With West Ham, Blackpool and Blues falling through the trapdoor, it seems inevitable that some of their better players will be heading for the nearest exit.
So the question is, can Wolves cash in?
The three Ms of course took advantage of this situation last season, albeit with mixed results, picking Fletcher, Hunt and Mouyokolo from the carcasses of Burnley and Hull.
A similar strategy seems likely again this summer, but which targets are realistic and which are just plain wishful thinking?
Here’s what I reckon.
Roger Johnson
If I could cherry pick one player from the doomed trio for Wolves to sign this summer it would be the giant defender. A natural leader who would unquestionably bring out the best in some of our more talented but inconsistent players.
Given Blues financial woes, it’s likely they’ll sell, but the fee and the competition could put us out of the running. It’s been reported Liverpool might be interested and a fee of £10 million plus has been banded around too.
Given all that, it would be a huge statement of intent for Wolves to secure Johnson’s services, but I suspect it’s unlikely. The question surely isn’t whether we’re interested, but whether we can make it happen. I think we’ll miss out.
Likelihood: 4/10
Best of the rest
Scott Dann – We came close to signing him two seasons ago before Blues offered him more dough. Could be a realistic target but unlike Johnson, I’m not sure he’s much better than what we’ve got already. Still, I can see it happening.
Likelihood: 7/10
Craig Gardner – Another player we’ve been linked with in the past and certainly wouldn’t be a be a bad addition, but do we really need another midfielder, assuming O’Hara signs of course? I don’t think he’ll come, but it’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.
Likelihood: 6/10
Liam Ridgwell – He can play left back or in the middle, has buckets of Premier League experience and probably wouldn’t cost the earth. I’d take him in a heartbeat but would Mick? Haven’t heard him mentioned anywhere as a possible target, which is surprising as I’ve always rated him highly.
Likelihood: 5/10
Matthew Upson
We need a proven Premier League centre back and despite a recent dip in form, Upson is undoubtedly just that.
The Hammers want him off the wage bill and a well run club like Wolves might be an appealing destination given the turbulent times he’s experienced during his spell at Upton Park.
He’s 32 now, so you’d imagine this will be his last chance of getting a decent move back to the Premiership.
There will be others interested in the former England international, but I suspect he’ll be on Mick’s shopping list.
We’ve already been strongly linked and I can definitely see this one happening.
Likelihood: 8/10
Best of the rest
Mark Noble – A talented performer that their fans are desperate to keep hold of, particularly with Scott Parker having already packed his bags, but as previously stated, Wolves don’t need another midfielder and I can’t see us spending big on Noble. He wouldn’t come anyway.
Likelihood: 2/10
James Tomkins – A young centre back with a growing reputation. He’s got all the tools to be a Premier League stalwart, but do we really need another defender still finding their way? It could happen but I think he’s a player West Ham will keep hold of as they attempt to bounce back at the first attempt.
Likelihood: 5/10
DJ Campbell
Had a taste of the Premiership and certainly didn’t look out of place. Plundered 13 goals in his first season amongst the big boys and might be worth a punt.
We need a fourth striker with pace in my opinion, but I suspect Mick will have earmarked that particular slot in the squad for Stephen Ward.
With that in mind, this is probably a non-starter. Not that bothered though, defence is the priority.
Likelihood: 3/10
Best of the rest
Matt Gilks – With Hahnemann leaving, we could be in the market for a keeper and Gilks is a decent one who might be interested. Not that likely though, particularly with Hennessy in such firm control of the number one spot.
Likelihood: 1/10
Craig Cathcart – A former Man Utd trainee who enjoyed a mixed first season having been thrust into Premier League action. Fits the MM bill of being young, hungry and Irish so it’s difficult to rule him out, but surely we’ll aim higher this time around.
Likelihood: 2/10
Nice blog Thomas. I’d love to have Johnson, and think it is possible. (apparently had £6m bid for him turned down). With one year left on his contract, I can’t see him costing much.
Gardner would be a great signing, I think him and O’Hara in midfield would give us enough bite and quality.
Upson, I’m not sure on. Hasn’t had a great season, but most of West ham’s players did!
Not keen on Upson. Unlike Parker who upped his game in a woefully underperforming side Upson looked at sea, error prone and, at 32, past his prime. See £6 million for Johnson turned down. He is, perhaps, THE most important signing both in terms of quality and leadership and, if they need to spend big to get him they should do it. It would a statement of intent both outside and inside the club and might encourage the Doyles and Jarvis’s of this world to stay at least for another season.
Is Upson any better than Craddock ? –
Not much age difference, why give Craddock an extra year and sign Upson? Doesn’t make sense to me.
Also is Gardner better than Milijas or Guedeoura ? –
Again I don’t think so.
