In a week where Thomas Hitzlesperger’s name overtook Jo Guest’s on Google and left back consternation grew to the size of a twitter fail whale, I’m feeling curiously positive about things right now.
A warning though…When you read the cause for my new found cheer, curious might well be the operative word. Or cretinous?
Not only do I think that our left back and midfield positions are not the main causes for concern right now, but I think that Stefan Maierhofer is the answer to the department that is.
For my money, we’re short of a striker. And if Stephen Ward plays most of the season at left back which he has indicated that he wants to, then we are definitely short of a striker.
As admirable as Doyle’s industry and Fletcher’s predatory skills are, our front line is a bit too similar and predictable for some Premiership teams, which is why I recommend the Hoff to the house.
And as fashionable as it is to cast off our current two left backs as inadequate or Karl Henry as a crab, it has been equally easy to belittle Stefan Maierhofer as a useless waste of space, despite him only ever starting one league game for us.
‘Oh he never jumps, he never wins anything,’ cry the many detractors. Well unless they have watched his every move at Compton training ground, how would they know when he’s never played?
I prefer to judge a player on a dozen appearances or more like I did Frankowski and Claridge, before writing them off as no-hopers. As a result, I haven’t written off the Hoff.
To quote the great Bing Crosby, you’ve got to accentuate the positive, latch onto the affirmative and all that, which is what Mick is doing here, not least when the cheque book appears to have closed for the remainder of the window.
With a revealing – if not predictable – lack of takers for the ever depreciating Keogh, we need a different proposition this season and we don’t need to be too precious about it either.
Tony Pulis doesn’t give a monkeys about the purists and their perceptions. But we all give a monkeys when we see Mamade Sidibe warming up with 15 minutes left.
I recall 4,000 rain sodden Wolves fans giving a monkeys when Iffy Onoura scored a 91st minute winner past us for Swindon Town on Boxing Day in 1998. I was one of them.
Isn’t Dele Adebola still knocking around somewhere too? Hopefully not near Molineux for the sake of our heart rates.
Niall Quinn, Kevin Kyle and Chris Iwelumo tell us that Mick likes the option of a target man. He shelled out £1.8 million for one who helped Duisburg to an (equivalent) FA Cup final last season and bagged 33 goals in 42 games for Rapid Vienna – a club name synonymous with European competition.
So if Mick sticks his ‘neck’ out at Ewood Park on Saturday, you won’t hear me complaining. You never know, he might even score there.
If you hadn’t written this blog Ben, I definitely would have.
Yes, yes, a hundred times yes. Why not give the Hoffmeister a go from the bench?
You’re spot on saying we’ve seen practically nothing of him, so it’s baffling that people make such sweeping statements about what he can and can’t do.
Mick was quoted after the Zaragoza game as saying something like:
“I told him to go on there to cause havoc and win his headers.”
…which roughly translates to:
“When I signed you I wanted a threatening target man and you turned out to be a bit of a pussy. Man up and you might have a role to play”.
I agree with this thinking.
Basically, if he can make a nuisance of himself, he’d unquestionably be an asset, particularly when we’re chasing a game and slinging high balls into the box.
I felt that Mick didn’t make good use of him in that first season, preferring to bring him on when we were winning and trying to see out a game.
He’s far too rash to hold the ball up and play out time in the clever way that Doyle does.
But he’s a nice option to have when you need to completely change your approach.
I’d much rather have him sitting on the bench as a fourth striker than the likes of a Keogh or a Vokes.
I agree.
He’s never had a chance.
Look at Crouch, he’s always a handful, and he can play a bit.
Always said that SEB is not up to snuff Prem wise, and Keogh is in the same class as Ward, so as we’ve already got The Hoff on the books why not try him…………….for a reasonable run, not just one game.
If he doesn’t score, he will still have more goals than Ward!!
Ben did we actually agree a bet? Second post of the blog!
And he’ll have the same amount of PL goals as Ward. 😉
agree, why not give him a chance? He wasn’t as bad as made out and was probably still adapting. he has a decent goalscoring record, so might aswell have him as an option on the bench.
