“If he gets his new contract, nobody could argue could they?”
These words were written on a website not a million miles away from here. It shows the feelings of Wolves fans towards Jody Craddock that despite being 35 and playing just 15 league games last season, all fans are happy he’s signed for another season.
Except one.
When I heard he was being offered a new one year deal, my initial reaction was that it’s a sideways step. Then I thought about it a little more and decided it’s a backwards step. If we are relying on Jody Craddock next season, we will be in a worse position than we are this season.
Craddock came back into the team to shore up a leaky defence that was bereft of confidence. Without Marcus Hahnemann in goal, there was no leader at the back, something Craddock does naturally. I happily admit to this point, but I would like to add to it that he is no longer a Premier League quality defender.
Last season, he won the Player of the Season Award that by rights should have been Kevin Doyle’s. It is of no surprise that Doyle went on to win the Players’ Player of the Season. Yes, Craddock had a good season, but I don’t believe that he was any better than his defensive partner, the much maligned Christophe Berra.
As far as I could make out, the only notable difference was the number of goals he scored. But what relevance is that for a defender, especially a centre-back? At the time I likened the award to Ryan Giggs winning Sports Personality/PFA Player of the Season, awarded because of a sense of guilt at never having recognised their talents before.
In my opinion, last season wasn’t even Craddock’s best season in a Wolves shirt. That came in 2004/ 2005 when he helped to ease Joleon Lescott back into the first team after his long layoff. Obviously, Lescott was a hero on the terraces, and far away a more accomplished player, so it was Craddock who was the fall guy, much in the way Berra was in 2008/09 and Michael Mancienne has been in the past few weeks.
Yes, I’m going to say it – the introduction of Michael Mancienne into the defence had at least as much significance as the re-introduction of Jody Craddock. Mancienne is a far better defender than Craddock, albeit one who is prone to mistakes. Craddock doesn’t slip up in the same way, he just isn’t as good. It takes a Mancienne mistake for an opponent to get the better of him; all it takes to get past Craddock is half a yard of pace.
The first half of the Blackburn game was a shambles defensively, and everyone around me was delighted when it was Mancienne who was withdrawn at halftime, almost certainly his last match in a gold shirt. Yet, either of them could have been withdrawn. As poor as Mancienne played, I’d definitely argue that Craddock was worse – Jason Roberts has never had an easier 45 minutes in his career.
We currently have five players on our books who can play centre-back (Berra, Craddock, Steven Mouyokolo, Richard Stearman and I’m going to include George Elokobi in there as well). Of those, Craddock is the only one over the age of 25. In addition to these, we have already been linked with a number of centre-backs this summer, and I don’t think there are any Wolves fans out there who wouldn’t want to see at least one more come in.
Given a maximum squad size of 25, a large proportion are going to be centre-backs. Players are going to have to leave, and Craddock is currently the only one who is not going to improve in the future. We all know Mick McCarthy has his favourites, but for me, Craddock should have been offered a handshake and a coaching role if he wants it.
Thanks for the post Tom.
I don’t think you’re alone in your appraisal of Jody’s contract extension.
Personally, I can see both sides of the argument.
On one hand, we could do with moving another center-back on and Jody’s age made him the most likely candidate. As you say, the likes of Berra and Stearman can improve and in reality they’re no worse or better than Craddock.
However, Jody’s experience is without doubt invaluable and he’s played a major role in keeping us up the last two years. You can’t argue with that.
You say it doesn’t matter that he scores goals, but I think that’s a bit of a hasty remark. Of course it’s not the job he’s employed for, but it’s a pleasant bonus all the same. It’s no fluke that he gets on the end of so many crosses, I just wish he’d teach this skill to the others.
I also disagree when you say the introduction of Mancienne to the defence was as significant as Craddock’s return. No. No. A hundred times no.
Saying he’s ‘prone to mistakes’ is the mother of all understatements. And how can Mancienne be a better defender than Craddock when he directly gives goals away?
The failed back header at Blues, the ball watching at Sunderland. He even got away with one against Albion because Odemwingie had strayed offside. The bloke became a mistake waiting to happen. A complete liability.
Yes, Mancienne is quick and good on the ball, but those are fringe benefits, they don’t make up for the fact he’s weak, average in the air and patently doesn’t have the concentration required to play at center back in the Premier League.
