It’s little surprise Kenny Jackett’s only summer signing to date is a midfielder.
The success our manager has achieved in his two years has been underpinned by a welcome desire to get the ball down and pass.
But the sole addition of Jed Wallace raises as many questions as it answers given that Wolves are already overloaded with bodies across the middle.
If the Pompey man has been drafted in to play centrally alongside the immovable Kevin McDonald, he faces immediate competition from Dave Edwards, Jack Price and Lee Evans.
And what of the forgotten men – George Saville and Tommy Rowe? Are they to be completely discarded or will they start again with a clean slate?
That’s arguably seven players going to war for two positions; three possibly if Kenny opts to deploy one up front.
Equally, Wallace may have been earmarked to compensate for the loss of Bakary Sako.
But even in wide areas James Henry and Rajiv van La Parra may take some shifting. Then there’s the curiously overlooked Michael Jacobs. Will he get a kick this year?
Jordan Graham too will be looking to make inroads towards the first team after impressing for the U21s and can we completely discard Zeli Ismail, Eusébio Bancessi and the perpetually stricken Razak Boukari from the reckoning? One of those players might come good.
That’s another seven players (not including Wallace) who’d like to get in the picture, with talk still of another marquee signing to beef up the wide areas.
Competition is no bad thing of course, but it seems inconceivable that all these players will still be training at Compton Park come August. The fat needs to be trimmed.
The sheer volume of midfield combinations Kenny Jackett has at his disposal could also be a concern, if he feels the need to constantly rotate and experiment.
He did just that last November amidst a run of five successive defeats, which ultimately curtailed our promotion hopes in an otherwise excellent season.
The Championship demands consistency and that can only be achieved with a settled group of players and a manager who gets the balance right in the engine room.
With so many faces to choose from and the likelihood of more to come, there’s a long old summer ahead.
Over to you Kenny.
Just testing the comment form to make sure it’s working again.
It is. Yippeee!
Testing the replies.
Totally off field this but the reported wages for Sako will be about 50K/week if he goes to Leicester,Villa etc. These clubs are no greater than us just that they are in the Prem (at the moment) could we not offer him £60K/week to stay on a one year contract ? costs us £3m but we get a striker without having to buy one and would almost guarantee promotion ?
Please Morgan and Co look at this and at least give Sako the option (Great News Dicko signed and he is his mate). What do you guys think ?
OH! We’re up and working again.
Thanks Ben for finally laying the last blog to rest.
I think we’d all said what needed to be said (and quite a lot of what didn’t need to be said) on that subject.
I was at such a loss as to what to write I was nearly forced to offer up my recipe for cauliflower cheese (delicious) or give my crit of Kanye West’s set at Glastonbury (bollox).
It’s just a shame that a new blog doesn’t start with the headline:-
“Kenny snaps up ……… (insert name of shock marquee signing here) from under the nose of …… (insert name of Premier League/Championship manager here)!”
It’s the same old same old.
Your midfield maths are quite right – seven into two won’t go.
The trouble is, who do we keep and who do we try and offload.
And whatever happens, we appear no nearer to finding a winger to properly replace Sako (apart from StuWolf’s chum Jordan Fraham who sounds quite promising) and no nearer to finding a striker who can fill Afobe or Dicko’s boots if one of them get crocked.
And the clock’s ticking.
Who the Kanye West is Jordan Fraham?
Another proof reader collects his P45.
Yean I agree with your view on Kanye West, but I was quite enthralled with Mr Commodores himself, what a legend. I believe he was honestly taken with the crowd and the response he got. He even got me dusting my vinyls and playing him again – all night long!!!!
I’ve been off line due to building work. BUT I was in the car on Friday returning from God’s country and the radio crackled and died. Call up Mp3 disc and the Specials was the first album on the list, memories ay.
I see we’ve had a £2.5 million bid accepted for Leicester reject Chris Wood as have Leeds. Just leaves the player to decide between the two clubs. It will probably come down to personal terms despite Leeds being a basket case. Given Moxey’s track record Wood will probably end up in Yorkshire. Hope so anyway. On the subject of Leicester they are one of my relegation predictions.
I think we could see a fair amount of 4:5:1 this year so 7 for 5 slots is still a bit prime numbers. (Carol Vordermanesque !)
Just read that we’ve had a bid accepted for Woods .. but wouldn’t mind betting that he goes to Leeds coz they’ll pay him a higher wage. Not sure he’s a good buy anyway.
Bottom line of the Middle ground topic is that we need a QUALITY MIDFIELDER NOT one for the future or Division 3 nugget.
I can name 3 who aren’t up to scratch … Evans, Saville and Rowe …..
Throw in Price and Edwards as well. Neither are good enough to be in a team with serious promotion ambitions. A common theme of last season was our centre midfield being overrun. I reckon we need three new midfielders but it isn’t going to happen.
Why, if it’s true are we chasing Woods?, he couldn’t get a regular spot with Leicester, when he did get six games he couldn’t score a single goal and more importantly, he didn’t want to come to us before.
I am one blogger who is praying it’s more rubbish from the E&S.
Doogooder, Tipton Exile.
The link below say’s it all for me. Mr Jordan Fraham (AKA Graham) being schooled by King Kenny. I hope Conor Hunte gets a run out at some point, he’s an exciting prospect.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/06/29/kenny-jackett-rules-out-transfer-binge/?
Been a while since I posted…
I have to say that I am totally on the fence with regards to Woods… So much on the fence that I’m getting splinters.
The reason I am is that when Woods played under KJ, he got the best form of his career out of him. Since then Woods has been playing below par.
Maybe he needs KJ tactics and guidance to bring him back to what he can do. After all (I have stressed this before) an excellent striker at one club may be a complete flop at another club.
Don’t get me wrong as I’m not a Woods fan… He’s not a patch on our current front pairing. However if the reports are right and KJ does bring him in, then I expect he’ll have a plan for him.
Maybe as a back up for injury and suspension or to start the odd game during fixture congestion with a 5 man midfield (as already pointed out – we have enough of them) and then sub him at half time bringing on the big guns of Afobe and our new No9 as fresh legs to overpower! Well he can’t be worse that Leon! Can he?
I don’t see this windows’ purchases as direct replacements for anyone really. We’ve had two pretty successful seasons with this squad, and most of the dead wood has moved on. Kenny must be confident of young Jed’s ability ’cause the word is he’ll be slotting right into the first team. But I foresee most signings as boosting the depth and flexibility of the squad rather than replacing anyone.
No doubt that during the tough demanding season to come, there will be injuries and loss of form. Also, the various teams we’ll face will require a variety of tactics and thus team line-ups will be constantly shuffled. We will need a quality striker to supplement Nouha and Benik, and if flexibility is the aim then the big target man might be the answer. Whether Mr Wood fits the bill is debatable but I think it may well be he.
Midfield may appear to be overrun with players but I think Jed brings something new, different and exciting to the table and I can’t wait to see him do his thang.
With Graham and Boukari waiting in the wings(no pun intended), I feel we don’t necessarily have to replace Bakary with a new signing. In fact it’s hard to think of anywhere we desperately do need to spend money. Can’t understand why we weren’t promoted last season.
Speak to Steve Showcase mate – he will tell you the exact answer to your last sentence.
He must be banging his head off the wall because all the talk is about buying a Striker or a Midfielder, no mention whatsover of a defender.
OOOOps. I should have scrolled down, he already did lol.
Oh, and my answer to your last sentence is “Because we did not score enougth goals”
Wolf stroker ..can’t under stand why we were not promoted ? Because we conceded too many goals..
Amid howls of derision.. Defence needs propping up around Steers
DB not sure if he will start ..re fitness
Incidently who’s the Captain if he doesn’t..
The Dicko -Afobe partnership could set the league alight..Jed Wallace nxt to K-Mac could be a master stroke..Jordan Graham almost a Sako replacement ..why Woods? I agree Stu Wolf plus we have more youngsters to feed in too ..
We seem to be insuring against injuries perhaps the way Dicko plays KJ thinks he’s going to get another knock..
One things for sure our squad is deep and the bench will be creaking..
Evans Saville Rowe might as well look for another club..
Perhaps we have to accept KJ has
ADHD regarding consolidating with a stable team …’messing’ he’s
going to do ..big style…
I can understand the point about defence strengthening, ’cause we definitely conceded too freely after a strong start to the season. But do we not think Hause and Ebanks Landell are able to step up to the plate now?
YES and YES I think they both are, As has been said in another post, we have 7 to fill 4 spots, not a problem. Spend money on ensuring we score goals, as scoring more than our opposition = 3 points. You can’t do any better than that – winning 4-3 is better than drawing 0-0 as after all a 4-3, 5-4, 3-2 etc is only like a 1-0 in terms of GD.
And what about my 5-1 score, which was nearly correct on many occasions last term?
Stearman will get international honours soon, mark my words.
