In the first of a two-part post, Ben grades the performances of Wolves’ goalkeepers and defenders for the 2010/11 season.
Wayne Hennessy
Bearing in mind Arsene Wenger praises an opposition player once every 25 years, it is testament to Wayne that he got a glowing endorsement from old squirrel head after his defining performance at the Emirates. Started the season number 2 behind Hahnemann, ended it as the top keeper – and justly so. Still needs to cut out the indecision, which he reminded us of for Blackburn’s second on Sunday. Much improved.
End of season grade: B+
Marcus Hahnemann
Best anecdote of the season was hearing Bolton’s Stuart Holden talking about Hahnemann in USA’s World Cup squad last summer. Apparently the big man from Seattle went hunting in South Africa to kill some time – and some beasts. The bald marksman dispatched a Springbok, dragged it back to the team hotel, skinned it and cooked it on a spit for his team mates. He then posted the head home to America so he could mount it on his wall. As for matters on the pitch. He began to show signs that his reflexes might just be betraying him, as seen in his last game at Blackpool if memory serves. I personally wouldn’t have had any qualms if he’d have played all season, such is the trust he’s instilled into us all. Probably going back home in the summer, and he’ll go with our unconditional love. Thank you Marcus.
End of season grade: C
Stephen Ward (Based on performances at left-back)
Oh God. Judging him solely as a left back, Ward struggles to get a single mark. Yes he is keen on getting forward, but the amount of goals we’ve conceded from the right hand side of the pitch tells its own story. Spurs away, Villa home, Man Utd away, West Brom away, just off the top of my head. He has never been a left back and never should be ever again. But you know he just will, so you know he’ll provoke more vitriol and discussion for however long he’s playing there, which can only be a good thing for a blog, I guess.
End of season grade: D-
George Elokobi
Considering Big George was once given a 1/10 chance in ever playing again after that injury at Ipswich – after once running amok on Hackney Marshes – it’s tough to ever be hard on the big man, however bone headed he can be. The ease in which he shackled Marc Albrighton at home to Villa, following the young winger’s ridiculing of Stephen Ward, suggests he is more than capable. A point then underlined in our seismic wins against Chelsea and Man Utd. Shame he then goes AWOL like he did at home to Everton, just like he did at Goodison 12 months before. In essence, George typifies the spirits of a typical Wolves fan. His highs are incredibly high, and his lows are horrid. Destined for a centre back slot? Hope so, because he can’t be destined for 38 games in a number 3 shirt can he?
End of season grade: C+
Kevin Foley
F-O-L-E-Y he’s F-O-L-E-Y, he played midfield and then got dropped, I really don’t know why. Foley was bought as a right back, got a player of the season award as a right back, and should only be considered as a right back. Unlike George, his distribution is wonderful, and let us not forget his starring role at Anfield and many other times he has played in midfield around Christmas. The fact he always appears to have more time on the ball than his team mates should be used as a positive, not a reason to shoe-horn into a midfield space. Looked something like his old self when adopting his favoured right back spot for the final few games, not withstanding the slip for Jason Roberts at the South Bank end.
End of season grade: B-
Jody Craddock
Cometh the hour, cometh the Craddock. When the defence began to look at its most porous at the worst possible moment, back came the ever reliable, ever willing defender and hey presto, back came some stability. Suffered from a hip injury for most of the season and then had to bide a bit of time when Berra and Stearman were performing decently. But when he came in, he offered a sense of calm, and an air of leadership. Oh, and a goal threat, as seen away at Sunderland. If he gets his new contract, nobody could argue could they?
End of season grade: B
Christophe Berra
There’s been a long held view that Berra would grow into his position as a defensive leader once he had got the miserable experience of SPL football out of his system. More than two years on and I’m still waiting. At best he does the dirty stuff well. At his worst he’s doing the dirty stuff badly, pulling down more shirts than a fat family of dole seekers in Primark. I’ve never seen Berra play within himself somehow. He seems to be at full tilt, straining every sinew in his body – and that’s as he’s jogging off the pitch at half time. Undoubtedly stoic, but will be disappointed if he is in the starting 11 come August.
End of season grade: C-
Steven Mouyokolo
Wanted: One towering, quick centre half last seen getting tiptoed around by Elmander at the North Bank end. Of all the summer signings, this one excited me most. But like so many under Mick’s reign, we never saw enough of Mouyokolo. Half the fans I speak to have labelled him as a waste of money. The other half want to see more of him before making judgement. Oh, and one solitary Hull fan I know thinks he’s a class act and wants him back. Hmm.