How much will the 3 M’s gamble on players such as Stearman, Berra and Elokobi ‘improving’ during their third year in the premiership ?
My hunch is there will be minimal movement this summer in and out.
O’Hara and a central defender but not one mentioned so far.
If we are lucky a left back too.
Wouldnt mind Johnson he’s a good defender. Upson would be a definite no. Makes too many silly mistakes which can cost. Have watched him for west ham and england doesnt enthuse me. We dont want players at the twilight end of their careers, how do we move forward if we just buy players like that. I’m sure mick will get the blend right but at the end of the day its all down to how much wolves have in their budget. I would love to see mick get a massive transfer budget just to see how he would perform, but getting into massive debt isnt a good idea for the club. The players have to be up for every game not just the games against the big boys.May have to get heart pills if we have another season like this one.
I’d be happy with Johnson too. Think it’s a possibility but there is a dearth of good centre halves. He might go to a top 6 club.
Stearman will definitely be even better in my opinion. He has the potential to go far. I’d sign an experienced left back, with a couple of years left in him and I think that would see Elokobi improve.
Ridgewell, YES YES YES! Desperately need a left back and a quality CH, Johnson would be great, up the offer and get him Jez!
Yes, of course Gardener is better than Milijas and Guedioura.
I notice Warnock is getting rid of eight players. We should have got rid of players like Berra and Stearman when we were promoted, they were never more than reasonable Champioinship players.
If we don’t seriously improve our defence, plus another good MF (in addition to O’Hara, who Jez seems to be haggling with over personal terms) we will have another stomach-churning season like ’10-’11 and very probably be relegated.
You seem very optimistic today!
Get ready for a belly full of let downs.
I don’t think we will get anyone from Blues. Wages and player preference will sort that one. Hammers want Upson off their wage bill, ergo, he won’t be allowed on ours.
We’ll continue to scrape the barrel and be second best in the scouting system to our close neighbours like last season.
The elation of O’Hara will soon be forgotten….
Given a choice I’d like Stephen Warnock from Villa for starters to sort left back out.
I couldnt handle another season like last. But I fear there’s an element of truth in “These are the days” submission.
Cant see us changing out policy of “on the cheap” and as such, when our luck runs out, down we will go.
I don’t understand. You are complaining about our policy being ‘on the cheap’ while others moan about how Mick has wasted £18m.
Hi Louie. My understanding of Ad’s comment pertains to our wage structure, which the Telegraph reported as being 2nd lowest (with Blackpool bottom)
Bearing in mind Jez Moxey boldly said in 2009/10 that wage bills directly correlate to league positions, he must think himself a lucky boy that we finished 4th bottom.
Not having a go at anyone in particular, but agree with Adam’s comment in principle.
£18m is a lot of money, but in a perverse way, it doesn’t buy you a lot when the weekly wage of each player is lower than most other players in the entire league, save for Blackpool.
I see, I took it the wrong way but still don’t think our wages will be second lowest this season. Swansea, Norwich, probably QPR, West Brom (look at their two signings) will all probably have a lower wage budget than ours. This summer, I can see us spending a bit more on wages. Johnson, Upson, Dunne would all command higher wages. Our highest earners right now are probably Doyle and Hunt, I can see O’Hara joining them up there.
Players from relegated clubs are always going to be flagged up as potential signings, but would it be better to focus on improving players from the Championship rather than the likes of Upson whose best days are behind him? I’ve heard a few mentions of people like Matt Mills at Reading, and Ashley Williams at Swansea. I appreciate it is always a gamble, and there will clearly be times when players don’t make the grade for the top level (Vokes and Halford for example), but it might be worth a serious look as a longer-term investment, compared to someone like Upson who might only have a couple of years at the top left in him. Either way, there’s no doubting we need some investment to sure up our back four as a major priority.
Agree Bagsy boy.
Don’t like the thought of Upson at all. His pace and loping gait is a cross between Gary Bellamy and Neill Collins. He was absolute dog shit last season in a team that were bottom. Why?!
I actually miss Dazza from Brisbane right now, as his opinion on our transfer policy (plucking from shit relegated clubs) might be similar to mine.
I agree that he is no better than Jody. The only difference is he’d want £20k more a week.
The biggest omission from the piece is Richard Dunne (literally!). His name is always linked with us, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was a target.
This time last year I would have been in dreamland if we got him. Not so sure now.
A Villa mate tells me he gets turned more often than Jodie Marsh’s knickers, and scores so many own goals because he is facing his net and has nowhere else to shoe it as he slides in from behind!!
Oooh err!
I am the biggest advocate of Premier League experience, but it is a bloody hard task getting the right person in.
