retired_brianrt

The third round of the F.A Cup gave us the chance to get back to winning ways quickly, and away trip to League One Blackpool the order of the day. The team had some important League games coming up, and I didn't wan fatigue setting in, so with that in mind I made a total of 8 changes to the starting line-up, including our young Uruguayan striker, Enzo Giovanni Scorza, making his debut for the club. It was the youngster who did the business too, putting us in front after seven minutes, Ganea's square ball being slid home by Scorza. Come twenty five minutes, the game was secure, as was our passage through to the fourth round, goals from Mark Kennedy and Kevin Cooper sealing the win. John Murphy did pull a goal back, but it made no difference as we eased our way into the hat for the next round.

...

Reading provided the opposition for our next League game, as we entertained the visitors at Molineux. After our 5-1 drubbing of them at the Madejski back in August, they were out for revenge, and started like a steam train, Glen Little's eleventh minute free kick curled past the stretched fingers of Matt Murray. We slowly got our way back into the game, but we had to wait until the final twenty minutes of the match to secure the points, a Kenny Miller brace and Ashley Young's first for the club giving us all three points, which kept us top of the table comfortably, despite our slip up against West Ham, and the rest of the division still ahd to play catch up, which was always a nice position to be in

retired_brianrt

Straight after the Reading game, I headed down to see my parents with Selina, spending two days with them. I was worried that my parents, my mum in particular, who was very picky when it came to a lady being 'good enough for her son', as she put it. But I was pleasantly surprised to see Selina and my mum get on like a house on fire, they really got on well. I left them to go shopping while I spoke to my dad about the job.

"See you're doing well in the League son. Promotion a certainty then?"

"Well I don't want to be too confident dad, but I think we have got a good chance, definately"

"So you could be a top flight manager next season. I might be proud of you for once"

"Well that might be going too far. So you gonna come watch a match then?"

"Might do. Have to see what your mother says. The girl seems nice. She the one to calm you down is she?"

"We get on well, and I like her. Thats all there is to it so far, it's still early in the relationship"

Most conversations with my dad went like that, not really major things, not like with my mother, where I get the Spanish inquisition. It was a nice weekend, nice to see my parents, especially seen as I hadn't seen them for quite a while, and at least they approved of Selina

---

Walsall were our fourth round opponents in the F.A Cup, and just as we did to Blackpool in round three, we brushed them aside. It was, quite simply, a one man show, Ioan Viorel Ganea with a hat-trick that saw us run out 3-0 winners. His first came on 33 minutes, with a header from Kennedy's cross, before he slid home Hangeland's pass on 39 minutes and four minutes into the second half he collected the reboun of Scorza's shot and finished with aplomb. Another comfortable victory saw us into the fifth round draw, and Ganea's well earned man of the match performance saw him take home the match ball, which I later learned was the first of his career

The final game of the month saw us travel to 9th placed Coventry, and I was looking to end the month on a real high note. Neil Mellor took his place in the side, while our Romanian striker kept his following his cup exploits. It was our veteran midfielder Colin Cameron that gave us the lead though, slotting home Richard Witschge's pass in the 21st minute of the match. It was our on loan Liverpool man that sealed the points, capitalising on a shocking mistake in defence by Stuart Giddings and rounding the 'keeper before coolly slotting home to give us a terrific and comfortable 2-0 win

retired_brianrt

January 2005 Summary
(Championship unless stated)

Wolves 1-0 Sunderland
Kennedy (87)

West Ham 2-0 Wolves
Lomas (43) Repka (80)

(F.A Cup 3rd Round)
Blackpool 1-3 Wolves
Murphy (65) : Scorza (7) Kennedy (20) Cooper (25)

Wolves 3-1 Reading
Miller (71,90) Young (85) : Little (11)

(F.A Cup 4th Round)
Wolves 3-0 Walsall
Ganea (33,38,49)

Coventry 0-2 Wolves
Cameron (21) Mellor (63)

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January had proved to be a busy month on the transfer front too, not just for the whole division, but for us in particular. I managed to secure three bosman transfers for the next season, three which I felt would add depth and quality to the squad. Cedric Van Der Gun was a Dutchman, who would join up with the three in our squad already, and he was currently plying his craft in his native land with Dutch Champions Ajax. He was a creative force, could play on either wing, although he was more comfortable on the right, and I was delighted to be getting such a talented young man as a member of my squad. Preston striker David Healy also agreed terms to join up with the squad. The Northern Irish international had been making noises about leaving Preston, and his scoring record at both international and club level spoke for itself, so I took what many people considered as a gamble by signing him on a bosman. The third transfer I completed was a pretty much unknown player to me, Groningen full back Mathias Floren. John Van T' Schip had recommended him to me, as a viable back-up for left back Lee Naylor, and I trusted John's judgment more than my own at times, so I signed Floren to a contract. All three would join up with the squad in the pre-season, and I was looking forward to having all three of them on board.

