After putting on a gutsy, encouraging show at Newcastle, Wolves melted at Craven Cottage with all the unmistakable hallmarks of a side slipping ever closer to the edge.
But why was this?
How did TC initially manage to get such a positive response, only to see things fall apart so emphatically just a week later?
Well, the statistics certainly provide some clues.
- Fulham dominated the ball claiming 58% of the possession. Against Newcastle, it was Wolves who enjoyed the greater share (54%), undoubtedly benefiting from the extra man in midfield.
- TC went to Craven Cottage hoping that his 451 would once again give us the upper hand against Martin Jol’s 442. However, Fulham scuppered this plan by adopting a more fluid shape and passing the ball far better than Newcastle did the previous week. They strung together a gigantic 567 passes compared to Newcastle’s 421.
- In our other recent thumping, Albion only needed 359 passes to put us to the sword. With Fulham registering 208 more passes in their victory, it suggests that Wolves suffered considerably more in this fixture than at the hands of their local rivals.
- It wasn’t just the number of passes that killed Wolves, it was the accuracy. Fulham had a 90% pass completion rate compared to Newcastle’s 79%. They kept the ball to devastating effect and very rarely gave it away cheaply.
- Fulham were also able to funnel the ball into dangerous areas. Penning us in and isolating Kevin Doyle, they managed 350 passes in our half constantly probing and asking questions of the Wolves defence. By contrast, Wolves only put together 232 passes inside the Fulham half.
- The one aspect that Wolves always excel in is getting crosses into the box and Sunday was no different. 31 crosses were slung into the opponent’s box compared to Fulham’s 21.
- However, only 5 of these 31 crosses found a Wolves player, whereas Fulham were successful with 7 of their 21. Bodies in the box had a lot to do with this. In most instances, Johnson, Dempsey and Pogrebnyak were all waiting inside the penalty area, whereas too often Kevin Doyle was isolated and given little support by the likes of O’Hara and Milijas. In this respect, Wolves missed Dave Edwards.
- Wayne Hennessey is coming under increased scrutiny after another fumble led to the opposition scoring. However, the sheer volume of shots he’s facing certainly isn’t doing him any favours. Fulham plundered 19 shots on Sunday forcing the Welshman into 7 saves. Wolves had just 6 shots and only Jamie O’Hara’s speculative effort from distance forced Schwarzer into action.
- What’s clear is that Wolves allow opponents far too many efforts on goal and don’t ask enough questions of their own. Even against Newcastle we were outgunned 10 shots to 5. Still, this was relatively successful compared to the bloodbath of the Albion match where the Baggies hit 25 shots to our meager tally of just 6.
I think this match and these statistics perfectly sum up many of the problems Wolves face.
Against sides that have the ability to get the ball down and pass we struggle badly, even with the extra midfielder.
And when we do see more of the ball, we’re unable to convert that possession into chances and goals. This stems from our persistence in getting the ball wide and attempting to throw crosses in rather than building up through the middle to create clear cut chances for our forwards.
When you combine this lack of creativity with our propensity for standing off and allowing the opposition to pepper our goal with shots, it’s hardly a recipe for success.
What else can they possibly expect?
We’ve been relying on crosses for far too long now anyway and just another sign of MM’s backdated tactics. We simply don’t have the players to carve teams open through the middle, like the better teams do. Look at Swansea , their ball retention and quality in the middle – it’s light years ahead of Wolves (again all “Super Mick’s fault”).
I’d be interesting to see how many tackles we put in compared to Fulham, they pressed us relentlessly and always seemed to be getting a foot in. When Wolves were in possession it seemed like they had no time at all, contrast that with Fulham who had all the time in teh world to pick their passes
They put in 13 tackles compared to Wolves 19.
Obviously they had the ball a lot more though, which obviously means we had to make more tackles.
But we do stand off teams, there’s no doubt about that. As Gary Neville pointed out, we get back in position ok but we just don’t try and get the ball back.
I believe teams have figured us out in this respect.
I think a lack of mobility through the middle costs us badly. Only Edwards has the power and turn of pace, but as we know he’s lacking in technique.
Maybe David Davis can bring something to the side now he’s been called back from his loan?
