Despite just three working days’ notice due to a communication breakdown between Wolves and I, there is a Fans’ Parliament meeting on Wednesday and I will endeavour to be there.
With this in mind, please accept my apologies for not giving you more time to have a think, but have you got any questions you’d like me to pose on your behalf at the meeting? To manage expectations, I can’t ask all of them, but I should get the opportunity for one or two.
If I may be so self-indulgent, I would like to ask the following question:
In light of reported failed bids for Harry Maguire, Chris Wood, Callum Wilson, Patrick Bamford and Andy Delort – not to mention an admission by Kenny Jackett that Britt Assombalonga was too expensive at £5 million – can I safely deduce that the club has no serious intention of getting promoted this season?
I may need to phrase it better but you get my gist.
I’m not wishing to sound angry either, as I’m not unhappy with where we are as a club right now after such recent misery. We have, in my opinion, a wonderful manager at the helm and a cracking set of players, irrespective of recent thrashings. Both deserve time after the happiness and harmony they’ve given.
Sure, Kenny Jackett has made his first genuinely baffling selection decisions of late, but to presumably obstruct his attempts at reinforcing his severely depleted front-line must suggest that this season is one of consolidation, as a model of sustainable progression continues into the next, presumably with the likes of Hause, Iorfa and one or two others being blooded.
If this is the case then fine, I have no qualms with it.
But as a paying punter, it’s feel it’s only fair to know.
Given the time advantage we had over pretty much everyone in the division, and with Kevin Thelwell and Stuart Webber they plan months in advance for transfer windows, why did our search for a striker, and a defender (bearing in mind we were definitely after Harry Maguire) seem so laboured? Or were we genuinely happy with the squad and thought we only needed three additions, making similar mistakes to the last time we were promoted?
Those are what grates with me really and can’t think of much else.
There is a lot of talk about the future but what about now. Why are we failing to bring in first choice transfer targets? How can the club seriously expect the fans to turn up week after week based on a policy of deferred gratification. What are the realistic timescales for promotion and who is accountable if they are not realised?
Thanks for asking.
The sentiment is absolutely correct but I would avoid rhetorical questions like this, sounds confrontational. I would simply ask why these bids for high profile players didn’t work, and whether it is due to wage structure, a perception from the players about a lack of real ambition from the club (evidenced by this inability to recruit top-notch players), excessive transfer fee, or something else. And if any of these, what are the club going to do to change things, since it is obviously our intention to get better players at the club?
The debacle over the failed Ivan Toney move is confusing. Was it a last-minute attempt to sign the player? If so, why leave it so late? Chelsea never do this, they get medicals done even before the transfer window opens. One man’s fail is another man’s pass. If there was a grey area in the medical, so what, it was only a loan deal, the player could surely have even been signed on pay-per-appearance deal? At the end of the loan the player could have been returned. There was only an insignificant financial risk to Wolves, outweighed by the upside if the player performed well on the pitch.
Couldn’t agree more if it was a loan then we could of easly sent him back if injured or didn’t come up to catch…….no its something more simple than that here’s a glue begins with a M…Y as is always the. Case either the player wanted to much or his agent or the club.
I’d like to see us giving Doyle and Sigurdarson a chance in January, and I wouldn’t even rule out Roger Johnson if he’s not paid off – if we’re paying his wages why not let him play and maybe show what he used to do for Birmingham – and even for Wolves in the first part of the last season in the Championship.
Just want to see some experience in the side – the present lot are not raising their game to Championship levels.
Hi Ben, great to see there’s still some life after death in this strange month of results.
I don’t think we are going to get anywhere with the M&M boys, we suffer the same high expectations and spectacular lows every transfer window. So with that in mind I want to play the Human rights card and embarrass the pair of idiots.
Can we have proper cover for the disabled supporters who get the brown end of the dirty stick. Covered areas similar to the players is no big ask and if they try and play the priority card then they should hang their heads in shame.
Why can’t we as a club with our fancy white elephant Academy be pro active towards providing our fantastic disabled fans with humane conditions in which to support their team. Many of them due to their many conditions do not have the capabilities to shiver, jump up and down or rub cold limbs in order to get warm. For Christ’s sake there are not that many of them.
Bang the drum for us Ben.
Hi StuWolf. Thanks for this! Is there a specific area that you / friends are that particularly need the shelter, or are you talking generally? I’ll certainly pose the question!
