Wolves 0, Wigan 2: Bill Howell's big match verdict
MICK McCarthy does not look remotely like Oliver Hardy although Richard Stearman could pass for Stan Laurel.
There is neither a polka dot bow tie nor a bowler hat between them.
But as the defender trudged off the field past his manager’s shoulder at 3.48pm on Saturday, you could almost make out the mutterings on McCarthy’s lips.
“Well, here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.”
You used to be able to watch Wolves on Match of the Day without hiding behind the sofa. Now you may as well substitute Gary Lineker, Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen for Davros, the Master and a host of Cybermen.
Scary.
What a difference a month makes. What a difference a minute makes.
Wolves sat 12th in the table after defeating Burnley on December 20.
Just three games later and the natives are restless.
So restless that women, young children and those of a fragile disposition need not enter Waterloo Road on a matchday.
Calm, clear heads are what McCarthy needs now.
Crikey only knows what he got from Stearman in first-half stoppage time.
Google ‘moment of madness’ and you get cricket reports about Kevin Pietersen’s colourful batting and lyrics from KT Tunstall.
You might in future get a mention of Stearman and an errant arm across the Wigan chest of James McCarthy.
Incidentally, Google ‘Wigan chest’ and you get a 48-inch Wigan Warriors shirt for sale on eBay. How Stearman might bemoan the fact that he was not playing rugby league at the weekend.
Quite how the slightest touch can send grown men flailing to the deck in a game of football still baffles.
But penalty it was, sending-off it was and any chance of three points went sailing off into the distance over misty Molineux skies.
Only goal-difference is keeping this side out of the drop zone with Liverpool and trips to two relegation rivals on the horizon.
Seventeen goals scored in 21 games is a mere pointer as to where the problems lie.
