At the end of January Mick McCarthy will name the 25 players he’s banking on to secure our Premier League status for another season.
And whilst he’s publicly batted away the urgency for reinforcements, stating ‘I’m happy to go with the lads I’ve got’, it’s clear we’re short on numbers.
For the last handful of games, we’ve named academy players on the bench, which is far from ideal, given that we’re scrapping for our lives at the bottom of the table.
By my count, we’ll again have just 16 senior players (including Carl Ikeme) from the original 25 man squad fit and available for selection at Man City on Saturday.
And whilst some of the wounded will hopefully return to swell the ranks in coming weeks, there are a few of things Mick has to figure out.
Here’s the current squad:
Marcus Hahnemann
Wayne Hennessey
Carl Ikeme
Kevin Foley
Ronald Zubar
Richard Stearman
Jody Craddock
Christophe Berra
Steven Mouyokolo
George Elokobi
Stephen Ward
Jelle Van Damme
Karl Henry
David Jones
Michael Mancienne (on loan from Chelsea)
Dave Edwards
Greg Halford
Nenad Milijas
Adlene Guedioura
Matt Jarvis
Stephen Hunt
Kevin Doyle
Steven Fletcher
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Marcus Bent (on loan from Birmingham)
Exit door
Those crossed out we can assume have played their last game for Wolves, so already we’re 3 players light who need replacing in the 25.
It’s also been suggested that Mancienne could remain with Chelsea for the rest of the season as they look to strengthen the depth of their squad in January.
Jones seems to be out of favour at the moment and with his contract up at the end of the season, might Wolves be tempted to cash-in and replace him in the squad?
Treatment table
Adlene Guedioura is definitely ruled out for at least the next two months, recovering from a broken leg. Can we afford to name him in the squad, knowing full well there’s a chance he might not even play another game this season?
Michael Kightly has had operations on both his legs as he continues to battle his way back from injury-hell. Mick has already said he could be named in the squad, as there ‘might be a place going spare’. I don’t know about you, but that kind of rationale doesn’t fill me with optimism.
What we need
A minimum of three players in my opinion.
Of the eight defenders we have in the squad, two (Ward and Foley) have been plying their trade elsewhere on the pitch, with another two (Craddock and Mouyokolo) suffering with injuries that have kept them out for much of the season. With a defence that’s struggled for cleansheets (until recently at least) I think we need a left-back and center-half.
Possible targets: Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), David Wheater (Middlesbrough), Curtis Davies (Aston Villa)
We also need a midfielder with Halford and van Damme not in the 25 and Guedioura sitting out the majority of the action. It’s a shame the deal for Sidwell went down the toilet because for me, he would have been the perfect addition. Who else can we realistically attract?
Possible targets: Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Niko Kranjcar (Spurs), Adam Hammill (Barnsley)
If I’m being greedy, I’d also like a forward but with Stephen Ward now seemingly converted back, I can’t see that happening.
Strength and balance is what we need come February 1st and I’m just hoping that’s what’s delivered.
The only people we’ll sign will be signed with 2 mins to spare on deadline day and will be the proverbial ‘panic’ buys.
This time of year is all about how much money Fat Jez can save. We will fail to sign any realistic targets because of his penny pinching and then he’ll panic and waste money on Marcus Bent types!
What a wonderful opportunity to play in our development players into the team, then. And how lucky we are to have such good post academy players in the club.
* Gorman – strong midfielder playing for the Northern Ireland national team
* Batth – central defender who has already played in the league cup and was terrific according to the manager
* Davis – wingman who has played many games in league one.
* Winnall – striker who puts them in the net regularly in the Reserves
Crisis? What Crisis? UTV!
Be careful when our manager says someone has been terrific! Apparently Stephen Ward has been terrific all season!
Sorry paddy, but if he’s not prepared to pick the youngsters in the fa cup there’s no chance of them getting game time in the premiership. Unless of course there’s nobody else left, which could become a possibility with a squad of 22 including a cluster on injured players.
can’t wait for Winnall to get a game!!!
I know nothing about the young lads and it’s not a huge issue but I do find it slightly odd how Mick said there was no way he would bring them on when 3-0 down at Blackburn and obviously wasn’t going to bring them on when holding onto a lead… or losing to West Ham or Wigan it seems. You wonder what’s the point even putting these kids on bench. Maybe they’ll feature in Donny replay.
Wheater and Hammill would be great additions. And one classy striker.
