Wolves denied justice by Sullivan

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - Leeds United

Nick Callow
Monday 16 August 2004 00:00 BST
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If the message on a Wolves fan's T-shirt is true and "Football is Life", then no wonder it's not fair and Leeds got away with a draw. This was a Premiership match last season and might be again in a future far, far away.

If the message on a Wolves fan's T-shirt is true and "Football is Life", then no wonder it's not fair and Leeds got away with a draw. This was a Premiership match last season and might be again in a future far, far away.

In the meantime, both managers recognise, three games into the new Championship season, the need to add new players to their squads if they are to stand any chance of prospering. Wolves had eight potential starting players out and a few walking wounded on the pitch. Leeds, who have sold everyone and the kitchen sink to survive over the past two years, had only two players starting from last season's corresponding game.

But neither club is finding it easy to attract players, even though they are now potentially bigger fish in a smaller pond. The Wolves manager, Dave Jones, has enquired about 15 strikers in the past two weeks without landing one. He is hoping forwards such as Carl Cort and George Ndah will get a run-out in a training ground friendly against Port Vale today.

The Wolves chief executive, Jez Moxey, revealed how they are finding it harder to attract players to a lower division. "It's not just about spending money," Moxey said, "but finding players who are available. Just because we are Wolves doesn't mean players will drop everything to come here. We don't want to go out and sign mercenaries who will just come here for the money, we want people who will be committed to our cause."

Jones already has a committed bunch and they dominated this game from start to finish with only the Leeds goalkeeper Neil Sullivan's display denying them a first win. Sullivan capped his day with an 85th-minute penalty save from Kenny Miller. Michael Duberry was shown a red card for tripping Miller.

Kevin Blackwell, the new Leeds manager, though delighted to escape with a draw after a "well-organised" performance, also wants some fresh blood before the transfer window closes. His need is even greater after the unfortunate Lucas Radebe suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles and, at 35, will spend his 10th and last season on the injured list.

"As it is I've got nine new players still trying to gel out there," Blackwell said, "but I think I need two or three more players. It's just a question of making sure they are the right ones." Leeds made their first cash signing in two years when they spent an almighty £200,000 on the Southampton defender Stephen Crainey, so Blackwell will not exactly shake up the finances of many clubs when he does find the players he wants.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Jones; Clyde, Olofinjana, Craddock, Naylor (Andrews 81); Newton, Ince, Cameron (Cooper 89), Edwards; Miller, Clarke. Substitutes not used: Oakes, Mulligan, Lowe.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Duberry, Crainey; Richardson (Guppy 89), Radebe (Walton 18), Wright, Pugh; Ricketts (Joachim 68), Deane. Substitutes not used: Carson, Kilgallon.

Referee: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).

Booked: Leeds: Duberry, Kelly.

Sent off: Duberry (85).

Man of the match: Neil Sullivan.

Attendance: 28,397.

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