I’d say the Johnson and Dann likelihood marks are the wrong way round too, as Dann is the younger man and widely tipped for Anfield, whereas Johnson is a player that didn’t choose to deff us out while having linament rubbed into his crotch in our medical room.
TBH, Birmingham have stated they want 8 figure sums for each player, so I just can’t see us comitting to that.
I’d agree with you there Ben, I’d rather have Dann than Johnson. Although I don’t think we’ll get either. I see Newcastle are eyeing up a £1 million move for Neil Taylor (22-year Old left back)…. Maybe it’s something we should be looking at. I wouldn’t mind having a punt for Louis McGugan, one of Forest outstanding players last year, scored some ridiculous goals too.
I think we need another Irish Reading player in the team, roll out Shane Long. What about Jermaine Jenas? Bassong? Konchesky?
Plenty of players that we should be looking at!
I’d take Matt Mills from Reading, who Swansea are looking at, interestingly enough.
It’s a tough one for the club and manager to get it right.
The good thing is it is a whole lot easier than it was 2 years ago.
I’m looking at Norwich and Swansea’s targets and feel pretty encouraged.
EG: Swansea looking at Danny Graham for a club record fee, and we already have Fletch, Doyle and SEB.
(Incidentally, if Danny Graham comes in at £3.5 million for being a CCC golden boot, what would SEB ever be worth if we did ever want to sell? He’s got two of those accolades and two years in the Premier League.)
Likewise Norwich, who have bought Morrison, who was a non-league player only a few years ago.
Makes me think that those two should realistically be below us next season, IF we sort this defence out properly.
Even WBA’s signings have left me a little underwhelmed, even though I would trust Roy Hodgson if I were a WBA fan, so not worry about it too much.
Billy Jones and Gareth McCauley?! Add to that Craig Dawson from last season?
You and Matt Mills need to get a room Ben – ha!
I agree that it’s a sign of progress that we can look at some of the signings Norwich and Swansea are bringing in and feel cautiously smug, but you and I both know Graham will probably bang in 20 goals, Morrison will pip him to the golden boot and Billy Jones will look like Beckenbauer when trots out at Molineux.
I like your comparison of Graham with SEB. Both 25 and scored buckets in the Champo, but as you say, SEB has a few in the Prem too. We probably still wouldn’t get more than £5 mill though.
Love the ideas Putney.
Not that keen on McGugan, I’ve heard from Forest fans he’s infuriatingly inconsistent.
I’ve never seen the young left-back from Swansea, but if he’s got something about him we should definitely be getting in there. Either he, Stephen Warnock or Ridgwell would do nicely for me. Konchesky wouldn’t be my first choice but probably an improvement on what we have already.
Shane Long would be welcome but can’t see the logic in spending £5 mill+ (which is what he’d cost) for a player who’d struggle to get a game, unless of course someone’s leaving.
Bassong is an interesting one. Definitely out of favour at Spurs and would improve us no end, but would he come? Bit of a drop down from Champions League (albeit as a sub) to lowly Wolves.
Jenas wouldn’t come. Can see him going on loan somewhere like QPR or Fulham, particularly now Jol is in charge at the latter.
BTW: Great article Thomas. Was thinking of something similar – you’ve just done it far more effectively!!
You’re too kind my friend.
How long before we are linked with Robbie Keane and Lescott again?
I think we will try to do it on the cheap (again) – especially if we spend £5m O’hara asI cant see any further substantial funds being available.
Upson on a free would improve what we currently have IMO, but it moves away from the “young and hungry” mentality and does not bring in the pace required to strengthen our back four.
I would like to see Drogba in a Wolves shirt.
He might be an arrogant bastard, but he can sure find the net.
Rooney is not a bad player, either and I like Little Pea from Mexico.
As long as we are living in dreamland, thinking we are going to sign anyone useful, we might as well dream big.
While Moxey is in charge of negotiations, we will never sign anyone worthwhile, as it will affect his inflated salary and “bonus”.
He’s the first useless sack of shit who needs to be fucked off out the door, closely followed by McCarthorse, Ward, Foley, Berra, Elokobi and Fanny Craddock.
Fresh minds, fresh ideas and fresh legs. ( sounds like a tv show, dunnit??)
FOMM
Your very funny and the funniest part is that I really agree !
I think that Doyle, Fletcher, SEB, Milijas and Guedioura have all proven worthwhile, to name a few
All five of the players Clive mentioned have made a positive contribution in the premier league for us.
Seen express and star saying we are in for Matt Mills, not really seen much of him but looks OK. Could that spell the end of Berra? Has done well for us, but not good enough on the ball and a bit of a liability in our own penalty area at set pieces.
So if he is not good enough on the ball, and a liability in our own box, please tell me how exactly he is any good at all?
Surely a footballer has to be able to have ball control, and a central defender is supposed to be good in his own box, so what use is he????