Too old and slow mate. His reactions are not quick enough. He will be of no use to us at all in the Prem and will cost us and then Steve Showcase will go loopy cos we are letting in too many goals. IMO 🙂
I’m back yes the Millwall of bloggers nobody likes me or should I say what I blog or both either way I don’t care.
Because I don’t wear rose tinted glasses I say as I see it. Interestingly met up with my brother ( season ticket holder for last 10 years ) and his mates who also long standing ticket holders and not one of them could believe Stearman got player of the year. Still time will tell on that one.
As far as recruitment of players goes, I thought or properganda coming from the grease ball was last season we’ve to many high earners to recruite quality, well Jeza and Steve the decks have been cleared of the dead over paid wood so how about a quality singing or two not ones for the future. I’ll make a prediction now ill put my head on the block and say we won’t do any better this season if we don’t sign a nasty bastard of a midfielder another quailty STRICKER ( not Wood, I said quailty ) and a center half .
Good morning Paul.
I feel your pain.
I never write anything controversial or politically incorrect on this blog either, and yet I have my detractors ( not from Ipswich, thank dog )
Cant understand it really.
More power to your elbow, my son, keep writing as you see it, not what some others may want to read.
And NEVER forget the old saying…..
Fuck Off w…b…
Stay on here mate. I have no problem with what you write, it’s your opinion. I may have disagreed with you most of the time, but what the feck do I know. I disagree with a lot that Steve Showcase says, I disagree with a lot that StuWolf says, and I disagree with everything that Clive says, but I still let them buy me a pint.
FOwb
Yes you do disagree with everything I say!!
No I don’t.
FOwb
Ikeme Immoveable..Golbourne Immovable..Hause immovable.. Steers immovable..DB*Question Iorfa immovable..Wallace Immov able.. K-Mac Immovable..Edwards Immovable …Henry Immovable.. Price Question..Jacobs Question ..Jordan Graham Question..RVLP Question… Afobe immovable.. Dicko immovable…Woods? Question
Question / loan : EBL..Evens.. Saville..Rowe..
IMO
Welcome back to all the bloggers and readers.
The first 10 games will show how much we miss/don’t miss the presence of Sako.
Apart from Leon KJ has shown excellent decision making, new recruits and team selection.
Hopefully this will continue for this season.
Onwards and Upwards and FOWB
We didn’t seem to miss Sako too much during the African Cup of Nations. I think he’s something of a mixed blessing (although I’d rather be with than without).
OK then there’s my two-penneth worth.
KJ likes a small squad to work with, say 22?
Goalkeeper : DEFINITELY need a back up for Ikeme, preferably not Kusczak;
Defence : fine as it is with 7 into 4 going nicely. Iorfa Batth Stearman Golbourne with Doherty, Ebanks-Landell and Hause in reserve with Hause playing a bigger role and more central due to DB injury and his pace.
Midfield : DEFINITELY need a new defensive central midfielder – someone like Chalobah on loan from Chelski? – to play alongside McDonald. Price as back up. Wallace backed up by Edwards for the ‘in the hole’ position if we play 451 which I hope we don’t. Wide positions VLP, Boukari (please!), Henry, Fraham provide lots of options. MAYBE a left winger if he is quality, and I do mean quality like a Tom Ince. Loan out Evans, sell Saville, Rowe and Jacobs.
Attack : DEFINITELY need at least one, preferably two strikers as back up and alternatives to Afobe and Dicko. Preferably not Chris Wood unless KJ reckons he can rekindle his Millwall form. Akpom on loan from Arsenal?
My wish is we play attacking football to outscore the opposition just like Bournemouth and Watford did last season and like we did under MM in 2008/09. Concede a few but score more. Two wins and a defeat better than three draws – that kind of mentality.
UTW!
Absolutely spot on Bedford.
7 defenders for 4 spots – no more needed. I will put my neck on the line though, and say that if anyone cocks up this coming season, it wont be DB, or Doherty or EBL, it will be Stearman. I STILL have major doubts about the man and if we ever decide to get a new defender in, it should be to replace him.
No coment about midfield. I totally agree.
Striker situation needs support. I hope for the life of me that Wood chooses Leeds though, as I do not rate him that highly. It has been said though that Kenny got him playing to a high level so who knows.
I also agree with 2 wins and a loss is better than 3 draws. As long as we score more than the other team I am not overly concerned if we let a few in, and with Stearman in our side we will certainly let a few in. He has had his moment of glory and will revert to his old style – I hope I am wrong.
Good post mate.
They do say that central defenders reach their prime as they reach thirty. I really think it’s a bit harsh to knock Stears when he’s just had his best season for us, won two club player of the season awards and clearly gives his all for the cause(which is the first thing most of us demand). Our other players in his position are all quite young and green and I’m sure benefit from Stears’s experience. Credit where it’s due gentlemen, he’s saved our bacon time and again last season and no-one is infallible.
Hee hee. I knew I would get a response from someone. I will wait and see what next season brings – he proved me wrong last season and I applauded him, and he could well prove me wrong again.
I think we need a new thread now – I have pissed everyone off on this one mate.
Someone’s got to stick up for our ‘Richard the Lionheart’. Although I think Clive’s ‘International recognition’ is probably a step too far.
Yes we have already got a range of midfielders but only 3 really shone and one of those was Edwards who mostly shines when he is in advance of the midfield (actually even Jack Price had a spell out on loan yep Novembumer) I also disagree with the premise of a midfield 2 sometimes you have got to bunge that hole with an extra body.
There will be more acquisitions to come in other areas. Actually think Morgan is a relatively benevolent owner. Moxey’s role in the playing side of the club has rightly shrunk with the coming of Threadbarewell. Time to get rid all together ?
Only thing that worries me about Kenny having too many options is his propensity to tinker in the wrong direction for a while. You can end up the wrong side of a fine line.
Good to see Paul back on the blog its the always wrong that make me always right !
Colin, your, my yin to my yang, ……………!
Just between you and me Paul i would like to see more of a leader in midfield yes i will go with your nasty buzzard but the right sort not what you get a full back thorns.
Should read ‘not what you get at full back at the thorns’. (if thats any clearer alcholic ginger beer kicking in).
Alcholic should read ‘ive had enuff’. Talking of spelling gone to pot evening Doog.
And good morning to you sir.
It’s not pot, it’s anaesthetic.
Under the knife on Friday, still under the influence today.
I think they gave me enough to knock out a rhino.
Yeah, I tried it and you are right!
That is Neal, the famous movie actor
Ryan O’Neal
Some of you will get it.
Brompto
Just not Cricket old boy, you know better than putting a picture of a fellow bloggers wife on the blog.
Where did you get that picture of my missus, she told me she was going on holiday to Africa with her sister.
Something you two want to share with me?
:-}
Not as bad as mine mate:
It’s early days still Doog … don’t try to do too much too soon. (I couldn’t walk as far as the bog 3 days after) just keep reminding yourself that as each day passes you’re a day closer to a full recovery.! Take your time with it all matey. See you in August, which tomorrow will be next month.
Did you have to wear nappies, then?
I thought that was natural when you get to our age.
Is it? I wouldn’t know cos I aint that old yet 🙂
Nah … it’s amazing how they can ram a piece of Hozelock tubing down your spout mate. I had about 20 litres of saline too irigating me. Still I can piss over the conifers now!!
Your turn will come !!
Price reminds me of Messi in his stature….
Been looking at some of the responses on Twitter regards our bid.
Leeds fans see Wood as a step forward and the majority of our fans are definitely not in favour of a possible impending arrival.
If he does arrive, then the consolation for any Wolves fab that does it want him, will be that he chooses us rather than go for quite possibly the higher wage with them. Maybe that could go some way to easing the torment that he turned us down to go to Ipshit (that were at the time — flying and we were not). We may not have gone for Afobe either if if Wood had come in, so maybe it does all work out for the best????
Totally off field this but the reported wages for Sako will be about 50K/week if he goes to Leicester,Villa etc. These clubs are no greater than us just that they are in the Prem (at the moment) could we not offer him £60K/week to stay on a one year contract ? costs us £3m but we get a striker without having to buy one and would almost guarantee promotion ?
Please Morgan and Co look at this and at least give Sako the option (Great News Dicko signed and he is his mate). What do you guys think ?
Guarantee promotion? From the Championship? If only it were so easy.
reports we have signed chris woods now keep sako
Re: Sako there are many options for us if we are good enough to play with them.
1.We could interim as you say 1 year..
2.We could compromise on wages to £40k per week lump sum when we go up..3.We could bonus him extra wages if he helps us go up..4.we could half and half to be paid out of Sky money..
5.We could sell him the idea of keeping the shirt with his mate Dicko!!!
IF we are good enough……
Hi Steve,
Yes, plenty of possibilities but are Morgan & Co clever enough ?
