The players Wolves have brought in on loan this season have certainly enjoyed mixed fortunes. I thought it would be worth taking a look at them individually and assessing the chances of their respective deals becoming permanent. Here goes…
Adlene Guedioura
If there’s one player I’d put my house (well, apartment) on Wolves signing permanently in the summer it would have to be the powerful midfielder. He’s done fantastically since arriving in January; forcing his way into the team and showing he has all the attributes to shine in the Premiership. I think I’m correct in saying a deal has already been thrashed with Charleroi and I’ll be amazed if Wolves don’t take up that option, regardless of which division we’re in.
In or Out: In
Geoffrey Mujangi Bia
I think it’s fair to say our other January signing from Belgium hasn’t done quite so well. Bia featured in both cup games against Palace and struggled to make any sort of impact. He did come off the bench away at Hull and nearly scored the winner; stinging the palms of Boaz Myhill with a powerful drive. Since then though, he hasn’t even made the squad, so it’s difficult to see how he’s possibly going to do enough to earn a permanent transfer.
In or Out: Out
Segundo Castillo
When the Ecuadorian midfielder rocked up in the dying seconds of the summer transfer window, it looked like he might have a major role to play. He slotted in well alongside Henry and was particularly impressive against Fulham in a rare home win. After that, he played a handful of games, did OK but then inexplicably vanished into thin air. Strange. Mick obviously thinks he has better options and it’s difficult to argue, looking at the players ahead of Castillo in the pecking order. So unless there’s a significant development, he’ll probably be on the first plane back to Belgrade.
In or Out: Out
Michael Mancienne
This is the most interesting one for me. The young Chelsea defender has featured in nearly every game this season and his versatility has made him an important player within the squad. Mick would love to sign him up, I have no doubt about that, but the decision is likely to be out of his hands.
First off and perhaps most crucially, is the lad interested in staying? I believe the answer to that is ‘no’, given what I’ve read in various interviews throughout the season. He seems keen to head back to Stamford Bridge and have another crack at getting in the mix there. However, if Chelsea made it clear he was surplus to requirements, he might well have a change of heart. He seems to enjoy his football at Molineux so perhaps if he feels he has to move somewhere, it might as well be to somewhere he’s already settled.
My instinct tells me there’s a deal to be done at the end of the season, but the fee would have to be right for Wolves. If Chelsea want silly money – I’m talking five or six million plus – I think we should take our business elsewhere. In my opinion, there’s better players available for that kind of money, who can have a bigger impact on the team. However, if a fee somewhere in the region of three to four million could be thrashed out, it might be worth taking a punt.
It goes without saying that if we’re relegated, any potential deal would immediately be down the toilet.
In or Out: ?
Anyway, that’s my assessment of the Loan Rangers. What’s yours?
My short comments –
Adlene Guedioura, a definite signing, certainly worth the money!
Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, could be taking time to settle a-la Luis Nani (Man. Utd) and could be worth extending his loan if Charerloi will agree.
Segundo Castillo, Not made the impact his inital performances gave hope for, so no!
Michael Mancienne, for me, somewhat of an enigma. Sometimes plays well, sometimes doesn’t. Personally I would look elsewhere regardless of Chelsea letting him go or not. There are certainly better players around with more experience and ability and let’s face it, we will need to make a greater impact next season should we stay up, just hovering around the relegation places is not where any Wolves fan wants us to be!
I think it depends what you want Mancienne to do. As cover for the centre halves, I think he’d be OK (definitely not a starter) but he might be a good option at Right back (albeit 3rd choice) and as a holding midfielder.
I agree with you Dennis
Guedioura is a must, and I think it’s really unfair if Mujangi isnt given another chance. Obviously I dont know what happens during training and he didnt impress on his debut, but from the videos I’ve seen (regardless of who he was playing against) hes got a bit of talent.
I think Mancienne is too weak for our style of play of really applying pressure on the opposition and imposing ourselves in defence and especially midfield. Maybe extending his loan is a better idea, see if he grows further in confidence and beefs up a bit before next season.
On a bit of a side note, what happened to Milijas? I really miss him. I guess he doesnt really fit Mick’s ethos of everyone putting in a shift, but I do think we look better once we’re in the final third with him there.