I stand by what I’ve said, the back line need to go.
FOMM
You make it through survival Sunday and you think football cant get any better… And then the Villa go chasing the “Wally under the Brolley” as there new manager!
Keep up the good work Randy I say!
Would love Johnson but it is not going to happen. Would rather play myself than have Upson in the team. Would sell Ebanks-Blake and sign Shane Long. Would go for Joey Barton and Wayne Bridge. Would take The Beast
(Lescot) back on loan if we would come. Would like to beat Tesco Bags twice and finish in top twelve.
I cant see blues getting much more than we have offered for Johnson with 1 year left on his contract and i think we will get him after playing hardball. I would also take Ridgewell and Gardner as i think they would add a better quality than we currently have. I also think Warnock from Villa would be a good signing. All of these players are definately within our reach I would hope to raise funds from the sale Of Vokes, Keogh, Halford, Berra and a central midfielder probably Dave Edwards as I would hope we could get a decent amount for him. If these gave us 6 -8 mill it would be better than watching them run down there contracts.
Much as i hate Liam Ridgewell (dirty swine that he is) I have to say he is the best shout at a decent left back that we have got I think. Reading this blog I am coming round to seeing him in a wolves shirt in a position we have needed to sort out for five years now. I have to say that I think with Ridgewell at left back our back four will look completely different. I think is is hardy enough to solve our problems. Our lack of a decent left back has been our biggest problem. Think Berra will look much better, currently he gets dragged all over the place minding the left. That would give Jody a little more confidence to stand his ground too. Left back is the most important issue that we have and the only real headache that I have in my love for Super Mick! Liam Ridgewell would be a good addition and if we are going to concentrate on getting one of these players it should be him! See the light!
Great blog Thomas but the bit about MM earmarking Ward for the fourth striker with PACE?, has made my legs go a bit wobbly. I also have a horrible fear that the we won’t sign a left back. He loves Elokobi and Ward and he’ll get them in the team somewhere if he possibly can. It doesn’t make any sense but it hasn’t for three years now.
Finished work too late last night to get the Daily Mail from our local Morrisons. Bought the Times instead, and they had an interesting feature on each premiership club, and their situation re the 25 man squad for next year, and possible funding for signings next season.
The Times says that having sanctioned £18m spend last summer, Morgan wants quality over quantity this year. The Times, no less, says we need quality at left back and centre half. Well there we have it, even the Times is confirming what every Wolves fan with an ounce of grey matter has known for three years. Will the club deliver?????
Interestingly we’ve been linked with Woodgate – depending on his injury status. He is a free agent now having been released from Spurs. If he could stay fit for 10 games I think it might be worth a shot. Blues are asking£14 mill for Johnson too… he will no doubt hand in a transfer request soon if they try to hold out for that!
If he was only fit for 10 games, it wouldn’t be worth giving him a proper contract. Pay as you play sort of thing might work I guess. If he could stay fit for a season, he’d be a great signing/.
yes but surely even an optimist like Louie can admit the terrible luck we’ve had with injuries. From the sagas of Matt Murray and George Ndah (my lord) to the farce of Robbie Keane falling off his sofa whilst reaching for the remote. If we sign Woodgate we’ll be lucky to see him on the bench.
we’ve had some horrible luck. You look at Kightly too, who is only just back (let’s pray he’s over his injury hell).
I didn’t say we would be able to get him fit, no one can just stating that if we did he would be a good signing.
Woodgate was on the books at Real Madrid at one point – I bet he wants massive money. No thanks!
So were Beckham and Michael Owen………….look how they both ended up, one a loser with LA and the other just making the end of United’s bench.
No thanks Woodgate, fuck off somewhere else to get an end of career pay packet!!
FOMM
Someone headers in a goal in a play-off final and the whole lower half of the premier league are looking to sign them. What is the Transfer Market coming to?! Zubar is god
Looking at the names mentioned on the thread:
Barton wants 100K a week
Bridge is on 90K a week
Lescott is on 90K a week
Woodgate will be looking at 70K a week (and some mug will pay it!)
Upson is on 60K a week
Gardner and Ridgewell will be on decent money at blues probably above our wage structure.
There will be transfer fees for some of the above and signing on fees to add to the mix.
R. Johnson will cost around the 8m mark & will look to maximise his wages with his next move meaning he is likely to be a total outlay of around £16m
Can you see any of that happening?
Shall we just sign Sol Campbell and have done with it?!
We should sign Dries Mertens from FC Utrecht. I know we primarily need defenders – and Birmingham City are playing hardball with Johnson – but this is one shit hot striker who plays for belgium and simply owned the field in last night’s international euro 2012 qualifier game. Lets get him now – offer £8m and he will be ours.