We ARE good enough. But he wants to play at a higher level NOW, so:
1. Aint gonna happen – he wants to go NOW.
2. Aint gonna happen – he wants more than 40k.
3. Aint gonna happen – we have rules, if we bonus him, we should bonus all of them.
4. Aint gonna happen – what Sky Money? We are in the Championship!
5. Aint gonna happen – he has made his mind up and nothing will change that.
We ARE good enough, and whilst he has been very good for us, he is just a luxury player who we will replace. As a team, we may miss him, but we did well without him when he was in the AFCN. He never gave us more than 75% for a full 90 minutes. Okay, so 15 mins of brilliance could change a game for us, but I would expect more than that. As I said he is a luxury that we can do without.
Wolves will move on. We will not fail without him, we are better than that.
Besides, the less we spend on trying to retain him could be spent an another defender you want so badly.
What matches you managing to go to Steve? Let me know so we can meet up for a pint and a natter.
Brompton.. I appreciate you foaming at the mouth on my behalf but I meant if we are good enough to negotiate not if we are good enough as a club (obviously)..
The sky money comes from WHEN we go up as it negates the cost ie have a punt on it (I am!)
.
I have supported Wolves 44 yrs and as far as I’m concerned you don’t let a ball genius go or you SELL him the idea of staying as a Wolves player so he shits himself with guilt for even thinking about leaving…
He can change games in 10 minutes
..a lot of exceptional players disappear in a match..even Ranaldo..
He’s Wolves and he belongs with us..
family silver..
He is Wolves, if he stays with us. He is just a player, and players come and go. I do not want to come over as being too naive (I did say too), but I would be gobsmacked if Kenny (and even Moxey and Morgan) have not tried their hardest to keep him here. I know what you are going to say about spending, but I agree wholeheartedly with the financial situation in respect of the wage bill, and I don’t care if it were Messi we were talking about, but a wage structure MUST remain in place. It has been set at Molineux and should be retained. IF he had any loyalty we would not be having this chat, so if he wants to go, let him go. He WILL be replaced and overtime he will not be a loss. I rate him, but not at the expense of it having a major impact on our financial structure.
I do wish he was not called Sako though, and wished he was called Bull, but they are a different breed and you do not find loyalty like that anymore.
I want him to stay, I would love him to stay, I would implore him to say, but he also must WANT to stay. If he doesn’t then he can go as far as I am concerned.
We WILL NOT fail without him.
I love this blog, and like reading your posts. I have recently been on several other club blogs and they are awful.
You need to get out more.
Going on other blogs.
Ha.
That’s like going to the sandwell crem and watching shit play shit.
Sacrilege.
Far too much thyme on your hands, get back in the kitchen.
I can openly admit to NEVER EVER going to shit’s ground, or anywhere near Sandwell for that matter.
But ……………… Can you? You little traitor you!
FOwb
Of course I’ve been there, many times!
Saw Waggy give John Kaye twisted blood two seasons running.
Saw us score a last minute equalizer, thus denying the shit two points, effectively sealing their relegation several months later.
Been loads of times…..but only once when we were not playing.
They stuffed Coventry 7 – 0. I hate to admit it, but they did once have a just below average team, unlike the last 20 odd years.
And sandwell does not have a capital s.
Anyway, what was the question?
if you read my initial question, I was suggesting 60k/week = 3m/year which we would have to spend to replace him – agree with steve showcase should try to keep him – none of the players got peevey with doyle when he was on 40k – if they grow up and except as a team that they will all reach the promised prem land if we keep him. Think Sako may just stay for the deal. We perhaps need another defender although the full backs can cover if we need.
Not disagreeing with you mate. It would be wonderful if he stayed. I am suggesting he wont as we wont pay out, and if he wants to go he will go. I do not see him staying so I have stated that if he goes, we just move on.
There is more to Wolves than Sako. We won lots of games without him, so I am not overly concerned if/when he leaves us.
Having said that, this is just my opinion. Just like my opinion about us not going up due to the goals we failed to score as opposed to the goals we conceded lol.
Thx Basher..no player would decry him extra wages particularly as 10 of his minutes could take us up..
Re defence (more howls of derision)
Please not EBL….he would put off the opposition for the first 5 minutes of play as they would still be celebrating…he’s their 12 man heads the ball straight back to a striker ..
Worth at least a goal to them..
A sort of away team double agent lol
Was that too ‘pointed’?
If I were a player and felt I was doing as much as Sako to get us to the promised land, and he got a wage rise and I did not I would be fuming.
Anyway, I am getting bored of this subject so enough posts on Sako from me.
Let me know the matches you are going to Stevie Boy and we can chat further over a pint if I manage to go to those too. Be good mate.
I must say it good to blog, to be back and talking about our beloved Wolves secound only to my daughter and my lovely wife ( put that in just in case by a miracle she happens to read this blog )
Feck Sako.
Why is he still here?, he hasn’t been snapped up by anyone even Clive’s second team the shite.
Lot’s of Kenny talk about Sako! Why I ask? What’s really happening behind the scenes.
Why is his agent not shouting about how many teams are clambering over each other to get his signature.
He’s not gone antwhere yet, I bet if I get on me bike and cycle the 2 mile to the training ground, lo and behold I would put dosh on seeing Sako training with the team.
On a different note…
After Fulham taking the P and offering £1 million for MacDonald and showing interest in Stears, it’s so nice to see that nice chap Jamie O’Hara training with them , that’s one (Ex) Wolves player they deserve and they can have him with my blessing.
FOBS (Bakery Sako)
On yer bike?
There’d be a sight…..
Hope you can see this!
https://www.facebook.com/FernandoLuizLupinacci/videos/vb.100001735633969/930190383715474/?type=3&theater
Regards Sako’s wages and the wage structure.
I recall a statement that advised that there is a structure in place and that if a player was above the quality we have and could substantiate a higher wage then it would be considered.
Based on this and the fact that Sako wants a mega pay deal in addition to playing in the 1st Division then I suspect the pay offer tabled to Sako was more than any other player has been offered.
So I agree with Brompton that Sako is a name for the history books and will be fondly remembered for his play by the majority. Now let’s get a move on with getting a new winger!
“The fans here are really good and it’s a pleasure to play for them when they’re happy.”
That’s what Dicko has said. I wonder what he will say when he sees us unhappy.
I am interested in next season, as he is wearing the number 9, and I expect a glut of goals from him. Come on Dicko young man, do a Bully.
FOwb
Looks like the report of the bid being accepted was bollocks all along. Now the reports are saying we will not pay £3m for wood. (Unless this report is also bollocks).
Leeds are surely welcome to him for that price if it’s true… Mugs!
Reports coming out of Leicester this evening….
Chris Wood made the final decision to join Leeds after reading our Blog.
[Well I hope he feckin did.]
How did that song go?
Score in a Brothel
He couldn’t score in a Brothel
FOCW
Pleased about Chris Wood but I must say that we are getting a reputation of being the meanest payers in the league..
How many have we lost now? Embarrassing…
Afobe was either because of KJ or just luck ..although incredibly..I understand his contract is short..
And so we go on…
I know, it can be really frustrating at times. Don’t know what Afobe’s contract length is, but we (the club) must ensure that we nail him to another before he falls into the free agent category.
I am waiting with anticipation for the start of the season, with or without new faces, but I am also anxious should we not get some quality players in in the areas we need them.
But, this is Wolves and we are always last minute.com.
Sammy Ameobi on loan for a season anyone?
On the surface it looks like a good deal.
But:-
“At 6ft 4in, he is tall and gangly yet he struggles in the air and, although he can come up with the odd neat trick, his final product is far-too-often found wanting.”
…Sounds like we have a Dutchman who can fulfill that role.
Interesting though and, if he doesn’t cost anything, worth a punt.
As for Chris Wood – £3M?
I think I’m right in saying that we bought Afobe, Dicko and Sako for less than that.
I’m with the Politburo on that one.
I have to agree that £3mill does seem a bit heavy for the likes of Wood. Still, Leeds seem to think he’s worth it. Not sure we should be learning financial probity from them though.
Rumours, bullshit or desperate for copy newspapers. Why spend £3m on some Kiwi, when we got a real striker for £2m last season.
Given you can only play any 11 on the pitch at any one time, we are in big numbers, but short of quality in midfield. Will Sako still sign for Leicester now Pearson has gone, who can say.
Today is the day that players are out of contract and can sign for new clubs, maybe Sako will have another year with us now his mate has signed a new deal. Getting Dicko on a new contract is a fantastic piece of business, maybe the best in the championship this close season. That fellow could score goals in the premiership, lets hope he does so with us next season.
or should I say the season after this one!!! Getting ahead of myself a little !!!
We have another few weeks before the season starts, to be filled with rumours, innuendos, speculation, guesswork, introspection, hope, opinions, bullshit, prayer and outright bollocks.
We also have no say whatsoever in what transpires with regard to anything Mol related.
The only thing we can affect, and we will, is the support our team gets come opening day.
No matter who we do or don’t sign, the side that turns out for the first match will have 100% support and backing from us.
