With two summer signings already in the bag and the inevitability of further arrivals in the coming months, the next two names on the outgoing list appear to be Andrew Surman and Andy Keogh.
Following Chris Iwelumo’s departure last week, it looks as if some other fringe players could well be heading for the exit and there’s a quote circulating from Mick McCarthy, which reads:
“Andy Keogh started the season, then got injured and wasn’t in the team. He does not want to be third or fourth choice, none of them do but that’s how it can end up.
“Andrew Surman is a good player, he had a couple of games then didn’t get his chance. He doesn’t want to be third or fourth choice.
“If that’s going to be the case they might want to move on. There are players who have helped us, but it comes to a natural progression that they will move on.”
I wouldn’t imagine Mick would spit out something like that if those two players weren’t available for transfer or even on the cusp of signing for someone else.
If both are moving on to pastures new, it shouldn’t really come as a great surprise.
Surman barely had a kick last season and when he was given a chance, he did very little to show he was up the job of competing in the Premiership. He’s certainly not a bad player, but he’s not ready for the top tier just yet. So if he is sold, I won’t be distraught to see him leave.
Keogh has been a great servant to Wolves, regardless of anyone’s personal opinion of him. Consider where we were when he signed for us and look at where we are now. He played a big part in that success, which should always be remembered.
His laughable profligacy in front of goal will always hold him back from becoming a top striker, but he’d be a useful asset to any team in the Championship.
Barnsley are reportedly lining up a move for him, so it will be interesting to see if that comes off. I can’t imagine they’ll be the only team interested as I know a lot of other managers rate him highly, despite his obvious flaws.
If Keogh does leave, Mick will have five senior strikers left on the books: SEB, Doyle, Fletcher, Vokes and of course, The Hoff.
The giraffe could very well stick around, simply because I can’t think of anyone who might consider taking him off our hands, unless we give him away for practically nothing. In an ideal world, he’d be sold, Vokes would be loaned out and we’d recruit another forward with a proven goalscoring record.
I’d be interested to know who else you think might leave over the summer, particularly if you’ve got a hunch about a shock-departure?
Keogh would be first on my list to gooooooooooo pls…
MM is right – professional footballers want to play, and MM has never had a real cull. I mean losing Collins and Elliot wasn`t so painful or a real surprise. Keogh, well willing workhorse, but couldn`t score in a brothel, although I`ll never forget the winner at Derby, for that goal alone he derves a decent move. Surman – well didn`t even flatter to deceive but we need experience and lets hope we get our fee back.
Better evolution than revolution, the club is going in the right direction, players come and go, pity Ward isn`t going too!!
I’d want to keep Vokes around, think last season in his few appearances he showed he’s a real force to be reckoned with in the air and i think he’d really useful to throw on at the end of a game we’re chasing. He wouldn’t be any burden on the squad rules either as he wouldn’t need to be registered at his age, I’d like to see the Hoff leave and then i’d only sell keogh if we got a replacement in, i’d like us to have 4 registered forwards and Vokes.
Well worth a look at this – ends arguments with most fans about who has the best club…
http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/all-time-table
I’d agree it is time for Keogh to move on. Surman is more interesting – I thought he, like Vokes was one for the future. I agree with Mark – loan Vokes out again and bring him back.
I think we need a good target man striker – that might still be Hoff, although I doubt it – and I’m note sure Vokes is quite ready to shoulder that burden.
The time has come for Keogh to move on, but unlike most fans, i’m not bitter towards him, quite the opposite actually. Provided some great memories (Derby, Wigan) and him and Kightly were on fire in 07. Got far too much criticism for things that weren’t always his fault.
Surman is quite surprising, Mick obviously feels he’ll never be up to Prem standard, not any time soon anyway. It shows the need to buy quality rather than quantity this summer. If they’re not going to play, don’t bother. Pleased to see an improvement so far with Van Damme and Fletcher
Ward, please, please plesae, pretty please with sugar on top, please.
And Berra.
And Hoff.
And Ward.
And Halford.
Did I mention Ward, please?
We are gonna sign Torres, you mark my words, and Gerrard.
And, Rooney has a soft spot for us, as well.
Just as long as we don’t go for Drogba, that ugly bastard. But, Thomas is going to break his arm and stuff so he’ll be no good next year…right Thomas???
FOWB
What about Ronaldo? He once spent a family holiday at the Penn Cottage and has loved the city ever since.
I hear Messi has also expressed his love for West Park as a superior alternative to Park Guell by Antoni Gaudi!
Robbie Keane must surely have supported us as a kid too – he has more boyhood clubs than a catholic priest!