Hi Ben,
Great night for the kids last night, I bet your son enjoyed it. Dippy the clown wasn’t as good as the magician last year but the kids loved it. Absolutely fantastic to see all the Wolves back room staff involved they are worth every penny of their minimal wage, they are brilliant people. (Didn’t spot Moxey or Morgan, you know then one’s…. We’re a family club)
Back to the plot, my aim is for all the disabled areas, they have those concrete sections for their wheelchairs, but talk about half a job, there is no cover or protection from the elements. It would have been so easy to put perspex domed roofs over those areas in the first instance, so that’s what I would like for the guys and girls of our club, it’s good enough for our super fit, healthy, young team so it should be paramount and Gold standard for our disabled fans.
I want to try and get myself on to the disabled fans group to fight their corner if possible, then we could challenge management from two fronts.
I attended a game at Man Utd as a guest of the Porto team a couple of years ago and inside the ground the disabled fans have a room equally as plush as the one we were in last night for the party, everything is laid on for them free of charge. It was amazing I bet our guys don’t even get a discount.
This blog is the best around, help me get a fair deal for the disabled guys please, then we can hold our heads high.
Thanks.
Stu
That should read, “you know the one’s”
Cheers StuWolf. I’ll pose the question. You should have said hello if you were there last night! Speak soon hopefully mate.
You were with your family and I was with Two very lively grandsons who were wanting full on attention. A good night all the same.
Thanks for your efforts on behalf of the disabled fans, they get very short changed by our family freindly club.
Has Kenny Jacket lost the Dressing Room. I have not seen a Wolves team play this badly since Steve Morgan went into the dressing room and through a wobbly two seasons ago.
Does the club have a fixed or variable transfer policy ?
Does it have a ‘ceiling’ for purchases ? Is there an age criteria ? Is there a link between age/experience and price and/or wages ? Is the wage structure variable or fixed ? If fixed, for what duration ?
Is the current policy a reaction to the problems generated by the O’Drama and Johnson transfers ?
As a club we seem to have been here several times before. We are told that we are happy with the squad, we have the players and in more recent times we are giving younger players a chance.We have had several managers in recent times and nothing seems to have changed regarding our top targets i.e. we keeps missing out.
We would all agree that we need to give younger player a chance as long as they can produce the performance. But you cannot expect a team just promoted into the championship with lots of young player to walk the league. You need a balance of youth and experience to give the youngsters a chance to develop at a higher level and for the team to progress.
What really irritates me is who is really making the decisions. we seem to identify players and never seem to sign any of the higher rated ones. We either won’t or cannot pay the going rate and all our transfer dealings seem to take forever.
As fans we deserve to know what the clubs policy is.
So can we have a clear statement from Jez stating who is responsible and accountable at each stage of the process and who ultimate has the final say on a player, based on the players ability and what it will cost the club as this is where most of the transfers seem to fail.
I agree totally with the gist of your question Ben….
I think ‘economic prudence’ filters into the dressing room.
For instance, Danny Baath is a good defender, who will get better with a better defender than him, playing next to him. However, if it ‘filters’ through that M & M are not prepared, economically, to buy players that improve his performance, then, disillusioned, he will lose form.
Some of the managerial decisions have been odd lately too and am starting to believe that KJ’s hands are tied, (and he knew they would be), again owing to financial ‘restrictions’.
Like this post, ‘football’ is secondary to ‘finance’.
That would be my question…
“Why does it appear that ‘economic prudence’ by the Board seems to supercede the success of Wolves as football team?
Ben, I accept the point you’re trying to make with your proposed question. But the fact is that the squad hasn’t been improved since last season, and it won’t be now before January. So whether M & M are planning to spend money then is largely irrelevant, as we have to cope with what we’ve got for one month at least, and maybe two if any deals are done at the very end of the window, as is usually the case. Playing the way we are, in two months time we’ll be dead and buried. Four successive abject defeats is relegation form in my view.
The big question is, has KJ got the tactical and motivational nous to sort it out? And have the players got the guts and commitment to fight for the team?
I don’t think it’s the right time to blood youngsters like Hause and Iorfa. Or even to recall Price who has no experience at Championship level. But I do have some sympathy with the view expressed by JHP that we look seriously at our experienced players like Doyle and Sigurdarson and, yes, extend an olive branch to Johnson. Also push Boukari back on the training field asap. We desperately need someone to stop the rot.
Question for the Fans Parliament, Which I know has been asked before: are there any plans to instal screens and a scoreboard?
Why did Morgan buy Wolves?
Simple question that I’ve been asking myself since he took over from Sir Jack.
Because they way he ruining the club and I mean ruining the club I just carnt understand why he brought Wolves was because they were going cheap supposedly paid £10 ( that would fit )
Really Thomas that would be my question.
