When Andy Gray was unceremoniously booted off Sky Sports, I was probably more disappointed than most.
I know he wasn’t everyone’s cup of cocoa but I tended to nod along in agreement with his analysis, particularly when he spoke about anything to do with heading the ball.
As a player, Gray himself was exceptional in the air so his opinion on the subject carried substantial weight.
I vividly recall him talking about Nemanja Vidic’s ability to score with powerful attacking headers.
His summary was something along the lines of: ‘Most center halves go up for set pieces and never really look like getting on the end of anything, but Vidic always shows real purpose and desire to make something happen’.
This resonated with me, most likely because it was around the time our very own Jody Craddock was in a rich vein of goalscoring form; he of course being another great example of a center back who always makes a real nuisance of himself in the opposition’s penalty area.
By contrast, Christophe Berra simply can’t buy a goal but I personally believe that has more to do with luck than any lack of ability.
We saw the Scot once again denied by a wonder save against Wigan on Sunday.
It was remarkable that Al Habsi was able to even get a hand on the ball, let alone palm it up and over the bar.
Sure, Berra could have done a bit more with the header, but nine times out of ten, particularly with the score already at 3-1, the goalie antabusealco.com would have given up the ghost.
It’s not the first time he’s suffered in front of the Stan Cullis either.
Anyone remember this save from Arsenal’s Lucas Fabianski in the dying moments of last season’s narrow defeat?
Berra simply couldn’t have connected much better and the fact Fabianski was able to not only get a glove on it but stop it dead in it’s track was almost beyond belief.
From my seat in the Steve Bull I got the perfect view of the ball rocketing towards the bottom corner. In fact, it was one of the very rare occasions I’ve jumped up prior to seeing the ball hit the net.
How desperately, desperately unlucky.
Good old Christophe also smashed his bonce against the foot of the post trying to get on the end of a loose ball in the Birmingham match. On first glance it looked like a terrible miss but the replay showed the flight of the ball seemed to deviate at the final moment.
Still, why he opted to attack the cross with his head and not his foot remains a mystery.
There have been a few goals chalked off too, most recently in last season’s 1-0 win at Villa Park.
Certainly if he was offside it was only by a fraction, but like so many other occasions he didn’t get the slice of luck his persistence merits.
Hopefully this will change sooner rather than later and I sincerely hope everyone will cheer that little bit louder when it does.
I certainly will.
I loved watching Gray playing football, there was times when he would put his head, where some players wouldn’t put their feet.
Hopefully for Berra it’s only a matter of time before he gets in a goal for him – if I remember he managed one pre-season!
This Andy Gray thing’s passed me by though…what happened?
After the Vidic opening, I thought this article would be about Johnsons apparant inability to do anything but look stupid when he enters the opposition box a spoons the ball into row Z. He should do better.
Berra, I’ll forgive 😛
I’d forgotten about that Arsenal effort for some reason I remembered it being Foley’s shot rather than Berra’s. As for Al Habsi save on Saturday it was world class but his claw back from O’hara was special as well.
Is it me or do we always seem to come up against keepers in top form Krul, Al habsi etc. The last keeper I can remember having a complete mare at the Molineux was the Burnley stopper two seasons ago.
But then again I generally feel we come out worse for referees at the Molineux as well (natural bias and all that!). Though the recent Newcastle and Wigan referees have proved my point (whens a penalty not a penalty when the guy who gets tackled is in a gold shirt!).
I’m not a Berra knocker, but I’m sorry, Thomas, I’m not with you. In the Prem you have to be able to score against some of the best goalies in the world––players like Schmeichel, Reina and Cech. Not hard luck––just not quite good enough. Yet! Simples. Like you I will be delighted when Christophe scores, because this is Premier League football.
Anyone reading this blog who has just landed from Planet Zog would immediately realize that there is no Premier match for us this weekend, and Thomas’s wonderful attempt to inject a bit of interest into an otherwise boring week, football wise, is just a filler.
The question for me is not when Berra will score, but why does he even have the chance?
