Rooney & Carroll Will Thrive on Jarvis' Delivery

Wolves

You don't have to be an expert on Wolves players to know that Matt Jarvis has been their brightest star this season. He admitted that his first day of England training felt a bit like a first day at a new school, but revealed that the England players have made him feel welcome in what he described as a "fantastic feeling" being called up to play for his country.

It is a far cry from being released by Millwall when he was 16. His father explained that it was a "difficult time" for Jarvis who could have easily given up football because of the rejection, but he went on to say that Jarvis is "very, very determined". It is that determination then, that has seen him rise to such a level when he is playing in the top tier of the Premier League and on the verge of an England appearance - an achievement many a young boy dreams of.

Last September Jarvis signed a new contract with Wolves, keeping him at the club until 2015, but his outstanding shows of brilliance at times have not only alerted Fabio Capello, but many of the top managers around England.

Jarvis' crossing ability is just one of many qualities that many sides look to for a major source of goals, and having crossed the ball for Wolves 203 times this season alone, it is perhaps surprising that his side Wolves have not converted very many of them. The lack of real goal scoring prowess may be a reason, but there is no lack of that in the England team, with Carroll and Rooney leading the line.

Carroll had a blistering start to the Premier League season with Newcastle, scoring 11 in 19 appearances, and the 19 goals he scored the previous season to help Newcastle into the top tier had no shortage of blasted headers from pin-point crosses.

As for Rooney, his Manchester United form has been poor on the whole, but the rather large blip in the season has begun to pick up, with his touch and goal presence returning at last - to the relief of United fans. Last season he was United's top scorer - that is easy to forget after such a torrid time, and 34 goals in 44 appearances is an enviable achievement. Where did those goals come from? What source did he miss miserably at the start of the season? Antonio Valencia's crosses were sorely missed by Rooney, and as a result, is goalscoring form nose dived.

Matt Jarvis can help pick it up for England. His pace to get beyond a player and ability to cross into dangrous areas will see Carroll and Rooney thrive. Whether it be through a knock down by Carroll to the awaiting Rooney to finish, a direct header or a goal line scramble, those crosses will inevitably lead to chances and goals that could change a game.

I will look forward to see Jarvis in an England shirt, as I'm sure he will be too.

The Unbeaten Run Is Over, But United are Still Top

Wolves

The unbeaten record has been destroyed, and by the most unlikely of opponents. Wolves, who lie bottom of the Premier League table were expected to have been rolled over by Manchester United, especially after the title challengers scored an early goal through Nani. But this was another case of away day trouble for United, who have struggled all year on the road, and the Red Devils simply ran out of ideas at the time they needed them the most. The resistance of Wolves was too much for United to crack as they desperately attempted to keep their unbeaten record in tact but Wolves kept hold of their fragile lead, and by the end, Wolves players walked off, battered and bruised, with bloodied noses and exhausted legs after their biggest win of the season.

United could have gone seven points clear at the top after Arsenal threw away a four goal lead to draw at Newcastle, but the advantage was not taken, and the Arsenal draw all of a sudden looks a much better result for Gunners' fans.

3 minutes in, and United looked to be on their way to setting a new club record of 30 games unbeaten in the league when Nani added to his impressive goalscoring tally as he cut inside on the right to fire a shot past the Wayne Hennessey.

Only seven minutes later, the massive George Elokobi headed past a helpless van der sar in the United goal after a wonderful cross from Matt Jarvis. Wolves were not going down without a fight - that much was clear. Elokobi (or Doyle) scored for Wolves as they both met a Milijas free-kick to score from six yards out. This was certainly not the first time United had been behind in a game - but it was the first time they have been so and not been able to claw themselves back into it.

In truth, United have been lucky to keep their unbeaten going this long, and their inconsistency has been exposed against Wolves. Ferguson's side were not good enough today, they didn't have enough creativity in the midfield and could therefore not provide for the strikers with Berbatov, United's top scorer being nothing more than a passenger. The defence, without Rio Ferdinand who was injured in the warm up fell asleep for the first goal, something that has been too common an appearance this season.