I agree that they were both achingly poor against Blackburn but Mancienne was in some way to blame for all 3 of their goals. He was, without doubt, the worse of the two, in my opinion at least.
As long as Mick still goes out and signs a center back (replacing Mancienne in the squad) and a left-back, I’ll be happy enough to see the others, including Jody, stay on.
“he’s played a major role in keeping us up the last two years” – so why do people moan at Ward, Henry and Berra then??
ie want them out, rather than rever them like craddock. too much favour for me, we will definitley be signing a CB, so who’s on their way out??
Well, I personally haven’t got anything against Ward, Henry or Berra. In fact, I’m one of Berra’s biggest advocates.
With Mancienne gone, that frees up a CB slot does it not?
I can see Mouyokolo being sold too. The others will almost certainly stay.
Berra and Ward haven’t played a major role in keeping us up, they’ve done good things but have been more of a detriment. I prefer Craddock for his professionalism and no nonsense approach, no fannying around. That’s why he’s a ‘favourite’ of mine. I would much rather Berra leave.
I just want to point out that craddock pretty much made the 2-0 goal for blackburn by running 20 yards to jump into both Mancienne and Elokobi(?) and thereby giving away the ball.
You can see this here: http://www.wudar.com/Wolves%200-2%20Blackburn%20(Emerton)-1136710.html
Yes, Mancienne does make mistakes every frikkin game, but when he gets this treatment from the “leader” I can’t blame him.
I think you’ll find it was Fletcher that headed it out to Emerton for Blackburn’s 2nd goal
Apologies, just watched again & it was Craddock!!!
I dont know how you can say Craddock was worse than Mancienne on the last day. The whole team were poor in the first half but a least Craddock knows how to head the ball. He wont be first choice next season but if were in a similar mess as this year i’d be the first to back Craddock to get us out of it.
Good decision to keep Craddock for another year, hopefully as cover because we bring in two Premier quality central defenders. His goalscoring ability has got to be valuable (since when were players who score goals not valuable?).
Let Berra go (poor header of a ball, ineffectual at attacking set pieces, has the agility and turnnig circle of a supertanker and can’t keep his hands off ooponents), possibly let stearman go and keep Mouyokolo (need to see more of latter pre season).
It was the right decision to make no further move for Mancienne, too lightweight and error-prone.
Jody has more to offer than any of the other current central defenders.
What a load of rubbish
His goals are irrelevant???
What all 6 of them???, from a defender I’d say thats a decent return
I ain’t Craddock’s greatest fan, but he should be in our 25 man squad.
And where do you get off comparing his return to the team to Manciennes??
Mancienne was awful, he cost us 2 points at Blues & had a hand in all of Blackburns goals last match, he has been shocking & Germany is the best place for him!!!
If you can’t do any better than this you should wrsp it up kidda.
It’s the man’s opinion, which he’s taken the time to write up. You might not agree with it, like I don’t, but that’s what a blog is about. Wouldn’t want everyone agreeing.
Mancienne was a liability in every game he played in the run in (he made at least one terrible mistake that could easilly have resulted in a goal).
£1.75m to Hamburg – you are welcome to that, thank God we didn’t pay the £4-5m Chelsea were quoting last year.
I can say I’m impressed with Craddock getting another season – he has been a great player for us but it is surely time to move our defence onwards and upwards. My worry now is that this action has been taken as we do not intend to bring in two new central defenders (as this is what is needed IMO)
I personally like the the resigning of Craddock. Yes, it makes things pretty tight with the 25 man roster currently, especially with the loanees back in the fold and yet to be sold/sent out again. However, assuming Halford, Maierhoffer, Keogh plus 1,2 maybe even 3 are sold/loaned the #s should be okay.
With Craddock you know what you are going to get, I imagine cheap wages, didn’t have to spend transfer $, is a presence on and off the field. As long as Craddock isn’t THE centerback signing of the Summer, I am all for it. This allows Mick to spend more on other players than if we went with a ~3mil signing that would give the same production.
Craddock is by far the least error prone defender on the books, and as was mentioned above the only one over the age of 25. We need his experience around the place!
