Time for sensational Sylvan to burst back into life

He's the most prolific goalscorer Wolves have had since the legendary Steve Bull.

But am I alone in thinking that Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, on current form, could still do more?

A record of 26 league goals in 44 league appearances is quite fantastic, and is the main reason why we head towards 2009 with the Premier League looming into view courtesy of a seven point cushion at the top of the Championship.

And maybe it's churlish to point any criticism in the direction of the Molineux's 21st century No 9 hero?

But I was disappointed with Ebanks-Blake on Boxing Day, as I was particularly at Southampton earlier in the season.

And if you check the stats, he's been substituted 17 times in 25 league games this season. Now sure, some of those substitutions will have been in matches where victory was secure, and Andy Keogh or Sam Vokes needed a run.

And some will have been when he's run himself to a standstill. But that wasn't the reason he was replaced on Boxing Day.

This is by no means an anti-Sylvan rant. He has been an absolutely brilliant signing, but when he's not blasting the ball into the net, I want to see more from him - and also Chris Iwelumo.

We have a much heralded four-strong strike force, but none of the four could make an impact against Sheffield United. In fact Ebanks-Blake and Iwelumo were fairly anonymous.

Keogh was very disappointing, clearly unable to hold the ball up as he was surrounded by Sheffield's rugged defenders. And for all Vokes' youth and vitality, he never looked like building on Neill Collins' opening goal.

So the message is a simple one: we need more than their goals.

Sylvan's gone three without one now, while Iwelumo hasn't scored in four games.

On Boxing Day I thought Wolves were too direct - with very little being provided from the right.

Which brings me on the next issue - the form of another terrace hero, Michael Kightly.

He's playing too narrow. Kightly is a star when he hugs the touchline, but by his own admission his form is not quite right, so maybe he's wasting too much time chasing the ball infield?

He's suspended for tomorrow's game at Blackpool in any event, but maybe, just maybe, Mick McCarthy was edging towards giving his transfer bargain of the century a rest.

Certainly there's a case for Matt Jarvis playing down the right in the shadow of the Blackpool Tower.

And for all David Edwards' attacking threat, maybe, just maybe, we are a stronger midfield unit with David Jones alongside Karl Henry.

By any stretch of the imagination, Wolves are still flying high, but just imagine if we rediscovered top gear throughout January.

Results are still top notch, but the performances are slightly, just slightly, below the incredible benchmark that has been set.

So it's time for Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo and Kightly to live up to their star billing.