To be fair to the current side, nobody deserves to get back in the team. Jones looks a lot more hungrier than Milijas to me and Henry’s always a definite starter. He’s a bit hit and miss and too often a passenger.
Is Milijas not technically on loan too?
I was really disappointed Milijas didn’t get on against West Ham.
Oh and by the way, I was wondering if everyone could all check our predictions that we made in “Analysing the Run in”? we had to predict the remaining 12 games, and we are at the halfway point having played 6 of them.
I’m happy to say I’m dead on with my prediction, having gotten 32 points for this stage of the race (albeit from the wrong games haha). I predicted 44 points so heres hoping!
Mujangi Bia is young and could develop to a very good winger. He was very good in the reserves yesterday and has a very good shot, works hard and has good technique. And he actually scored from 25 yards out.
Depending on the fee Wolves should consider signing him permantly in my opinion.
Guédioura we should sign for certain. Mancienne will probably cost to much. Castillo is not good enough.
So Paddy, you’d suggest putting him in the Surman category?
Yes! Surman is a very good football player who will – next season or the season after that – be a very accomplished Premier League player. I believe that Mujangi Bia can be put into that category.
Many of the posters here does not realise that we have to separate between the young players and the ones who are fully grown. Yong players are developing fast. It’s revolution, not evolution and a player who was shite looking at a month ago can be alright today.
And we have the time to wait. No money problem. We don’t have to sell them to buy others. Keep them and feed them. Give the a dose of Mick and they will be up and running next season, wanting a place in the starting XI.
That is what I was getting at. I think it is excellent “future-proofing” for want of a less euphamistic word.
I agree with your assessment and whats more I think thats exactly how Mick sees it surely.
I probably think Mancienne is a bit better than the average fan does.. put it this way, I think he will spend the next 10 years playing at Premiership level. He can play anywhere across the back for me too – surprised we’ve not used him at left-back at times.
PS. Anyone else intrigued by Dan Gosling being out for 9 months with a cruciate after the Hahnemann clash? Can’t believe Moyes made him play on (cos he’d made all his subs) when the kid was clearly fucked! Pretty shocking if you ask me.
To be fair, if you can go on with the ACL – you’re not going to make your knee much worse. I had that op in November, and the only other damage would be a bit more swelling to get down before you go under the knife.
Mancienne sometimes seems lazy and his inexperience shines through and chelsea will want ridiculous money for him.
I’d completely forgotten about Castillo! Thinking about it we do have a massive squad this season and some players seem to have disappeared into it completely; Castillo, Halford, Surman, Friend, Milijas, Stearman off the top of my head. I know you asked who we’d sign Tom, but I wouldn’t be suprised to see quite a few departures over the summer.
As for your write-up Tom I’d agree with every conclusion. I disagree with some earlier points about Bia. If McCarthy doesn’t think he’s good enough in training for even one premier league start, I can’t see him being signed. I would love us to get Mancienne. I know people criticise him sometimes but remember he’s only 22 and has got great potential.
I think we should fuck ’em all off, and sign all of Ward’s brothers and sisters!!!!
Don’t know about the others, coz I aint seen ’em from this side of the pond, but Guadelahara is a must, and Mannysee en also.
The kid needs to beef up, both in body and tackles, but I think he’s worth percy veering with.
Changing the subject, being English thru and thru, I hope Rooney is gonna be OK, coz without him, England are fucked in the summer.
Don’t care about Gosling, him being fit or not won’t affect us.
Hope a few Arsenal players get minor knocks tonite, so they will be rested on Saturday.
Still think we’re gonna get three points at the Emmy Rates.
FOWB
I don’t understand why Castillo was dropped. He was a brilliant player defending well but also not afraid to push forward when needed. Rather play him in the defensive midfielder role than Mancienne all day long.
Also Mujangi Bia is the slowest winger I’ve ever seen.
Mancienne is a good player although I would rather he became more specialised in one position.
Guedioura pretty much goes without saying.
Guedioura: We will definitely sign him, he brings a lot of bite in the middle and can play too. Will be a good signing and we will get him for cheap. (less than Halford, The Hof)
Mujangi Bia: Have hardly seen him, and that was v palace (were everyone was terrible) and Hull where he nearly scored. Sounds like he played well last night. Might be a good player to have around squad.
castillo: Forgot about this guy! Haven’t seen him on the bench at all. He was really good at start of season but Henry and the other centre midfielders in fornt of him have played well.