He should not be in the team. He is more suited to mud wrestling than football, has absolutely no distributional skills, and is slower than Johnson.
With regard to Andy Gray, I suggest those of you who never saw him play watch the DVD of the 1980 League Cup final, Wolves v Forest.
He was unstoppable.
Every time he went for a high ball, he either won the ball or got fouled.
He ran Needham and Burns ragged that day, and scored the only goal to boot!
A classic center forward display.
FOMM
” I know, coz I was there”
I agree on Berra, we need a pacey centre half more than anything else on the pitch right now. Berra needs to learn to compensate for his lack of pace through positional awareness rather than wrestling opposition players to the ground, he is a liability and is bound to get pulled up for a penalty or costly free kick at some point.
Stearman would be my answer I’m hoping Berra is only in the team because we have no reliable cover at right back at the moment (Foley and Zubar injured Docherty not up to it yet). But I remain to be convinced after MM claimed that this squad was good enough earlier in the year. Oh how we could have done with a loanee cover left back or centre back. Bertrand would have just done nicely!
I think our defence has good enough player material, it’s just a matter of getting enough playing time together. It’s always gonna be difficult against the best teams in premier. Loan deals are getting prepared in january, I’m sure. They considered getting in player on loan after Maierhofer left, but it was too close to transfer deadline. Bertrand was one of the players considered.
Berra has been the most consistent player. Johnson looks very laid back, and commits a couple of errors from time to time, but overall is, and gonna be a strong future asset for Wolves.
Send Wigan down and buy Rodalega and Moses 🙂
Agreed Rodelega and Moses might be worth a shot!
Still think our biggest weakness at the moment is a lack of pace in the middle. The amount of times we have been picked off by a single ball to a pacey front man is shocking. Yes the quality of forward in the premier league is daunting but that is schoolboy stuff.
Half the reason that Johnson looked so good at blues was that he was fortunate enough to have a partner next to him in Dann with pace. Most premier teams have that at centre half now Tall organiser next two a pacier partner. Miss either of those two and you put yourself under pressure. I don’t think you can play both Berra and Johnson at the same time for the same reasons that we used to struggle with Craddock and Berra at the back in a lot of matches.
The answer is obvious to everyone except our inept manager….put Zoobs at right back, I don’t believe he is injured, put Stearman alongside Johnson in the middle, and leave Lionel Messi at left back. That for me is the best option with the squad we have.
And talking of squad, are we still the only team in the Prem with a squad of 24???
That’s another brilliant bit of Mick non thinking!!
FOMM
Zubar set to return to training this week according to the Express and Star today. Been out pretty much since last February with an aggravated back injury. Doesn’t explain why MM didn’t look to loan in a cover Full back or centre half or striker in the transfer window. Bertrand was available!
I believe he left the 25th spot for Mcfadden before he decided to go to Everton and as loan and transfer deadline has passed we’ve got no option to fill it till January.
Personally I see Foley as a better right back option than Zoobs but both have been injured so its a moot point really.
From what I remember, Bertrand was rejected because of a 50K per week wage per week – or something around that amount!
I didn’t hear that, if its true it makes sense we didn’t sign him and I stand corrected. 50k for a academy graduate does sound like to much though, even for Chelsea.
Scott Dann does not have pace!
I must’ve been the only person who didn’t think Al Habsi was amazing against us.
Most of his ‘amazing’ saves resulted in him knocking them straight back to us to score. For Berra’s header his positioning was woeful. He was standing on his right post for God’s sake! I know he was trying to stop the cross going all the way through and in but a) Berra was 10 yards out and he loads of time to react and b) Why stand right on the post? You’re giving up everything to your right hand side.
So a Berra header that was smack bang in the middle of the goal and waist height suddenly becomes an amazing save and Berra is super unlucky!
Just head it remotely near the corner and into the ground and you’ll score a goal Berra you thick lump!
Yeah, you probably are the only person who thinks Al Habsi wasn’t amazing against us… if Wigan had better defence then we may not have scored the two goals that we did after his double deflection/deflection.
