And so it begins.
The purgatory of pre-season has spluttered into existence for the annual cocktail of inane transfer speculation mingled with insightful pics of the lads frolicking about the training ground.
Kenny is already hard at work stoically trotting out the well rehearsed lines about ‘ building base fitness’ and ‘introducing the footballs’.
Wolves are in pole position for Harry Maguire. Wolves are closing in on Harry Maguire. Hull might be interested in Harry Maguire. Hull are in pole position for Harry Maguire. Wolves might pull out of the race for Harry Maguire.
Meanwhile, I’m in pole position to end it all before we’re even into July.
It’s all part of the fun I suppose, but the mundane, plodding nature of developments is just maddening. I curse you Roy Hodgson for not facilitating a longer interlude.
Now all I can focus on are the daily Maguire journals and endless pearls from Tony Daley about the rigours of getting back to peak physical condition. We get it, you’re a specimen.
If I could just fast-forward through July and achieve these three simple goals, I would gladly enter into a voluntary month long coma:
1. Keep Sako
With the arrival of two wide players, I sense my beloved Bakary could be on his bike. I bombastically proclaimed we’d lose the Sak man in the last two windows though, so maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised for a third time. van La Parra is also more annoying to write. Can we all just agree on RvLP as an accepted abbreviation while we’re on the subject?
2. Get rid of the cling-ons
As I write this very post, the E&S are giddily churning out yet another ‘news bulletin’ about good old Roger and young Jamie being ushered towards the exit door. If we can get them both to sign an agreement that they’re a) paid too much money b) not very good at football and c) guilty of heinous crimes against humanity, will everyone agree to a vow of silence until they make their long awaited escape?
3. Win a few games
Ever since Mick took his troops up to Scotland prior to the Championship winning 2008-9 season and wiped the floor with heavyweights like Kilmarnock and Dundee before returning to Molineux to devour Premier League Blackburn, I’ve been convinced that winning a good portion of the pre-season dead rubbers is inextricably linked to success. Make it happen lads.
Talking points: Am I alone in my disdain for pre-season? What do you want to see Wolves achieve before August? Does anyone have an update on Harry Maguire?
Pre season is necessary, the rumours and talking points are sadly inevitable! I am excited for the Championship but theres some wait left to go!
Hope Sako stays and I think he will as only the Prem has more to offer and he could be there this time next yar with us ! 🙂
Harry Maguire – the saga continues. Think KJ is currently happy with his defence and whilst HM would be a good addition to our squad we are not going to improve our offer or go begging him to come.
Pre-season is always interesting for me as a lot of fringe players get a bit of action.
Eusabio is on the brink of 1st team and pre-season will hopefully give him some action with other 1st team players.
I am hoping Zeli will be able to prove himself to KJ and make his way into the squad, he is 20 now and really should be a first team regular at this stage in his career. I know he has had 2 bad knee injuries which have knocked him back but I hope he breaks into the 1st team and finally shows us the potential he has.
Looking forward to the season very much. I would be happy if we manage mid-table as we build for the future. The Championship is such a difficult and hard division we are not going to have the same success we had in Div 1.
🙂
Sako only has 1 year left on his contract iirc.
I can see us cashing in for what we paid for him if I’m honest.
Which would be a shame.
Good point , I didn’t realise that !
Hi Thomas, Ben and all the rest of you reprobates.
Glad to be back blogging after a couple of weeks in sunny Cyprus.
Myself and the present Mrs DG’er are both the colour of a cup of hot Bovril on a cold night at the Molineux and raring to get on with the new season.
With the weather the way it is I’m starting to feel a bit better about dipping out on Glastonbury this year, Dolly Parton and all.
I wonder if any new Wolves flags will be there?
Talking about Dolly Parton, I like to think that although I’ve been away I’ve kept abreast with all things football.
…….Who the hell’s Harry Maguire?
Only joking!
Welcome back Doog, hope you had a great time.
Cheers mate!
We did.
