When Roger Johnson joined, one particular statistic about the defender caught my attention – he made 76 Premier League appearances for Blues in the two seasons he was at St. Andrews.
That means he twice played 38 consecutive games. An ever-present in back-to-back campaigns.
And all of those were starts too.
Now that’s impressive.
But to fully appreciate the magnitude of this achievement, you only have to look at the stats for our own playing staff from last season.
Not one player managed to even feature in all 38 games (although Matt Jarvis came agonisingly close), let alone start them all.
Here’s the full list of appearances, with the number of those as a substitute in brackets. I’ve taken out the players who’ve now left the club.
1. Matt Jarvis – 37 (3)
2. Stephen Ward – 34 (7)
3. Kevin Foley – 33 (3)
4. Christophe Berra – 32 (1)
5. Richard Stearman – 31 (4)
6. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake – 30 (19)
7. Karl Henry – 29 (1)
8. Steven Fletcher – 29 (14)
9. George Elokobi – 27 (4)
10. Kevin Doyle – 26 (1)
11. Wayne Hennessy – 24 (0)
12. Nenad Milijas – 23 (13)
13. Stephen Hunt – 20 (6)
14. Jody Craddock – 15 (1)
14. Ronald Zubar – 15 (1)
16. Dave Edwards – 15 (3)
17. Jamie O’Hara – 14 (1)
18. Adam Hammill – 10 (3)
19. Adlene Guedioura – 10 (6)
20. Michael Kightly – 4 (3)
21. Sam Vokes – 4 (4)
22. Andy Keogh – 1 (1)
The immediate thought I had when analysing these figures was how reliant we evidently still are on the players that got us promoted from the Championship.
Only Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher make it into the top 11, with the remainder stalwarts from the 08/09 campaign.
You obviously have to take into account injuries and availability when crunching the numbers. For instance Jamie O’Hara might well have played every game had he been here from the start and Kevin Doyle would surely have made 30+ starts had he remained fit.
Utility players like Ward and Foley who operate in more than one position are also more likely to get game-time, so it’s no surprise to see them sitting pretty at the summit.
Featuring in 37 games was a great achievement for Jarvis, particularly when you consider the type of explosive player he is. Mick said towards the end of the season he was getting tired and that’s hardly a surprise given he played hundreds of minutes more than most of his team mates.
Looking ahead to next season, which players have a chance of achieving the 38?
Well, Roger is on for a hat-trick and assuming he stays fit, he’s got to be a great shout. Hennessy could do it, but De Vries will surely be given a go at some point you’d imagine?
Henry and O’Hara are decent bets in midfield and Fletcher or Doyle could feasibly become ever-presents if they can avoid injury.
So whose your money on?
Kinda sums up why we struggled last season, Ward, Foley and Berra right up there, always on the pitch.
And I feel so sorry for poor little Mattie. Tired? Fuckin’ tired?
He’s a professional footballer, who is being paid ridiculous sums of money, compared to mere mortals like us, to run around a patch of flat grassy land once or twice a week, occassionally kicking an inflated piece of leather.
And he got tired. Must have been a strain picking up that hefty paycheck every week.
Don’t ever let me hear the ” I’m Tired” excuse from any footballer, or other overpaid sports”star” again. It makes my blood boil that there fuckin’ prima donnas think they are on a different planet from the rest of us.
Spoilt brats.
Let them try doing a real job, like fireman or something, where your life can be on the line on a daily basis, not just your poor little sore metatarsal or whatever.
Fuckin’ Tired?
Kiss my ass.
Footballers aren’t allowed to get tired because they earn lots of money? You really are a caricature at times aren’t you!
The point is we all get tired at work, but most of us struggle to scrape by and those getting paid more in a month than most of us earn in 2 years would be well advised not to bleat about fatigue.
I wasn’t aware Jarvis had bleated about fatigue? McCarthy (and many fans) just felt he wasn’t at 100% peak physical condition by the end of a long season.
I’m sorry but that has nothing to do with money and everything to do with what the body is physically capable of.
Put it this way, if a marathon runner was paid billions then do you guys expect him to be able to run two a day? Where does it end?
fair point and well made. i don’t think jarvis personally has, i was just moaning in more general terms about the financial disparity between footballers and other humans, and their fragile egos.
not that ANY of our players are like this, but ashley cole’s statement about feeling insulted to only be offered £50k a week or whatever it was still sticks in the craw somewhat.
Yeah I definitely agree with you on that!
As the saying goes if you cant take the heat get out the fucking kitchen… sometimes caustic, your views here Clive are spot on…
My worry is that Berra and Stears will still be regular fare, i thought FOley had a good season though, it was the other flank that nearly wrecked our premiership status.
