Ok...I didn't want to post last night as I didn't want the euphoria of the day out to cloud my judgement on my post. HOWEVER...
Ikeme; His best game is years. Commanded his area when needed, 4 excellent saves and talked (shouted) to and at his defence. His didtribution wasn't fantastic every time but he did direct his kicks better than he has and gave our players a chance to challenge for the ball and win it
Iorfa; Was back to the Iorfa we know and love. Pace, power and persistance no better summed up than in the first half when Arnoutovic stole a march on him and was away, halfway inside our half with a 2 yard headstart. Dom raced after him, caught up in a matter of strides and bullied the ball back off Arnie and then won a free kick because the Stoke player had to bring him down before he got away...Welcome back Dom
Williamson; I hope he feels ok this morning, what a return! He didn't stop talking to Kourtney and Dom and organised the defence superbly. After his time here under KJ, I thought he was just a "header and hoofer" but there is a lot more to his game. He was calm on the ball, stepping away from Stoke attackers with ease and played a couple of lovely diagonal balls to the wingers. He also was happy to play short passes to the midfielders and allowed them to start moves from deep. Very close to MOTM just because you could see the effect he had on the whole defensive unit
Hause; He looked like an England U21 defender...Good in the air, calm with the ball at his feet and wasn't afraid to mix it up with Crouch and the other Stoke forwards, he refused to be bullied. Playing alongside MW is clearly what he has needed, some guidance and support from an accomplished and experienced footballer
Doherty; What can I say?! Defended correctly and attacked with power, linking well down the left with Mason. He has started to use his left foot more now and is a better player for this. The Stoke defenders didn't know if he was going to go on the outside or cut in and that is such a good weapon to have. Lovely crossfield ball to Costa for his goal although it is a stretch to call it an assist as Costa had a lot to do once he received it. The free kick? I'm sorry but I'm not having anything about a bad wall. The keeper set it up to cover the left hand side of his goal and he "covered" the right. Saville, Costa and Doc were over the ball and only SamWolf thought Doc would take the kick. The keeper planted his left foot and Doc whipped the ball across him and into the right of the goal. Even if he hadn't stepped left he was not saving it. Step aside David Beckham..... Matt Doherty, take a bow!
Saville; Did his job competently, playing in his natural position. A bit shaky early on but grew into the game with advice from MW. Was ok in the short time he played Left Back too. Yeah, not bad
Evans; Welcome back lad. Again, he was a little shaky early in the game but was strong in the tackle and had a good range of passing. Will improve with game time although there is plenty of competition in midfield.
Costa; The transfer fee is agreed and in place so the only question Wolves should be asking is "how much do you want in wages?". The guy is a fantastic player and terrified the Stoke full back all game. Sometime a little lacking in his defensive duties but that is a minor gripe because of what he offers going forward...Lovely goal
Enobakare; Strong for his size, quick and very good with the ball at his feet, what a future this lad has ahead of him. Comfortable linking the midfield to the wingers and forward and not afraid of a tackle
Mason; Played on the left and did well. His linking with Doc, Bright and Bod was good and looked to run into the gaps out wide, past the defensive line.
Bodvarsson; Very close to his early season form, got stuck in to Martin-Indi and Shawcross and ran them into the ground. Left M-I on the deck out wide and powered to the penalty area before firing narrowly wide. He really deserved a goal for his workrate and it will come
SUBS;
Gibbs-White; Came on in the 60th minute with us a little under the cosh and wasn't phased at all, in fact he made a crunching tackle within 2 minutes of being on the pitch. Not afraid to run at defenders and didn't seem overawed at all. Another with a big future on this showing.
Edwards; Came on to give us some much needed "legs" when some of the midfield were tiring and did what he does, chased around giving the Stoke players little time to settle.
Dicko; He is not done! Pace, power and energy, was ideal as an outlet on the break and could of scored two goals. The first chance he had, he had drawn the keeper and defender to him and COULD of passed to Costa for a tap-in but he was in front of goal and is paid to score. Should he have passed the ball? Maybe...Would I of passed the ball? Nope! We were 2-0 up and he desperately needs a goal, it is all that is missing. Sadly he snatched at the shot and instead of lifting the ball over the keeper who had gone to ground, he fired at his legs. The second chance was not as easy but again he snatched at the shot. He needs a goal, no doubt, but when it comes the pressure he has clearly put on himself will be lifted
Lambert; I saw the Stoke line up and then I saw ours and thought we were in for a long afternoon and a battering but I guess he knows more than I do! He was prompting and encouraging from the technical area and even towards the end, when we were dropping a little deep he was shouting at the players to get out and get forward. He didn't want us to just sit back and try to soak up the pressure and that is a good sign, as is throwing a 16 year old into the fray at 1-0 with 30 minutes still remaining!
Overall that is the best, most complete Wolves performance I have seen since our time in the Premier League and I am back to being excited about our future under Paul Lambert