He bought the club because he wanted to own a football club and couldn’t afford Liverpool.
Quite simple.
From what I’ve heard from my Whathouse contact, he is now a passionate Wolves man.
Now is the time to prove it.
Sorry DOOgooder mate but actions speak louder than words and from Morgans actions so far it’s PROFIT PROFIT , I’d hate to think what he do then if he didn’t care..!
Hear, hear.
When are you visiting next mate?
Nothing planned before Christmas I’m afraid.
I will try and sort something early in the New Year.
Ben, With respect Jez Moxey will field that question with ease. ‘Yes everyone at the club remains focused on regaining a place in the Premier league. Kenny will always be backed by the club provided the right players become available at the right price.’
The questions I would like asking are
1 who audits the cost of the academy development,reported to be £7m, to ensure value for money, given the owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers is also the Chairman and main shareholder of Redrow ? As stakeholders in the football club surely we need to ensure full transparency.NB I do not doubt that the correct procedures will have been followed, but I believe we need to be reassured on this.
2 What budget was made available to Kenny Jackett in the last transfer window. Was the size of funds available restricted due to the £7m spent on the academy?
3 Kenny Jackett publicly stated he needed to recruit more experienced players in a number of positions in the last loan window. What went wrong?
4 Can we have some re assurance that the club will make significant funds available to Kenny in the Jan transfer window.
5 Why are we one of the few clubs not to have pitch side screens available given this facility would add to the match day experience.
Re: screen one word COST!
Part of the problem is that our excellent start has meant expectations have risen with many supporters wanting back to back promotions. This season and perhaps next should be about consolidation and gradually improving the squad. Mistakes have obviously been made in the transfer market but l can understand the boards reluctance to fund high transfer fees, long contracts and high wages. I think you will have found we have been down that road before and look at the mess it created and still is!!
Rowe was highly thought of at Peterboro and Saville obviously did well on loan at Brentford so l can understand these signings even though neither have come off, but they might yet. Football fans are notoriously impatient but we must remember the mistakes we made in the past. How much in transfer fees and wages did the O’Hara contract cost. I dread to think!
Moxey and Morgan are easy targets but l do believe their heart is in the right place. We will improve especially when Dicho returns and our fortunes will turn around. Would a mid table finish be a disaster? I think not. And no, l don’t think we will go down!!
You have to admire Jackett for trying to play a passing game even though it has got us in to trouble recently. The Blackburn game was a joy to watch. He just has to come up with a plan B against better opposition. I just hope the fans don’t turn on the team on Saturday.
If Saville is good enough for the Championship why did Brentford let him join us ???
He played against them and they ran the midfield…
That’s not a question for the parliament I’m just making the point that if Warburton had thought Saville was good enough at this Level he would have kept him.
Because he was only on loan at Brentford. I think Saville is a good player with low confidence. He could have done with a goal to help him, he’s had plenty of close calls – Charlton he hit the post and put a couple wide, Derby he should have scored, he’s getting in good positions and I think he’s been more unlucky in front of goal rather than poor. He needs to work on defending too but he’s only 21, he’s going to learn.
Are you Moxey in disguise thats unbelievable Moxey and Morgans hear t in the right place yeah right in there wallets.
Are you on the pay roll ?
No, but lots of others are. We are still paying wages to players from the McCarthy/Solbakken eras. Doyle, Johnson, Boukari, Sigurdasson, O’Hara (before being paid off), Foley etc. that aren’t even under consideration. We must have one of the biggest wage bills in the Championship. That’s why l think they are reluctant to invest heavily until we gradually ditch these players that are a millstone round the clubs neck.
Morgan and Moxey have made bad decisions at times e.g. sanctioning some of these deals, poor recruitment of managers (present one excepted), building unnecessary stands etc. I am just making the point that the money probably isn’t there, especially with falling gates (even when we were top 6) and parachute money disappearing soon.
You should also add Max Clayton to your list of signings that didn’t materialize. He was highly thought of by people in the know, but another one destined not to come to Molineux. Apparently we couldn’t strike a deal because Crewe were asking for £1million. How is it then that the financial powerhouse that is Bolton Wanderers (lol) managed to strike a deal at £300k ? I’m all for prudence, due diligence at the rest of it but something just doesn’t feel right at the moment and unless we manage to recruit some experience in January I fear the worst. It might sound like doom & gloom, but I don’t like the way the lads’ heads drop when they concede – I’ve seen that too many times over the years – it’s hard to shake off the losing mentality once you’ve got it.