How those individuals choose to react and perform is up to them, and will determine how they are treated by us for the rest of the campaign.
Nobody has a right to wear the famous old gold and black, but hopefully most will earn the privilege.
I for one aint too worried about new signings, or missed signings.
KJ has turned our club round, making it unrecognizable from two years ago, when we were still in shock from relegation to the third division.
I trust his judgment and he will get my wholehearted support as long as he keeps us going in the right direction.
So far, so good.
And no one else has commented, but since KJ has been in charge, this blog has become more of a fellowship, and some great new friendships have been forged.
Long may both continue.
And of course,
FOwb
Wow. First post I have read of yours that is full of emotion for the club without there being another agenda. The real Clive speaks! Well done mucker, I applaud you.
Oh, and by the way, I understand Sako is staying with us and is signing a short term contract for 12 months………………. yahoo!!!
Are you Moxey in disguise?
Trying to sell a few more season tickets on false promises?
Oooops – sorry. The last sentence was something to do with your first – rumour, speculation, hope, and outright bollox.
Best post for quite a while Clive……by anybody.
For me, like Mark, I see signing Dicko for a further three years as our best bit of business in this window especially compared to Woods £3mill signing at Leeds. So glad he’s not coming here and if our blog influenced him, as rumoured, good.
Still would like to see some kind of hard tackling midfielder in the mould of Paul Inc. OK I know Inces are as rare as hen’s teeth but someone of that style and attitude would put some steel into our soft centre.
Not bothered about Sako’s imminent departure. A great luxury to have but too often the point where our attacks broke down and opposition counter attacks began. Saying that I don’t expect a queue of Prem manager’s to form anxious for his signature: not suited to relegation battles and not good enough for a top ten club.
“A great luxury to have but too often the point where our attacks broke down and opposition counter attacks began.”
You hit the nail right on the head. Nuff said.
Just a thought,
What’s Alex Rae up to nowadays, him and Magic Macca, now that would have been a joy to behold.
One skillful and match turning and the other Wolves stamped throughout his body.
Find us another Alex Rae boss.
For what it’s worth, (IMO)
I think from today there may well be more going out than coming in before ko on August 8th.
🙂
I tend to agree with your view about more being released than signed. That said, it will be interesting to see how many of these academy scholars make the grade and how long before we see them moving up like Iorfa and co:
Akeal Rehman, Christian Herc, Brandon Ball, Adam Osbourne, Gareth Prosser, Michael Sibley, Owen Eggington, Niall Ennis, Nyeko Sinclair, Sam Phillips.
Read more at:
http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/new-scholars-inducted 2519367.aspx#Hip7UE2CX2tuK0p5.99
Link was broken. Try this or look it up on NewsNowWolves.
http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/new-scholars-inducted-2519367.aspx
Blimey, I’m a Witch……..
Kuszczak gone already,
Honest guys I didn’t know when I posted my last blog.
Spooky.
Fulham have made a second bid for MacDonald today, please God, get Moxey to sign him for 3 more years, if he goes I’m off?????
🙁
Totally agree. I think an Alex Rae like is what we’ve been missing in midfield since he left.
Lets get Kevin Muscat back at least the opposition knew they had been tackled.
Mcdonald and Peter Knowles
Might have been a sight to behold….
Your’e obviously a man of vision Robin. What a duo that would have been.
Kuszczak has been signed by the blouse.
Nice chap, but never really Wolves class I thought.
Good article Ben.
I think the KJ policy a good one.
Team spirit is essential.
We need to only bring in players who enhance, whom we already have.
The kernel of the team should remain the same…
So Woods has gone to Yorkshire, I heard that it was down to the fact he could get a freshly baked Hovis every morning that sealed the deal and warm cloudy bitter free for the duration while playing for Leeds, by eck lad thee has done good t deal there.
I think he went to Yorkshire because, like for many ex sh**te players, the Yorkshire police are more lenient
El maestro to Fulham eh…not sure if it’s as catastrophic as Sako but more family silver being eyed..
K Mac and Wallace could well up our gears so I doubt that the back St boys would allow that..plus he’s a KJ favourite even when he plays shite…
Lower ur Blood pressure Stu Wolf…
Why have Fulham made, on the face of it, two derisory offers for Macdonald ? I have a theory. I reckon they have tapped him up. He is in the last year of his contract and I reckon they have told him that they will better any contract we are prepared to offer him. I don’t believe we would allow such an important player to enter his final year and not offer him a new deal. I believe we have and he’s turned it down. Which would explain why Fulham believe they can get him on the cheap. They are hoping we will not be prepared to allow another player to walk away on a Bosman. Of course I’m hope I’m talking bollocks and he signs a new contract tomorrow !
Want a bit of a laugh on a very hot evening?
https://www.facebook.com/FernandoLuizLupinacci/videos/vb.100001735633969/930190383715474/?type=3&theater
Very good!
What do you mean hot evening?
It is a nice cool 85 here, the rain is keeping it pleasant!
Can anyone explain to me the point of Kevin thelwell? Since his appointment I’ve never known us miss out on so many transfer targets and yet I thought his job was to acquire well researched targets? Is he the commercial equivalent of Leon Clarke ?
No the commercial equivalent of greasel, all wind and no substance.
Really good question Sutton but not your suggested answer.
It is and always has been clear that Thelwell is just an intermediary in the chain of Moxey makebelieve that he plays an important and crucial role in the player recruitment process.
The simple facts are that Moxey has a substantial say (if not total) in how much we pay in transfer fees and wages.
Nothing changing here then. We’ll continue to lack ambition and generally spread hope and 100% spin to mug us off with our dreams of reaching the money league !!!
Gutted at the England result, we played them off the park, scored more goals than them, their penalty was not one, and WE didn’t bomb Pearl Harbour.
Mind you, if our penalty had been given against us, I’d be feeling a bit sore and wondering who paid the ref’.
I was waiting for the headline – England sunk by Japanese sub.
Re Thellwell I thought he only locates players.,,,it’s Moxey who negotiates ?and we seem to be as convincing as David Miliband.,
Afobe aside which could be spectacular (if he re contracts as he’s only on 1 year (!))
KJ the influence there..terms are the club..
I think a longer contract for Afobe is heavily dependant on general team strengthening. He won’t commit to us if we don’t show a similar level of commitment. The boy’s ambitious. And rightly so.
I totally agree mate. If the club do not replace Sako with someone credible for example, then no ambition is being shown, and Afobe, rightly so in my eyes, will probably look at moving to a club with more ambition. Sad but true.
Absolutely Brompto, but that doesn’t necessarily mean buying. Fraham or Boukari could prove more than adequate replacements. Fascinating season ahead. 🙂
Testing…..testing…..
It’s pretty much the rule that we don’t buy players very often. Loans will be the order of the day.
…Over and out……..
🙂
Leeds fans excited that they have “wood”. I think their pleasure is a little too early and they will need something more to keep it up over a long time. I don’t think they’ll be pointing in the right direction for long and the “diamond shape” will be required for further effect.
I’m so relieved our Dicko does not have any issues upfront!
Excellent. 🙂 🙂
As Clive said some time ago, there’s still a long summer of speculation, inyourendo etc, etc covering all the players, positions, tactics, finances, and miscellaneous other matters, including spelling. We have good strikers, oodles of midfielders, mixed feelings about the defence and a hole in the GK backup slot. We know all too well there won’t be too much change from now – not a bad thing, because we have a good squad – but in trying to think through my own views on all the ideas on here, I just keep coming back to hard-nosed experience. I reckon the lack of that at the right times last season cost us and I would just like to see a central defender and a midfielder who’ve been there, done it and will take the troops over the top at the trickiest of moments. Otherwise I think we’ll still be fighting for 6th place. And just a slight mystery – why has Wood twice chosen not to return to the coach who made him what he is? Seriously misguided, but perhaps no great loss to us.
Perhaps the coach who made him what he is does not like what he has become since they parted ways.
Not all gift horses have silver linings in the bush with one stone.
Or something like that.
Methinks KJ knoweth more than he sayeth, and me likes.
Forsooth, such wiseness, Houston Bard! And next time don’t omit yr bird in the hand while chasing the silver lining in the bush….
Anyrode, enuff of this football talk, how’s yer veinless pegleg, Doogle?
Not too bad thank you very much.
I think the anaesthetic has left what remains of my bloodstream because I’ve started craving Yellow Tail again.
And, what’s more, I have decided I’m well enough to fire up and get my leg over a rather beautiful and feisty piece of work this afternoon while the sun is shining.
Don’t tell the PMDG’er.
Craving Yellow Tail?
You cannot be serious!
Japan just beat us in the semi final!
Mrs Doogooder is with Colin and she sends her regards, she says, “by all means get yer leg over, but pick the Friesian one this time she not producing much in the way 0f milk this spring.
Board posted outside Molineux this afternoon.
,For Sale.