If you are having a go at me, cool.
I actually said he will have more goals than Ward, coz Ward is and always will be in the negative coz of the vast number that have been conceded due to his ineptitude!!
Definitely never given a chance. In fact when he came on as a sub against Everton, he tried so hard to get stuck in and put himself about a bit he got sent off. This made McCarthy furious and he got little chance after that. But i reckon he was only following instructions. I also remember he struck a thunderous shot in that match which was heading for the top corner until it was inadvertantly blocked. And he scored against Blackburn which was his debut wasn’t it? Looking at his web site, probably not Mick’s type of bloke but a good manager should get the best out of all types.
Hear hear! Some great stuff in the original post and the follow-up comments. The Hoff really should have a place on the bench. As already highlighted our forward play can be a bit one dimensional and predictable. At least the Hoff option gives us some variety. With our plethora of great wingers that we have at the club this guy should be a dream. As Thomas pints out – the guy probably just need to man up.
If Hunty can win headers then this guy should be doing it in his sleep!
Thanks 4 the kind comment Simon! Glad i appear to have created a bit of a Hoff appreciation society too. Agree with the wingers line too. We have 4of the best.
The hysterical criticism of Elokobi, Ward and Maierhofer doesn’t take into account the possibility of development: they were crap a year ago, so they’re crap now. Remember, Wolves did avoid relegation last season, which is more than can be said for Liam Ridgewell. So what makes Ridgewell better than Elokobi or Ward? Some Wolves fans howl for a relegated bit of shit while they rubbish our survivors. Elokobi and Ward have definitely improved, and, if Mick McCarthy thinks one or both of them are about to make the grade, I’m not going to argue with him now. The PL season will tell us if he’s right or wrong. It will be time to hammer MM if our left-back still looks crap in December. Our team is steadily developing. For now, in Mick we trust!
Well, yes. I’ve always liked Maierhoffer. He could do well if given the chance.
To top it off, Doyle is injured.
Yes from me.
Wasn’t his main problem was his mouth initially. Didn’t he have a bit of a public pop at MM over his lack of opportunity?
I hear he did OK on loan but its great to see that he hasn’t had a problem with turning out on some awful preseason friendlies and “put a shift in”.
I remember going to watch Rushall Olympic play Blues in a pre season friendly some time ago and Franck Queudrue was the only notable player for the Blues and easily the best player on the park. He was down the pecking order at Blues and I’m sure he’d had a few words with the manager the season before or something.
He ended up being player of the season for them the following season….
Now I’m not saying thats going it happen but it simply reminds me of the Hoffmeister. I believe in miracles….you necky thing you.
Good points there mate. Think he said training was way too rough as well, compared to the continent.
Short of insulting Mick’s family, I can’t think of one thing that would wind him up as much as hearing that!!
I was trying to think of some old players that kind of vanished off the radar and came back in a second coming sort of way.
I culd only think of Robbie Dennison when Graham Taylor brought him back for a bit. That was more of an Indian Summer though as he was past it.
His attitude seems right mate that’s for sure. Good luck to him and who knows, on as a sub against the Alb*on… Second half hatrick….instant legend…. Please.
Did you know he can cook as well?
Got that habit from watching Moxey…………cook the books ha ha
This is a very interesting article! It’s given me much to think about…
Didn’t he score his only goal against Blackburn? He’s in form against this opposition.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been thinking for some time that he’s been a bit short-changed in terms of first team opportunities since being sent(seen)off against Everton.
Could be a great impact sub, at least.
This bloke was the only reason we bought Halford, if there was another someone please tell me what is was. I believe up front we have lacked height, he is a solution and I`d rather he came on as a sub instead of Keogh, paricularly if we are chasing a game.
As we shelled out good money for him, why exactly did MM blank him, same reason I suppose as every other player who dared to ask the manager what and why. No wonder we get bullied on the pitch when MM won`t have players with attitude or bottle.
I agree he offers good alternatives and I hope he gets on against blackburn, and this time his goal is the winner not a poor consolation.