Craddock and Karl Henry are back in training, so we got some reinforcements on their way,
and Vokes returns from Bristol City, giving us more alternatives.
To include academy players sounds like a good idea. If I should include players from the academy, it would be Winnall, Ismael and Batth.
Note: I don’t like the 25 squad limit. It should be increased to 28 players. The rules today makes it difficult for young prospects to be involved in the first team. It would gain english football to do so.
Yep – Wheater and Hammill for me too.
It is pie in the sky to expect the kids to step up to the mark at Prem level. Some of them struggled when sent on loan to lower league clubs,Ikeme was third choice at Leicester, and Batth was on the bench at the Blades.We need quality players who can make an immediate impact.The comments from Jed are brutal,but I am afraid that is probably what we will end up with.
Jamie o hara, only 24,fit again , joey Ledford on loan because no one can afford his wages.
We’d stay up then Jez
O’hara would also bring the joys of Danielle Lloyd to our club!
Great player, but not sure we could gamble on his fitness – dont want another Hunt situation where we will have to wait for him to regain his best form.
I said Lescott, spell check!
Great article Thomas!!!!
Would love Warnock, I think he’d make a massive difference. Good defender and comfortable on the ball.
We could do with another winger, Hammil and a centre half is an absolute must. Apparently we cant afford Davies though.
I can’t see us getting any of these players. Mick’s we’ll go with what we’ve got is frankly bewildering.
Is the ‘We’ll go with what we’ve got” just the company line MM has been told to go with?
New stadiums dont come cheap!
I’m very sorry to say that many here are getting it wrong. The Development and Academy players can play in the first team although they are not in the 25 squad. Easy to see as Matt Doherty is not in the 25 and he played in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Most people understand the squad rule fella, the point is that in the predicament we are in we don’t want to rely on academy players to help us to safety. Once we are safe (if we ever are) then that’s the time to blood the academy boys.
I’d like to see Zele Ismail given a chance. We are being linked with new wingers from Chapionship teams when we are supposed to have one of the best young talents in the world at our club.
Can anyone explain this to me? It seems nonsensical.
I have only seen Youtube footage of the kid, but he looks the business and is already older than Rooney was when he made his debut. MM has never even put him on the bench – numpty.
Hahnemann, Craddock and Jones are the players I know who are out of contract next season. Are there any others?
Is Kranjcar seriously a possible signing? From what I’ve seen of him he’s a great player…and when I think about it he hasn’t turned out too often for Spurs lately as far as I can remember. Not sure if you’re mentioning him optimistically Tom, but I’d be over the moon to see him at Molineux
No chance! His skill levels and ability to shoot from distance would not fit in with McCarthy’s requirement of being able to ‘put in a shift’. For this reason… “Please welcome to the molineux pitch our new signing, Michael Brown.”
Boooooooooooooo!
Also I recall a few people on here mentioning Bentley as a possible loan signing in the last month, is that rumour completely dead in the water now?
I thought he’d had a medical at Blues?
No chance we would make a signing with this amount on ambition!!!
Apparently we are now interested in Michael Brown! NO, NO, NO !!! He’s not a footballer, he’s just a thug! We’ve only just shrugged off the ‘Dirty Wolves’ tag – please Mick don’t sign him. Gary O’Neil of Middlesbrough is a proper footballer and would improve our midfield. Beat Bolton to David Wheater as well and I’d be happy with that. I’d also take a punt on Paul Konchesky at left-back – I think he’s a better player than the Liverpool fans would have you believe – he always impressed me when he was with Charlton.
Disgrace! How old must Brown be now too? – hardly fills you with confidence that we will buy what we need to survive this January. Wouldn’t he just do the job Mancienne can do in midfield?
It would be yet another signing from a relegated team (add to Hunt, Fletcher & Mouyokolo).
Centre half, left back and striker must be the priority surely.
If we are going after old farts, why not go the whole hog and pursue the likes of Beckham and Henry??
At least we would get some Redknap style headlines to brighten the dull days before our coming victory at Maine Road, or wherever those light blue tossers play.
FOMM & SW
I do`nt think centre half is so much of an issue. If Craddock and Myoukolo get fit, and we rotate the others we probably have enough, particularly if Danny Baath gets a go.
However left back is a real problem. At least Big George has the pysicallity and pace to play No3, even if his lack of an academy education means he is woefully short of premiership savvy. On his day he is more than capable, but you never know and neither does George probably, how he is going to perform in any game he plays.