---

A home game against Derby saw our first action of February, and yet again we scored three goals, for the fourth time in our last five games to be exact. It wasn't until two minutes before half time that the scoring was opened though, Kevin Cooper's curling shot creeping inside the post. A penalty doubled our lead, Colin Cameron converting it after it was won by Seol Ki-Hyeon after 62 minutes. The South Korean put the icing on the cake, hitting a terrific volley after Lee Naylor's clearance dropped over his shoulder and his sweet right footed volley flew into the goal.

...

I managed to secure one more transfer, tying up the three month loan deal of Newcastle's French winger Charles N'Zogbia, just as competition to Kennedy and Witschge, but the timing couldn't have been better, as Kennedy picked up a knock in training, so N'Zogbia went straight into the side for the trip to Leicester. It was his cross that set up the opener too, Colin Cameron converting the cross with his head and sending us in at the break in front. We were robbed in the second half, as we had two goals ruled out when they were legal, and Trevor Benjamin's equaliser saw the scorer standing at least three yards offside when the ball was player to him, and with Jordan Stewart's free-kick, the shockingly bad officiating saw us succumb to our third defeat of the season. My comments after the match earnt me an official F.A warning, despite the fact they agreed them officals made some 'questionable decisions'. I was livid, especially seen as we had dominated the game from start to finish, but we had to pick ourselves up and move on.

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We managed to do just that in our next game as Preston visited Molineux, looking to try and get back on track after a disappointing run of results. We didn't even give them a chance, completely dominating the game from whistle to whistle, goals from Ashley Young, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Kenny Miller and Neil Mellor enough to secure us three more points and take us another step closer to the dream of promotion. Neil's goal in particular was a stunner, as he curled the ball home from 25 yards out, but I was delighted with the performance of the side as we dominated Billy Davies' team. After the game I was flicking through our record for ther season, and I hadn't actually realised that the team was unbeaten at home, having conceded just five goals all season in the league, a record which stood us in good stead for the remainder of the campaign.

...

Selina and myself went out that night to celebrate Valentines day, something which, I must admit, I never have done before. To me it was just a money making exercise, but I felt that I was obliged to take Selina out, seen as we were a couple. I had a good night, laughing and joking and again, Selina spending her night time with me, sending me to training the next day in an exceptionally good mood

This was heightened when I found our who our opponents would be in the fifth round of the F.A Cup...Chelsea. I was even more pleased to find out we had them at Molineux, and I was quietly confident that we could earn ourselves a bit of credit, and maybe, just maybe, sneak a win and a place in the next round. I had no problem with playing my strongest team in that game, and with the F.A Cup tie firmly on my mind I opted to rest a few players for the visit to QPR, which, in hindsight, probably cost us all three points, as we had to settle for a goalless draw with the third placed side. Miller and Mellor both had chances, but the worst culprit was Rob Edwards, finding himself in the QPR penalty area but sending his shot high, wide and not so handsome from six yards out.

...

The cup game finally came around, and the fans could smell an upset. So could the Chelsea players, their nervousness showing through, as B.B.C had sent their cameras down to Molinuex as the game aired at five o'clock that Saturday afternoon. I deliberated up until five minutes before handing my team sheet to referee Mike Riley. The team I finally picked looked like this :

Murray, Edwards, Naylor, Lescott, Craddock, Mans, Young, Witschge, Cameron, Mellor, Seol

We started the game against Chelsea like a house on fire, both Seol and Mellor having good opportunities to put us in front. In the 16th minute we went behind, just one piece of quality from Lampard saw him thred the ball through to Mateja Kezman and the Serbian rammed past Matt Murray. Once Lampard scored his penalty after 31 minutes that was game over, but we still put up a good fight, Miller, Mellor, Mans and Craddock all forcing good saves from Petr Cech, but Kezman's second right on half time gave a comfortable 3-0 win to the Premiership side. Still I was proud of the boys for their efforts, and told them just as much after the game. Now we could concentrate fully on winning promotion and then the Championship title

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We got back to winning ways in the next League game, as Leeds visited Molineux. They had had a bad season, and Kevin Blackwell was under a lot of pressure to pick his sides results up. We did them no favours, as the game was all about one man. Kevin Cooper scored all four of our goals in a real one man show, opening the scoring after 9 minutes with a lovely curling effort past Scott Carson. His, and our second, came just before the half hour, as he popped up at the back post to slide the ball home. The game was sealed, as was Kevin's hat-trick, on the stroke of half-time, as he beat three men and played a lovely one-two with Mellor before firing low past Carson. The fourth goal of the match came seven minutes into the second half, Cooper heading home N'Zogbia's cross to earn himself his first ever career hat-trick and the match ball, along with the man of the match award.