The decision to get rid of Guedioura looks more silly by the second.
Agreed. And, as an aside, I thought this was an interesting quote to dig out:
“All credit to Wolves, their pressurising and controlled aggression made life difficult. We didn’t deal with that very well at all, it’s as simple as that. I don’t think there was anything about our play as such, it was more we didn’t do well against them.” [Roy Hodgson, Fulham manager, 20 September 2009]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8257757.stm
Funny how the world turns, and so quickly too, isn’t it?
I think we do need something different in centre midfield – Zubar/Hunt could maybe provide a bit of dynamism (real word ?) Someone to harry the opposition when we’re not in possession and put their foot in. O’Hara is injured and is playing like it, Miljias has a wee bit of quality but is so slow and Foley just looked anonymous on Sunday
I think we’re down, unless Terre Conninho has got something up his sleeve
Agree Tafkag, we need to try something different in midfield and dynamism is a real word, something the team distinctly lacks!
Talking of stats and more specifically tackles. I heard a quite breathtaking stat the other day.
Wolves have made the least amount of tackles in not only the Premier League, but the whole of the top 5 European leagues.
I’d like proof of this but I can’t help think that its true as we have lost our fight.
Completely agree with Tafkag….. we need to rebuild and change our style of play.
And if we stay up, who will we attract given this seasons turmoil and the wage structure?
The least said about the Fulham game the better. Not sure if we would even survive the championship on that showing! What’s the use of crossing the ball if there is just no one in the penalty area to head them in? Why did we get rid of Big Hoff ? Surely with his height and some games under his belt we would have found him useful as a last resort when we are trying to get quick balls into the area. Our attack is non existant…pity Doyle (and boy, did he look flustered) playing a one man attack against every team we play against. It was a shameful display, no passion, no system….I have never ever seen Wolves play so badly….and to say the truth…never ever seen a premiership team play as bad as that….worse than a sunday pub team!
One of those days where the Wolves players where indecisive. Just 13 tackles from Fulham might suggest that they don’t needed to, they just intercepted the ball. They looked stronger, faster, more determined, and they bombarded us with shots. Especially the central line was weak, and the fullback’s not much better. Doyle actually should have had a penalty – he was very alone up front and his teammates tried to reach him with high passes (not especially smart), the same goes for play high passes to Jarvis, the lowest man in the team. They should really try to think about their team mates strength and weaknesses.
David Davies is our best option as a defensive central midfielder, and I’m glad Connor shows that he know what player types he want in such such a position. If he’s consistent in his actions there are also going to be changes in the defence.
In the unforgiving Premiership, there are fundamental requirements and that is to put your foot in, harrass your opponents and do not stand off. We did none of these things on sunday. Have a look at their goals again – the fifth one really sums it up, where we have loads of people around the man in possession and our defensive positions are spot on – but not one of those players put a challenge in. I think Berra puts his hand in the air, appealing for something when the ball was about 3 feet away, asking to be won – we had them surrounded, but not one man was pepared to put a challenge in! When we beat United, City, Chelsea at home last season, it was because we didn’t give ’em a minute – we were at them, tackling, harrassing and hunting in packs – where’s it all gone ? It’s a fundamental requirement fior the top teams as well as the likes of Wolves. Have a look at how Liverpool worked twice as hard as our lot at Molineux – closed us down, got tackles in, dirty ones et al – there’s no secret to success at this level – you simply have to compete in all areas and sadly to say, we’re competing in none of ’em. We need to get back to basics and pretty damn quick!
Do you think after all the ‘wolves are a dirty team’ from last season that has cut some of the bite out of our play?
Also without Henry i can’t think of one player who likes to tackle hard other than Jody Craddock, people will put a foot in, but won’t try and dominate a team by tackling with authority!
We just seem to have one game plan. So if that doesn’t work we are screwed. Ocassionally it can work, but if the opposing team work it out or a few players have a poor game we have no chance!!
That is why i will support TC and he might be the guy to get teh best out the players in the short amount of time left in the season, but come the summer we need someone new. New ideas, new training methods, just freshen everything up.