Lee Evans Aka Leon Lazy town
George Saville Don’t mess with this guys hair
Tommy Rowe Yet to prove useful.
Slightly LESS Dangerous Dave Edwards.
EBL Mixed emotions with his, great header to the opposition.
Matt Doherty Carthorse potential
In Kenny we trust in Moxey we don’t
🙂
Chris Wood has gone on record in saying, “He was never at any point talking to Wolves whilst Leeds were after him”
Whatever the case, he’s made a poor career change going to that shower of shite if the game at their place last season is anything to go by. Even Leon Clarke got a goal against them.
🙂
If Wolves are serious about keeping McDonald then they should sort out new contract matching or even better than the one Fulham are dangling in front of him.
They’ve brought a young lad from Blackburn who according to a work colleague was there best player and who will be attracting Premier League interest in the near future.
I know it still early in the summer re: transfers but I see this close season mirroring last year in that we seemed to make half hearted attempts at signing so called targets its stems like we’ve been here before and I carnt help thinking the out come will be exactly the same.
As for our director of football, do that mean he buts all the balls away after training, he’s not much use for anything else as far as I can see.
Do that……….( I carnt help laughing to myself as I read it ). It should read does that.
Afobe needs to be bolted down sooner than later if he becomes the leading championship goal scorer then half the PL will be after him and then it’s a Sako situation all over again..
All this talk of transfers but moreso our inept inability to contract,buy,or keep players makes me nervous..
Sako is a regret from the heart..Afobe could score hatfuls of goals and to loose him would be a real head feck…
Huddersfield Town Midfielder Conor Coady is the new name added to our list of potential, positive, maybe, certainly coming, we’re in for him, could be a possible star, pipe dream, hopeful acquisition.
Might as well go for him…
Conor Hunte
Conor Rohnan
Conor Coady
The first two I love watching, is he my hat trick of Conor’s.
All this talk about being overloaded with midfielders mmmm, now let me think!
Lee Evans Sell the twoddle, he’s useless.
Dave Edwards Love him, but his legs went towards the end of the season. (Slightly Dangerous Dave in the end)
George Saville Sell him to the same team that takes Evans.
Tommy Rowe Bought with an injury, played with an injury, got feckin injured (Injury prone, well done Thelwell)
Michael Jacobs Great in Div 1, a Div in Championship (Rabbit in the headlight syndrome)
James Henry Keep him forward, don’t mess about with him in Midfield.
RVLP Ditto keep him forward of Midfield
Top heavy? I don’t feckin believe that rubbish for one minute.
Rant over, pass my medication Matron, oh I just love a Night Nurse.
🙂
Have to think up a new song, then. Maybe something like:
Hey hey hey they’re magic, it’s Law – Conor, Conor and Conor
Ok, I’ll get my coat.
Looks like your hat trick is on StuWolf
Wolves are set to sign Huddersfield Town midfielder Conor Coady, BBC Radio Leeds reports.
The clubs are understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £2m and he is currently undergoing a medical.
So Wolves at last set to buy a DEFENSIVE midfielder. I can’t recall seeing him play but hope he proves to be a player that can add steel to our otherwise skilful but soft midfield. Must be useful as he played at international level up to the under 20s. Moreover he reportedly impressed Kenny when Huddersfield beat us 3-1, and I trust KJ’s judgement.
Here’s a collection of Conor Coady’s matches including the goal he score at Molineux last season.
http://sabotagetimes.com/football/watch-new-wolves-playmaker-who-could-win-them-promotion
Thanks Stu. On the basis of those clips he looks like a decent purchase. Good anticipation of where the ball’s heading and cuts out danger decisively. Seems very direct with prompt accurate passes forward which the Wolves crowd will love. Impressive goals particularly the one against us (could have been closed down sooner though – who’d have thought it). Fingers crossed it all goes through and he’s as good as he looks. Just a thought – is he a replacement for MacDonald?
And then scroll down a bit and see His Royal Highness score his first England goal, up in Jockland!!
That’s Coady signed, deal all done and dusted. Useful looking lad. Kept that one under their hat, apparently been after him for a while. So I think Wood was a smoke screen.
Happy Days.
:/)
someone want to tidy this up… ?
Ooh the Conor Coady… Ooh the Conor Coady…
You put your left leg in, pull your left leg out… You take ball quickly and you run with it…
Ooh the Conor Coady…
Quick turn, one pass and run run run…
Shrews Wolf
Have you ever stop to wonder……..
“What if the Hokey Cokey is really what it’s all about”
Spooky eh
🙂
Connor Coady
He’s midfield class,
He ain’t nobody,
And he’ll have the last laugh….
That final line can be adapted, as you do or do not, wish!
“Wolves have signed Huddersfield Town midfielder Conor Coady for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2m”
Told you we only do loans…………..oh, wait a minute…………
🙂
This snap shot of Hudds fans thoughts says it all for me… !
I have often wondered the same many a time Stu… Well it’s all about the Conor Coady from here on in !
Looks like we may have been trying to poach him for a while from Hudds.. (Reading between the lines) and good to see he was pushing for the move to come to us… that will surely put him in good stead from the start with the fans.
Quote…
“‘We`re sad to see Conor leave, but this transfer represents outstanding value for Huddersfield Town and we believe it is the right move for the Club on balance. Conor also expressed his desire to pursue this opportunity, but we made it clear that the Club would only sell him if the terms were right for Huddersfield Town; there was no cheap deal to be had. Once the transfer deal was acceptable to the Club, the move suited all three parties.'”
Looks like Moxey could not squeeze the pennies this time and KJ got who he wanted.
Now for a goalkeeper, striker and a defender… (As if we’ll get all 3). A Sako replacement may be out as KJ bought in Wallace and I can’t see KJ leaving him on the bench.
It appears Kj’s shopping basket tends to consist of players of the year or some other accolades… He also appears to like players that he has had dealings with previously or played well against us (I suppose using the barometer of his own players as a bench mark). If you are better than what he has, then he wants those players.
Conor Coady – what a cracking signing. Excellent. Exactly what we needed to offer the protection that McDonald and the defence lacked last season. Mark my words this lad will be a great addition. Now all we need is at least one quality striker (Akpom on loan from the Arse? Carlton Cole, free agent?), a left winger (Ameobi?) and – maybe, just maybe – an experienced keeper as back up to Ikeme if McCarey is banned. Oh and perhaps another defender (Tommie Hoben on loan from Watford?). p.s. if that lad Jordan Fraham steps up to the mark maybe we don’t need a left winger!
Thelwell not so bad today then?! Looks like a good’un with youth, energy and skill on his (& our) side. Perhaps now fighting for 5th position…….until we get that hard nosed experience in too, to propel us towards autoprom.
I don’t think he’ll get anyone with vast experience as that means either a huge outlay upfront and high wages or if he got a freebie, then just the high wages.
If they do not demand high wages then they are probably going to be crap, at the end of their use and no one else wants them (if they did want them then they’d be getting ridiculous wages somewhere else).
In addition to experience comes sucking eggs and KJ does not want someone that he cannot shape to fit.
18-26 wil be his window with very few toward the latter end of the spectrum me finks.
Would rather take young players on the way up than old players on the way down. I like Scott Parker but even that move has done little for Fulham now they are trying to buy Macca for a box of crisps. You can keep your has been big names all that glitters is not Old Gold.
I like that Col… Very poignant !
Thanks Shrews Wolf we dont want to be getting the off loads at the rear end of the food chain !
My previous blog re ‘immovable players’ looks a bit weak after our last signing to the extent other than Ikeme presumably Steers and obviously Dicko and Afobe..who is safe?
Can only be potentially a huge reshuffle leaving certain players wondering..on that not El Maestro must be feeling uneasy too…
Dog eat dog or rather Wolf eat Wolf..
I want to see loyalty continuity identity but at the same time no players are safe. For a lot of fans the grass is always greener on the other side. Its high reward for the players but you have got to keep moving forward. As a club i think we are getting it right. We arent making one off headline do or die signings neither are we bringing in
new players just for the sake of it.
‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)’ arguably the greatest song ever, well tonight my beloved Wolves have made me smile with the signing of Mr Coady. Brilliant. Took the day off work today to re-house my Wolves programme collection – Mrs Bedford Wolf had ‘suggested’ I should – which is some job with over 3,000 programmes including every home game since 1954 and was, as I always seem to be when sorting them all out, lost in nostalgia and reminiscing about past glories from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s when my phone starting beeping like mad as news of the signing came through. I wonder, just wonder, if we will look back on today as a pivotal moment like when we signed Mike Bailey in 1966. Getting carried away? OK OK I suppose so but ……….I wonder!
Along with Tainted Love, by Soft Cell, I agree 100%, possibly best songs ever.
I trust you are ‘avin’ a larf about Tainted Love?
John Lennon, Lou Reed, Otis Redding and a hundred other songwriters no longer with us will be turning in their graves.
Sarcasm?
From moi?
Perish the thought!!