End of season grade: D
Richard Stearman
When he’s ‘on blob’ (another Mick-ism I love!), Stears is the defender we’ve been missing since Lescott. When he’s not, he’s a hairbrained mentalist, yomping around the pitch like a pissed up pervert in Oceana. All he needs is a bit more consistency and we’ve got some player on our hands. Improved immeasurably since the Championship, when he was actually voted into the team of the season by his peers. Jamie O’Hara seems to love him and rates him as a future England defender. If his taste for budding centre halves is anything like his taste for women, we’ll be okay with Stears around.
End of season grade: B
Michael Mancienne
Ryan Giggs’ lawyer has more idea about tackling twitter than Mancienne does a big centre forward. Too weak, too error prone and too bloody expensive for us to be pursuing in the summer. It’s a shame though, because he is undoubtedly good on the ball, and should surely have been viewed as a left back when we all know his limitations as a central defender. Also offered a terrible argument for a defensive midfielder at the Britannia.
End of season grade: D
Jelle van Damme
Whether he was told to do one, he told McCarthy to do one, or he just got homesick is secondary. Jelle Van Damme wasn’t good enough. We needed a mobile, pacy left back and we got a rangy one paced Belgian who was never trusted to play left back in the first place. I was probably the only Wolves fan sat in the Elland Road main stand in pre-season (present from Leeds supporting brother-in-law) when Max Gradel skinned him about 24 times in one game of football. A terrible buy who failed to address the most problematic position of all.
End of season grade: D-
Ronald Zubar
Saving the best ‘til last? Ronny is a bit of a cult figure and when he’s fit, it’s easy to see why. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been fit very often this season to offer us the height and athleticism from right back. Defining moment was swatting Ashley Cole out of his way at home to Chelsea, before leaving him in a trail of dirt as he marauded forward (eventually leading to scuffed Doyle shot). I love my conspiracy theories, and thought his absence for so long at the beginning of the season was down to his stupid foul which led to Carroll’s equaliser at home to Newcastle. He seemed to vanish after that. I’m sure it was just injury though, and I’m sure there’s no greater sight than the Frenchman opening his legs and showing us all his class (to quote the great David Coleman!).
End of season grade: C+
Make sure you check back for Thomas’ end of season grades for midfielders and forwards.
Can’t wait for the midfielders and forwards.
We are all agreed the defence needs help but your analysis shows that fundamentally there is some hope.
I think Stearman has huge potential.
He needs to cut out those stupid mistakes that cost us points.
To me Elokobi is more suited to centre half too.
Also in the past two years Foley has shown he is comfortable in the Premiership.
Zubar either very good or very bad and Moloyoko just not seen him enough.
We need a younger Craddock as do many teams so Johnson and Dann may be beyond us.
Left back is a must and I wonder who Mick will pick?
And forgot to say, Berra back to Scotland and Ward/ Shall wait till I see your anlaysis of ‘midfielders/attackers!
Rogne from Celtic is a class defender.
Carew is released on free transfer and has a couple of years left in him.
Owen Hargreaves is released from Man U
I’ve only seen Mouyokolo in the friendly at Hearts, when he didn’t look fully fit, but I’ve got a lot of sympathy with your Hull friend, Ben. He was commanding in the air, and looked class on the ground; in fact, I’ve sometimes wondered if that was what Mick had against him, he passed the ball along the ground to teammates within reach–he didn’t boot it aimlessly downfield. One game, a friendly, against a Scottish team–virtually meaningless; but I would be very sorry to see him go without being given a decent chance. Having said that, we fans don’t know the full extent of his injury problems, so we have no choice but to trust Mick. But, if he has a chronic fitness problem, then it is a very sad case.
I think a special mention should be given to Stearman and his ‘1950’s haircut’ Not many footballers playing in the worlds top footballing league would attempt to go for the ‘Gentleman’s Sweep’……Now i feel that really is combing of the highest quality…….(although, was it David James who started this craze?)
And did i notice that Berra has attempted to perfect the ‘Sweep’? I wonder if it brings special powers?
Ward D- absolutely ridiculous; give the man some credit and stop pandering to Clive.
His goal at Liverpool kept us up!
Won’t read the rest. Enough said.
Yes he is an international player with one unofficial goal for Ireland. But I do agree that fullback isn’t his best position.