I have yet to see the game or any highlights, that pleasure awaits me on my return to Houston today.
judging by the comments, we were slightly off our game!!
All the talk about not putting tackles in etc etc can be applied to every game this season, and that is down to the coaching staff 100%
The manager picks the team, gets together with his long standing coach and tells him what he wants, and the coach does as he’s told.
13 years at the same club, the players all calling him TC and buddy buddy fellowships abounding………..recipe for dissaster. Nothing will change, coach too set in his ways as was McDickwad.
We will be extremely lucky to get another point this season, we will be relegated, and the players can’t wait for the summer so they can be off to anywhere else.
If Morgan will not see this, then I have to wonder why he is such a succesful businessman.
No, there is a big subplot at play here, it’s called company rape, and has been Morgan’s plan from the day he took over.
Why would he keep moxey, when in the real harsh world of construction, any CEO who has no back up plan after getting rid of a manager would have been sacked immediately.
No, they hatched a plot to get as much out as they can, keep a cheap manager and loan out as many players as possible, without replenishing the squad, to keep wages to a minimum.
Dark days ahead, when relegation happens, let’s see where all the parachute payments flutter off to, Redrow and Perton Ridge, I’ll bet!!!
I hope there is a big demonstration against those two on Sat, whatever the result
FOWB
I miss Clive from Houston already! :'(
Word on the wire is that there will be some sort of demonstration outside the Billy wright on
saturday at 12.am. Lets hope we don’t lose or hells gonna break loose.
We’er all just so pissed off.FOJM,FOSM,FOTC.
What’s that gonna achieve? Sounds like a numpties’ picnic to me
I totally agree with Dave Vincent. What’s the point in all this FOTC and TC OUT business??!! I hate this saying but, “we are where we are” and there’s going to be no changing it. It’s time to put up and shut up until the end of the season at least.
All a demonstration, or chanting “We want Moxey (or whoever we’ve decided we don’t like this week) out”, will do is unsettle the club and players even further. Just get on with it for now, and moan after the season has finished. If we get behind the CLUB, not team, CLUB, we may finish out of the bottom 3 come May; if we spend the next 11 games protesting, we won’t.
I’m all for fans having their say, because we pay an awful lot of money to go (paid for my Early Bird last week, by the way) and I don’t like the idea of “get behind your team no matter what” because somethimes if just isn’t as easy as thatm, but I think this is a moment when we have to accept there is a time to let our feelings be known and this just isn’t it.
I don’t agree with Dave, because he clearly doesn’t have a mind of his own. But agree that there’s no point in getting on TC’s back. He needs the support and confidence of the fans in what is a difficult time for him and the club. Fully understand critcism of Morgan and Moxey though, they’re getting fat(ter) on our club and it shouldn’t be tolerated
I think the fans opinion on the board has less influence on the performance than the manager, chairman, chief executive, training, tactics etc.
If people think TC out let them.
As a club we are in a mess but I am sure we all hope to beat Blackburn Saturday…
moxey for manager!
Well if there’s a picnic at least we know that fat f*ck Moxey, who you seem so enamoured with, will be there
PS – We get you love Mick, but is your infatuation so deep you have to copy his (rather limited) vocabulary
Well said. Definition of a numpty apparently, ‘Someone with different opinions’
Bang on – I might start using the word “twat” to anyone who I disagree with on here, pretty sure Tom and Ben might start to get the hump though!
My God Clive, You really dont know what you missed. !
Morgan OUT!!! Moxey OUT!!! TC OUT!!!
There’s no pop and fizz in the team, if there ever was ??
Certain players can always generate an atmosphere of ” we mean business, snap, snap, snap, have some of that !!!” before the other teams do it to them. Even the better teams in the PL have enforcers generally in the midfield, it’s the backbone of all teams.
Then alongside you have players who look as though they want to be there, they’re enjoying themselves and they want to win. The only game that I can remember this commitment was against West Ham last season, 3-1 to us and fully deserved. This was the match that saved our season last year, a bit like the Bl******n match on Sat and the Bo***n match 3 weeks later and the Wi**n match on the final day. Lose these and we don’t deserve to stay in the PL.
Up the Wolves !!!!
FOWB.