Sam Ricketts was hard nosed experience and couldn’t be classified as ‘sucking eggs’, ‘crap’, ‘on the way down’ etc. He did a job for us in L1 and I’m looking for similar in the Champ. As always, there is middle ground. Ha! Otherwise I entirely agree with the young, committed and hungry approach and have been as excited as anyone by the evolution of our team under KJ.
I see Derby have paid gazillions for Ince. Ambitious? Misguided? Showing us up? Not sure that price for that player would result in a good fit in our set up, but maybe it just provides firm evidence for the bloggers who bemoan constantly tight purse strings.
Dont really understand the love affair some fans have got with Sam Ricketts never tied one position down as his own. Perhaps he came from a bigger club (Bolton ? Really) or maybe just good he was over 30. Anyway he has apparently been out on loan to Swindon and is now on his way to Coventry where i am sure he will say all the right things. All the best.
This interesting question got me thinking has anybody who came to finish there careers at Molineux ever really impressed. One name stands out for me – Emlyn Hughes he came from a phenomenal side with legendary status but every time i saw him play for Wolves he gave a 100%.
Ince, Irwin, Rae even, Hanneman and from another era Mountfield and Robertson – just to name a few who spring immediately to this increasingly aged and forgetful mind! Amazed that Ricketts can be so lightly dismissed – no love affair, but he was exactly what we needed, albeit for that one season in L1 though I accept my respect for KJ’s judgement suggests that was the limit.
Are you not forgetting a certain Mr. Alexander Derek Dougan?
I like many of the players you mention Peakwolf but they still dont speak to me of a Wolves team moving forward and creating its own identity as it had done in previous times. As for Doug he came mid career and was with us for 8 years. Derby are often mentioned as a team with ambition doing the right things but having added some big names last season they went on a disastrous run and i am far from sure they will get it right next.
Colin – see reply to you and Shrews below!
Oo Oo Oo Georgie Elokobi
Oo Oo Oo Georgie Elokobi
Happy Day for the Big man, another 100% er who has signed a 3 year deal back at Colchester where he started.
Go get em George you gave us lot’s of comical and heart stopping tackle moments.
Wolves fans love a 100% er, so they loved you.
We wish you well Big Man.
🙂
Well….other than those who thought he was MacCarthyesque tank out of his depth!! But I agree – the life and soul on the pitch who showed a genuine love for the club. Loved it when he let out the f word in his delight alongside MM when he was being interviewed after a Prem League survival.
Oh yes good old George! The 2-1 win over Man U stands out for me. Early on he got roasted by Nani, 0-1. After that though he bullied, frightened and generally scared the shite out of ALL their so called super stars. Vividly recall a riled Rooney trying to get aggressive with George but being swatted away like an annoying fly. Good luck big man, Mick McCarthy’s ‘body double’.
A BIG HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO Y’ALL!!!
Don’t get me wrong Peakwolf… If an Alex Rae or an Ince had come along and willing to play within our pay structure then I’d be willing him to come… However we had those players at a time when money was a lot more flui and players had big pay days.
I just cannot see them coming to us when the likes of Derby are throwing money at it just like we used to.
Talking of money and over rated/useless players.
It seems that one season NON wonder, Falcao, who spent all of last season fixated with his hairband at OT, has accepted a “massive pay cut” to join Chelsea on loan for 130,000 quid per week.
That’s 6.7 million a year.
This is money gone mad.
The lunatics really are running the asylum now.
This to me is the main reason the game is rapidly descending into the toilet.
Lack of loyalty, and greed.
How much would a 1990 Steve Bull be “worth” at today’s stupid prices?
250 million?
What about our 1974 League Cup winning side, four of whom played 6 years later against Forest at Wembley, (and it would have been 5 if John McAlle hadn’t bost his leg.)
What is going to happen when we get promotion at the end of this season?
Is the greasel/morgan machine going to spend, spend spend, to stay in the Prem, or is it going to sell off our brightest players, take the ludicrous appearance money and parachute payments, drop back into the second division, and start all over……………..with huge bonus/payouts from the above?
I know which option my money is on for them to choose.
FOwb
Just to conclude the case for the defence, Shrews and Colin, I’m with you really on most of this and there’s a danger that I’ve appeared to be one of the spend, spend, spend persuasion. Far from it – I think our emphasis on youth and development is great, and if it were one or the other, I’d stick with that. I just have that nagging feeling that we need that bit more to get us over the line. And I’m not talking big money for a name gracing us with their esteemed presence! Not sure what to think of Derby, the local team here. How will the much vaunted Clement cope with Russell, Martin etc rather than Ronaldo? Bent’s a waste if space and Ince is chasing the money. Def not examples of what I was proposing!
This is a great read about the legend. This was my first World Cup I was interested in. Brilliant to read the big mans account
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2015/07/04/bully-recalls-italia-90-some-25-years-on/
And we all know/strongly suspect why Bully never got on against the Germans, allegedly sticking one on lineker (lower case used deliberately) and since little crispy boy was the so called golden child, he went crying to Robson, throwing all his toys out of the pram on the way, and got Bully blacklisted.
I asked the great man point blank about this, when I had the rare honour of spending a day with him, and he neither confirmed nor denied it.
Food for thought.
And more food for thought, how “loyal” was lineker?
He changed clubs more often than Tiger Woods.
Little prick.
Your blunt and to the point responses never fail to make me smile. Had bully been put on the pitch I think he would have stroked his penalty home with ease. Who knows what could have happened.
Had Bully been put on the pitch with at least 30 minutes to go, i.e. extra time, there would have been no need for penalties, he would have steamrollered his way through the German defence at least twice, scoring two Bullyrockets in the process, thus ensuring our place in the final.
Gazza would NOT have been booked so would have played alongside Sir Stephen (who would have been knighted before the final for his exploits in the semi ) and formed a lethal, double hat trick scoring partnership up front, thus erasing the memory of Geoff Hurst’s hat trick a million years before, and England would have won by a minimum of 6 – 0, thus becoming the best team in world history, and repeating 4 years later in wherever it was.
So there.
See what that little tosser lineker is responsible for?
That’s why I ‘ll never watch match of the day.
Or buy Walkers crisps.
Too bloody right Clive, pissing Lineacre as Mick Channon used to call him. Miserable overrated little twonk with all the personality of a stale pork pie, God only knows, as the Beach Boys once sang, how he got on TV. And as for his stupid little goatee, the smug look on his pug ugly mush and his horrible wife with plastic cheeks, trout pout lips and miserable sullen expression all the time well! I agree that if Bully had been brought on at the start of extra time we’d have won as them Germans wouldn’t have had a clue how to stop him. One of my fondest memories was going to the homecoming at Luton Airport and Bully waved at me and my 6 year old daughter who was on my shoulders in a Wolves shirt. 25 years ago? Impossible!
Our number one priority now must be a striker. I’d prefer a good young ‘un on loan from a Money League club rather than some journeyman like Adam Le Fondre whose name has been mentioned. Or maybe some amazing striker from Holland or Belgium or wherever that we’ve never heard of but who turns out to be brilliant.
Interesting squad for the training camp in France. A few youngsters – Hayden, Weeks, Ronan, Deslandes and the fantasticly named striker Bright Enobakhare – included with the squad but notable omissions include: Razak Boukari, Jack Price, Lee Evans and George Saville. Don’t know if any are injured – Boukari almost certainly is! – or whether we can read anything into this. Also excluded is Jordan Graham.
Very surprised with the Jordan Fraham omission, as with Conor Hunte. But the report says, “some are being ommitted to look after injuries and Kenny will explain his selection tomorrow”.
Keep a beedy eye on the Kid – Conor Ronan, they love him at Molineux.
🙂
Ah, didn’t see that bit about injuries and KJ in the report I read.
Word is Sammy Ameobi to choose between us and Cardiff in next few days with us as favourites.
Yeah good luck george elokobi. Fuckin 100%.slightly bonkers. Heart like a lion. Always have a warm welcome in wolvo. No doubt. 5 wiks to blackburn away. Bit of a shithole but a few boozers in town centre friendly enough. Starting to get the itch but an Ashes battle commences nxt wik so some excitement to come. Lets do a bit of aussie bashing in the meantime.GOD SAVE YOUR QUEEN !!
Had a look at the odds for the championship it looks like it could be very tight again. Considering what Kenny has achieved and what a ‘well run club’ we are still seem to be going a little under the radar no bad thing perhaps. Derby and the relegated clubs fancied. Brentford and Watford shorter odds than us Bristol not far behind ! Its a tough division some of these clubs could easily find themselves off the pace. With the stability we have achieved expect us to be right up there.
Col – I’m not putting any money on Watford no matter what the odds!
I got 12-1 on us to go up as Champions several weeks ago by the way.
Yes i reckon thats good value Bedford. One or two clubs that finished mid table might come stronger next season.
Yeah, but how much did you actually bet????
£18.77 of course.
