Edwards also had a chance in the dying seonds when he sent a dipping volley wide after a Fletcher knockdown so that was it.
FT Sunderland 0-0 Wolves
I really hope the players give more at Aston Villa and realise the season isn’t over yet, we still haven’t beaten last season’s total of 47 and the season is concluding but not concluded.
CJ
RTG Junior Match Reporter