So we’re 12 games into the season, we’re second bottom, and we have exactly the same number of points we had after the same number of games in 2003.

Yet we all seem to be remarkably upbeat! Maybe it’s the miserable weather that’s got me thinking. Maybe it’s Jedward. Or maybe I just want to delve deeper into a can of worms which, as yet, has been left alone.

Same points as 2003. Should we be panicking?

For all our encouraging displays and for all the well worn platitudes about our young and hungry side, I’m starting to feel a little desperate. So I made the mistake of looking up our results back in 2003, and the team that ‘graced’ the world’s toughest league back then.

For all the talk of how much stronger our squad is, have we got a more consistent right back than Denis Irwin at the moment? Do we have a left back as good as the much maligned Lee Naylor in 03? And what about the defensive pairing of Craddock and Butler? That back four kept three times more clean sheets at this stage in 2003, so what does that say about us now?

And what about a midfield pairing of Ince and Rae? Maybe not young and hungry enough?

We had won the same amount of games after 12 outings in 2003 and one of those featured one of the most mesmeric, epic second half showings in beating Leicester 4-3.

Can you see us scoring four goals, three in open play, in one half of football?

So many questions! I’m not expecting too many answers, just playing devil’s advocate I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I love this team, their achievements, the idiosyncratic manager of ours, and can’t wait for the next time I see them all. I’m just throwing it out there. What do you guys think?

In 2003 we had the most abject, dismal pre-seasons that I can ever remember, featuring That Game at Morecambe, not to mention another dismal defeat (at League 2 Yeovil if memory serves).

In 2009 we lose at MK Dons, Port Vale, Bristol City, and some Spanish team I daren’t try and pronounce. The alarm bells were almost as loud this time as they were 5 years ago, and one look at the league table tells me that I had good reason to be.

We were undercooked under Dave Jones, and we were as undercooked as a piece of French veal this time around weren’t we?

I thought the quick, consecutive arrivals of Surman and Halford would be our ‘foreplay’ of the transfer window, not the climax of it, and was naive enough to think that when the owners promised us Premiership experience, they meant it.

I was treated to a midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game at Southampton on Wednesday and it struck me how damn competitive the Football League is. Clubs, big clubs, with beautiful big stadiums, fighting over each other to get to the Championship, let alone the Promised Land. Their fans all clamouring, demanding for the successes that they used to be accustomed to.

We know what it’s all about. We’ve been scrapping with them far too long. I hope to God they stay beneath us, scratching and clawing at the rung of a ladder we’re now precariously perched on.

Forgive me for panicking.

Stepping away from the on-field drama for a moment, it’s nice to see Wolves helping a good cause by raising some money for the British Legion.

Help a good cause and get a signed Wolves shirt

In case you haven’t heard, the Wolves Community Trust are auctioning off the commemorative shirts our players wore against Arsenal. If you’re interested in bidding on one of the shirts, you can do so by visiting the Wolves eBay store here:

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Wolves-Community-Trust__W0QQ_armrsZ1

I must say, I’m intrigued to see which shirts sells for the biggest amounts and in turn, which shirts fetch the least. I was contemplating making a bid, but most of the tops have now surged far beyond what I was willing to pay.

As it stands at the moment, SEB’s shirt commands the greatest premium at £331.38, closely followed by Michael Kightly’s at £320 and Kevin Doyle’s at £311. Karl Henry is also running along quite nicely at £295.

The shirt I was tempted to go for though was Jody Craddock’s. Not only did he have a great game (in my opinion), but he scored at both ends, which is a great story to share when showing it off to friends and family. I’d also wager it  represents the best deal if somebody was looking for an investment. But I suppose that’s not really in the spirit of the auction. It sits at 300 smackers already, so it certainly won’t come cheap.

Obviously, the tops attracting the least attention are those of players that didn’t manage to get on the pitch. Marcus Hahnemann in particular is going cheap at just £180. But if you’re looking for an outfield bargain player, The Hoff is only at £200 and last season’s player of the year Kevin Foley is only commanding £205.

Anyway, which shirt would you go for and how much would you pay? Maybe you’re already bidding. If so, good luck and let us know whether you’re successful or not.

With Kevin Foley and Stephen Ward closing in on returns, I’ve been thinking about the shape of the Wolves side and whether or not the two should get back into the starting XI.

Last season, we were undoubtedly at our best when we had eleven players all operating in their preferred positions. I thought there was a lovely balance to the side and we seemed to have a clear system of playing, which I’m not sure we have at the moment.