Mancienne: Everyone knows what I think of him. I reckon if Chelsea wanted 5/6 million pouinds for him as you said Thomas then Mick would buy him. So would I, some may disagree. I don’t think Chelsea will want to sell him, Carvalho has a couple of seasons left in him so I think we will loan him again.
Obviously, Guedioura will be snapped up. Mujangi apparently had a stormer last night, albeit against a bunch of kids. I’d expect to see him in the squad soon. It would be better if we could extend his loan to have a better look.
The disappearance of Castillo has amazed me, he looked pretty good. There’s obviously a problem somewhere, maybe his attitude.
As for Mancienne, i’m not too bothered. If he can’t get in our back 4 this season, he’s not exactly Premier class imo. I wouldn’t lose much sleep if he went.
If we were to stay up, i’d imagine a fire sale of fringe players. I wonder what would happen to SEB?
I wouldn;’t see the point in selling SEB. He’s young, and has scored plenty goals (in the CCC) so we might as well keep him.
The players like Hill, Hof, Iwelumo, Ikeme we might sell. Maybe Friend/Surman (but they are young like SEB).
The point in selling SEB is that we get more money towards someone who can play at PL level. Blake can’t. No room for sentiment..get rid
It really depends on if Mick can convince anyone better to sign.
He claimed he had problems with that last summer so I don’t see Wolves suddenly becoming a hot destination.
Why not? A year surviving in the Prem should help our cause. Look at Wigan and Stoke, they managed to attract better players after staying up
Good point, and at least we have a history of being a “name” club, dim and distant it may be.
How Wigan and Stoke attract any one is beyond me, look at the actual towns…..real shit holes, unlike our beloved Wolverhampton, with its fabulous attractions such as……………..answers on a post card please!!!
There is gonna be a firestorm of players soon, coz I reckon the financial pyramid of stupidity is gonna collapse soon, and others are going the way of Portsmouth.
Remember, you saw it first on CliveTV!!
Very nice to see little ol’ Fabregas get crocked tonight, along with Arsehavin and Gallarse.
I’m sure they won’t play on Saturday.
I get the match at 9 in the morning, so all you lot can call me for the result 4 hours before it kicks off over there!
Ha Ha
FOWB
I think that a lot of our ability to sign “better” players will do with how we finish the year (assuming we stay up). 13th or 14th will look a lot better to a prospective player than surviving on goal difference on the final day.
On Fox sports , and not Viewers Choice tomorrow night T’om… good time for you guys too…10pm?
Again, I’ve got a mate over from Canberra having a few drinks. Very grateful I’ll be able to IQ it.
What amazes me, is how much time we faffed around on Milijas in teh summer and his work permit.Then he is cast off as if a leper.You watch him be one of the players of the tournament at the WC. We need a good clear out…Friend, Surman, Hoff, Castillo, Kightly, Murray, Halford need to be shown the door. Blake can be sold , and if someone does come in with daft money for Doyle (15-20mill) so be it
Kightly and Murray … no room for sentiment, paying wages for no contribution…get rid
Dazza, I agree with you about a clear out because keeping hold of Championship level players offes no guarantees that they will be able to make the step up to PL level.
Wolves, as I have said before, should they stay up, will need more experienced players to make a move up the PL table and that will free up resources such as salaries to pay for the new guys coming in.
Our salary scale is not one of the best in the PL but we do need to make it more flexible otherwise we will never be in a position to attract the type of players we need.
As regards Ebanks-Blake, he has become quite a puzzle. Too good for the Championship but found out in the PL.
Obviously his early season injury took both time to heal and knocked his confidence but if he is to make it, then firstly he must lose some weight and secondly get much fitter and then begin banging in the goals in the reserves, for most teams don’t field their best players there and if he cannot do it at that level then he never will!
Finally, I am getting annoyed at the constant references to Doyle by McCarthy. Why is he making noises regarding the possible enquiries from other clubs – does he want the player to go? It would appear so, wouldn’t it?