“Fizz” players are now at Forest and Boro’. We are reaping what we have sowed in this awful of seasons.
We haven’t bloodied the youth and therefore they are I’ll-prepared for what is coming.
Can’t see a way out of this mess-so disillusioned. The club has been mis-managed and literally sold down the river.
Evident by the hapless and I’ll-timed decisions of the past month.
Now Clipboard has been dumped on-loyalty…where’s the boards loyalty to those most loyal-us?
Disgrace.
“the club has been literally sold down the river”….welcome to WolvesBlog, Jamie Redknapp, good to have you on board!
Wolves were literally skinned alive by Fulham…
The reason the stats show we don`t or can`t tackle is partly the coaching, but our players just don`t have the quick feet and pace to get near opponents.
I see TC said Mijas was a good midfield player, well he maybe in Serbia, but in the pass and move, pacey premiership he is a fish out of water. Same as O`Hara, and David Jones for that matter, pass and don`t move because the opposition are more mobile and athletic. We end up with one of the left foot midfield plodders trying to hit 50/60 yard passes which just don`t work.
MM bought all these players, all unfit for purpose for the premiership. We are in deep shite, and Tc has been left holding the baby. I`m sure we can`t be that bad again this Saturday, I`m going to be there to see, lets hope TC can motivate the players although they should hardly need so, given the appalling efforts last Sunday.
Off topic but I find it interesting that Wolves Blog helped Four Four Two select Nenad Milijas as our best ever foreigner. The fact that I couldn’t think of many better than a guy who’s struggled to hold down a place and let’s face it not done much since he’s arrived, shows what bad luck we’ve had with overseas players. Ludo Pollet has been suggested, and definitely had a bigger impact.
Ah, is that in the latest issue then Rich? I might have to buy that.
On first glance, it looks total madness to go for Milijas, but considering it had to be someone outside the UK and Ireland, we were slightly hamstrung.
Henri Camara, Marcus Hahnemann and Ludo Pollet were all considered before I settled on Milijas.
Although he’s done nothing this season, I think it’s harsh to dismiss the Serb’s contribution completely.
His purple patch in the first Prem season kept us afloat in December. Goals against Bolton and Burnley plus a handful of assists against the likes of Spurs and Stoke helped us clock up valuable points.
Even last season he was vital to many of the successes we had, including the home wins against Man City and Man Utd – more goals and assists.
And I still think, despite recent poor form, his cutting edge could prove key against the lesser sides if he gets a run in the side.
If I’d been manager the last 3 years, he’d certainly have played more games.
Yeah, it’s in the latest issue.
Yeah, fair points, he was pretty instrumental in his first season. Though he has never managed to hold down a regular position, through no fault of his own, as he’s a luxury in a grafting team. I can’t see him being remembered too much when he moves on.
As for Henri Camara, there may have been uproar if he was selected. He scored a few good goals in an ultimately fruitless campaign, but when you consider he couldn’t hit a barn door before Christmas and then went on strike after being treated like a hero, there’s no way it could have him.
Van Damme, Niestroj et al will be thankful for Frankowski!
Theres a point in this though isnt there Rich? Every Prem team can list a decent foreign signing or two. We have none, as we flatly refuse to deal in that market. It is so frustrating because it is self imposed and wholly unnecessary (and logic that is only applicable to us). Arsenal game exciting BTW!
I think that is a big difference. Almost every senior player is an member of their national team (about 5 of them have been captain of their country at certain stages) – and of the 3 English blokes, 2 have played for England (AJ & Murphy)
Wolves are missing out if they are not playing the international market – Fulham picked up Dembele for £5mil where Wolves spend the same money for O’Hara
Pogrebnyak clearly suffering from the problem of that long period it takes foreign players to adapt that Mick McCarthy was obsessed with just because he bought a couple of wrong’uns.
No wonder he found transfer windows tought when he ruled out 99% of the world’s professional footballers before he even started!
Apparently I can spell ‘Pogrebnyak’ but not ‘tough’ but you get the idea.
I agree with you Thomas and think, overall, Milijas has been underused.