Kevin Foley & Stephen Ward - Offer shape to the Wolves defence

Starting in defence, the two full-backs that played against Arsenal are both center-halves. You can argue all day that they can ‘do a job’ in the wider defensive areas, but they’re certainly not specialists. And the problem is, our full-backs always tend to see a lot of the ball, so we need players out there who can use it well. So for me, that means bringing Ward and Foley back at the earliest opportunity. That’s a bit harsh on Zubar, but I’d expect him to be seriously challenging Craddock and Berra for a place in the center of defence.

In midfield, Mick is almost spoiled for choice at the moment, but all too often I think we’re seeing square pegs in round holes. Against Arsenal I could see what he was trying to do by tightening up and restricting the amount of space they had to operate in. But again, the balance wasn’t there. We had two center midfielders playing out wide, which meant the ball kept coming back inside to Henry and Castillo who aren’t what you’d call ‘creators’.

I think we need to see either Jarvis or Kightly in the starting XI every week, if not both. We need a ball carrier, someone with a bit of pace and trickery who offers that outlet in the wide areas. Last season we stretched opposition midfields and did damage down both flanks. We need to see that again, particularly at home when we’re playing the teams in and around us. Henry will play every match in the middle of the park and I’d like to see Castillo sitting alongside him when we play our two proper wide-men or Milijas if we employ a narrower shape.

Up front, we all want to see Doyle and SEB turn it on and get the goals we need and I think that could still happen. However, last season we saw the impact a proper target man can have and in tight games, it just gives you another option. So when Iwelumo is fit and available, I think he has to come into serious contention, even if that means dropping our golden boot or our record signing.

I recognise that against Chelsea we can’t just go in all guns blazing, but I’d like to see a Wolves side with some shape restored and players all operating in their recognised positions. I’d go 4-5-1:

Hennessy

Foley (if fit – Zubar otherwise)
Craddock
Berra
Ward (if fit)

Kightly
Castillo
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis

SEB

Then against Blues and Bolton at home I’d go 4-4-2 and really go all out for the win:

Hennessy

Foley (if fit)
Craddock
Berra
Ward (if fit)

Kightly
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis

Doyle
SEB

I know it’s easy to criticise team selection after a bad result, but I just feel we’re straying too far from last season’s winning formula. Maybe this international break will be a good chance for Mick to get the few players back, which will allow him to mould the team into a more cohesive shape.

What do well think?

That sinking feeling has hit me…

With a good 50 odd days to go before Santa dives down my chimney, I caught a glimpse of him in Wolverhampton yesterday, spinning around in the window of a poundshop.

This can mean only one thing: We’re all about to have the season of love and understanding rammed down our throats, along with some dry turkey and powdery mince pies in between. Bah humbug!

Beckford - On my Christmas list

I can do without Christmas. The inexorable return of Cliff Richard, the stress of a packed high street, and the distinct possibility of snow, which will bring the roads (inevitably ungritted) to a standstill as I battle to get to and from work. Sod the snowmen.

The only positives I find from the season is the guarantee of ice cold water from the cold tap, and the football season hotting up nicely. Christmas Day isn’t too painful when you know that the Boxing Day action is around the corner (and isn’t it Liverpool away this year? He he!)

Which brings me nicely onto what I would like Santa to bring me. I’m a selfless kind of guy. As long as me and my family have our health, I’ll be happy enough with a pair of socks. But what I’d really like is a couple of additions to the Wolves squad, which will obviously arrive in January.

As stated previously, I feel that Mick has now fallen upon a strong, combative team, maintaining the incredible energy levels of last season. For the first time, I can say I like the shape of it, and the direction we seem to be heading into.

And if I could write a letter to Santa for a couple of nice presents, I’d be asking for the following:

• Jose Enrique from Newcastle. Looks class whenever I’ve seen him, and would offer the perfect solution for our left back troubles. Quick, bags of tricks, and really attacks well. Would offer some creativity down the left, and would do for me.

• Jermaine Beckford: I have long fancied a bit of that rude boy down at the Molineux. Yes, I know we have a load of strikers at our disposal, but with Vokes at Leeds, I just have a hunch he might be coming the other way at some point. Has the one thing that scares defenders – pace. Goal per game record phenomenal and out of contract at the end of the season. Another option.

And one last cheeky request…

• Nigel Reo-Coker: The more I think about this one, the more I think ‘why not?’ Out of favour at Villa, wouldn’t have far to come, would offer us bags of Premiership experience and could play anywhere in midfield, even in the back four if needed. I doubt it would happen, as he’d demand first team games and we couldn’t guarantee him that – not if King Karl, Segundo and Edwards carry on like they have been.

So what are your thoughts folks?

Maybe the more pertinent question is to ask who might go the other way. You’d think that Mick has his squad pretty much sorted, and would be spending more time getting some players out the door.

Merry Christmas everyone. (after all, it’s started!)