The return from injury of key figures such as SEB, Kightly and Foley has got me thinking about our giant squad of players and whether any of them might be considered ‘untouchable’.
When I say untouchable, I mean players that will always get picked for the big games when fully fit because they’ve proved themselves to be vital to our cause. For example, Wayne Rooney would be the first name on the teamsheet in an important Champions League tie for United. The same would be said for Gerrard and Torres in pretty much every game for Liverpool. Sure, players like this might occasionally miss out if they’re recovering from injury but you can bet your bottom dollar that they’ll be in that starting XI for crunch matches.
So who are Wolves untouchables? I can think of 4.
The first one is obvious – SEB. Goals win matches and Blake has scored more than anyone else in our squad. Sure, the arrivals of Doyle and ‘The Hoff’ have made things more competitive and we know how highly Mick rates Keogh, but when the chips are down, we’d always want our number 9 on the pitch.
A fully fit Michael Kightly is untouchable. When this guy is flying, he’s a huge talent and it’s his quality in the final third that separates him from nearly everyone else in our squad. Whether it’s delivery from a set piece, finding that key pass or getting in there to score himself, he’s a threat and always keeps the opposition thinking. Overall, I believe he’s our best player.
It always amazes me that when some fans pick their best Wolves XI’s they quite often leave out Karl Henry. The fact of the matter is, this local-lad has proved that he does a vital job for the team in anchoring the midfield. The arrival of Castillo gives him some competition, but I still believe if he stays fit, Mick will pick him for the full 38 Premiership games this season. Expect to see Castillo teamed up alongside him in a 5 man midfield or replacing him when injured, but I just can’t see Henry ever sitting on the bench.
Finally, at this moment in time I believe Mancienne is untouchable. We’ve got 4 other first-team centre-halves but none of them are the full package like the young Chelsea defender. You could take Craddock out and put Berra, Stearman or Zubar alongside Mancienne and I don’t think the team would suffer a great deal. Take the England U21 international out and I think you’d see us looking far more shaky and error-prone at the back.
I expect some people will argue the case for the likes of Foley, Jarvis or another of their heroes, but in my opinion most of these other players could be replaced with someone else in the squad and the team could still operate at full-tilt.
So that’s my list of untouchables. What’s yours?
Tom, think you are spot on with the 4 you’ve picked. Am also amazed when people don’t pick Henry, if you’ve ever played football you’ll know just how important it is to have someone like him in your team. I bet if you asked any of the players who they would class as an untouchable, Karl Henry would be their first pick!! Only player i’d add to your 4 would be Foley, yes other players can come in and do a job but they would only ever be filling in for him. His consistency the last 2 seasons for me means when he’s fit Foley will play.
Yep, Tom, Ed, don’t think you will get very many arguments about that four. I will reserve putting in Doyle or Hoff as “untouchable” until I/We see more of both of them (is everyone as excited about this guy as I am)?
I think the way Milijas has started you could pretty much guarentee him a game if fit.
Foley is pretty untouchable I reckon, He was our best player last season, and will replace stearman when he’s fit. The other four definitely untouchable. Jarvis was last season but he needs to improve his final bal, then he will be untouchable
Agree about Milijas
Well I think Mick views Keogh as an untouchable. I can’t for the life of me see why 😉
As for Kightly, I personally don’t rate him that highly. Sure he is a good player, but I think his ego has got to him. He knows he will get picked no matter what, and so does not perform as well as he can. However that might just be me being a bit daft after not seeing him play for such a long time.
I’d agree at sticking Foley in there, has shown he has what it takes time and time again. Otherwise a ringing endorsement of the other 4.
As highly as I rate Foley (I think he’s the best full back I’ve ever seen play for Wolves), it pains me to say that I don’t think he’s untouchable in the eyes of MM.
There’s method to my madness.
You see, I believe Halford will often be included in the XI somewhere because of his long throws and his ability in the air (particularly away from home). When Kightly gets fit, I can’t see him getting in on the right side of midfield, so where else does that leave? Right back seems an obvious slot for Halford.
Plus Stearman has done a great job at right-back as well, so even when Foley is fit I wouldn’t put my house on him getting back in immediately.
I rate Foley as highly as anyone so he’d always be an untouchable if I was picking the side. But for me, right now, he’s not untouchable.
@Hallam – I don’t think Kightly has an ego mate, I just think he’s not been fully fit for a long, long time. You could tell by looking at him that he was operating at 75% for much of last season and he’s said as much himself.
Believe me, when he’s up to full speed (i.e. Notts Forest at home standard last season) he’s the real deal. He might not always look as lively as Jarvis but then out of nothing he’ll conjure up a goal and cutting edge is the difference at the highest level.
You can argue that your untouchable players change from C’ship to Prem. I agree with what Thomas says about Kightly and Foley, deffo in any C’ship side, but then Halford has a real weapon with the throw and is a real arieal threat as well. We are not going to get to play too much pretty football this year and maybe can’t afford kightly and jarvis on both wings. I believe we need to find a place for Halford in our starting XI.
I would say Halford is a better footballer than Delap, and delap starts for Stoke when his fit. What does everyone think???
I would put forward a different perspective in that no member of the squad is or should be untouchable. The shirt is up for grabs in every position and the player that has it should keep it only on merit.
We need 11 players at full tilt ever game this season to complete so those that perform and have current form should keep the shirt.
I tend to agree with you Matt, although in reality I think the 4 mentioned by Thomas will always start when fit. It’s also important (IMO) to have a settled spine to the team that should remain constant throughout the season.
Emerald Pete – I am equaly as excited about “The Hoff” although for the life of me I’m not sure why – from all accounts he’s a poor man’s Peter Crouch, but there is just something about the guy that makes me believe he is going to be fantastic for us! I can’t wait to see him score a goal on his debut!
“THE HOFF” will become the Elliott Ness of the Untouchables, another cult hereo , even before we have seen him play!
I know what you guys (Jed & Dazza) mean about the Hoff. I have seen some youtube footage of the guy playing for Austria and he was rubbish, his second touch was always a tackle!!!
But even so, He has already, without kicking a ball achieved cult status, on this blog anyway.
I can’t wait to see him play and just hope he can live up to the hero tag we have already labeld him with.
SEB has to prove himself at this level. Championsip and Premiership are two different things.
Hopefully, he will be a star at this level too but he hasn’t proven anything yet due to injuries.