The real problem is Stephen Ward, who is so lacks the pace to play left back, (or anywhere else for that matter), its a wonder we`ve got away with it at all. He was exposed in the championship, and while its not his fault he gets picked, and I`m sure he tries his best, BUT how many goals have we conceeded from the right side because Wardy backs off due to his lack of pace. With the forthcoming games ahead, George missing 3 games is a problem, not only defensively, but if Ward goes to left back, much of the impact Jarvis makes on a game in an attacking framework is lost due to him playing so deep to protect his fullback.
If we only sign one player – let it be a premiership left back please.
this is my first post although i have been following this site for months. i also reveal myself as the chap who daniel heathcote criticised for daring to back the most successfull manager in wolves’ recent history on christmas eve. whisper it quietly i am PRO MICK McCARTHY.
I find the blogs enjoyable and balanced, although it frustrates me when the comments are used to take a cheap a shot at stephen ward and mccarthy’s, ‘dodgy’ transfer policy. did a team of mcccarthy’s signings not just beat liverpool and chelsea?
i think quality and not quantity has to be the key in january.
i think stephen warnock would be an outstanding signing at left back, especially as houllier doesnt seem to fancy him. wheater would also be excellent and would much prefer him to curtis davis
sidwell would also have been ideal, but kranjaer is surely out of our range. liverpool or everton are more likely destinations.
robbie keane would be great too even though we are not short up top simply because he is quality. surely a move to bham would taint his wolves legacy?
finally, i am not sure why there is a cry for these youngsters to be thrown in the mix. i would imagine that if they were better than what we had they would play, but if not it is far better for them to cut their teeth on loan?
Loving that comment mate. I’d happily stick my name on that and claim it as my own.
Make sure it’s the first of many.
Spot on about Keane. I think he’ll end up at west ham, fulham or everton though. Better clubs who can also offer first team football.
Just a minute, Thomas, me boy, West Ham, Fulham and Everton are better clubs than us?
Have you been on the wobbly pop?
Methinks you better retract or justify that comment lest ye shall receive scorn and abuse from above!!
FOMM
Ha! I meant better than Blues Clive.
Although I can see how the confusion arises.
Just to clarify, there are no better clubs in the world than Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In relation to the statement about cheap shots aimed at Stephen Ward – I have 2 points – Stephen Ward was indeed cheap but unfortunately he hasn’t got a shot worth talking about!
Just posted this on the wrong story.
But. Classic transfer window bants.
Mick to fight Jose for Klose
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/wolves-chasing-sensational-deal-bayern-munich-veteran-klose-1377841
A ridiculous rumour but an excellent player.
Totally ridiculous. But if it were true, I would be a very happy Wolves supporter!
Ha, ha, ha Wolverhampton or Madrid? Hhhhhhhhhmmmmm tough one that!
But can he speak Spanish????????????
this rumour encapsulates everything good about January
I would prefer Sean St Ledger to Wheater.
Regarding the kids I wouldn’t hold you breath. It was rammed down my throat on teamtalk about how good Gobern, Little, D.Jones were etc.
1) Without evidence or my mate’s cat saw them in the reserves once.
2) It was obvious Mick wasn’t going to give them a proper run.
Where are they now?
Considering Mick hasn’t brought through a kid in his 5 years here apart from Hennessey, who was playing regular for Wales before us, you do have to wonder whats going to change. It’s even more unlikely to happen now when you consider we’re a league above where we were then.
The kids won’t feature at all. Vokes can’t even get a chance ffs and we paid money for him!
It all goes back to the McCowardly problem, he just doesn’t know a good player when he sees one, and especially not a bad player.
He is pigheaded and stubborn, surrounds himself with yes men and clipboards, and casnnot change or adapt.
That is just not acceptable at this level, with a struggling team.
If the kids are good enough, they MUST be given a chance.
As for Ward, we all know, and it has been repeated ad nauseum, he is not good enough, but it’s not his fault he gets picked.
Yes we beat a poor Liverpool, and had a fabulous victory over Chelsea, but we are still in a relegation fight, andneed to improve if we are to stay up.
As was put on my report card, virtually every term……..
MUST DO BETTER!
Henry, Craddock, Mouyokolo and Vokes all saw action in a friendly today which the Wolves won 1-0. The midweek cup match might actually come at a perfect time to allow these players coming back from injury a game to gain fitness and form at home and against a league team. It also allows Mick to rest a few players that I think will be greatly needed. If we win the cup match next week, 42 days spanning from Dec 26-Feb. 5, Wolves will of play 11 matches, that is a lot for a beat up side fighting for survival.
