IAN Greaves' much publicised search for a striker continues to inspire Wanderers' front men.

After scoring twice in the midweek League Cup win at Bradford, Neil Whatmore is on target again in the 5-1 victory over Hull City at Burnden that takes the Super Whites joint top of Division Two with eight points from five games. Steve Taylor and Paul Jones get two apiece - all the goals coming in the second half. John Byrom is given a free transfer, alerting his former club Blackburn.

10 YEARS AGO: September 9, 1991

THE Tony Philliskirk-David Reeves partnership is starting to pay handsome dividends for Wanderers, who stand fifth in Division Three after beating West Brom 3-0. Winger Michael Brown scored and stars in the Burnden win but Phil Neal enthuses about his strikers: "They are a delight to see when they are like this, Philly with all the touches, Reevesie always mobile and putting pressure on defences."

5 YEARS AGO: September 9, 1996

BOUNCING back is easier said than done.

Having topped Division One, four games into the season following their relegation from the Premiership, Wanderers are reeling from a 5-2 hammering at Southend. The fans - 1,000 of them - behave impeccably but the team gets a slating from manager Colin Todd, who admits: "We know there will be teams who will play football and teams who will battle. They gave it more than we did!"