As for Berra’s header, you’re right on what he should have done but he’s not a natural goalscorer – much as I’d like to see him score he’s a defender, not a striker!
You reverted to Hamlet, you old cigar you!!!
Berra is supposed to be a defender, but isn’t.
Much like Wardinho is supposed to be a left back, but isnt.
Seems that I now have multiple personalities! 🙂
I kind of agree Kwolf, in the first half he was gash. He was spilling shots and wasn’t quick off his line. He made a couple of fantastic saves before the second and third goals but we ultimately still scored from the chances. I also commented on his positioning for Berra’s header, he should have been in the middle of the goal for an easy catch but he wasn’t and it was an unbelievable save. Ultimately his resistance only really stopped one goal and he should have been sent off in the first 5 minutes anyway!
He is no Wayne Hennessey!
I was one of 6000 Wolves fans at Coventry a while ago when Berra made his debut. he had chances that day to score and didn`t, and the conclusion then was, we`ve been robbed at the fee paid.
While he probably will score, he doesn`t need to if our left back keeps doing so. He has improved and needed to, but again lacks pace so what was MM`s thinking when pace, mobility and quick feet are vital in our league. Lets hope once he has broken his duck though, he bags loads. lets be optimistic.
Corners, when was the last time we dropped it short for a runner to the near post to flick on, puts the defence on the back foot a bit, we never seem to do it though?!?
Surely that requires thought on the part of the manager/trainer?
A commodity sadly lacking for years!!!!
Going back to Andy Gray for those too young to remember.
He was one of the first players to ever be transferred for over £1m, I think it was nearer £1.5m.
We were a club with ambition and he won us the League Cup as Clive points out.
There were no mid season or international breaks, nor subs even, and no transfer windows.
I have a feeling it was John Barnwell, ( or was it McGarry?), who was our manager at the time.
Anyway Barnwell was an excellent manager, until he had a car accident and lost an eye, if my memory serves me well.
His assistant Richie Barker took over and we went downhill.
As for Berra he plays better for Scotland and probably better for Wolves if Barnwell or McGarry was in charge!
Thought, on Saturday, he had a decent game.
Berra plays better for Scotland because generally international games are played at a slower pace and there is usually only two or three good teams in their qualifying group anyway.
The premier league is played at a frenetic pace and generally goals in open play are scored on the counter rather than by worked moves meaning pace at the back is more important. Internationals tend to be more about organisation and pass and move football so a lack of pace isn’t so much of a problem.
My problem isn’t with Berra in general, although his shirt pulling is a bug bear of mine, i just don’t think you can play both him and Johnson in the same team as it leaves woefully short of pace in the centre of defence.
Uh oh, Wards been given a new contract… Let battle commence!
Oh Happy Clappers!
Aren’t y’all over the moonjoyed!!!
Stuck with Ward for another 4 years!!
Why sign him now, when he’s still got 2 years left on his old contract?
Now is he gonna revert to type, and do a Jamie O’Hara, and let his newly found reasonable performances slip back to where he was before?
And what does that say about our manager’s ambitions for improvement in all positions, especially left back, which he supposedly identified 18 months ago, and has not addressed?
Does he honestly believe Ward is now the new Ashley Cole for us?
Deluded, in the fuckin’ clouds and off with the fairies.
He’s totally off this planet and in cuckooland.
Fuckin’ unforgiveable, the lack of judgement and footballing sense this mindless idiot has got.
Now watch Ward get injured this weekend playing for Ireland, and see what Fuckwit does then.
Brainless, Idiotic, absolutely gobsmacking in it’s incompetence.
FOMM
No surprise there Clive! I guess I would be counted as a happy clapper so I may as well respond.
In answer to your questions:
Not over the moon but happy!
Timing of the new contract was a bit of a surprise but the club are probably worried about getting burned again in the long run ala David Jones. Also it’s a reward for his improvement and consistent good form this season, I’d rather have players rewarded for that than given contracts or wage rises when they demand it like primadonnas with a year to go (ala Rooney or Gerrard).