Mick should shut up about Doyle and if any enquiries do come in, consider them and make the necessary decision and that will be, has a team offered stupid money and how many better players than we have already could be bought with the money or a derisory offer should be met with the response of ‘push off, he is not for sale’!
Doyle should stay but in doing so he needs a partner who not only contributes the effort and energy that Doyle gives but can score goals too – that should certainly help us stay in the PL for another year at least!
Finally could we possibly get something from the Arsenal game?
Last night’s match saw them get injuries to vital players plus they had a hard time chasing the Barca players around the pitch. With our current trend of work effort, could we possibly end up getting something from a game most of us had written off long ago? – We shall see!
Disagree about Kightly, and who in their right mind would buy Murray?
Doyle though, are you serious? So what if we get 15 mill, look at what we did with that in the summer. If we stayed up, what kind of message would flogging Doyle send? We need to be strong and just say he aint for sale
What does Kightly offer us, apart from a salary bill? Every player has his price, and I’d guarantee that Moxey would accept any offer at the price I have suggested. The amount of spin McCarthy is putting on Doyle is almost asking other clubs to come in and buy him
“We need a good clear out…Friend, Surman, Hoff, Castillo, Kightly, Murray, Halford need to be shown the door. Blake can be sold”
I would agree with the first part of this, as stated in my earlier post, but getting rid of some of these players makes no sense:
Surman – signed under the category of “hot prospect” last summer. Was therefore unlikely to make much of an impact this season, so can hardly justify selling him because he hasn’t made an impact.
Kightly – seriously?!! Hasn’t had a chance this season. One bad injury hardly makes him as injury-prone as Murray. Getting him back to fitness will be like making a new signing next season.
Blake – How fickle can a fan be? A major part in our first League title in 20 years, yet given no more than half a season to prove himself at the top level. Ever heard of loyalty? Also, sell him to who? No premiership team is likely to sign him, and which CCC will offer more than a couple of mill?
Agree with the rest though, and think Milijas might be on his way too.
Not fickle, just plain common sense. He is rubbish at this level, had more than enough chances to prove himself, and, has missed chances that could have seen us safe by now.Too much sentiment…get rid and thanks for 2009.We need better to survive “2nd season syndrome”
Ok, maybe fickle was a little harsh, apologies. My point was I can’t see anyone bidding more than a couple of million for SEB. Realistically we’re not going to sign anyone better for that kind of money. If we go down, SEB has proved himself at CCC level, if we stay up, he provides good cover for Doyle. I just don’t think selling him makes sense, and based on his service to the club I would like to see him given another chance to prove himself.
No need to apologies.Your opinion, and I respect it. Two million would still go towards buying a snotter in midfield?
Second season ay Dazza? Not getting complacent are you? 🙂
I think Kightly could offer us a lot if he stays fit, just as Jarvis has done. The right’s been a real weak point this year.
Snotter? You’ll have to help me out there, is that an Australian term? 🙂
It’s an Australian passtime!!!
Anyway, good to see Little Fabbie and Arshy and Gally not playing this weekend.
FOWB
Vinnie Jones, Keith Downing, David Batty…..get my drift?
To snot someone is to punch them in the nose.In this context – hard man.
Understood…sounds like the majority of the Blues squad!
Guedioura – keep him but he needs to replicate his home form away
Mancienne – integral to this formation especially away from home and against the big teams at Molineux. Stupid decision from MM to take him off against Everton. Sign him up (5mil max) but dont play him centre half!.
Bia – up to MM and what he sees in training. The kid is 19 and at best will make the bench next season
Millijas – in direct competition with Jones who is currently our second best player. NM needs to up his game. Will hopefully have a good world cup.
Castillo – had a death in the family and went home on compassionate leave. Havent heard of him since. Expect him to go back. Quite liked him and thought he could do a job.
It’s looking ever more likely that Arsene will have to ‘damage the integrity of the game’.
Their would be only one reason he would play his key players, and that’s because it is us!
I’m sure ppl said pav at spurs was shit. He then found his feet and got some vital goals. Other players can be debated but seb needs time and some positivity sent his way. I think a lot of things have conspired against him this season let’s not turn against the guy that many ppl were talking about as the next bully. No I’m not putting him in thr same league as him yet but I’m not quite willing to put him on the trash heap just yet!