Lee Bowyer scored his first goal in a Town shirt but Paul Jewell’s men were beaten 2-1 by Wolves in their final pre-season friendly at Portman Road. After an impressive first period, Bowyer put the Blues ahead just before half-time, Stephen Hunt and then a later Sylvan Ebanks-Blake penalty winning it for the visitors after the break.

Blues boss Paul Jewell started six of his new signings with Nathan Ellington amongst the subs. Grant Leadbitter was again given the captaincy, slotting into a five-man midfield with ex-Wolves man Mark Kennedy in the holding role and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas wide on the left.

After a scrappy start in front of a sparse Portman Road crowd, Town carved out the game’s first serious chance in the eighth minute, Michael Chopra turning a Leadbitter pass into Bowyer’s path but Wolves keeper Dorus De Vries was out quickly to gather.

A minute later, Chopra won a corner as he looked to play in Lee Martin on the right of the area, Ívar Ingimarsson heading wide Martin’s cross from the subsequent short corner.

On 20 Adam Hammill curled the visitors’ first shot of the game tamely to David Stockdale with the Blues having had the better of the game, keeping possession but without being able to find the final ball.

A 24th minute Leadbitter pass which would have played in Bowyer was stopped by Ronald Zubar, then Martin cut in from the right and hit a low shot into the sidenetting.

Wolves went close to netting the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute when they had two goes at trying to convert a corner from the left. Stockdale stopped Ebanks-Blake’s header, then Zubar’s follow-up.

The Blues went close themselves in the 35th minute when Emmanuel-Thomas, who had by now switched flanks, used his strength to keep hold of the ball before playing in Town’s other wideman Martin, who screwed his shot wide.

Town deservedly went in front in the 44th minute when, having been found by Cresswell, Martin cut the ball back from the left, Chopra dummied and Bowyer slammed in a low shot as he burst into the area.

Boss Paul Jewell will have been happy with his side’s first half display, the Blues having had the best of an entertaining first 45 minutes, keeping the ball well for the most part and coming close to creating a number of good chances prior to first goal in a Town shirt.

Grant Leadbitter curled a 25-yard freekick wide in on 56 with the second half beginning with neither side making a change.

A minute later, Bowyer almost netted a stunning second, spotting De Vries off his line he unleashed a dipping effort from a matter of feet inside the Wolves half which beat the Dutch keeper but struck the post. Chopra was first to the rebound but scuffed his effort wide.

After Wolves had swapped Zubar, Andy Keogh and Leigh Griffiths for George Elokobi, Michael Kightly and Stephen Hunt, Chopra shot just wide from the edge of the box, then Stockdale did well to save to his right from Nenad Milijas from Ebanks-Blake’s cross from the left.

Stephen Hunt needlessly clattered into Stockdale after the ball had gone on 68 before more substitutions — including the introduction of Town target Richard Stearman - disrupted what had been a very bitty half.

The visitors got back on terms in the 76th minute when Steven Fletcher nodded down a cross from the left and Hunt’s scuffed shot was deflected past the unfortunate Stockdale.

Damien Delaney made a rare foray forward on 79, playing the ball wide to sub Josh Carson, who crossed for Leadbitter whose two shots at goal were both blocked.

At the other end, Michael Kightly’s 81st minute chip from the right beat Stockdale but also the post, however, four minutes later Mick McCarthy’s men were in front.

Ebanks-Blake was bringing the ball back from the byline when he went to ground under pressure from Edwards, referee Darren Deadman, the official who abandoned the midweek game at Colchester, somewhat harshly deeming the contact enough to warrant a penalty. The Wolves striker lashed the kick straight down the middle.

Town never really threatened to get back on terms in the remaining minutes of the game with the by now much-changed side never really settling.

Wolves had had the better of the second half spells between the interruptions for substitutions but the two goals in quick succession were harsh on the Blues, who had been the better side before the break.

Overall, Paul Jewell will probably have been reasonably happy with the performance in his side’s final test before next week’s opener at Bristol City.

Town: Stockdale, Edwards, Cresswell, Ingimarsson, Delaney, Leadbitter (Healy 80), Kennedy (Hyam 80), Bowyer (Drury 80), Emmanuel-Thomas (Carson 70), Chopra (Ellington 80), Martin (Scotland 76). Unused: Fulop, Priskin, Smith.

Wolves: De Vries, Foley (O’Hara 75), Ward (Berra 83), Davis (Elokobi 61), Zubar (Stearman 75), Craddock (Johnson 83), Hammill (Fletcher 70), Milijas (Henry 70), Ebanks-Blake, Keogh (Hunt 61), Griffiths (Kightly 61). Hennessey, Doyle. Referee: Darren Deadman (Essex). Att: 5,904 (Wolves: 329).