I’ll be in touch and we’ll arrange a meet.
Glasto Wolves Flag update:
The 2 old classics from ‘searching for flag man’ where there.
There were at least 2 new ones I spotted: the modern badge on a chequered gold and black background, and one like the badge around the turn of the 90s with the white eyes on a gold background. That one was camped near us at Dairy Ground, but I never made it through the maze of tents to say hi.
Oh, and there was some music as well.
Good work Sleachy.
Glad to see you had all your wits about you to spot the flags and weren’t indulging in mind deadening substances!.
I shall be endeavouring to fly the old gold at a couple of festivals later on in the year.
‘Forever Sun’ at Dorchester, the Robert Plant Glastonbury Abbey gig and Festival No6 at Portmeirion.
Enjoy the rest of the Summer.
I called Sako a clown once as I saw him have a bad one when we lost at gillingham ..but as we lived the success of the last season he was and is part of the core team…and I would miss him..it surely depends on who makes an offer and for how much..I think he wants to stay …
I am curious at the change of our team dna with our new purchases the likelihood of eusabio playing and if we still go for Maguire (just pay the £2m if we really want him) what happens to Danny Batth who must be slightly pissed off to say the least …
What I don’t want to see, now that there is a plethora of has beens, wanna bes, and never weres on the market, is for us to sign someone, based on a past reputation, a) to give them a final paycheck, and b) for their “experience”
Kinda like Southampton used to do way back when.
The young and hungry crop we have, plus new unknowns, will do me just fine.
Just as for two seasons we had the gang of four ( or five ) getting the rest of the dressing room to drink from their poisoned chalice, so we can have all the positive waves from last year’s efforts rub off on any newbies to the fold.
I agree with Thomas, the sooner the rotten wood is offloaded the better, preferably down the road to sandwell, the better.
As for pre season games, to me they are only one step up from attack v defense practices, useful but meaningless come the start of the season……unless you are a shit fan, where they pick and chose the 11 dustbins they want to lose to in pre season games!!
( the old ones are the best!! )
On a different note, I and Mrs.CFH have tickets to watch the Mighty Houston Dynamo play New York Red Bulls on Friday, July 4th.
What better way to celebrate Independence Day than to shout and scream for another team!!
Gonna wear Union Jack and English colors just to piss off the locals, might even wear a Wolves top as well!!
Wonder if Norman Hunter and Chewie Louis will get together??
( work THAT one out, any of you young ‘uns reading this)
Imagine the outcome if he had two bites of the Cherry !!
I knew my question would Leed to this!
I will incur Yorath if I Bates you any more.
Eeh ba gum ! Joe Jordan is innocent.
Sako has that little bit of stardust that can turn a match, so I’d be loathe to see him go, but if he doesn’t sign a new contract then I would think it’s inevitable he’d be sold to recoup his fee and more hopefully. In the wide department we’re pretty healthy, so in theory, as sad as his loss would be, we’d be able to cope.
The only reason I can think of why he may stay is what would be the point of sticking by us in League 1 only to bail when we go up into the Championship?
If memory serves Forest were bidding for him last year, and he didn’t go to them, so maybe he’s holding out for a Prem club. Will they want to take a gamble on someone who’d been in League 1 previously? I hope not…
As for other transfer news…I quite enjoy seeing which new players go where, and the sense of excitement as to what they may bring to the team, but one thing that supporting Wolves has taught me is that much of it is bluster.
In the MM days we didn’t really sign many new faces, him preferring to stick with his Championship winning squad, but I do hope to see some more strengthening done as the Championship is going to require a lot more strength in depth than League 1!