We all want Wolves to go up to the Money League of course but, as has been mentioned on here before, what would we, or rather Morgan and Moxey, do if we do? Have been looking at Bournemouth’s transfer dealings -of course they bought Wilson for £3m last Summer – and when you think they have paid £8m for Tyrone Mings, have brought in Sylvain Distin on what won’t be small wages and are now reportedly bidding £14m for Charlie Austin and all on gates of about 11,000 it makes you think eh?
Got your e-mail mate thanks. Look forward to meeting up when we can. Will reply later this week.
Looks like “The Price is right”
I might not be the brightest button in the button box or the sharpest knife in the cutlery drawer (shut up Clive) but I really cannot for the life of me see why Fulham are continuing their pursuit of McDonald.
Why in the name of ……….. (insert your preferred deity here) would we sell our most creative midfield player to a team which is most likely going to be fighting it out with us for promotion to the mythical land that is paved with gold and where strange people dressed in blue and white try to pretend that they are any bloody good at playing football?
It just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Can you imagine what would happen to the house building, pie eating pair if Kevin supplied the defence splitting pass for the goal that won Fulham the play off final against our boys next May?
The London lads must be mad. We would never agree to it in a month of Sundays.
Would we.
…Would we?
No we wouldn’t. But ………………. I question whether Moxey is “one of us”. If he goes, then he will lose all my respect ……. wait ……. he already has.
I am sure Kenny will not let Moxey let K Mac leave. I am expecting his contract to be renewed very soon, along with Afobe’s.
If they sell my main man, I’m feckin orf. I’ll do a Forrest Gump and just keep cycling past John O’Scroats, down to Dover and tour the feckin Globe.
My next challenge is cycle one side of the US to the other so if they sell him I’m just gonna keep going and say feck the lot of em.
Why would anyone consider Fulham???? There’s a cottage standing on the corner post, what a bunch of plonkers Rodney.
🙂
FOF
I think many fans would feel the same about M&M should they cash in on KMac. It’s unthinkable unless a Prem team splashed the cash.That’s why it won’t happen.
I would imagine the poisonous atmosphere that pervaded the stands after the Solbakken/Saunders relegation is still fresh in M&M’s minds, and the masses of golden smiles since KJ took the reins must be like a massive breath of fresh air.
Losing Sako and KMac, two of our best and most popular players, in the same window risks a return to the old rancour, at least until their replacements have proved their worth.
McDonald contract to Fulham?
Tony Soprano type contract to greasel/bob the builder.
Say no more.
Just read McDonald saying he’s been offered a new deal but nowhere near good enough, almost derisory and doesnt feel wanted so maybe his future lies elsewhere. Might be posturing and all part of the negotiation process of course but worrying nevertheless!
KMac on Sky:
“Coming into the last year of my contract just now, Wolves offered me a contract which didn’t really indicate to me they wanted to keep me, it was just like a basic increase, it wasn’t like they were pushing to keep me, fighting to keep me, that’s the way it felt. That’s gone now. We said we wouldn’t be signing that contract. Negotiations are hopefully going to be ongoing”.
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/781529409?-300:786:0
No doubt to outsiders like Fulham to see a major influx of new players overloading the midfield it raised a question that El Maestro might not be safe..
I said before he must of been uneasy and he played some really shit games last season..(but he carried a knock for a while too)
We’ve all raised our eyebrows here and KJ will have to re configure yet again and reestablish regulars..
K Mac has brilliant passing touches but with Wallace (and) Coady the middle will have a totally different style so I wondered if his agent made a phone call..
As far as team style and play tactics,
…team choice..we are potentially unstable and in some areas we will have players queuing up to play..
How does Price fit in now ? Permanent bench sub?..then there is Edwards….
Midfield Wanderers…
Steve, very interesting mate. I am surprised at what K Mac said. Surely we should be keeping him, but to offer him a contract that in his mind was verging on being derisive, then all it tells him is that he is no longer key to our future. Hmmmmmmmm, very interesting. Only time will tell.
Come on Wolves, let’s not start pissing players off. Tell them as it is – if you want them then offer them a worthwhile contract, if you don’t want them then tell them they are not part of the future plans. Moral courage is needed here. Let’s not pussyfoot around.
The KMac Sky interview is a worry.
When a player perceives he is not valued by a club, it’s usually not long before they’re on their bike.
I would be interested to know exactly what input KJ has in new contract discussions.
As a consumnate man-manager he would know, more than anyone, that some players need to feel loved all the time. And I would guess that the sensitive Scot (I didn’t think there was such a thing – sorry StuWolf) is one of those players.
On the bright side, losing Samiamiamiobi to Cardiff doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Here’s the full piece, I’m not happy.
Must be Grupmy then!
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11699/9905440?
I am not sure how I should take this news…
On one hand, I agree we should be keeping our best play blah de blah de blah…
… but then I think of why he thinks a “basic increase” is an insult.
I am amongst a lucky few the last few years that have been getting an average 2% raise and i’m grateful (but not over the moon) with the increase. I would love to know what this basic increase was? Was it a 5% or 10% hike. Did he get a pay increase when we achieved promotion?
If he’s on a 3rd division contract and wants a second division pay then I accept his out-pourings to the press (sort of). But if he has been offered a 10% increase and wants 30% or 50% and trying to go beyond the pay structure then this is unfair of the mac… as much he is revered by us. Some of his compatriots have recently renewed contracts… I bet Pricey is not on anywhere near the same as the Mac has been offered and I expect Dicko is on more as that is usual for a striker. I would anticipate that he has been offered a contract somewhere between those two.
Whether its a fair offer is something that only he and the club will know… If its penny pinching by the club then “poor show”, if its sheer gluttony by the Mac then I’m at a loss for words. Going to the press is not how these dealings should be done… keep it private as it only evokes frustration at the club or player.
I honestly made the last comment before seeing the Sky interview ..it was obvious to me that he would be uneasy merely by the fact that we seem to be pouring new blokes
into the midfield.
K Mac on his day(and Stu.. he hadn’t had his real day again since the previous league ) can be a beckenbower but for all the regular fans last season comments from the fans ‘what happend to Mc Donald then’
Indicated that he was inconcistant and had some poor games..
Ok KJ played him too deep by him having to defend often and as we know he’s best going forward..
If we are mercenary and accept that we need a better consistant standard for eventually the PL then perhaps with the new players coming in the writing was def on the wall that he was going to be miffed..I thought so..
Are we approaching the new standard by going up a gear ?
I think it’s the Scottish mist..he must be proper pissed off….
If Boukari fails to get himself fit and is not yet able to sprint flat out, then I also see him being sidelined, loaned out again or moved on. Personally, and I must add that I am not party to what is happening within, I feel that he has had the time and the opportunity to make himself available, fitness wise, and has failed to do so. If that is indeed the case, I believe that is one less player that we can rely on. With Evans probably going out on loan too, I understand why we are concentrating on supplementing our midfield. it is not going to be overloaded after all.
200th post. Well it might be if someone has not beat me to it.
We can only guess what goes on behind the scenes. My main hope is that events are being driven by what KJ see’s as the future of the team and the players HE wants to fill the necessary roles. Not by some short-sighted penny-pinching by the Mox or some greedy agent sowing discontent to line his own pocket.
Are we really gearing up for a serious challenge ? Every target who is wanted by somebody else seems to go somewhere else. Mac gets offered a bit of a rise on his Div 1 contract. Lets get realistic if you dont back this manager and invest in this team while they have a chance you will eventually have to start all over again anyway.
As another supposed target – we don’t really know what’s going on of course and a lot could be all paper talk generated by agents – goes elsewhere it make you wonder if we are doing something badly wrong in terms of negotiating contracts, ‘selling’ the club or paying the ‘going rate’. Chris Wood (who I didn’t want) didn’t fancy us and chose the long-running farce that is Leeds United. Now we hear that Sammi Ameobi (who I did want) has chosen Cardiff over us – again assuming that we DID want him in the first place. Now there is some young Belgian striker at Everton who we are supposedly after but are lagging behind the likes of Leeds, Fulham and Bolton in the race. I just hope that most of this was rubbish speculation and we didn’t actually want any of them because if not then it does make you wonder why players would choose teams like Leeds and Cardiff over us.
p.s. poor deluded me is hoping that we never wanted Sammi Ameobi at all because it is us who have now had three bids of up to £3m rejected by Hull for Robbie Brady (a player Mick McCarthy was after when he was still on Man Utd’s books).
p.p.s. Jamie O’Hara has signed for Fulham which make me (a) laugh out loud, what a plonker and (b) happy as that means McDonald won’t be going there now.
Is the case Wolves want to cash in on McCa to recoup some or all of the money paid out on the lad from Huddersfield .
I know one thing Wolves are getting a reputation as tight arses in the games having a well run club is one thing but penny pinching on your best employees what ever the business only leads to them leaving. I think they all deserve a decent pay rise 2 years ago we were looking at the posibliaty of League Two football someone needs to jog Moxey and Morgans memory.