Only time will tell, but based on his general attitude before I’d like to think that this won’t affect his performances. He seems less motivated by money than the likes of O’hara and Johnson. I maybe wrong though.
It says nothing about MM desire to improve all positions, he’s given our current first team left back and utility winger/striker a new contract. That doesn’t mean he can’t get anyone better if they become available. In that scenario Ward becomes the utility player and Elokobi either becomes a substitute centre back or is moved on.
No I don’t believe MM thinks Ward is Ashley Cole. But I do think he is dealing with the practicality that Ward is our best left back and a good utility player.
I hope Ward doesn’t get injured on international duty, but that would be misfortune in the same way that Doyle or Berra getting injured would be. Sorting out deals like this in the international break hopefully leads to less off the pitch distractions for players and the management during our competitive games.
I won’t defend MM or the management team most of the time but this decision seems to make sound business and footballing sense to me.
If you read MM’s comments on Wardinho’s new deal, he says that:
“I am no longer looking for a left back.”
Trying to second guess the machinations of our manager’s mind is a pointless exercise Sheffield.
Do carry on, though I think you are a digging a hole for yourself, that results and Clive will bury you under!
Surely a raise/new contract should be earned over a full season, not just 10 games???
I think Ward’s quite good….
I think your Dad needs to speak serious words with you!!!!
In same article our esteemed manager says he is now:
“No longer looking for a left back.”
As I have said before a visit to a therapist for Mr McCarthy, would not be amiss!
Ward is a great player, but like you say, what if he does get injured playing for Ireland? As much as I love Elokobi he isn’t as good…
I’m starting to see sense in some of your posts Clive… I’m gonna go see a therapist!
but really, has any football fan ever been made to eat so much shit by one footballer? ever? it has been a pleasure to behold and long may it continue…
Watch is the word you were looking for, not eat!!!
Nice one Clive.
Hamlet, “Ward is a great player.” GREAT? I’ve heard it all now. Could you please explain quite what is even vaguely great about his football ability.
How about being our most consistent player throughout the season? How about being vastly improved from last season? (and Clive, before you say ‘Ward could only get better’ I’ve heard that one before!)
Ward is a great player and he’s been our best player so far in my opinion – if he was crap then the ability of the rest of the team would truly suck – and yet, we’re 13th in the Premier League table and have yet to fall into the relegation zone. We’re nowhere near safe of course but to say Ward is crap is quite frankly utter bollocks!
I absolutely agree Hamlet, Ward has vastly improved, has been consistent and possibly even our best player this season which is cause for concern in itself. That is light years away from being a great player.
The truly great players i have seen include Pele, Eusebio, Cruyff, Maradona, Best, Messi. Arguably great players, Beckenbauer, Moore, Charlton, Gascoigne for example.
There are then several different standards of players below that. You could say ‘exceptional’, ‘excellent’, ‘very good’ etc down to ‘decent premiership standard’ which i might concede Ward has attained in the handful of games played so far this season.
To describe him as a great player is frankly ludicrous and i’m sure nobody other than a massive Wolves fan like yourself could possibly think it.
I reckon i love Wolves as much as you do but i like to look at Wolves players and managers abilities objectively. Unless i’m arguing with a sh*t fan that is, in which case our wholr team’s great.
Okay, I see where you’re coming from – I thought you were implying that he was s**t!
I agree with what you’ve said, but if Ward keeps improving then maybe someday he will be great! 😉
I’m more concerned about our strikers scoring than Berra!
It’s the first piece on here that I’ve really disagreed with, unlike some commentors I’m not going to shout and rant and call you names, but feel free to insert your own if you want to. Certainly in the last 5 years I felt that Andy Gray was massively out of touch with the modern game, the fact that he was most qualified to talk about headers really demonstarted this. The game is played along the floor now more than ever now and his old school analysis didn’t fit and he was led to just spouting out cliches. Secondly – I really don’t rate Berra, either defensively or offensively. The modern defender is all about positioning and denial of space, Berra often makes a big challenge or block, but this usually a last resort where a good defender would have cut out the problem at source. As for attacking headers, there’s a lot more to it than just connecting and “wanting it more”, Berra should have given the keeper no chance with the one against Wigan, the fact the keeper got anywhere near it is an error on his part.