To be fair mate, if you read it’s based on his performances at left back. I think you’ll feel better about the grade I’ve awarded him as a forward.
D was generous! He’s been an absolute disaster at left back ever since MM first played him there.
And as for taking umbrage, how the bloody hell did Jarvis feel when hw sat on the bench for 6 months in favour of our flying left winger Ward or Elokobi or Jones or SEB or the rest of them that have been subbed/dropped to accommodate Ward at left back, left midfield, striker, right midfield?
Its a wonder Hennessy hasnt had to sit out a few games in favour of ‘the cat’ Ward!!!
Wont ever read another of your posts. Enough said!
He can’t have been that much of a disaster if we’ve have been promoted and stayed up twice while he has played there.
He isn’t a particularly good left back, but heis good on the ball and links up better with Jarvis much better than Elokobi does. Elokobi is better defensively however.
He’s had some nightmares, but he’s also had a couple of fantastic games there. Remember Bolton at home, or Spurs away?
Anyway, I’ve heard we are signing a left back with Prem experience and international experience, also relatively cheapish! I reckon Konchesky
Spurs away? he got battered by Alan Hutton! Fantastic game – hahaah!
I should have expected that. You probably know what I meant, but I’ll say it anyway.
The game where we won 1-0 at Tottenham is probably the best left back display we have seen for a while. Big George v Chelski is up there too.
Whilst i dont disagree that Ward has been a poor performer at left back i do believe that in the interests of balance the player has to be given credit for his attitude and committment to the cause over the course of the season. Many a player would sulk and have a strop at MM’s treatment. He epitomises the spirit of the team which was key to retaining Premier league status. Grade C
The actual Grade, if you read the article, refers to his contribution as a left back. It says, very clearly, there will be another ‘grade’ for him as midfielder/attacker where he has been a much more valuable force.
Robin – “Whilst i dont disagree that Ward has been a poor performer at left back”!!!
Don’t worry all you Ward sycophants…expect an A* for THAT goal at Anfield! I can’t believe fans actually take umbridge over criticism of a 100k failed Eircom striker playing left back?!
I’m sure you all yearn for another season like the one we’ve just had, but I don’t.
I also don’t want him anywhere near the 1st team come August. Not if we are serious about progressing.
That’s not me ‘pandering’ by the way. Give me some credit. Enough said.
yeah, what does that italian bloke in charge of ireland know? after all, what’s he ever done?
and that’s not me being a ‘ward sycophant’ by the way.
Is that the same Italian bloke that has ignored him for well over 2years? Best to ignore that bit for the sake of a tournament england blanked along with an entire nation of football fans. Do you seriously want him as our left back for the forseeable future? (That is what he is being marked on BTW)
Ward is very young and, as the final few games showed, improving. None of us would have predicted the performances against Baggies and Blackburn. Not saying for a second I wish to see him playing left back for any of next season – he may on occasion be a Championship left back but he’s not a Premier League one – but the idea that to ‘progress’ we need to get shot of him seems a bit OTT
Also, the Hahnemann world cup anecdote is brilliant Ben. Thanks for bringing it to my attention
Is that the same Italian manager who for over 2 years has preferred Kevin Kilbane in that position and would have done the other night if Kilbane had been available. Thats Kevin Kilbane for Gods sake!!!!
Suppose you’d prefer Keogh to Fletcher as well on that basis???
I thought a D grade was generous personally.
Ward scored a goal at Anfield, whoopdee do.
It was not the goal that kept us up, any more than any of the goals we scored can be picked out as the one.
It was team effort, and a huge slice of luck on the final day.
But we stayed up so there we are.
Ward did improve over the last few games. Let’s face it, he couldn’t get much worse, but his improved play is still not good enough for the Prem.
Changing the subject slightly, having just watched Barcelona demolish Manure, the question of the day is this:
If McCarthy was manager of Barcelona, who would he drop for Ward?
yeah one swallow and all that…oh shit have I said that before?
Ward’s not a Barcelona player so he wouldn’t be able to drop him. He’d probably drop Messi though.
Ward is not a Barcelona player?
What is that all about?
In your limited years on this planet, have you ever heard of the word hypothetical?
Guess not.
Go read a dictionary.
Hard to disagree with any of that, brilliant write up.
Jody deserves another year, even if he only plays 15 games. For me, we can’t keep both Berra and Stearman, they’re both inconsistent. Brilliant at times, poor at others. I’d say Berra out.