Harry Maguire is doing a Jerry Maguire and saying to potential suiters ” show me the money ” in modern day football I’m sad to say that’s what it all comes down to. Let’s just say he goes to Hull do you think it will be for football reasons, to play Premier League football if he was to be given regular Premier league football then I’d say, yes I can understand that he what’s to play at the highest level and fair play to him he’d be mad not to sign for Hull the added bonus of Premier league wages as well fantastic, but to go to Hull play the odd game here and there, league cup may be even Europa League is that the best way to develop has a footballer ? . So why should he come to Wolves ? . Well if we take into account that Jackett is supposedly offering regular football and I imagine he won’t need a secound job to support himself and family, if it was me I’d be thinking go to Wolves prove myself in the championship may be a few more Premier league clubs will take notice after all I’d still be stepping up a league with a club on the up a young team and a manager who wants to play attractive football.
If Maguire lives up to his potential he’ll make it to the Premier League but he’s still young it’s no fun sitting on the bench week in week out no matter what league your in or how much money your on you loose your sharpness, match fitness, form and worst of all your confidence.
By the way Greeting all .
I would agree with all of that, unless your name is O ‘Hara!!!!!
Hello Everyone,
My wish list would be Sako to stay, he seems happy and yes he does give the team va va voom. If he is not playing well, KJ will
pull him off, he does rotate the team (a bit like Germany) anyway. Second, all of the “bomb” squad to go “Martini” – anytime, anyplace, anwhere, as long as it’s not the Mol. It’s hard on one or two, but as Ben said in the last article, sentiment has no place in KJ’s heart.
McGuire: Do we need him for 2 mil, or will someone else do a better job ? What about Kourtney Hause ?
We need a striker and we may get an addition there. But, I would be happy to see how the 1st team, plus Rowe and Rajiv (my take on the name question) shape up. I am chuffed that Ikeme, Dangerous Dave and Stears have extended and please may Sako do the same in a year’s time.
Pre-season: yes it’s full of cliches, but what else can KJ say at this satge if he has to give an interview? He can’t really say which
players have said “No”, or anything concrete transfer-wise. Friendlies, I’m ambivalent, except to say that I will be going to the Kassam of course, it’s just down the road. Friendlies are a way to tell whether your thoughts are viable.
A top-six finish is possible, why can’t we start the season with that belief ? It is a hard league to get out of, but the club’s positive vibe, assuming that it isn’t bluster, is encouarging. 10th August (29 July), is ages away, better just sit back, enjoy the weather, Rioja,etc and recharge the batteries ready for next season.
F…. Off lescott . You are dead to me!
I would like us to keep Sako if at all possible but I suspect he’ll go. I would also like a nice proven striker who can keep popping them in on a regular basis as well.
Get rid of the wasters who shall not be named – we don’t need them!
I agree on the Lescott comment, my language when I read who he’d signed for cannot be repeated!
In answer to DOOGooders question we’ve just spotted 2 prominent Wolves flags in the crowd – great to see.
Was it me I did England look like steam beat even before the Italy game yea sure the players were saying all the right things kissing the badge but I carnt help getting the feeling that the senior players especially were more worried about taking the wag to the beach with the kids or to the designers shops to get the latest Armarni flip flops there was no desire even the kids, Sterling and co although the gave it a go, succumbed to the inevitable conclusion we are not going to win it may as well be on the beach relaxing with the wag giving there agent a rollicking because Real Madrid haven’t been on the blower.
I just got the feeling Roomy and Co: were not bothered either way Uruguay were up for it from the kick off as were Italy in the usual style we seemed to except elimination as a given.
We spoken about this at work and all agreed if 11 players from the lower leagues had been picked sure they would probably been beat but at least they would have had more enthusiasm, desire and pride in putting on the three lions, Alf Ramsey all said he picked the best team not the best players England haven played as a team for years it now become the norm for to many Premier League players now playing for England it’s just another shirt on there back as the move from club to club the cpilot of theo longer
First off, I’ve had the plonker of a day, and just quaffed 3 Boddingtons in 5 mins, so no pologees for drivel to come.
I agree hole heart ted lee with Paul, fuck off all the posers and prem ponces and bring in young and hungry, just like wot KJ done last season. In fact lets have KJ for Engerland part time manager.