I would have gone for Jens Dowe as Wolves’ best foreign import…
Eddie Stuart right back in the great all-conquering 50’s team was from South Africa and a class player. Probably the first black player to put on the Old Gold shirt and a real stalwart.
John de wolf has to be in with a shout…
I was a big Fernando Gomez fan myself
could you hear the drums?
What I’d say about Sunday and recently is the graft and effort that defined the McCarthy era seems to have gone missing. And without the pressing and closing down you can see us for what we are – a largely average bunch of players out of their depth. This was Fulham for God’s sake, tough to beat at the Cottage for sure, but not normally so devastating.
It looked to have gone missing during Mick’s last moments at the club too – which is why I’d hoped that the new manager could bring something new. It looked like TC had revitalised the team at Newcastle, but then…
Possibly MM biggest mistake was taking the captaincy off henry. We have seen performances this season ie givin up, not tackling or closing down, that we never saw when henry was captain. I am not his biggest fan, but just think what it must have done to him. Wolves are his home club, his friends and family support wolves. He was mr big around the place and no matter what his shortcoming as a footballer, he embodied the never say die attitude. To have the captaincy taken away and given to a chelsea supporting nobhead that must have really hurt him personally. Under johnson as captain we are seeing some shockin performances. Give henry the captaincy back and watch the performances improve.
the mess that mcarthey inherited from hoddle ,he has now left us in a bigger mess we are down no doubt about it
Are you suggesting that Mick was worse than Hoddle? Surely you can’t believe that! If I remember when Hoddle left we barely had any first-team players – didn’t Mick say that in his first ever interview?
I don’t think the fact we had no players was Hoddle’s fault
We failed so badly because we have a shit defence and a shit manager.
After a fortnight of dithering, I’ve just given in to my better judgement and bought extra tickets for family members for Saturday; 1400+ tickets available with the temporary stand somewhat empty with just three days to go surely says something. Last season’s Blackburn game was the game of the season and I think Saturday’s match might also decide our fate this year. If we win there’s a glimmer of hope but if we lose or draw, we’ve had it and to be honest if we cannot win at home against the likes of Blackburn, we don’t deserve to be in the PL. I used to think it would be a shame if we went down and lost many players; however I think many would agree that it would now be a useful exercise to break up what is a dysfunctional team, just look at what’s happened to the Blues after a good clear out.
My ‘Moxey Out’ shirt is ready to wear, hope you’ve all got yours!
If people look back its not the stike force i think we are the tenth highst scoreing tem in the league its the defence the third worst in all 4 divisions last season and what did we do buy one CD tou can blame RJ all you like but one man does not make a defence and for that it is only one mans fault MM. You can not play PL teams with a championship defence Stearman AND berra are out of there depth which we all new after last season and the one before but what did we do nothing and it cost MM his job. Now TC is in charge and nothing has changed same players makeing same mistakes people on here say we need Ewards back what for hes another one who does not like tackleing WE NEED SOME ONE IN MIDFIELD TO GIVE OHARA ASSISTANCE and Edwards is not the one and as for AG on loan at NF thats where he should stay as useless is one word that comes to mind.
I know this sounds a bit heartless and it is but its still not to late to get rid of TC and i think
do him a favour,because the place we’er going is down under him.
I’m sure we could still tempt Butch Wilkins down here, to keep us up who knows,but if he does’nt so what and start afresh next season with the new manager and i hope fresh ideas.
FOJM.FOSM.FOTC.
TC out? Nope, not gonna happen!
Your probably right Hamlet,But do you really think TC is the answer and the future of
Wolves football,i don’t think so.FOJM,FOSM,FOTC..
“TC out”
Really??! After two games, and taking into consideration he’s stepped up because nobody else approached appeared to want the job?
I am usually a supportive supporter but TC has coached all these players since they arrived at the Wolves if we play as badly again against Blacburn i would give Wilkins another call – he would cut a convincing managerial figure and could ring the changes needed for the future,
What about wilkins,They only appointed TC Because it would’nt cost them any money as usual, on the cheap, The tight fisted pair of prats.And as colin said,He’s the one who’s coached them.Irest my case..FOJM.FOSM.FOTC.
How can you say we’ve never had a good foreign player?