LB anyone ??
maybe jarvo had been reading clive’s posts? I think they were enough to make everyone tired by the back end of last season.
Fingers crossed Captain Roger the dodger stays fit and rakes in another 38.
a bit early in the day for all the swearing perhaps?
Clive, even as I was writing that paragraph, I knew (word-for-word pretty much) what your reply would be. You’re getting predictable old boy, it’s time to mix things up a bit.
As always, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I’m ever so tempted on this occasion to say that you’re just plain wrong.
For starters when we say a footballer is ‘tired’, we don’t mean ‘Oh that was a hard day at work, I’m ready for bed’, we mean that an elite, professional athlete hasn’t adequately recovered to maintain peak performance.
Modern football at this level is played by guys who train for hours every single day, incorporating highly scientific methods aimed at squeezing just a few more percent out of each individual.
So even if a player is performing at 90-95% of their capability, they’re likely to be found wanting in matches.
As much as you harp on about the so-called golden era of the 60s and 70s, like it not, football is a completely different game.
And yes, the money is ridiculous and the celebrity culture that the players enjoy is laughable, but that’s just the way it is I’m afraid.
To be honest, I grow tired of this ‘men were men in my day’ nonsense.
Agree Thomas.
Sure footballers are paid a lot of money (too much) but modern football in this league is played at a crazy pace and is very demanding.
Nice blog, agree that Johnson is our most likely bet on being an ever present. Our only player to ever do it in the Premier League for us was a left back.. Lee Naylor!
Henry stands a good chance, though his position is more vulnerable now and if Hennessey continues progressing he could easily do it.
Pardon me for being predictable, but I don’t see anywhere in my comment above a reference to the “old days”
Perhaps the scientific approach is too demanding, and perhaps they train for too long?
These guys are by and large under 30, supposedly super fit, and focused on nothing but football and fitness, so how come they might get tired?
Now I will harp on about when I was younger…….much younger.
I used to play in a Saturday morning friendly league, turn out for Goodyears in the afternoon, play for Sporting Star in the Sunday League the following morning, and then sometimes have a kick about in the park with my mates in the afternoons.
And this while being a smoker and drinker!!!
No, I was not Wolves standard, ( though I did have a trial ) but the point is I was young and healthy, like professionals are supposed to be, and if I could do it, then anyone can.
I stick by what I said, the “He’s Tired” excuse doesn’t wash.
Bit unfair to accuse Jarvo of making the ‘im tired’ excuse. It says in the article that Mick said Jarvo was tired, not the player himself.
I imagine he was disappointed to be left on the bench for the crucial games against Baggies and Sunderland.
so right Clive….
Oh dear lets hope we never make Europe or well have to play the reserves because the first team will be too tired (tongue firmly in cheek!!)
Thomas – great and interesting blog. I understand how you presented the numbers given the comment you made above them, but that table is misrepresentative to me as tiredness and Johnson being ever present is surely focussed on game time. So for example having SEB 6th having only made 11 starts, but is in same bracket as consistent starters like Stears and Berra, and ahead of Doyle and Fletcher who played much more prominent roles. Think should have used the usual starts (subs apps) numbering.
Yeah, fair point Bazza.
Although I was trying to make a point about who made the most appearances, regardless of starts and game time, so that’s why I went with the order I did.
I just thought it was incredible that Johnson has started 38 games for two consecutive seasons and not one of our players even featured in every game, let alone started.
I think we can safely say that if the spine of the team – Johnson, O’Hara and Fletch/Doyle get near the magic number then we’ll be fine this season. A bit worried about these persistent niggles the likes of Dave Edwards and Guedioura cant seem to get rid of.
Was Jarvis tired or did Mick just drop him? Either way Hunt made a great contribution and we stayed up.
I’m with Clive on the whole “tired” debate – just because he makes me laugh! They play 38 games * 90 mins, if they cant manage that then get out of dodge. If training is causing the issue, then the schedule is too hard – its all about having players fit for games
Nice one Thomas….if thats not the kiss of death I don’t know what is!!
Ha ha! My dark twisted mind did immediately picture Johnson rupturing his knee with stats like those
Your mind was already thinking about him rupturing his knee, before I even said anything. You can’t fool me buddy boy.
Sorry T-Bone, it wasn’t. My mind was a picture of positivity until you started banging on about 38 on the spin. Disgraceful behaviour and it will all be your fault!
T-Bone. Funny!
F*ck off Halford, you were sh*te..