Excuses can be made for the not so smooth playing surface and strong winds but this was really just a poor performance from a team that didn't turn up and didn't perform. It was just unfortunate that they were against a side that although lacking in millions of pounds of quality, made up in passion and resilience to defy all the odds and overcome the League leaders. The better side won, and United can get used to this sort of result if they continue to play as bad as that.

In terms of League position, nothing changes - United stay top and Wolves stay bottom, however this won't be much of a consolation to the poor United, who were outdone in most areas of the pitch against the bottom side. But it does gives Wolves some well needed momentum as they come to the back end of what looks to be a fierce relegtion battle.

Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool: Watch Match Goals

Wolves

Wolves 0 - 3 Liverpool: Watch Match Goals Here

Fernando Torres scores two tap-ins and Raul Meireles scores a wonder goal to seal Kenny Dalglish's first win since his return to management with Liverpool.

As you would expect, Kenny Dalglish was delighted at his teams performance - an obvious improvement from the previous meeting between the two sides, when Wolves left Anfield with a shocking 3 points as Roy Hodgson headed for the exit:

"The feeling is elation because we won 3-0. Everyone is happy - the defence, the forwards. We got the success because we played as a team. Hopefully we can build on that.

"Wolves have been in a good vein of form and have beaten Chelsea here. For us to come along, play like that and go home with three goals and none against is a fantastic effort. It was not a flattering result. The players got what they deserved. It was a credit to their belief, hard work, effort and determination throughout the game."

“If you don’t compete at Molineux, you will walk away with nothing but a defeat. The players showed a lot of pride in their performance and pride in the football club. The way they have responded to Stevey Clarke, myself and Sammy Lee since we came in is great credit to them.”

The Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy told of how the influence of Liverpool legend Dalglish played a big part in his sides disappointing loss, especially when Wolves won the previous fixture under Roy Hodgson, whom McCarthy has sympathy for:

"We beat them when Roy was there. He is such a great guy and a top coach but it is Kenny Dalglish coming out of the stand.

"I think he is enjoying a support and a warmth Roy didn't. He has garnered and nurtured that and they are on a better roll than they were because of it."

Liverpool still have a lot of work to do to get his side back to their best, as Wolves aren't exactly the hardest opposition as they languish in the relegation zone, but Meireles' improvement over the past few games as well as Fernando Torres getting back on the score sheet can only be good for the Reds. The transfer window remains open, and Liverpool look keen on both Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Ajax striker Luis Suarez - both of whom would strengthen the Liverpool side. However, Ajax have warned Liverpool to get on with negotiations, as they won't sell at the last minute because they need time to find a replacement.

A good game for Liverpool, but will it continue?

It's Not All Hodgson's Fault

Wolves

WARNING: The below article will be deeply unpopular with the majority of Liverpool fans' current views. Read at your own risk.

The latest Liverpool defeat has only magnified Liverpool fans anger with the manager Roy Hodgson. If ever there was an example of a football manager under pressure, it is Hodgson at this very moment. Nothing he does pleases Liverpool fans. Nothing that he says Liverpool fans like. No decision that he makes is agreed with. Not because they are all wrong actions, wrong things to say and wrong decisions, but simply because the majority of Liverpool fans have made up their minds about him. They don't like him.

I have massive sympathy in this respect for Hodgson. The blame seems to be solely heaped onto him, with even players performances blamed on his tactics. In my opinion, the players should be taking far more of the stick that Liverpool fans are dishing out. They are simply not playing well enough. That is a fact. They have the ability, but are not showing it, and because of this, results are very poor, leading the fans to look for someone to blame. They can blame the players, but that would achieve nothing. Blaming the manager could get him sacked, and a far easier option for everyone. Solution? Blame the manager. For everything. Get him sacked. Get a new manager. Liverpool will be great again.