Totally agree with the blog Thomas. Let’s be fair, if Doyle and Fletch aren’t firing in a game, what difference is it going to do bringing on Vokes or Keogh? Are they likely to create a bigger goal threat? No chance. Bung on a lanky giant though and get Kites, Jarvis, Hunt and Hammill to fling in crosses and tell The Hoff to get his head on them.
It certainly won’t be pretty and people will no doubt revel in slagging us off, but if we’re one down with 10 minutes left, or chasing a game we have to win, The Hoff gives us a completely different option.
Any one who revels in slagging us off can get stuffed as far as I’m concerned. If we win ugly it is better than losing pretty.
Just ask Wnger if he’d have taken a few ugly wins last season over some of his pretty defeats/draws.
We are quite capable of slagging our team when the need arises, without any help from outsiders, thank you very much!
Totally agree with the blog and i’m actually getting excited with everyone’s enthusiasm on the subject. For some random reason, when i see the Hoff i see a potential Duncan Ferguson. The sort of guy who could have the odd lazy game, he might stranglethe odd defender or could even get sent to prison on occasion but he could also score some iconic goals and fuck it, could even end up getting a Wolves tattoo.
Seriously, just google Duncan Ferguson now and look at the 1st 3 pictures that are highlighted. Your telling me that a little bit of you wouldn’t love to see the Hoff in a wolves shirt in similar poses?
When i see the Hoff……i see potential !
Now if you’ll excuse me, i’m off to get the Hoff’s name printed on my new Wolves shirt !
Good blog Thomas Some good points to mull over,Iwould give him another chance not as though he had one anyway,i think he gives us
something else if he can put himself about he’s certainly big enought as
said Doyle injured lets give him a go i say,After all he bought him don’t
know why he never gave him a chance perhaps he’s watched a video of
him and seen something he missed last time.But don’t hold your breath.
We all seem to be getting a little bit excited about the Hoff all of a sudden! Myself included. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sold or sent on a season long loan somewhere before the window closes.
I hope not though as I agree with most of the above. Should definitely be given a chance from the bench. (and please sell/say goodbye/give to charity- Keogh).
Also, whats the chance of Shane Long sticking a couple past us whilst playing the Sh*te? Would be ironic if Doyle is sold.
Not convinced but not seen any recent highlights. Did he set Germany’s second flight alight?
The summer break is almost over and so optimism is in the air.
Let’s hope the Hoff turns into Duncan Ferguson .
I agree that the players will improve through experience alone, but still feel we are a player short, though not in the striking department.
i think most of the waste of money comments come from the fact mick brought him and didnt play him and as no one has really seen him do anything i cant see why he has been slated, when he came on saturday he was playing right infront of where i was sitting and was causing problems he got his head to the ball from when Fletcher hit the bar an nobody else could of reached it. i would be glad to see him given a run, Fletcher Doyle Blake and the neck is a lot better than other forwards we could have Vokes Keogh Ward, Now Doyle is out again i think we could see the Hoff getting a winner.
Oh dear! ‘Loving the lefties’ Read and weep -http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2415342,00.html#continue
‘The boss admits he is still looking to strengthen, as he does every position, but is delighted to have two top pros already in there slugging it out.’
Two top pros? These two would still get in the team if caught on CCTV smashing and looting their way through Wolverhampton city centre.
‘They are two of the best lads we’ve got at the club… two of the best professionals, best trainers, EVERYTHING’. There we have it then, they’re nice blokes, they work hard in training and they look after themselves! I don’t blame them either, for the thousands of pounds a week premiership money they get.Who wouldn’t given the chance?
I don’t think there is one other premiership team who would be prepared to pay money for them and offer them a similar deal.
No Mick that’s not everything. Pace, skill, premiership class….all vitally important missing ingredients.
Wonderful Wonderful Hoff. Duisburg had apparently no right to get anywhere near a cup final. I’m currently sharing a house with a Fortuna Dusseldorf fan and in his (generally sane) view is that they weren’t any good. So thus, he must have done something good.
Thank you, I’ve recently been hunting for facts about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have located so far.