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2011/08/04/greg-halford-fires-wolves-rocket/
He’s obviously pretty deluded, if he thinks he’s a better player than Johnson. What does he base that on exactly?
I’d love to know how he figures Pompey are a bigger club than Wolves. Lower division, smaller ground, less trophies. Not having a dig at Pompey by any means, but it’s a strange thing to say at this current moment in time.
Sour grapes me thinks.
From the quotes there, it’s obvious he was a bit of a rebel in what’s otherwise a close-knit unit, so Mick was right to get rid I feel, regardless of ability.
It also adds fuel to the fire about McCarthy and his favorites.
The fact we only got £1m back for the £2.5m we spent tells you something about his “ability” (or lack of).
Was it a game against Blues where he was dragged off after a totally pathetic display?
Enjoy the Championship Halford – thanks for nothing, even your long throws didn’t create chances.
“Only” £1m? I can’t believe we managed to get that! I wonder what the Pompey management are thinking of their new buy just now… A player who does his talking OFF the pitch.. Ha!
Can’t stop yourself can you eh?
Halford was very average, and never did anything of note. Never worked, had a bad attitude and even spilled the beans on a transfer (good thing he did mind)
emailed my pompey mate at work and asked him to defend these points, here is his rather fabulous response:
“Yeah ive had a look into to this and will have to concede both points. The only reason i can think of is that maybe over the last 10 years we probably have averaged higher league positions than you and won an fa cup so in recent recent history we have been bigger. But overall in the whole history of football im sure you have won more than us so ill let you have it.”
Hahaha, look at this:
http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10307~2409918,00.html
They’ve obviously super-imposed some of the players into the team photo really badly.
In particular, look for the midget Dave Edwards. Classic.
I thought they’d do better than that.
I think Guedioura might have been in cardboard cut out form too?! Quality. That makes the picture even better IMO. Love it.
Guedioura definitely fake. Berra also not really there.
It’s very funny and like you say, makes it ten times better, but I thought they’d do a better job of covering it up than that.
I could do better even with my rudimentary Photoshop skills.
Berra’s never really there, is he???!!!!
Ha, they forgot to photoshop Berra in the close up picture.
It has made it into the Metro today:
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/871404-wolves-trio-photoshopped-into-official-team-photo
I’m not sure what makes me laugh more, the photoshopping, or the fact SEB looks like Jim ‘My Arse’ Royal on the front row with his legs apart and hands not on knees.
The reason poor young Jarvis was supposedly knackered were the 34 so games where MM played Ward, and Jarvo had to cover deep for him, then try and play as a winger as well. I`d love to see the stats on the amount of ground the poor lad had to cover because of his inept team mate.
Frankly seeing how many times MM put Ward on the pitch is a complete joke, its no wonder we have relegation battle written over our premiership history so far. At least Foley looked good in the championship, Ward was a left back liability then, scarily more so where we are now.
As MM has to get his love child on the pitch despite him being completely out of his depth, I actually feel sorry for the lad, its not his fault. can`t see MM changing anything though, one step forward two steps back with MM.
Well, we brought 3 left backs into the club in recent times: Hill, Friend and Elokobi… And I would rather have Ward playing than any of them! I really like Big George (Mick McCarthy’s body double), but he gets caught out too many times. Ward isn’t the best left back in the world, but he is the best left back at the club at the mo!
Oh and by the way one step forward (promotion to the Prem) two steps back (avoiding relegation twice?) does not compute.. We are not in Division 1, you know…
I think I was the only person who rated Hill! I liked him. Not sure where he is these days. Looked a bit like DJ Spoony too, which endeared me to him further.
I always thought Hill was okay Ben, did a decent job in the championship for us I thought. A very good signing for Blackpool!
I disagree, the tea lady could do a better job at left back than Ward.
He may be “the best left back at the club”. So what?
Does that make him a good left back?
No, it just means we have a load of shit left backs, none of whom are premiership standard, and there is a glaring need for a new, good one, a need McDickwad identified a year ago, which was two years after we all knew we needed one, and has still not done anything to address the situation, despite a shed load of goals being shipped in from that position.
McDickwad??? Do you remember the state we were in when he took over? I think, for a dickwad, he’s done a pretty good job to get our team where it is now. 3 years in the premier league!! This is the best we’ve had it for a long time and Mick’s the man who’s made it all happen. He gets players to give the cliched 110% and he’s built a team, not a bunch of individuals but a TEAM. We’ve improved every season under Mick and I can’t see why we won’t continue to improve. We’re not going to be the world conquering team of the 50’s that you keep harping on about but patience is a great virtue. Give the man time and I believe he will deliver.