He can give honorary citizenship to Dicko, Sako et all, and name the entire Wolves squad for the Euro Chumpionshits, therefore eliminating any knead for Rooney and other useless tossers, who have just had an all expenses paid holiday in Brazil.
And as for Lescott, who gives a shit.
We aint liable to play that bunch of wankers for a long time, as we will wave, with two fingers, in passing, as we get promoted and they get relegated, at the end of this coming season.
Yes, you herd it furst on Radio Houston, Wolves will get automatic promotion to the Prem at the end of this fourth coming campaign, and the shit will be our replacement in the second division.
That is my prediction, and I will top the prediction league which hasn’t yet started, as I is the first to four sea it….so there.
Now tis thyme for another brewski, bollocks to the world cup, and PF Changs for dinner.
Hasta La Vista, y’all, have a nice day, and bollocks to the albion….still got the t shirt from when Derek Jefferson scored in the last minute at the poorthorns, to deny them lot two points, and effectively send them down.
Oh happy days.
PMSL. They say that it is the lowest form of wit Clive ………. but dead funny.
I was going to comment on the excellent report from Thomas and ask if it was just me that has noticed his writing has got even more articulate. Or is it just because we now know he is a qualified journalist, that we read it differently. Then, I read PFs post above, followed by your response and had to laugh out loud.
On a different note, I am surprised that there has not been many comments about Lescott’s move. Which pleases me really, as I do not see a problem with this. The lad left us yonks ago to better himself and he had done just that. He is now nearing the end of his career, so to go to a club we all despise does not bother me at all. After all, he did not leave us to go to them! I rate the lad and have been proud of his achievements.
Wolves 2 Norwich 1
Or am I too early?
UTW/FOWB
Ooooops! Ben is the journo, not Thomas.
Ben, Thomas – would it not be a good idea to incorporate an edit button to save future cock ups like I just made.
Think you might want to invest in a pair of spectacles, mate.
According to my copy of this blog, Thomas writted it, not Benny Boy.
And what is PMSL ?
Thought it was a woman thing.
Anyrode,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA !!
Yes, today is the anniversary of when we threw off the yolk of you oppressive Brits,
Ha ha!
There’s egg on yer faces ( and that’s no yoke )
I’m off to see the Dynamo get stuffed by Red York New Bull, or someone, and lots of hot dogs and fireworks afterwards.
All good fun.
Have a great weekend, fellow bloggists, and I’ll see you on the other side, with more comments about how lucky Brazil are today.
As ever, and I know you are missing it,
FOwb
I know. I was saying that Thomas was a qualified journalist, but Ben is the qualified journalist ………… but it dont matter now lol.
Loved the German result last night!!!
This might seem at first like the random ramblings of a senile old fart.
(No change there then).
But my point will hopefully become apparent quite shortly.
I’m sure most of you will remember the Fawlty Towers episode which included the ‘letter from the chef’ incident.
Perhaps not as many will know the brilliant Gerrard Hoffnung address to the Oxford Union in which he read the “I was now heavier than the barrel” letter from a bricklayer explaining why he wouldn’t be able to work that day.
If you haven’t you’re missing a treat.
However, these two pieces of surreal comic genius pale into insignificance when compared to the letter that Luis Suarez has written to FIFA regarding his alleged attempt to eat a piece of raw Italian steak.
What planet is this man on?
And what planet are the people who advise him on?
Whatever it is, I am bloody glad that I don’t live there.
I’m just happy to be on planet DOOGooder, with the present Mrs DG’er, supporting the greatest football team in the history of the beautiful game and listening to some of the best rock music ever made sung by a Wolves supporter!
Did you see Robert Plant yesterday?
What a man!!
Time for another spliff I think.
Just wondering if any body else seen King kenny get interviewed on sky the day after the Suarez incident? Asked by a sky reporter his view on Suarez reply no comment and no thought on Suarez( F off I’m here to talk about the wolves). The more I see and hear the more I respect Kenny, he is a true class act. Thoughts on England Gerrard looked like he’d been working 16 hour nights for 6 months, tired and no belief in themselves. Was Italy, uraguay that much better? No team in this World Cup look that much better than what England are. Wayne and Dean are not world class they both need at least 1 in 4 chance to score. Suarez is a TW@T but 2 chances all game 2 goals. England are not as bad as the press are making out!
