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I have every reason to be miserable right now. It’s Monday morning, the sun is not shining and Wolves were once again on the receiving end in their pre-season match against Bristol City over the weekend. But as I’m a glass half-full kind of guy, I prefer to look at things differently.
Hoddle - Loved jigsaws
First off, Mondays actually aren’t that bad for me. As I work from home, I can pretty much ease into the week (barring any disasters). I’m not that bothered about the sun, as I tend to fry like bacon the second UV Rays come into contact with my pale skin. And so what if Wolves went down 2-0 to a mediocre Championship side (bitter little dig there)? I can think of far more depressing situations to be in as a football fan. Did anyone see that The Toon got smacked for 6 against Leyton Orient on Saturday? And they had to cope with that humiliation dressed up as giant bananas.
No, I’ve definitely felt a whole lot worse than this in pre-season as a Wolves fan. Which campaign were you most pessimistic about before it even started?
Mine would have to be the 02/03 season, in which we actually got promoted. It was the aftermath of our collapse which allowed Sandwell to pip us to second place under Dave Jones. At that time, just the thought of pre-season ahead of another year in the second-tier physically turned my stomach. I imagine it’s how I’d feel now had we not made it across the line last season.
Then of course there was the situation we found ourselves in about 3 years ago. Hoddle (who I always disliked) walked out when it emerged there was no more money to waste on Polish jigsaw pieces and the squad was pretty much stripped down to it’s bare bones. With no money to rebuild it, I feared we might struggle to even stay in the Fizzy. For me, that puts into perspective just how much we should all be counting our lucky stars at the situation we’re now in.
There were once again big positives to be taken out of Saturdays defeat. More game time for Kightly, another impressive performance from Milijas and even Balde looks to be a decent acquisition should a deal be completed. I do expect a couple of new faces to arrive, whether that’s before the West Ham match or a few weeks later, so I’m still incredibly optimistic about the season ahead. We all should be I think.
I posted a little while ago that I’ll give our transfer activity 8 or 9/10 a couple of weeks ago, so I can’t moan now can I?! I am concerned about a lack of a decent centre half. The fact that Mick is letting Balde have more games to get ‘fit’ suggests to me that he will sign him, as he is giving him more time to impress than Gareth Gates at his first Pop Idol audition. Lets hope Zubar is that elusive quick powerhouse. Jez stated that money spent correlates directly to league position, so is £15 million enough (when WBA spent 20m last year) ? I have a hunch we’ll bring in another player yet.
Apparently Doyle is also back after his operation and apparently only 10 days or so away from joining back in with full training!! Another bit of news to lift the monday blues!!
I have to say I am little worried that we are still a bit short at the back. The fact the people keep saying Zubar is “the Titus Bramble of France” has done nothing to assuage my concerns either. Like ben I reckon there is a little more life in the window still.
As for pre-season while I don’t think it is wise to read too much into them I can’t help but remeber that: (i) last season we had a great pre-season and got off to a flyer; and (ii) the last time we were in the prem we had a horrific pre-season (including a 6-1(?) tonking at Morecambe) and we all know how that season went.
Sam – You’re correct about the 6-1 defeat to morecambe. I was there unfortunately! Still remember Luzihny looking completely out of his depth against a ‘pacy’ morecambe winger. Given Dave Jones had hailed Luzihny as “the calibre of player Wolves were able to attract”, that should have indicated what was to come! Also remember leaving the ‘ground’ (if that’s not too grand a term!) to chants of “premier league, you’re having a laugh”. A thoroughly humiliating day.
Regarding CB, anyone else think we might be waiting until Ancelotti gets his team organised before making a move for Mancienne? Here’s hoping!
I agree with Sam (welcome aboard by the way mate!) Last pre-season seemed to invigorate us, winning habits and all that…But like I say, I daren’t grumble just yet!! Morgan and McCarthy have both gone on the record to say we will definitely be bringing in the Prem experience, but it’s a case of ‘tick followed tock’ at the moment.
Mind you, Harry Redknapp made a decent point yesterday. Said that Pompey lost 5 per-season games in a row and stormed the championship that year, whereas Spurs beat Roma 5-0 last season and didn’t win for months!
My hunch is that McCarthy is giving Bobo every last second he can to convince him (and us) that he’s a worthwhile addition.
Then, I feel he’ll play him alongside Zubar as he can’t attract anyone more reputable as we’ve not got the budget.
That prospect scares me. Time will tell.
I too was feeling a little unsure about how good Zubar was going to be but was talking to a mate of mine on the weekend. He’s French and although he lives here now he still knows a fair bit about French football and the young players they have coming through. He was really impressed that we had signed Zubar and was talking very very highly of him. I unfortunately got pissed and can’t remember everything that he was saying but I do remember him saying that he thought he’d surprise alot of people this year. Clubs like Arsenal have been watching him but haven’t taken the risk, but he said he’s defiantely got the ability to be a top defender and that by the end of the season he wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Arsenal came back in for him!! Obviously don’t come looking for me if he does end up being the French Titus Bramble but just thought i’d pass on what he said (well what I can vaguely remember anyway!!)
Love this blog site!! I think we are still short of required quality to stay up. The left flank scares me to death.I was in Perth for the friendlies, and although Elokobi has some sort of cult status, it doesn;t make up for teh fact that he has woeful passing ideas , or indeed, positional sense.Other new guys, Surman, Halford, and Doyle looked no better than what we already had, and, as for Zubar.. I sat there thinking about watching Bambi on Ice with my kids. We have 3 weeks to go, or, I have to say, we will et tonked at home by the average PL club we aspire to be.
@Dazza – Glad you like the site mate. Very worrying to hear your comments, particularly about Zubar who I have high hopes for. I think to be fair, it’s difficult to judge a team immediately after they’ve just started their pre-season. Some of these players need to get up to speed and we need them to gel together with the players we already have.
I’m not so sure we’re as desperately short as people make out. Personally, I think we’re one or two defensive signings away from having a very competitive squad.
I really feel that at home particularly, if we play with our two wingers and get them flying, we’ll get some results.
Another reason to hate pre-season is because you constantly have to tell yourself that the games don’t matter and its really not possible to take that much away from them. I was at Walsall last Tuesday and if I didn’t know better i’d have said that SEB was a complete and utter waste of space. There was no movement from him off the ball, his first touch was shocking and I don’t think he actually tested their defence in the whole game. Like I said luckily I know better but it just goes to prove how difficult it is to take anything from pre-season games!!!!
I too have reservations about Big George. Is nobody else scared at the thought of him starting?! I am also worried about Kightly, and the fact he is still, in McCarthy’s words, a good way from the starting XI. So what’s happened there then? Has he broke down again and the club are covering it up? There must have been a complication because when the op was carried out, we were told it was done in good time for the new season.
So a reality check for West Ham…No Kightly (our best player when fit), no Doyle (our record signing), no Premier hardened centre back with experience, possibly no Milijas due to some half baked friendly, and Andy Keogh up front. My optimism on the wane.
No-one has said this season is going to be easy. Yes there are going to be players that we won’t know are good enough for the Prem until the season starts cus they are untried at this level. Yes there are going to be injurys. Yes we are all worried about how this season will pan out – its a big year for us so its understandable everyone is going to be feeling the pressure. We just need to keep the faith and get behind the team, whether its Big George, Kightly, Keogh or whoever. One thing Super Mick will guarantee us is the fight. And if we have that I honestly couldn’t give a fuck if we go down. All I ever want to see is 100% effort!!
Ben before your optimism completely goes mate I think you need to read your own post ‘Proud to be a Wolves Fan’ from last week!!