Kevin continued his scoring ways in our trip to Cardiff, as he scored his fifth goal in two games to open the scoring in Wales after just four minutes. We should have gone in at the break two goals clear, Colin Cameron's missed penalty just before half time costing us dearly, as Graham Kavanagh's equaliser on 70 minutes was enough to grab the home side a point that they didn't deserve. Still, we ended the month 14 points clear at the top of the table, and just a few games away from securing promotion back to the Premiership

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February 2005 Summary
(Championship unless stated)

Wolves 3-0 Derby
Cooper (43) Cameron (pen 62) Seol (65)

Leicester 2-1 Wolves
Benjamin (63) Stewart (69) : Cameron (34)

Wolves 4-0 Preston
Young (15) Seol (30) Miller (71) Mellor (85)

QPR 0-0 Wolves

(F.A Cup 5th Round)
Wolves 0-3 Chelsea
Kezman (16,45) Lampard (pen 31)

Wolves 4-0 Leeds
Cooper (9,28,45,52)

Cardiff 1-1 Wolves
Kavanagh (70) : Cooper (4)

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The season was drawing nearer to a close, and as we got into March the team were pleased with how they were playing. I had worked out we needed around ten points to secure promotion, and with four games this month we could do it quite easily. We had to wait nearly two weeks for our first game though, a game which saw Burnley visit Molineux to be the team to try and stop our undefeated home record. As like all the others, they were unsuccessful, but Selina managed to keep up her terrific record of watching the boys. Whenever she does, they win. I should take her to every game. We ran out winners by a 2-0 scoreline, a goal in each half from Seol Ki-Hyeon and Tuomas Aho securing the win and keeping us well clear at the top of the table.

...

Selina had gone out that night with her friends for a girly night, so I had the house all to myself. I sat down with a few beers, put match of the day on, and put my feet up, when the phone rang to release me from my comfort

"Hello"

"Hello. Is that Mr. Bleasdale?"

"Yes it is. Can I ask who's calling please?"

"My name is Dr. Ranjit Singh, from Wolverhampton general hospital. I just thought you would be interested to know that we have one of your players down here"

"You what? What are you talking about?"

"One of your players, Enzo Scorza I believe he said his name is, is down in our A and E unit getting treatment for a wound to the head. He was attacked in a nightclub with a bottle"

"Oh for f***s sake. I'll be there as quick as I can"

That was all I needed. Attacked in a nightclub with a bottle. He shouldn't even be out anyway, he's got a game in two days. Wait till I get my hands on the stupid little b*****d.

...

The Monday morning, I called Enzo into my office to explain the situation. He appeared with 7 stitches and a bandage around his head, looking embarassed and apologising constantly throughout the conversation. I was just interested to know one thing though, so I came straight out and asked him

"Enzo, answer me one thing. What the f**k were you doing out clubbing? You're 17, and underage"

"A few of the older lads wanted me to come boss, and I wanted to get to know my team mates better"

"Enzo, you are a silly little boy. I am going to give you a warning for this incident alright, but anything else like this happens again and I'm afraid I shall have to fine you. Do you understand?"

"Yes boss. It won't happen again, I swear"

...

An away trip to Nottingham Forest saw my attention drawn away from Enzo's little stunt, but come the end of the match I had seen us crumble to our fourth away defeat of the season. Two penalties for the home side had seen them gain the win, with Colin Cameron's consolation goal sandwiched in between. It wasn't a defeat that was upsetting to our chances, but it meant we would have to delay the promotion party a little bit longer than I would have liked

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Games against two of the divisions bottom three sides rounded off the month, the first one a game at fortress Molineux against Ronnie Moore's Rotherham. Ronnie had been complimentary in the press, stating that he hoped that we got promoted and that he felt I was the right man to take them further forward. I appreciated those sort of comments from an experienced manager, and made the pointed effort to go and have a chat with Ronnie before the game. I was actually quite surprised with how his team played, they created cahcnes and could have been in front before Ashley Young's top clas strike put us in the lead after 70 minutes. The game was sealed 8 minutes later, Ioan Viorel Ganes racing through to lift the ball over Pollitt for the 100th league goal of his career. Our Romanian striker came sprinting over to the bench and recieved a massive hug from myself an John, as we knew what it meant to the guy. There were no more goals, and we ran out 2-0 winners to keep our home record intact.

The final game of the month saw botton side Crewe entertain us at Gresty Road. It was probably the most entertaining game we had been involved in all season, and from the moment Luke Varney put his side into the lead after 8 minutes, goals galore was on the cards. Neil Mellor's put us into the lead, but Lee Bell equalised just after the hour mark with a 30 yard strike that flew past Matt Murray into the top right hand corner. Ioan Ganea put us back into the lead after heading home Mans' cross, but that man again, Dean Ashton, volleyed home an equalising goal that gave his side a point that, if I was being honest, they really deserved. They looked odds on for relegation but if they play like they just demonstarted that they can, then there should be no problem with them coming straight back up.

retired_brianrt

March 2005 Summary
(Championship unless stated)

Wolves 2-0 Burnley
Seol (16) Aho (83)

Nott'm Forest 2-1 Wolves
Evans (pen 16) King (pen 45) : Cameron (41)

Wolves 2-0 Rotherham
Young (70) Ganea (78)

Crewe 3-3 Wolves
Varney (8) Bell (62) Ashton (78) : Mellor (38,49) Ganea (73)