Foley continues to do what’s asked and with Ronny Zubar we’re fine at right back.
Ward tries his best and has done some great things but a la Mancienne, if we’re serious about progressing it’s time to move on.
And big George.. I can’t bring myself to say anything bad because I bloody love the bloke.
Sorry to mention this but despite Foley’s many qualities he’s not the speediest right back in the world which is why I think Mick has experimented with him elsewhere. In fact an absence of pace in defence – Zubar excepted- is one of the issues Mick needs to address.
I’m not reading another post until you all stop having a go at Ward.
I would never do that to a player, no matter how bad he is!
Still no answers to my question of the day.
I personally would drop the keeper, coz he has nothing to do all match.
FOMM
Talking about defenders,just got a snippet from my son in devon at a
youth football tournament,where Craig Gardner is guest presenter,The
snippet is that he said he has signed a 3 year deal with wolves.how good
is that if true.Hope its true…Going back to your blog ben a good analysis.
Hope you do one about the manager and backroom staff.make it honest.
Don’t for get Honesty is next to Godliness.
Haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere but hope it is true as well. Would be a solid replacement for Jones and one I would call an upgrade for sure.
Wikipedia claims he stated he was a lifelong Blouse fan and that he has also said he was a Villa fan since childhood! Maybe he was a lifelong WW fan in a previous life or is a lifelong fan but in another dimension. I guess he says he’s a lifelong fan of whoever is paying his wages!
Although I’d rather have someone not linked to our closest rivals I assume he’d give his all for his paymasters.
It doesn`t matter what score you gave Ward as a defender – his basic lack of pace really means he just isn`t fit for purpose in any position. Having just escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth for the second season, what about moving forward with better players.
Stearman has pace and should be persevered with, but the low scores for the remaining defenders tells its own story, just like the league table. Swansea`s best player – Sinclair would have a field day against Ward if he played left back, and I agree Ben, van Damme would have been sent off at Leeds before half time if it had been a league match. I love big George too, not big enough for a number 5, but needs to add consistency for a regular left back. He could do a lot more using his pace and physique runnung at other teams and doing damage, I`d play him left back ahead of Ward every day.
Nathan Dyer running at Ward again next season.
Cue mystery illness like last time?! I had an interesting tweeting session last night, about experience v youth.
We all know that lack of Premiership experience (particularly in the 1st season) has hindered us, but would you go for it now?
The short answer is yes, but I was wondered if Richard Dunne (for example) would be a better buy than Matt Mills (for example)
One is quick, up and coming, and ready to make his name. The other is slow with his best years behind him.
A Villa supportiong mate told me that Dunne is okay, but painfully slow, and scores so many own goals because he’s always getting turned and has nowhere to boot the ball as a last resort except the goal itself!
I suppose the answer is a bit of both, and picking the right players, wherever they’re from!
We’ve started the close season off on the right foot by giving Craddock a new contract!!
Talk about old and slow, look no further!
Now watch the Clive haters/Craddock,Ward lovers come out of the woodwork in their defense!!
If only Craddock and Ward were so quick to defend!!!
Ha Ha
FOMM
You’re right for once, we have started the close season off on the right foot by giving Craddock a new contract.
Fully deserved in my opinion.
Hypothetically speaking, if I would have done the same thing if it was up to me.
Do you want to borrow my dictionary to check how to spell defence?
Sew ewe went owt an bort wun???????????
I think Zubars big bulky presence has a CB would be enough to make any opposing striker think twice about challenging him for a clear opening in the box. If I had to come up against the big man Zubes in a CB position – just his presence would do the trick – but then he would have to do his work on the edge of the penalty area as some strikers will use his size as a distraction to a staged fall. I would play him as inside right CB just inside Foley and get a strong inside left CB in from the transfer market and use Craddock as an emergency substitute. Also I think we could replace Kobi for a new LB and send him off to Leeds, Milwall or Cardiff for £2.5m. I still think we will get Johnson for £9m and not a penny more. We wait for the great Birmingham City shortfall to happen and he will want to put in a request to leave St.Andrews soon anyway so let BCFC play their little mind-games – Johnson will not stay and Mick knows this so its a waiting game. (back to Zubes) I really can’t wait to see a new replenished hungry Zubes in pre-season. Also I think if we sign Mills from Reading – they will both work well together in the 2 CB positions with Foley out on the right as sweeper.