Most eloquently put.
I can’t comment about Andy Gray and his commentaries, being over here for 21 years, I haven’t heard much, but very much agree with your evaluation of Berra.
FOMM
Cheers – I’ve actually got an old VHS with extended highlights of both Wolves League Cup victories – the 1-0 against Forest and the 2-1 against City in 74 (I think, haven’t watched it for ages). Gray did look frightening that day though although the goal was bloody lucky!
Well said TAFKAG. Of course Andy Gray was out of touch with the modern game, and no great surprise, as you said right now its all about playing football on the deck, pass and move, using players with pace, mobility and quick feet.
Unfortunately our manager is also out of touch with the modern game. The lack of pace in his side and his failure to bring in players suitable for todays premiership is an absolute joke and disgrace. I`ve used the word dinasaur before, and giving Ward a fresh contract is further evidence, if any more was needed, of his out of date thinking.
What chance young Malone of ever playing at left back for our first team. This new contract signals MM`s intent or lack of it to bring in players suitable for the modern game, I fear that this gross complacency and ineptitude is holding the club back, and is stopping us making any real progress from a relegation battle each season.
Did you see Malone’s latest goal in MOTM performance for Bournemouth? I think he’s a real talent with real pace and he should be in our first team squad now. But under McCarthy i doubt he’ll ever get a sniff.
Well said Mark and I agree with you 100%
What do you expect,when McIdiot’s daughter say’s daddy please can you
give my darling beau another contract. I know he’s not that good but what
father can refuse his daughter. Totally agree with Mark n Martin.
Still think McIdiot is shortsighted when dishing out contracts.some tough
games ahead boys n gals..
Enough with the McIdiot – I’m sure you can think of something more imaginative!
I’m serious – you are far worse than Clive!
Hamlet,Sorry if it offends you but thats what i think of him.
Can’t think of what i have said to deserve the crown,Don’t
think clive will like it though,so i won’t accept it if you don’t
mind.Have a nice day.
My other comment was over the top… sorry johnok, I shouldn’t have said it like that! I still feel that McCarthy gets too much criticism at times, however!
I wish we could edit comments on here…
How magnanimous of you Hamlet to apologise.I really hope he proves me
wrong truthfully i do, but i am a realist and a pragmatist.He deserves the
criticism he gets not only off me but everyone else.
Good Morning, Hamsterlet, does this mean you love me???????
I agree, enough with the McIdiot!!!
Enough of him at The Mol, and enough of him having anything to do with Wolverhampton Wanderers!!
Get rid now.
FOMM
Of course that’s not what I meant – McDickwad, McNumpty as well as McIdiot – do you have any other names for our esteemed manager? And as for what he’s done for the club – well, there’s this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoUNrjrRXw8
I hardly think ‘esteemed’ is the best adjective.
Hamlet u seem more concerned with MM’s nicknames than the team.
A video on tube means nothing.
How come Vokes can score twice in a minute for Wales and not even get a game aged of SEB if MM is such tactical genius?
You are defending the indefensible, results will show it to be so.
FOMM
Yes, but they are all prefixed with words beginning with F…., and as this is a family show….
FOMM
Oh, and MM’s reaction when he discovered that you were still around after all these years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXdbtOJJ3g&feature=related
Nice one Hamlet. Got to admit he’s good Clive.
Hamsterlet needs to get a life….far too much time on his hands!!!
Well, my non-life has dug up this one as well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy0oxO5Y_ZA&feature=related
You’ll appreciate the title at least! 🙂
Some good news, looks like Hunt has learned how to dive!
I’m not sure Berra will ever score, but if he does it will be on magical moment.
He’s definitely improved this season, as has Ward, next to Johnson. I agree that we need a good defender with pace,but I wouldn’t say they are easy to come by.
just a shout-out to Ben by the way – if you have time to waste you could try doing an ‘Wolves to beat Everton’ post – it seemed to work against Wigan! 😛