Just seen Harry Maguire in Aldi, Brierley Hill. He was buying some mushy peas. Honest. Louis Suarez was in there as well, checking out an electronic toothbrush.
The Germans and Holland put England to shame, whether you like it or not. I agree Gerrad did look fucked in fact they all did and I know what your going to say longest season blar blar blar these are supposed to be professionals the y train, what 5, 6 hours a day eat the best food have the best medical care available all free I care if it is the longest season in the world what with the squads now they don’t all play all of the games anyway it’s just an over used excuse.
The dutch are a smaller nation as is Belgium they look up for it not tied and slot of them play in the Prem: no I don’t think England means anything now to the top pros Harry Rednapps confirm that, it’s just another shirt, there more worried about getting injured, UEFA and the FA are to blame the Prem: and Champions league is the be all and end all now. Just one more thing re: FA there only interest now in making money as the sell off of the three lions has proved £90 and £60 pound for ass shirt that cost a fiver to produce if that
Purgatory? –
Watching the World Cup!
England?
The players seem to have about as much idea of what it is to be ‘English’ as our Politicians.
Keep Sako.
I think as long as we have some ‘bite’ in the team, the Championship is there for the taking.
Happy summer to all…..
The Germans will win the World Cup- they are allways there or there abouts..they embarked on a youth policy and high percentage of German players in the Bundesliga so the National team is high on talent..
On that subject I am absolutely certain Danny Batth
Is potential England material..I hope we can keep him in the premier..
There I’ve said it….
So’s Karl Ikeme. Way better than Joe Hart.
I’m not going to beat the drum about longest season, I agree the players should be way more up for it than they are! I take everything the used car sales man says with a pinch of salt though the man loves to be seen and heard. Back to the wolves we look well stocked in midfield would like to see another centre half and striker in if possible. Best signing so far has got to be Ikeme. Seen planty at Glastonbury the other night now there is a legend!!!
I’d bite your shoulder to keep Sako but I think the Flying Dutchman is the probable replacement if push comes to shove. Talkin’ of biting, pushing and shoving, not to mention diving, I see Chewy Louie has fessed up. This will no doubt lead to a mega transfer to barking mad Barca, and money being thrown around by Liverpool on several new players. When the dust settles is there not a potentially redundant striker at Anfield (or elsewhere) who would fancy the Mol? Forget League One strikers, we now need PL experience in the forward line. I’ve splashed out a bit myself with a sizeable bet at 7/1 for Wolves to be promoted, so come on Kenny!
Well, I gorra say, I wasnt gonna watch the WC, but I’m glad I did, as I realized that if our wonderful Wufflers from last season were in Brazil, they would give anyone of the final eight a run for their money.
Not impressed with any of the quarter finalists, so that dont say much about them wot went out.
Gotta give some respect to Belgium and USA, though.
Neither team was diving or play acting or whining, too much, Fellaini, but just got on with the game, like wot it should be played.
Roll on Norwich, that’s all I gotta say!!!
Just read tonight’s local rag DOYLE DECISION ! There’s only one thing I do with Doyle and that’s thank him for all his efforts and there were efforts and then show him the door and leave him with the telephone number for W/field cabs ringing in his ears.
It’s a no brainier he’s not as bad as O ‘Hara and Co: but when he was holding up Q.P.R’s shirt saying he had to get away from Wolves his head wasn’t right and Q.P.R was the club for him what’s changed Kev ! I’ll tell what’s changed Harry like a long list of managers thought he was buying a proven goal scorer when what he got was a player who’s only good at holding the ball up and playing with his back to goal , if he was any good Harry would have brought him because he could have got him cheap as Wolves wanted him of the pay roll.