Razor,
Yes, the good old losing mentality! That’s what several players waffled about after we were relegated from the Premier League, as if this were an excuse for failure. Maybe we need a psychologist on board?
I would ask is it the clubs intention to adopt the Southampton module,even if it might mean mid table finishes for a season or two,as in my opinion it’s the only way of becoming established PL club.look at the current bottom 3(2 with wealthy owners).can our academy produce find or lure a Shaw chambers llana Walcott ox now that’s another question.
I assume that Kenny won’t be at the meeting.
If he was, then a question about whether he was happy about the lack of funds for the players we have missed out on would be in order.
If he isn’t there then I would ask your question – and I wouldn’t water it down.
They owe it to us, the fans, to let us know whether we are going to be another Everton soon or sometime in the distant future.
Another Everton… Ha ha Ha …
Moxey … You got to admire the size of his balls to suggest such things.
Has anybody told Him they have never been relegated from the PL or from the top flight since before the war..
In fact what on earth does that guy know about football?
You can safely say we won’t be doing an “Everton” any time soon or even in the near future in fact I’d say I carnt see happening while M and M are running the show.
To head off on a completely different tack I would like to ask why the club can’t be more honest with the fans. The recent loss of form and the lack of honesty around why Scott Golbourne was dropped from the squad was both baffling and annoying. First he had fallen out with KJ, then he was injured and last Saturday he was playing when he quite plainly was unwell.
I thought it was you that said you were going to the game.
Well I totally agree with your question on Golbourne. We were certainly a better unit with than without him, but when he came off he looked absolutely ghastly. WTF are we playing him like that for.
I am at the Young Wolves kids Christmas party tomorrow with my two Grandsons and all the first team are attending. I shall feckin ask Golbourne outright.
Thanks. If you get a straight answer it would be great to know what it is. In my opinion Scott is currently the best and most underrated player we have.
I would like to ask JM Where does he buy the Balti pies from,?
Seriously, can you ask with the current squads inexperience how many experienced players would they buy if given the chance and the availability,(what do they have in the kitty) to make sure we are in with a chance of the play offs or stave off relegation.
I for one think that’s where the problem lies, no real captain with experience to steady the ship.IMO..Hope the fans back the team what ever happens come Saturday..UTW.
Like most so far I agree with Ben’s question but would add the following:
At present we are only interested in investing in the academy and promising Under 21 players for the future. If we are writing off the next 5 years or so can this be reflected in the admission price?
If we admit this, the loyal fans will stay on board without calling for the managers head and reduced prices may result in higher attendances.
I would ask him if he can find a rich Saudi Prince who will buy out Morgan and invest somewhere along the lines of 1 Billion into the club…
That way all the fans who keep saying to me that money isn’t the answer and you cannot keep spending will eat their words as we compete will Chelsea Man City etc…
Cos that’s how they did it…
Nige, agree completely.
We need someone with ‘proper’ money.
Go to the Upper East Side in Manhattan and there are plenty of people walking about with as much money as Morgan.
In the global market Morgan’s ‘fortune’ is peanuts.
Everybody knows at Molineux they are working for a man, who obviously needs to put ‘economics’ before football and so, really cannot afford to be chairman of Wolves.
Spot on Nige, he should do the club a favour and sell to someone who can afford a club of Wolves’s stature..
I am sure he will make a profit…..
Q.Currently we are emulating the fall of last time from the championship to the 1st div..I take it that we have learnt from last time and we MUST buy out of trouble in Jan. (Unless we are prepared to do the same again)?
If KJ is not at the meeting, the obvious two questions are:
Why is he not there?
And, when is greasel going to quit/resign/leave/top himself?
And a serious question, do we HAVE to let Sako and Dicko go to the ACN ?
Any chance of bringing Thierry Henry to the Molineux? He knows where the back of the net is!
My question for Jez Moxey:
“Is he willing to take a 50% paycut until Wolves become the “Everton” he publicly declared was the plan?”
Tine for him to put some action where his mouth is.
Saville, Evans , McDonald, Price, Jacobs, Henry
And Edwards are very similar, ball playing versatile midfielders.
Where is our street smart wise old ball winner/
Hatchet man?
“Plantar Fascilitis”
Not as bad as Ebola by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m afraid it could have a devastating effect on the Wolves team and our expectations for this season.
That’s a question less to ask at the meeting Ben. Because that is what is wrong with Scott Golbourne.
The new question has to be, ” WTF was he playing if he’s that doubtful. Now he’s out for another 4-6 weeks.