Photo: Action Images

muhrensweet4thijssen added 19:57 - Jul 30 I thought we looked ok against a weak wolves side in first half. Bowyer pulled the strings and looked class. JET looked leggy and unfit but showed promise. Creswell looked good i must say and his distribution was first class, he also broke up the play which led to our goal. Leadbitter played well and kennedy sprayed the ball about with mixed joy. Chopra was a liverwire and suprised me how well he held the ball up. Stockdale looked class in first half, a real top notch Keeper. However in the second half he flapped about and wasnt that positive with call(leading to few glances and words from Delaney!!!!) Overall we were o.k. but thats it! Midfield looked compact (If very similar) and tired before being taken off i thought. Delaney was a colossus (poor distribution though) Ingamarrson (?) Edwards looked good defensively but final ball was AWFUL! Martin looked a real confidence player after setting up goal with great run he wanted the ball and looked dangerous probably our MOM in my opinion. We desperately need some pace a back and pace getting up to Chopra if we continue to hit him with 30 yrd balls coz midfield is too simalar. COYB Truth id]

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Bluerme added 20:11 - Jul 30 A better performance that at Colchester on Tuesday. Gives me a bit more confidence for the season ahead despite the fact pre season friendlies don't always give an indicator of form going into the season due to blooding new signings and making so many changes.
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TrueBlue98 added 20:18 - Jul 30 Today i thought the most best players on the pitch were: Lee Martin Lee Bowyer Aaron Cresswell Damien Delaney :D
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budgieplucker added 20:18 - Jul 30 First half we kept our shape very well and certainly looked the much better team. A number of good performances then in the first 45. Chopra I think will get frustrated if he is expected to play the loan striker role like Pie boy did for many matches last year. Having said that I was impressed with some of Chops very unselfish and intelligent play like the dummy for the goal. We must though get other bodies in the box. Ingmarrson looks a great signing and captain material, very assured in defence and reads the game well and looks a more than able replacement for McAuley. Cresswell great little athelete and again well done PJ, I too think he could be a little gem of a signing and perhaps a Tarricco in the making. Kennedy started well but for me doesn't look a realistic proposition in this role for 90 minutes. Bowyer looked impressive and in addition to the well taken goal a great cheeky shot and awareness in the second half from the near the half way line. Grant Leadbitter showing he can still influence a game but will have to be more consistent this year for me if he is to hold his place in the team. Martin had a good game but for me whilst offering a lot of gloss still lacks substance in his final delivery or shots. I still can't see many goals coming from him. I am worried though that we haven't replaced the goals from midfield lost from Norris or Bullard. Bowyer on todays form could get a few but for all our possession in the first half we didn't really trouble the Wolves goalkeeper too much. Second half we faded and in typical friendly match style the many changes didn't produce the same level of play from the first half. I wouldn't read too much into the result but take away the many posiTives of the firstv 45 minutes but would still echo the fact that we are still possibly 2 or 3 players and a bit of cretivity short on mounting a sustained challenge on the top six.

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algarvefan added 20:48 - Jul 30 I think Paul Jewell knows we are still short of 2 or 3 key players, think there wil still be some dealing but am reasonably confident we will do much better than last season.
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These_arent_the_days added 20:51 - Jul 30 First half we were easily the better team - Wolves turned it around when their subs came on Have to admit that Bowyer played well, also Edwards was excellent apart from the pen. Cresswell & Ingimarsson looked solid & JET showed promise - would prefer him in the centre where he could use his aerial ability for Chopras benefit. Martin was ok apart from greedy with his final ball but I still think Leadbitter is the weak link.

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RegencyBlue added 20:59 - Jul 30 Thought we did ok overall today, before the changes kicked in. Chopra looked good when he had the ball, which wasnt often enough for me. He looks wasted playing as a lone striker and given how many strikers we now have on the books I dont understand why Jewell persists with this system. Martin, Cresswell, Bowyer and Leadbitter were the pick of the rest for me. I was disappointed with JET but he didnt look match fit so there is clearly more to come.

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churchmans added 21:21 - Jul 30 did not go todat because i had better things to do! which reminds me when i went to colchester there were kunts there asking for there money back! like i said to the prik there he needs a smak in the mouth and i just hope that some of them idiots dont post on here! im sorry its burning at me and its just stupid really stupid let alone tight!!
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churchmans added 21:23 - Jul 30 what was the attendance today??
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TrueBlue98 added 21:46 - Jul 30 um i think when they said it it was somin like 5200 ?? i think i was to interested in the game
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lezoad added 21:52 - Jul 30 was definatelly not a penalty its just because he put his hand on the ball I hate Ebanks-Blake
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JeordieX added 22:11 - Jul 30 David Stockdale 10 Carlos Edwards 10 Aaron Cresswell 9 Ivar Ingimarsson 9 Damien Delaney 8 Mark Kennedy 8 Lee Bowyer 10 Grant Leadbitter 9 Lee Martin 10 (Man of the Match) Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 8 Michael Chopra 9
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CraigForrestGateau added 23:12 - Jul 30 I totally agree with some of the comments on here about incorrect pricing etc. Keep it cheap get some stuff in for the kids, drop shirt prices on the day by a certain percentage etc, kids for a quid, all sorts. Draw in a crowd, the money you'd make in merchandise sales, and food and drink sales would make up for the cheaper ticket prices. Just a thought! On the game, thought cresswell looked really good and again martin impressed. Need a centre back though, and we need that right back. Although I still thought that peters could do a job there.