Up till now Jackett has kept his word in that he’ll weed out the dead wood and those that are not full submerging themselves hole heartily into Wolves and what Jacketts trying to achive. To me Doyle will sing whatever hym sheet and shirt that is put into his hands.
Oh and one last thing to all the the Doylites how many goals did he score at Q.P.R …………how many …oh yeah 2 in twenty odd games I rest my case.
I think my prediction re Germany to win the World Cup had a (slight) lift against Brazil last night ..
I hope that my prediction that Wolves will go up this season goes the same way…
COYW
Steve, I made the same prediction that we will go up this coming season and in fact put a good bit of money on it at 7/1. Could have got higher odds for automatic promotion but I wasn’t that mad! I’m sort of kicking myself as it happens. A year ago I had a hunch that we’d get two successive promotions and the odds against that (if you could place such a bet) would have been mega I’m sure. If we do get the two successive promotions, it won’t be a record of course as other teams have done it, but I don’t think any team has ever done it after suffering two consecutive relegations.
Doyle in the ” BOMB SQAUD ” thank you Kenny the amount of managers Doyle has conned into believing he’s a goal scorer, well not you Kenny for a minute thought you were going to be another one to have the wool pulled over there eyes. Doyle is past his best, if he ever had a best we rarely sore it he left it at Reading, a nice bloke a lot of you will say and you would be right but nice bloke apart he’s not a goalscorer never has been and never will be as for the rest of his game we’ve moved on from holding up the ball McCarthy style to quick pass and move flowing football Kenny style like McCarty Doyle’s style of play is basic and out dated we’ve moved on ! Thank Fuck.
The new away kit, any comments….!
No mate, no comment at all!!
On another note – Cheltenham – Done. Bring on Shamrock!
UTW/FOWB
Just got my ticket for the Rovers match – hope it’s a good one. If anyone’s around before the Bohs match on Wednesday leave a shout out on here and we could meet up beforehand in the Porter House on Prospect Road for a quick one.
In other news, looks like I’ll have to rename myself Chris on Tyneside next season as I’m off to the land of the Geordies at the end of the month. Hopefully means I’ll actually make it to the Mol once or twice during the season.
I live in Brompton on Swale, and you can see my house from the A1. If you want, we can travel down together ……… Something to keep the 3 hour journey for me feeling shorter.
UTW/FOWB
Watch out for that Bromton fella, Chris, the “house” he refers to is in fact a tent, and he will stiff you with the cost of the pies!!!
Ouch that hurts!!! Anyway, I don’t buy pies at the mol …. they cost too much and most times Moxey has eaten them all before I get there.
Have you now settled things with the missus and able to consider buying a flight ticket for the Milwall game on the 2nd May? I feel a Bloggers gathering coming on already!!
By the way, the wife has planted your seeds, I hope it aint too early!!
Dances with Wolves ..7-1 is fair odds…we need to start well…I reckon it’s about 6 clubs:
Wolves Norwich Fulham Derby Cardiff Wigan and……yep Mr McCarthy…Ipshit
zzzzz….zzzz….zzzz….
What?!….
….Don’t spank me teacher!
Ooops! sorry about that, must have dozed off.
Is anybody else awake out there?
I’ve just read that KJ has said Jamie O’Hara can leave fer nowt.
Young Jamie has said in an interview that:- “Being a celebrity was like a stake through my heart”.
…Have I missed something there?
Celebrity?
Discuss.
If you’re awake, that is.
Hi, (yawn) mate (yawn),
Excuse me, but I’ve just got up!!
I also read what you read. A free tranfer is brilliant for us, and I hope some club takes him away from us. He has said that he is willing to take a pay cut, and I hope he meant that for other clubs and not just us. KJ has also stated that the Club is not going to pay any compensation or what have you to end his contract early.
I feel his agent should now advise him wisely. That is, train hard and leave!! After all it has to be good for both him and the Wolves.
Hope you are well my friend.
UTW/FOWB