Tom Bason makes a fair point about him being slower than the rest of the defensive options, and taking up 1 of the 25 slots, but that doesn’t faze me at all.
Remember Dennis Irwin? his legs were well and truly gone by the time he signed for us, but as he had the knack of standing in exactly the right place at the right time it didn’t really matter. He made defending look effortless. I’m not pretending Craddock is in the same league as Irwin, just making the point experience counts for a lot at the back.
Also, take a look at Arsenal. Most football fans would agree their main problem is they’ve a great bunch of kids with talent and pace to spare, but as they lack leadership on and off the pitch they consistently fall short of their target. Is it any coincidence that Craddock has come in towards the end of the last 3 seasons and helped us achieve our goals? I think not.
He’s obviously not going to start in even half of the games, and will most probably have to overcome another injury at some point in the season, but just to have him around Compton and on hand should we be up a****n creek without a dingle again makes me a much happier sleachy.
we played alot better, and started to win when he returned, im glad we have signed him, hes ALOT better than berra,moyuloko,ward, manicenne, stearman and especially zubar, these must be the 6 dodgiest players to have in defence, i know it cost money to buy players, and to buy amazing players at a smaller club is a difficult thing to do, but lets face it craddock in the least of our defensive worries, with any luck we sign roger johnson and some more defenders, id play craddock and elokobi do the job well, they just need two more good consistant defenders with them! and as for new goalkeepers, hennessey HAS to go! hes so bad!! hanehmann getting on aswell but age isnt really an issue in goal. lets hope mick actually does something in the transfer season this time!!!
This blog says it all, JC was part of a defence lost at sea against the pace of the mighty Blackburn forwards, and they were fifth from bottom. Hope this was not sentiment, and he`ll be used as back up only as surely we are now going to sign some players with premiership experience. Or maybe not, will Danny Batth be playing first team next season I wonder.
Mancienne should have played at left back, where his electric pace could have been better utilised, and his physical frailty not exposed. Although we all know our stubborn manager has to play his prodigal son there when he can, could n`t have the England under 21 captain seen to be a better left back than Wardy could ever hope to be.
Can MM find an experienced no 5, over 6`ft 3″ tall with pace? Well lets hope so, sorry big George will never be a centre half. His lack of height and an academy education would make him a greater liability at 5, than playing him at no 3, and he was out jumped all afternoon by the mighty Jason Roberts the other Sunday.
I read somewhere that most professionals are contracted until the end of June, so unless available on a free transfer we can`t sign anyone until the 1st July. I wonder what the scouting team have been up to over the last few months, or where they have been. Our squad simply is not good enough, once and for all lets get some quality in defence, and if we are never going to play these academy graduates, get rid of them.
There is no room for sentiment in this cruel game of football, we`ve got away with it for 2 years, bit of a risk hoping for three skin of the teeth escapes in a row.
didn’t we stay up with 2 or 3 games left last season? hardly skin of the teeth.
Last season 2 teams were condemed to the championshit,it made it a bit
easier to stay up..
be that as it may, it wasn’t a ‘skin of the teeth’ job.
Couldn’t disagree more. Jody has earnt another year. I don’t think anybody thinks that he’s going to play 38 games next season, but is good experience when called upon. To say Mancienne is a better centre back than Jody is beyond a joke.
I’m with your view Rich. and bearing in mind this blog quotes my previous blog I should defend myself! Like him or not, Jody is our best CB (Mancienne statement is ludicrous) to then say Doyle deserved the player of the year award is questionable – didn’t us fans all vote for him? (might be wrong there mind!)
If he plays every game next season and this extension is heralded as a some sort of ‘signing’ then fair enough…
…I just think that a guy who has bled for the cause for nigh on 10years – and done nothing but keep his head down & be a staunch clubman throughout – deserves a bit more respect?
I do appreciate my heart can rule my head, but I think a new contract is a) sensible and b) deserved. Good on you Jody!
“Like him or not, Jody is our best CB”.
What alarms me most about this statement is it’s true. Which leads me to wonder how the hell we stayed up if Craddock, who missed a substantial part of the season, is the best we have at centre-back?
If it remains the case that we’re relying on Jody to keep shackle Premier League strikers next season then they’ll be no last day relegation dog-fight for us – we’ll already be down.