Now you are being silly, Ronaldo and Messi play in Spain, where even Ward would look good. They are vastly over rated, I would prefer to keep Hoff and Halford!!!!!!
FOWB
Halford, Keogh, Ward , Surman and Hoff must go… and I wouldn’t be surprised if we let Blake go if the money was right
Jesus, looks like one MM love child will be on his way. Bye, bye Keogh – thanks for the two goals against Derby and the one away to Wigan! (and that’s about all really!)
I see Blackpool are being linked with SEB – dont think we should be loaning/selling players to any teams we will be battling with in the lower parts of the premier league. Doubt SEB would fancy playing in front of an average home crowd of 8000 – getting tonked week in week out!
Why was he a ‘love child’ though? Because he worked hard and had a good attitude, much like Ward. Those are the credentials for Mick even if they aren’t the most technically gifted. That’s why Bothroyd, Eastwood, Elliot et al never stuck around.
Keogh was much better than two goals, and deserves better than Barnsley imo
And i can’t see us flogging SEB. If we get rid of Keogh, we’ll be looking to bring in another striker as it is
IMO strikers have to score goals – Keogh didn’t do enough of this in the championship to make me think he could ever hack it in the Prem.
I cant remember who we were playing now, but in our promotion season he had an open goal but those to pass sideways and the chance was lost. That was the end of him in my eyes – strikers have to be selfish and want to score goals, if you havent got the guts to shoot at an open goal you’ll never make it.
He’s a ‘love child’ like Ward as MM seemed intent on playing him in any position just to keep him in the team. Right wing Keogh?? he has no pace and no tricks he’ll never make a winger as long as he has a hole in his @rse. I noticed that the Hof (who is also sh*te) made the point of him coming back into the first team after injury without playing in the reserves etc
I remember MM telling everyone to get off his back when the fans were groaning about how bad he was. Does this decision vindicate that actually they were right and he was never good enough? Funny how he was never seen again after he cost us a point at Arsenal by shooting from half way (when Doyle or any decent player would have headed for the corner)
I think Barnsley is about his level – I hope he does well for them! Proudlock, that other 50p-head that gave the sshh sign to the south bank type of player – flashes of promise never amounting to much!
The notion of Keogh being a grafter is OTT. With his shaggy hair and running style he looks like he’s working harder than he actually is. Conversely players who seem to glide across the pitch are always looked upon as lazier. He isn’t good enough for a top Championship side. A mid table side like Barnsley would be about his level IMO.
Proudlock’s non league now with Grimsby isn’t he. Ha ha.
Ha,ha,ha – Proudlock – I remember when he was the future!
What’s the name of the 50p-head that gave the ssshhhh! sign to the south bank! It’s really bugging me now. He went to Sheffield Wednesday I think.
Leon Clarke. I remember when he was the future…
I remember when John Teasdale, Billy Livingstone, and Paul Butler (winger not centre half) were the future too
Thanks Rich – Leon Clarke – it’s been doing my head in all night trying to remember that nob-heads name!
The futures bright – the futures the Hof!
Ryan Green was the future too!
Stephen Elliot stuck it to the north bank after scoring for Preston during our promotion season. The happy clappers claimed it clearly demonstrated he was good enough but was a victim of the boo boys. Not quite. He was last seen being outclassed in league 1.
Another turf bites the dust. Onwards and upwards.
Turd i meant. A turd.
Funny how things move on – I cant even remember what Elliot looks like now (and couldn’t even remember Leon Clarkes name!).
We’ve had some real bums at the Wolves!
I remember thinking the Roussell / Proudlock partnership was the best thing in the league. I honestly remember going to watch us away at Sheffield Utd thinking that we had a pairing to completely shit them up. What a clown!
In the meantime, I have just posted my first blog for the Ivory Coast!
Feel free to have a look and leave a comment or two – I’m back on Wolves blog duties now!
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/football/worldcupivorycoast/196/has-sven-learnt-his-lesson/
Great article Ben, I’d never heard those possession stats before. It certainly helps you make a strong case for just why England were so frustratingly poor at times under Sven.
Beginning your first article with that opening statement was an interesting choice, and I see from the first comment its already getting a response!
Cheers Andrew. Very good of you! I think I know who left the first comment too. The joker. Just got to think of some interesting Wolves discussion points now. All gone a bit quiet again!
Methinks another person needs a life!!!!
Are you getting paid for all that work?
If not, you aint your Dad’s son!!!!!
What about the stat of Prem/First division points from the dawn of time, Wolves are fourth on the all time list, with Villa, Chelsea et al way below, as in no where.
That is an interesting and relevent statisticusium.
FOWB
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.