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1878 added 00:20 - Jul 31 It all sound that the team seems to be coming together. Have to say that I would be happier if we had someone else signed-up for centre back. Regarding the price if the tickets, I would have to agree with others on the site, too expensive - again the children and I signed-up straight away on the early bird offer. I feel that like some have suggested that Season ticket holders should have got in free especially those who have signed up for over the last couple of seasons! But saying that if the tickets had been priced at £10 for adult and £1 for children I would have been there. Even my wife said that she would have gone too. But it does take the biscuit asking children to have pay £3. Alas the same will be for the cup game, too expensive at the prices they are asking for. It's great to know that the club is taking notice of the supports isn't it.

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beerhelps added 00:39 - Jul 31 I thought Broad played well, but I'm a bit worried about Trotts injury. July....its still bloody July!
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DiamondGezzer added 06:27 - Jul 31 Sounds like quite a few positives came out of the game. Still would prefer to see two up front. Still hopeful of two more signings that appear desperately needed. COYB.
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scunnyblue added 06:54 - Jul 31 Just seen the goal on skysports news . looked like a dodgy penalty decision for there second. and there first goal was a soft goal to give away as well. Reinforces the need for a strong CB & RB from the clip i saw.
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jas0999 added 08:29 - Jul 31 One up front - a 6 foot 3 target man playing wide left. WHY? Sick to death of hearing PJ is a 442 man - he is not. His preferred system is one up front. Now we will no doubt grind out a number of results this season - but at the expense of being known as one of the most boring, negative clubs in the league (read Cardiff/Leeds fans comments on us from last season). The low attendance yesterday can be attributed to ticket prices - but it was also £12.00 at Cambridge. The fact is I know a lot of people who have refused to renew their season tickets until PJ scraps playing one up front. I just hope PJ soon learns his lesson. A poor pre-season - failing to win any of our first team games in England. Please PJ - play TWO up front. You must do better.

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Keaneish added 08:39 - Jul 31 I don't see anything in Bristol City's side to prevent us play 4 across the middle and two up front. I agree that JET isn't a wide man. At only one point this season would i like to see us accommodating a 5 man midfield and that would be to bring Bullard in and to play with Bowyer and Leadbitter, other than that it should be 4 given the number of stirkers who have proven they can each get 20 goals + a season....even if that is a bit optimistic these days!

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bluelady added 09:38 - Jul 31 For those that didnt go it was not a negative one up front, chopra was isolated at times but when the two wingers pushed on at times it was more of a four three three, had we have lost Kennedy to give us a four four two against a prem team I think we would have lost by more. Jet however is not a winger...... this was a friendly and jewell will adapt his style per game, but when we did attack it was much much more promising than the keane era.

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Bluemania added 12:31 - Jul 31 ncharles re your comment on ticket prices, I e-mailed ITFC about this saying, I said thought they were a bit high after not getting the crowds last pre-season and Mr Clegg even admitted that they had got it wrong with the prices and as it was only Wolves, they replied saying that they thought the prices were reasonable at it was a premier side, I still went to the match and I thought we played really well Lee Martin had a really good ggame.

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StowTractorBoy added 12:47 - Jul 31 Bluelady you have it spot on re tactics. If we play 4-4-2 away from home against the likes of West Ham and Leicester we will get beaten. I do not agree that playing 4-5-1 is a reason for poor ticket sales. If we are successful playing that system people will attend. However we play, its all about results and if we get them, people will turn up in their thousands. Give me 1-0 s and 0-0s any day of the week its better than losing 4-3.

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trueblue97 added 14:12 - Jul 31 4-4-2 at home please!!
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TractorBeezer added 15:12 - Jul 31 bluelady...thanks for your insights. Very helpful for those of us not there or for those there that didn't get the bigger picture.
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TractorBeezer added 15:36 - Jul 31 http://www.sundaymercury.net/midlands-sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/wolverham Another report here which suggests that we played quite brightly but introduction of Wolves big guns had an impact .Again, sounds like the Wolves goals were somewhat soft.
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