Source: Team_Talk
Wolves repel Stoke's long-throw fest
Wolves took another step towards Premier League survival after repelling a long-throw bombardment from Stoke in a 0-0 draw at Molineux.[LNB] The share of the spoils in a match of little quality moved Mick McCarthy's side six points clear of the bottom three with four games remaining - and they also have a superior goal difference.[LNB]Stoke had the best chances in the first half during which time Rory Delap reeled off 14 long throws - and 24 in total - to cries of 'boring, boring' from the home fans.[LNB]Centre-back Abdoulaye Faye should have done better with some heading opportunities and Mamady Sidibe wasted a clear-cut opening early in the second period.[LNB]But Wolves generally looked solid and their determination was typified by centre-back Jody Craddock who was made skipper on his 500th league appearance in place of the suspended Karl Henry.[LNB]And during the second 45 minutes, Wolves looked more threatening after switching from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation.[LNB]A short back pass from Wolves defender George Elokobi almost played keeper Marcus Hahnemann into trouble but he came quickly off his line to clear from the recalled Dean Whitehead.[LNB]Stoke sent a series of early long throws from Delap into the Wolves box and, from one of them, Faye had a free header but sent his effort wide of the post.[LNB]Most of the early pressing came from the visitors and a back header from Robert Huth flew straight at Hahnemann following another high up and under ball into the box.[LNB]Stoke continued to dominate possession and Whitehead headed wide from Matthew Etherington's centre.[LNB]Faye squandered another good chance to put Stoke in front after 23 minutes. Glenn Whelan hooked a loose ball back into the box and Faye climbed above the home defence but directed his header wide from close range.[LNB]Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen was well positioned to cling on to a near post header from David Edwards from a Jones centre in Wolves' most dangerous moment of the opening 45 minutes.[LNB]Wolves were relieved again when a Huth header was blocked from a Etherington corner.[LNB]The chances continued to fall for Faye from the Delap throws and the centre-back sent another header wide when well placed 10 yards out.[LNB]Sidibe wasted a good chance to put Stoke ahead after 54 minutes.[LNB]A cross from Higginbotham found Sidibe unmarked just to the right of the Wolves goal but he sliced his shot wildly over the bar.[LNB]In a rare moment of danger for Stoke, Edwards brought down a cross from Zubar but his shot flew straight at Sorensen.[LNB]McCarthy made his first change after 59 minutes with Chris Iwelumo replacing Edwards to give extra support upfront for Kevin Doyle.[LNB]Then Pulis brought on Tuncay for Kitson and was quickly forced to replace hamstring victim Sidibe with Liam Lawrence.[LNB]Wolves started to look more menacing and Sorensen gathered a powerful Zubar header from a Craddock centre.[LNB]But Whelan was only just too high with a 20 yard pile-driver before McCarthy brought on Nenad Milijas for Jones with 11 minutes left.[LNB]Jarvis did well to block a volley from Higginbotham as Stoke searched for a late winner. The Wolves fans had their hearts in their mouths when Whelan curled a 25 yarder just wide.[LNB]In injury-time Sorensen needed two attempts to keep out a Milijas free-kick.[LNB]