Also, Halford played in the friendly as well. He improved his value greatly as he was a regular starter for Portsmouth and even had five goals. I wonder if Mick will want to keep him due to our low #s or if Mick sells him.
I’d sell Halford. To me he’s been a bit like Stephen Elliot. A transfer not bad in theory that genuinely could have worked out but didn’t.
I’d sell Halford too, especially if his stock has risen during his loan spell.
If we can sucker someone into giving us the money we paid for him I’ll even drive him to his new club free of charge.
While it’s impossible to know just who we are looking at in the window, I am confused by the statements coming from the press.
1: The E&S says that the Molineux hierarchy thinks Wheater is not value for money, before MM says: “I think you’ll probably find that he’ll end up at Bolton and that will be great business for them.” So Bolton will find good value from him but we won’t?
2. Mick then saying we don’t need a centre back anyway as Mouyokolo and Jody are back. If so, why the links with Wheater, Cuellar, Cutis Davies, Shittu etc etc? (I know that’s paper talk and nothing MM can control, but confusing all the same)
3. The Jelle Van Damme situation. Did he, or did he not spend £2.5m on JVD and the club pay his wages accordingly? If so, there was a need for a L/B in the summer, but seemingly not a priority now, as Mick says he needs Premier experience in the ‘spine of the team.’ Maybe he thinks George’s recent performances are good enough to make the position less of a priority. I might be inclined to agree.
4. If we had wages to pay Robbie Keane last window (irrespective of whether Spurs were willing to contribute), then why are we still setting our bar so low with players like Michael Brown, who wasn’t good enough 10 years ago, and certainly not good enough now to depose Jones, Edwards, Milijas or anyone else. It smacks of Nigel Quashie all over again, who did his best to obliterate our season in one loan deal, despite his ‘Premier experience.’
Who knows what irons are really in the fire, but I am a bit perplexed – and fascinated!! – by it all.
You’re thinking to logically mate. Remember us missing out on Scott Dann? We were willing to pay £5mil for a CB and when it fell through bought nobody else. If it was a £5mil problem to fix surely it needed fixing? (it did and it still bloody does)
Mick McCarthy – we have Stearman, Berra, Craddock and Mouyokolo so I’m not desperate for a centre-half.
Good afternoon Thorndog and welcome to the blog.
I`m sure your comments re taking a cheap shot at Stephen Ward were not directly aimed at my entry before your post, I thought my comments were balanced and reasonable, and concur with almost all other contributors on this site reference that player and his shoehorning in at left back..
The thing is, you say you want quality not quantity, and what a cracking left back Warnock is, and I agree with both comments. But aren`t those two points in themselves damning Ward as a player who lacks the pace and quality to play in the premiership, which is an issue I and so many others have made over the last two seasons on this blog.
Hi Mark, many thanks for the welcome.
I wasnt attacking your post and I am certainly not pioneering ward as a very good left back. I didnt even think he was good in the championship and it is clearly the area of the team that needs desperate upgrading.
I was simply counter-balancing some of the views that we have a team full of ‘dud,’ mcccarthy signings which I dont think is the case. The majourity of his purchases have been good value for money, even if some have taken time to come to the party (milijas, zubar, and hunt). I hope we can soon add fletcher to that list. I think this is often ignored because of the current, ‘wardgate.’
i also heard today andy reid is available from sunderland and think he would be a good (loan?) signing from sunderland and would fit in well if we played five in midfield. always seems good for a goal or an assist. would love to nick carew from albion too. think he could keep us up.
Very well said.
When I click on to the sanitized “We love all things McCarthy and Moxey” site, otherwise known as the official Wolves web site, (and by the way isn’t it a horrible site to navigate?) the headline pops up “Get Wolves player for 17.99.
Does that mean Ward is for sale????????????????
The obvious answer is it’s too expensive!!!!!!!!!
Have a nice day, ‘all
FOMM
Good afternoon Thornedog.
Thanks for your response. I agree with you that MM has had a deal of transfer success, lets hope we have some more in january, and a left back too!. Interesting one about Andy Reid, living in Nottingam and having a forest fanatic daughter in law, she always said Reid was a standout player in the championship. We rarely agree on football matters but about Reid, she is right. I was suprised he was loaned to Sheff Utd, as he ticks all the boxes re premiership experience and undoubted quality. He did have a reputation for enjoying pies and looks a tad lardy, but if he was fit I`d have a punt on a loan for sure.