We all get the message that you don’t like Ward and think we need a new left back, the majority of Wolves fans will agree with you but I reallly don’t get your problem with Mick. Name me one man who would have done a better job than him. Personally, I like ward because he’s Wolves through and through. Look back to his reaction when the final whistle went agianst QPR when we knew we were promoted, the guy went mad. I respect our manager and players and would never disrespect them the way you do.
I think you’re an idiot and don’t have any respect for your opinion, I really don’t understand how anyone can call themselves a Wolves fan when they don’t support the most successful manager we’ve had for years. I do try and be patient and respect other peoples views but you make it impossible. You manage to turn every blog into anti-Mick or Ward and it’s getting boring. Mick will go down in history as one of our greatest managers and you’re too stuborn to see past his relationship with Ward.
Maybe if you watched the games live you’d understand the passion and commitment that we get from every player. Whilst you’re listening to a yank commentator we’re watching Elekobi, Ward and Mick doing a lap of the pitch clapping the fans. Watch that and then come on here and slag them off. If a player’s proud to wear the Wolves shirt then I’m proud to support them.
34 games played in 10 months thats how i see it on a three day week,
thats graft my arse,I agree with clive and mark G on a lot what they
say,we always looked knackerd and half a yard short than any other
team we played against,I think over-training and that old adage that
McIdiot believes in putting a shift in,really fucks them up.Don’t forget
the coaching, kick it and run tactics,not the passing game we love to
see thats why they are knackerd..Change is needed still.
I mean’t 38 games i’m doing them an injustice.
This tiredness debate is crap. Players get tired. We have squads these days. We know tiredness can cause injury. they get paid loads. It’s not their fault. If we don’t rest tired players, other clubs will. That wasn’t the case in the stone age. At the end of the season everyone was knackered… They just all looked as tired as each other.
Ha ha. Deviating a little, I’ve just read this line from a blog on the E&S site by Tim Spiers. I don’t think anyone has summed it up quite so perfectly.
“The fact that we need a left-back is more glaringly obvious than the birthmark on Mikhail Gorbachev’s head – everyone can see it and everyone’s talking about it apart the man himself, in this case Mick McCarthy.”
Good afternoon stephenB. Ward may be the best left back in the club, but that is no solution to a position where we really do have a problem.
He lacks the mobility and pace to play left back, (or anywhere else for that matter) in the premiership. Steve Coppell saw the opportunity to use his speedy wingers to enbarass Ward when Doyle, Sidwell & Hunt over ran us at Molyneux. Nearly every other championship side went for this glaring weakness, and now two years on the same problem remains.
Almost 100% of bloggers think the same and I suggest most fans shake their heads in dismay and disbelief everytime he starts or comes on as a sub. I don`t blame the lad, its not his fault, only MM`s and it will be his undoing eventually. unless as Roger Johson has said on the Express & Star website we will sign another player, and thats a left back fit for purpose.
Inredible that this glaringly obvious weakness has still not been addressed. It just does not make any sense at all. All the good work and big sums of money being spent is being risked for what reason? To keep a couple of nice blokes in a very well paid job which is better than their ability deserves. I just cannot fathom it at all. A top LB could be the difference between relegation or relatively comfortable safety. Each higher position in the league is worth something like an additional £250,000 in prize money; a £2-3million buy could even pay for itself.
I hope they all prove me wrong but i, no doubt along with a few others, will be keeping a very close eye on the number of goals and points we concede directly from our left flank.
Agree with Mark on this. I’m sure I read somewhere about Coppell basically identifying him as an awful defender, cue every attack down his side. It actually led to Jarvis snapping his hamstring as he chased back 70 yards to cover the vast open space that Ward had vacated.
Agree that this issue needs addressing. Moreover, I simply don’t believe that the only credivle candidates all summer have been Bertrand, Konchesky and Wallace.
Of all the teams in all the world, surely better quality exists somewhere.
Do you think they got their inspiration from seeing Thomas and Ben running with Fletcher and Stearman?
http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/oddballs/871404-wolves-trio-photoshopped-into-official-team-photo#ixzz1U4y55m2e
In fairness to Thomas, our mugshots looked twice as believable as that god awful effort – even with my Karl Henry arms!
I’m wondering whether 38 games for Ward might not be a bad bet?
Hopefully, we will get a left back, otherwise I can see us struggling again.
I’ve thought for a while Ben that, deep down, Mick doesn’t want to sign a really good left back because he likes his two boys too much and that can’t be right. I would have thought Morgan can see the problem though and maybe that’s our best chance of getting one eventually.