It doesn't work like that. But at the moment, that's all I see happening. He needs a chance to be given money, bring in some players, and stamp his authority on the team. Liverpool were hardly the best team at the end of Bentiez's reign, and turning around a club in the situation that Liverpool were in was never going to happen over the course of a couple of months. Anyone who thought that were deluding themselves.

In relation to the Wolves loss; Wolves were bottom of the league. Man for man, Liverpool are a better side. Liverpool had Gerrard and Torres - world class players. Unless Hodgson's tactics involved "lose the game" or something to that effect, the players should have done a whole lot better and won the game. There was a lack of togetherness, and very few players showed any sign of leading the team - standing up and being counted but we all know that the players are capable.
Hodgson said after the game:

"We are not deliberately losing matches. You know what these players are capable of. All I can say is that it is time for people to help us along. We lacked quality and confidence."

In my opinion, there are a few things that the Liverpool team need.

Firstly, they need the support and backing from the Liverpool fans. Abusing the manager isn't going to make his job any easier, and having him sacked will not only cost the club money.

The team needs some new faces of quality. For that to happen, the board need to give the manager money to spend and prove that he has their support.

The players must come together, as a team, and fight for their club, for their fans, and for their manager. They must show their quality, and they must prove that they are worthy to wear the red of Liverpool and play at
their famous ground in front of thousands of expecting fans.

Finally, the manager. Although he has had  rough start, it is up to him to turn it around. He knows that his reign so far has been disappointment, and he would have hoped that it would have gone better, but he is a very good manager. He knows his football, and he is certainly good enough to manage Liverpool.

The only way Liverpool get out of the mess they are in is if they pull together and start to play as well as we all know they can. Lest Liverpool fans forget the famous song that they sing; it seems to me as if Liverpool fans are letting Hodgson walk through the storm by himself.

Ji Sung Park saves United, but Hargreaves' First Start Ends Badly

Wolves

It should have been a great day for Owen Hargreaves - his first start since 2008, and he would have been raring to go again after so long out. The adrenaline would have been pumping, and when the Old Trafford crowd cheered his name, he would have been determined to prove the faithful fans his worth.

Unfortunately, his dream day did not materialise. After picking up an injury in the 6th minute, he left the field in the 7th minute, clutching his hamstring. Hopefully, it is just the hamstring that he has pulled, and it isn't the recurring knee injury that has kept him out for two years. That way, he would be out for a couple of weeks/months, however, that won't be of consolation to the United man, as he limped off to the all to familiar treatment room.

Luckily, the day didn't end as badly for his team. It was a pretty poor performance overall from Manchester United, who substituted Hargreaves with Bebe, and changed around the system that had been prepared for match day. Nani was absent after a groin injury he picked up against Bursaspor, and Obertan stepped in. Berbatov was also missing, so the little Mexican Javier Hernandez replaced him up front on his own.

The first goal of the game came in the 45th minute from the inform Ji Sung Park. Fletcher saw a gap in the Wolves defence and fed in Park with a deadly accurate ball, and the South Korean made no mistake with a brilliant finish.

The second half, like the first started slowly, and only half chances came to Hernandez, Obertan and Bebe, but they were all woeful in their finishing.

However, the former Manchester United striker, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake lit up his former home with a nice turn from a Miljas pass, before firing powerfully passed Van der Sar. It all became a bit desperate from then on. Bebe's bad game was confirmed as he was substituted for Macheda in the 74th minute, and Scholes came on for O'Shea, in an attacking move.

United found themselves inside the Wolves half, attacking ad attacking, but to no avail. Wolves didn't seem like cracking from the pressure, and were even able to create a few chances of their own on the break.

But as has happened so many times over the years, the immense surge at the end of United games when they need a goal became too much for Wolves, and the Red Devils punished them in the form of Ji Sung Park again.

Fletcher was again the link to Park, and the rest was a brilliantly individual goal. After beating four defenders in the area, he finished with a low drive into the bottom corner - in the 93rd minute.

Two points behind Chelsea in the League, and still unbeaten, it was a good result, but one that was very hard fought, and done by the skin of their teeth.