Why don’t we all stop beating around the bush, pussyfooting along, and admit the fuckin’ truth?
Our whole defense is shit, crap and should be replaced in it’s entirety.
They are just not Premiership standard. No ifs, ands or buts, they are just not good enough, any of them.
None of this sentimental bollocks, “he’s been a good servant, he’s great in the dressing room” ( George Best was rumoured to be great in the dressing room, but that’s another story!)
Foley, Berra, Craddock, Elokobi, Ward and Henry need to be fucked off, back to the championship where they belong.
Someone needs to grab the playing staff metaphorically by the scruffs of their collective necks, give them a good shaking, and tell them in no uncertain terms to improve or be left out of the 25 man squad.
All the other teams in the Prem are going to look to improve their staff, why not us?
We should wait until the final day of the transfer window, see how many squad players we still need, after already buying new players, THEN decide which of the current team/second string we need to give new contracts to, not give Craddock et al deals before we’ve exhausted all other avenues.
If some have moved on by then, so be it.
Get your shit together, McCarthy, the day of reckoning cometh!!!
FOMM
I would give Mouyokolo another chance to be fair he’s never been given
a fair crack at it,through injury and injustice dealt from the management.
As clive said i would’nt give jc a contract at the expense of another signing
Still need a quality LB,+CB,’s X 2 What ever they cost,Get the defence
sorted and the rest will sort its self we must recognise who we want then
get straight in and don’t f..k about and wait until somebody else nips in
like they always do…Could do with another midfielder with a bit of pace
who likes to have a shot on goal,just dreaming…
I have to agree with Tom. It says something about how defensively poor we were when desperately relying on Craddock to shore things up in the final weeks of last season. The guy has been a fantastic servant to the club, but he simply will not improve our power-puff rear-guard so why give him another contract? Being a good influence in the dressing room is not a good enough reason.
Word is craddock painted an unfavourable picture of Mick with Ward and is threatened to publish it in a load of bull unless he got a new contract.
We are doomed.
I can’t see us signing any decent defenders and agree that having to live with the options currently available to us will ensure that next season will be our last in the Prem.
I hope to be proven wrong and like the idea of giving Mouyokolo a decent run, as at least he has pace.
Feels like we are the inverse of Blues – good up front but poor at the back…we know what happened to Blues…
Still pleased Mancienne has gone; never looked interested to me.
I fail to agree. Berra and Stearman are both much improved since the championship days. Berra still has the wansdering hands of a drunk uncle with the bridesmaids at a wedding, while Stearman is still prone to Mancienne-esque errors of judgement, but they have both come on a lot and will continue to do so next year.
Mouyokolo earned many plaudits whilst playing for Hull, whatever the reason for his lack of playing time last term he could still come good.
I think we’ll sign another CB, probably Johnson, Dann or Upson – any of whom would be an improvement on what we already have, and be fine next season.
Bear in mind that next season’s league will be easier, none of QPR, Norwich or Swansea have the pedigree to finish above us over the course of 38 games, and with the likes of Rovers and Wigan still populating the league I think mid table is well within our sights.
As long as we sign a CB who is an improvement on the incumbent defenders, and a decent LB (Konchesky anyone?) we will be fine.
Mark my words.
correction: looks like mouyokolo IS going
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/wolves-fc-news/2011/06/03/wolves-boss-hails-fletcher-and-hunt-as-role-models-to-players-who-want-future-at-molineux-97319-28814416/
Just heard a rumour that Wolves are interested in Titus Bramble !!!!!! This was from the farther inlaw whose a villa ! villa ! fan so I hope to god he is bullshitting me. This news has completley depressed me im mean TITUS FUCKING BRAMBLE proberly the only defender in the prem who is actually worse than we have now !!! If this is true oh i hope it aint.
Hope your wrong wolves 79 .But would’nt suprise me don’t forget where
he comes from fuckin sunderland excuse my Anglo-saxon English,If true
how much more dross must we have from his feeder club..
There’s a radio station in the north east (real radio?) With a panel called ‘legends’. I think Malcolm Macdonald and Bernie Slaven were 2of them. Anyway, they talk about the 3north east clubs ala Franksy on WM and they were praising old Titus. Very much maligned apparently,with injury fucking the mackems up. I know…I thought the same!