Moronic decision, pure moronic.
Moxey when will you resign?
I wouldn’t rephrase your question Ben.
I would ask it as it is so there can be no misinterpretation.
In my view we have 3 players who could be of interest to Premier league or top 6 Championship clubs – Sako, Batth and Ikeme. So my question is:-
What is the plan in January/ end of season if bids come in ?
My questions would be 1) on the basis of first team performance being the biggest single measure of a football club’s achievement, what progress has been made under your stewardship mr moxey since the day you walked in many years ago to where the first team is today? (And don’t give us any bollocks about progress off the field, past promotions into the pl etc) 2) given everyone in football ultimately has a shelf life, what is mr Morgan’s exit strategy from wolves?
I would like to know why I have to climb 5 flights of stairs to get to my seat and nearly have a coronary. Can we have a balloon or some sort of light aircraft to transport me to seat please?
Would Jez like to put a time scale around when he expects us to emulate Everton? Would he also confirm that such an expectation does not involve Everton being relegated?
But, whilst all of us are very well aware that we are unable to compete with Everton or any other Prem club in the transfer market, why are we no longer able to slug it out with Bournemouth, Brentford or Huddersfield etc???
Like it Scooped .. a very tantalising question .. one that is unambiguous etc.
I bet it will get a politician’s answer ….
Hope you’re better mate …
Much better ta mate. Looking 4wrd to my fix on Saturday!
Hopefully I can feast my eyes on the gorgeous lady in row Z if events on the pitch aren’t better than of late;)
How’s Tell? Who’s gonna keep time???
That gorjus lady in the 22nd row ( name that tune) does not even know you exist, coz every time she looks your way, she is blinded by the shiny reflection off your polished dome!!
Now, however, if I was over there………………….
If you woz ere she’d never get to her seat. There’s no way she cud squeeze past that xxxxxxxxxL belly of yours.
Mind you, we might win.
I went to see him .. and he looks fine .. still a way to go tho .. I’ll ring you tonight.
This man (see pic) would like to ask Moxey if he knows where his beer went?
(although the bloke at the back may know).
Totally changing the subject, as is my wont,
All together, lads and lasses,
Once again……
“Oh What Fun It Is To See The shit Lose at Home…Again!!!”
Loffin’ me sox off, aye I?
I don’t need to sign off FOwb, they are doing it for me.
Ha Ha Ha
Christmas is coming early.
After sandwell town’s result last night – one final question to ask Mr Moxey.
Please, please can you spend some money to keep us in this division so we can at least be guaranteed of two wins next year?
you believe our league 1 journeymen would stand a chance against the shit ?
not trying to be negative but next year we will have:
No Sako
No Dicko
No Ikeme
Sorry Ad mant.
I will have to remember to issue a ‘Joke alert’ next time I attempt one on the blog.
The next time will be the first, boom boom!!
Wolves have had two bids accepted for two players in the conference league, they will join us on 1st of January.
John Norfolk 19 year old striker setting the league alight and attacking midfielder 21 year old Ian Chance.
So from January we are going into the final push with Norfolk & Chance for the team.
-:)
Now that is a good joke! Going to nick it.
Thanks for all your comments. I think we’re singing off the same hymn sheet pretty much. I’ll let you know how I get on…But note that I can’t post my minutes until the club has posted theirs. I’ll try and represent all this the best I can.
You will be able to see when greasel is lying, his lips will be moving!
Give ’em fook, Benny Boy, no pressure, but you are carrying the weight of all our expectations!!
FOwb
I think we were all led a bit up the path by our fantastic start to the campaign … reality has now descended and we are reaping the rewards of not spending a penny …
PS – read that Kenny is calling his a mini-crisis…. hate to see what a big crisis is.
Just want to know why Kenny signs players and doesn’t play them when it’s quite obvious they are a better option. I don’t understand why he split up the Price & K-Mac partnership? Best of luck Ben 🙂
Well we can always count on The S**t to cheer us up. Not so long back it was ‘we know what we are’ etc etc etc and what a fantastic bunch of fans they all are. Not very charitable towards Mr Irvine last night I see. Booing the manager. Booing the players. Surely not at The Poorthorns. Seems to be a bit of unrest in the Aluminium Stadium. As for Wolves, well it just wouldn’t be Wolves if there wasn’t a crisis would it ???? Anyway, good luck with the interrogation of Mr Moxey. Hope it all goes well. Would be interesting to know his job specification and if he is just doing a job as required by his immediate employer. Which would tell us a great deal about Mr Morgan’s ambitions.