I give you the greatest goalscorer in Wolves history…………………Stephen George Bull, from Tipton, and it don’t get more foreigner than that!!!
Not my kind of subject, Stats..
The only Stats that matter are 22 points from 27 games.
12 goals against in the last 3 matches and only 2 goals for.
Out of a possible Squad of 25, we start with 24, then loan 3 out to other clubs so we can only choose from 21…
Get the drift…
Morgan OUT!!! Moxey OUT!!! TC OUT!!!
A lot of criticism of the defence here, and on the whole justified, but Tom makes another important point:
“Penning us in and isolating Kevin Doyle”
Our inability to hold the ball upfront and retain the ball in an attacking position is a huge factor. This meant Fulham played almost the entirety of the game in our half. If you watch Dempsey’s second goal Wolves defenders outnumber Fulham attackers 2 to 1, yet Fulham pass the ball at will with no meaningful tackle. The Wolves defence looks exhausted, and after 83 minutes of relentless pressure that’s probably understandable.
4-5-1 only works as a formation if you get players in support, effectively played a 4-1-2-3 when in possession. Against Fulham, we played with Henry (then Milijas), O’Hara and Foley effectively screening the defence and Jarvis and Kightly out wide. This made it difficult to retain the ball as whenever Doyle had possession his nearest teammate was out on the touchline or back in our half.
We need to improve tactically in order to give the defence some restbite!
One big tactical change we’ve seen under TC is we seem to be trying to play out from the back rather than have Henners hoof it up pitch. Against Fulham the fact our team can’t string more than 5 passes together meant when we inevitably lost possession fulham were instantly back in our box. You can start to see why MM was so fond of the hoof…
No wonder we’re struggling if our choice of attacking options include losing the ball in our own half or losing it in the oppositions!
5 passes! That would be nice.
We do sometimes make it to 5. maybe once or twice a match….
Thats ALL about coaching is it not ,Andrewwfc.
Correct, coaching under McCarthy. Whilst TC was part of the coaching staff, the way the team is set out will always be dictated by the manager, thus making it unfair to judge TC on the way Wolves have performed previously.
Who knows, TC’s appointment may turn out to be a disaster, but surely two games is nowhere near enough to make that judgement?
Ok,How many games do you think?.5.6.or 7.then it will be to late.IMO.
Stats-I pushed Bully in his pram.
Did you? Really.
Ray Wilkins has a good football pedigree as well as being an excellent communicator with many contacts in the football world.
His record is also better than perceived and with his later experience he could have a very good managerial job left in him.
Another way of asking the question Thomas is how come we played so well at Newcastle? TC’s first game in charge and there seemed to be refreshing new instructions to get the ball down and pass. I know Newcastle weren’t great and Henry and Edwards were playing but the INTENTION was there. Fulham game and it’s the same old same old just with less effort.
The following statements you make are all true..
‘ When we do see more of the ball, we’re unable to convert that possession into chances and goals.’
‘Against sides that have the ability to get the ball down and pass we struggle badly'( that’s pretty well all of them)
‘Only 5 of these 31 crosses found a Wolves player’
‘What’s clear is that Wolves allow opponents far too many efforts on goal and don’t ask enough questions of their own’
‘Fulham plundered 19 shots on Sunday forcing the Welshman into 7 saves. Wolves had just 6 shots and only Jamie O’Hara’s speculative effort from distance forced Schwarzer into action’
If you try to stand back and look at it completely objectively, which is always difficult with the ones you love, this whole article could have been written in seven words,
WE ARE A VERY POOR PREMIERSHIP SIDE.
Cant help noticing that Moxey is the subject of quite a lot of criticism on here of late.
The Clubs last accounts show that one Director received any remuneration and contributions to a defined pension scheme.
The remuneration was over £1.1m and the pension contributions were in excess of £100,000.
When you consider that profits had fallen from c£9m the previous year to £2.2m pre tax last year, the decision to knock down a stand less than 20 years old, the lack of investment in the squad in both of the last two transfer windows, to use Wolv Wanderesrs Properties Ltd to embark on a house building project and the hugely embarassing faux pas over the lack of a succession planning strategy which became apparant recently, does anyone feel any Director deserves such a remuneration package?