Despite our love of McDonald, I am going to throw the proverbial pussy amongst the pigeons by pointing out one comment supposedly attributed to the lad, where he says “Fulham is a huge club”
My research tells me different.
All they have ever won is The Inter Toto Cup, in 2002.
I suppose compared to our several FA Cup, League Cup and First Division titles, the Inter Toto Cup IS huge.
Someone needs to point out to K Mac that Fulham finished 17th last season, and were lucky not to drop down a division. If he goes there, and they play as well as they did last season, then his “much better offer” will probably be halved at the end of the season, he will be a year older, nowhere near as marketable, and also nowhere near the Prem.
Also, if KJ deems him surplus to requirements, and based on the poor performances he sometimes turned in last campaign, he may well be, I have no problem with that, as I think we could all get sunburned if we sat under Kenny’s bottom!!
As I’ve stated before, if Kenny Jackett is behind all the dealings playerwise, then he has good reasons and I trust his instincts.
The guy hasn’t let us down thus far.
I am looking forward to the continuation of this journey.
And no, I aint greasel in disguise!!
FOwb
I know what your saying Clive I agree, McDonald has handled this well and if he goes then life will go on. But he along with most of the current squad dragged us back from a return to the early 80’s.
My main point is Wolves reputation amongst the football community and what potenial signing think it that the board won’t pay the going rate, I’m not talking over the odds either so they naturally go to the club that will be they Inter toe toe cup winners and huge in Fulham.
Should read McDonald hasn’t handled this well.
Clive has got his happy clapper hat on hoora.
I dont have to do any research to know ‘Fulham is a huge club’ is bollocks. The guy has obviously got huge gambling debts (Mr Mcdonald not our man from Huston).
The heat and humidity over here has fried the few remaining brain cells I have, and I am beginning to sound, as you say, like a clappy happer!
Smack in face to self.
Come on you blues!
No, fuck, now I’m screwed.
Need a vacation, off to Northern pasture tomorrow for much needed r & r
Dont put yourself down Clive didnt realise the Cottage people finished so low i knew they were shite but….apparently though they beat off Barnet to sign Ms Lloyds ex.
Dont like to point this out but your not spelling Huston right. .
Sorry, forgot for a mo that I’m frum Wolveramptun, where there is no h in the langwidge.
Signed, Cloive frum Oustun.
Take a look at this cheeky Twot, thinks he supports a real football club.
I think he read my previous blog about his second rate team from a Shite ground.
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=404911
This is a really interesting one. No doubt like Paul says Mcdonald has not handled this well and like Clive (post McCarthy new age happy clapper) says he may not be missed. But along with not successfully competeing with our rivals for acquisitions it could prove a crucial testing point for our strategy. If we go on and win promotion brilliant if we dont it looks like we have been playing with the manager and toying with the fans.
Really don’t understand what’s going on down the Molineux these days..
First we openly let Sako leave without any fight to keep him
Second we don’t Replace him… Have not and will not.. (we will miss him)
Third We are openly admitting we cannot keep a player like K Mac and will let him go to a club below us ..
Promotion seems to slipping away before we have kicked a ball..
Still the good news is everyone gets a fresh start. except two of our star players..so all the players who weren’t good enough to clinch Promotion last season will be given another chance
I’m loving the approach… Sako the only player in the squad good enough for the greed league, do you think we would resign him if we did manage to get up..
Time for Big Sam me thinks… Hope I’m proved wrong..
This McDonald stuff is blighting the pre season and insinuates our PR and player relations is crap..
We are getting a Club reputation for being skin flints poor administrators and inept at dealing with contracts..
The K Mac situation is confusing for people (and clubs like Fulham) looking in which suggests a proper club statement is needed from Moxey particularly as KJ s comments are often not believed to be official.
KJ is almost forced to either play 433 (or at least 3 in the middle) Wallace Coady and K Mac or start with it or alternatively let K Mac go..
My take was that KJ was going to see if they can all play together or more so see if Mc Donald responds to a new regime then makes sure of his contact..
This obviously starts an air of uncertainty which is in full flow now..
Counter productive, pysicologically bad for K Mac ..plus throw in Prices new contract just for good measure..
Ie: overall we apparently we want our cake and eat it..
Bad management and it’s all going to end in tears.
Incidentally Nige it wouldn’t take Einstein to see that if KJ was not in favour big Sam would be with us.
Can you imagine him being told what to do with his team lol.
The first thing he would do for this season would of been BUYING IN A DEFENDER so we could stop conceding!!!! ( sorry folks)
No he wouldn’t Steve. He wouldn’t because he would not come to us as Moxey and Morgan would not want someone who did not say yes.
If however he did come to us (and I hope not as I am happy with KJ), his prirority would be to buy a striker so we score more goals thus reducing our Goal Difference (sorry mate – you brought it up again).
Round 2
Quick off the draw Brompton..so you would rather us have to score 2 or 3 goals in case we give 1 or 2 away then..
You don’t like winning 1-0?
Sorry Steve I am with Brompton 100% on this debate. Would I rather we score 2 or 3 in case we give 1 or 2 away? Hell yes. Winning 3-2 instead of 1-0? Sure why not as long as we win. It worked a treat for us back in 2008/09 when our defence wasn’t great but we could score goals for fun with Sausage Egg & Bacon, Iwelumo, Kightly and Jarvis. It is also what Watford and Bournemouth did last season – admittedly Bournemouth were aided by being awarded about 6 million penalties as well – and it worked ok for them. It is THE way to get out of this division, outscore the opposition.
Steve, mate. When I get back to my office with all my stats, I will post something on here. In essence, we are talking the same thing really, as scoring 2 more goals or conceding 2 less goals amounts to the same in goal difference terms. But as I said, let me get back to my office and I will post something on here that may (or may not) be of interest.
I love this debate.
My flag is on the Showcase mast.
It’s not the fact we’re conceding goals, every team has to sometime. It’s the manner in which we are doing it, stupid schoolboy errors and playground defending. We (SS and me) are looking for a quality defender in there to hold the nerve of Batth and Stears. Passion grit and determination are all well and good and exciting to watch, but poorly timed tackles and blatant out of position defending leads to a flood of goals.
“That November” when we lost Golbourne to his foot injury, the very person who was winning the ball and setting off on a run and taking the players away from our defence was suddenly gone, the floodgates opened and we were thrown into disarray, then KJ spotted Iorfa and Hause and we again settled down but the damage to Batth’s confidence was done and laid bare for all to see.
All we’re asking is for a strong holding character (a Ricketts) to come in and seal this defence up so the guys can push forward.
An old army saying, “Whilst we’re marching we’re not fighting” come on guys it makes sense. We’re scoring goals for fun now, and there’s lads fighting for places, it’s not so desperate as last November.
I must say though I am a little happier now that we have Conor Coady who is supposed to be a more defensive midfielder. Better move I would say.
Right then I’m gonna eat my Snickers I get right angry when I’m hungry.
To be cont’d….. No doubt
Stu,
The initial debate was not whether we need another defender mate, it was a debate about the goals conceded being the factor of us not gaining promotion. My argument was opposed to that as I felt (feel) that it was the lack of goals we scored that stopped us. I do believe we could do with another defender, but my priority would be to get a striker in first. Obviously it would be great to get both at the same time – but I can’t see that happening.
Oh, and yes, “That November” – where was Dicko? We certainly leaked goals then, but where was the striker to score? If you don’t score, you don’t win. If you concede you don’t necessarily lose.
Right then, this is my final post on the “Defender or Striker?” debate.
Three points: Champions, 2nd Spot and Play offs.
Our final stats were: scored 70 conceded 56, goal difference 14
Play offs: Ipwich scored 2 more and conceded 2 less than us, so to secure a play off spot we needed to score 3 more and concede 2 less (or score 2 more and concede 3 less)
2nd Spot: Watford scored 21 more and conceded 6 less than us, so we needed to score 22 more goals and concede 6 less (to concede 22 less (thereby reducing our conceded total to 34) is unrealstic as all three teams promoted conceded 45, 50 and 48 respectively)
Champions: Bournemouth scored 28 more and conceded 11 less than us, so we needed to score 29 more goals and concede 11 less.
When you also take into consideration that we attained 18 clean sheets throughout the season (14 wins and 4 draws), I don’t believe that many teams would have done much better on that front (I have not been able to check their clean sheet record though)
So, in essence, as can be seen, to concede less would certainly have helped our cause whether it be to get in the play offs or gain automatic promotion, but it is blatantly obvious that we would have to have scored significantly more goals to gain automatic promotion. I never said that we did not need another defender, I did say however, that it was not as big a priority as getting another striker. After all, as can be seen by the above facts, we needed to score a hell of a lot more goals to get automatic promotion, and not so many more either for or against to get in the play offs.
Anyway. We are where we are and I am quite proud, in fact very proud of what we have achieved and look forward to August.