Can anyone confirm whether Moxeys daughter is now an employee of the Club? If so, does anyone know in what capacity, whether the job was advertised and how many candidates were interviewed for it?
Moxey’s daughters pretty fit, I know that much
Meeting fellow blogger Mark Davies for a pre match pork bap (another roasting!) on Sat. Fancy joining us? The bap’s on Mark:)
From the way we’ve been so knackered looking recently, she is probably blowing them all before the games.
Company bike springs to mind!!!
Hallo boys, I’m back.
No shit. You’re an imposter. Everyone knows any CFH post carries an obligatory FOWB!
Ladies and Gentlemen…. The Award for Wolves Blog Comment of the Year goes to…Mr Clive from Houston
FOWB FOJM
Stat-3 days to Doomsday
Will some one tell me why we have not recalled Adeline from Forest
We can’t, something to do with it being a termed loan to the end of the season
Would have been better if Eggbox Jonson had gone to Forest instead then, hope they keep Elokobe
We`re paying the price for not freshening things up in Jan. It would not have taken much, just needed new faces for competition. Albion got Andrews on a free and Ridgewell for 1m, hardly splashing the cash but astute signings none the less.
Yes we were unlucky with frimpong but I don`t rate bassong, harry said his heads in the wrong place which is why he couldnt play him. I dont believe his hamstring went v albion, I think he just wanted to get off the pitch because he was being given the runaround. Jonnsons hardly worth a mention, he wasnt even rated in scotland and no one up there can believe we shelled out 600k, one journalist said he thought it was a joke when he first heard it.
So to shake it up I`d definitely play Davis and also put craddock back in. We can`t just carry on with the same 11 or 12. We need to play 5 in midfield and stop the ball reaching Hoilett and the Yak because they will destroy us if they see too much of the ball.
We’ve never worried about playing blokes with their feet in the wrong place. I say Bassong should play.
I agree more should have been done in the window but also I have come to the conclusion that a****n are actually much better than us so its pointless making comparisons with that lot. They have compiled a squad of very good players and have a very, very good manager to get the best out of them. Yes Andrews and Ridgwell for next to nothing were excellent additions but Woy is playing both of them and using them to great effect, we would have had them on the bench or loaned out. I actually hope Morgan takes note of how our neighbours have conducted their affairs with an even smaller budget than ours and learns from their business model. I also hope he takes Moxey to one side and tells him never to come out with statements like `we won`t do an albion` when things like that can only come back to haunt us and make us look really smug and ultimately very silly.
The bottom 5 plus maybe villa are our concern and if we`re going to stay up we must beat blackburn, bolton and wigan and then find 5 more points from somewhere else as we`ll need 36 minimum I reckon to stay up. We need 14 or 15 points out of 33, thats almost half of the remaining points, sounds a lot but we must believe we can win this mini league of crap clubs down the bottom.
Fulham’s stock are on the rise. They are quality and are going to become force. We need a Martin Jol
In retrospect its its all down to MM,and the other two M’s why we’er in this predicament.
Angry yes,sad mm gone no.Are we going down hate to say it but if we lose to Blackburn its
championshite here we come,because blackburn are crap away from home if we can’t beat them well we deserve to go down,as for the rest who are down there you feel at the present time they are all capable putting a few good results together thus leaving us at the bottom of the excrement pit with no escape.
Like i have said with butch wilkins in now we would have a better chance now or next season.
JM,SM,Please have a rethink.
Come on TC, they’re the same old faces, no-one new is going to appear, they just need a damn good shake up. The only teams that matter at the moment are the 5 at the bottom, we’re all as c**p as each other and our only brief should be to make sure at the end of the season 3 of these are below us.
Forget the fancy football, we can’t do it.
Just come up with a plan that beats the teams in the bottom 3 because that’s 9 precious points, 22 + 9 = 31 and that leaves another 4 or 5 to get but from where I don’t know.
Actually now I’ve written this it’s a load of b******s, why don’t we just send for Flash Gordon ??
Up the Wolves !!!!!
FOWB even though you’re a better team run on a tighter budget with better tactics.
Credit where it’s due boys.