Transfer window shopping at this time of year usually feels like a trawl through the bargain bins of Burton during the sales.
You approach the discount rail with mingled trepidation and titillation. You hope and pray that the size fits (it never does because it is either XXS or XXL) and that the price falls within your strict budget.
Many items look garish, grandiose or just extremely ill-fitting in the first place and they’re bound to induce howls of derision form your friends.
Just maybe, this transfer window might be different for a Wolves fan, as good news stories appear to be following good news stories.
Nouah Dicko and his reported jet heels have supplemented a squad bereft of pace and within 24 hours of his arrival, Danny Batth is extending his contract for Kenny Jackett to build his team around.
Bravo I say!
But what the last additional face (or two) to join us before the window closes? Who else would give you a TK Maxx style wow-factor at this price-tag time of the year?
In: Leon Clarke
As my mate @boothjan said on twitter the other day: ‘Do we now conduct character profiles on prospective signings? An act of petulance 8/9 years ago should be forgotten, surely?’ Yes, Clarke angered the South Bank when he told them to ‘shh’ when hitting his first goal in ages in the FA Cup, but he has improved immeasurably – in much the same way Kevin Doyle has regressed.
There appears to be a paucity of strong, physical strikers with a turn of pace and judging by Clarke’s goal away at Barnsley in the last minute, he boasts those attributes.
We need to rid ourselves of any deep rooted beliefs that we’re better than the likes of Clarke. Newsflash: We’re not. In fact, we might not even be in his league if Brighton are after him. Some bookies have him down at 1/3 to join.
Verdict: It’s a yes from me.
In: Callum McGregor
I know nothing more on McGregor, other than an endorsement from a Notts County fan who I honestly can’t remember! I distinctly remember one telling me (maybe he was a work contact?) that he was a phenomenal talent and that his team will be relegated if he leaves.
Celtic fans are also enamoured, to the point of angry that one of their own might be walking away from ‘Paradise’ when all manner of substandard alternatives are given a fairer crack of the whip. We can relate to that, eh?
Here is one such link http://celticjournal.org/4052/
With Kenny’s preference for a 4-2-3-1, McGregor could be a real asset alongside Jacobs and Henry, in front of McDonald and whoever, and behind Dicko.
Verdict: It’s a yes from me.
Out: Kevin Doyle
This really would be a no-brainer. For all his virtuoso displays in 2009 and 10 and for all his endearing words of loyalty, Doyle’s departure could facilitate the signing of one of the above.
For this reason, not to mention the fact his wages are extortionate, his goal ratio pathetic and he is painfully one-paced, any departure should be welcomed.
If this deal went ahead, I would be thrilled.
Verdict: Sell.
Out: Leigh Griffiths
Being one of Griffiths’ fiercest supporters, the thought of losing him upsets me.
He has knuckled down, scored goals and has so immersed himself in a Wolves supporter’s culture that he even researched our dislike of Lee Hughes to bait him at Vale Park after scoring!
He also whipped up the crowd in nerveless bravado before taking an all-important penalty against Crawley and has generally shown an appetite to impress us all, which I love him for.
Unfortunately for Griffiths – and for whatever reason – Jackett doesn’t appear to fancy him.
In Kenny’s new Molineux vision, Griffiths neither appears quite quick enough or physical enough to impress upon the manager like he’s impressed the South Bank.
Moreover, his regular omissions threatened more alienation amongst fans than the recent run of poor form itself, hence a KJ undermine.
Verdict: If Kenny rates others ahead of him (which he evidently does), then it pains me to say sell. A move would be good for both parties, a sense of harmony and the club who ends up getting him (Celtic?) who’d be bagging a natural born goal scorer.
As I mentioned in our convo mate, I’m greedy and don’t want any key squad members to leave, unless absolutely necessary.
Although Doyle/Griffo might seem less fashionable now than they did a few months ago, both contributed significantly to our lucrative points accumulation in the first half of the season. The same applies to Sako.
Bottom line: if you offered me the squad we have right now for the rest of the season, I’d be more than content.
As for the two ‘Ins’ mentioned, I’m nervy about Clarke, not because I think we’re better, purely attitude. We are supposedly presenting these dossiers on character and application and Leon’s track record isn’t great is it? He’s upset many more people than the kind-hearted residents of the Jack Harris. Maybe the conclusion is he can be managed better or he’s grown up of late? Performances suggest this might be true.
McGregor is a straightforward yes, as I imagine it is from everyone. We’ll take any talented youngster, particularly one that’s been plundering goals for fun in League One. Like you, I know nothing other than the references, but all evidence suggest he’d be a top acquisition. For that reason, it’s likely he’ll go elsewhere. I’m sure one of the many Championship clubs sniffing around the promotion places will be interested.
One thing I know most will agree on is that we trust in KJ’s judgment for all ins and outs.
really good comments ,
agree entirely
I would like to see Ward, Johnson, O Hara, Foley, Hennessey, Sako ( yes I include him in the clown circus ) Henry ( Karl, brought back on loan) play in the final home game of the season, when we have already clinched promotion.
This way the fickle fans, the numpties, can pay the respect due to the above stars, and applaud their contributions to successive relegations, and thank them for their loyalty, in their unique Molineux way!
It is always good to bring in new players, to challenge for positions, and I for one have no problem with Griffiths going. KJ did not sign him, and has given him a good run, so there must be something he sees that we don’t.
Same with Sako, in my opinion too much of a luxury.
Let KJ get about his business of securing promotion, and bring in whomsoever he wants.
He aint doing too bad a job so far, and we still got to play Orient, Brentford, Peterbro etc again, which will mean someone at the top will drop points, and it wont be us!!
Am I really turning into a clappy happer??
Fuck that,
Fuck Off w…b…!!
Doyle is way overdue a taxi, I’ve never been one to understand those of you who rated him the very same people who are now saying he should go. He should have gone the 2nd season in Premier Mc Carthy and successive managers and a lot of people using this blog placed unbelievable importance on his ” holding the ball up ” play even in your blog Thomas you’ve described his goal Raton as pathetic, I’ve been saying that since he arrived. Griffiths is different him and Hackett should sort there differences out for the sake of the club. I don’t know why Hackett doesn’t rate Griffiths he’s a natural goalscorer and there hard to find if we sell him we’ll regret it.
I wouldn’t bother with Clarke. Has an excellent record at this level, but has been constantly on the move and also has a fairly miserable record at Championship level. Sheffield Wednesday fans thought he was shit. At 28 wouldn’t imagine there is much scope for improvement I would imagine. Dicko a better signing for me. Quick, had decent goal record for Blackpool despite playing wide a lot and is only 21.
McGregor I have never seen. 10 goals from midfield for a struggling team like Notts County is pretty decent but I can’t really judge
Doyle needs shipping, he offers absolutely nothing. Apart from winning the odd free kick with a dive. Problem is who would be interested? Griffiths it depends on his situation. I’ve heard he takes regular trips to Scotland (with permission) to see family but it obviously affects his fitness. Cracking player for his level and I hope it works out.
Also linked is Alex Pritchard – left sided attacking midfielder on loan at Swindon from Spurs. I would assume if we got him Sako would be in his way out. I’d still like us to base our team around Jacobs behind the forward. He really is a talent and looked great in that position.
Doyle, Sako , Griffiths all should dominate in this league sadly its not the case. I think Mcarthy riuned Doyle using him as a one man strike force in the prem being battered every week he seemed to lose his appetite and rarely as it come back , at times in this league it looks to easy for him and he just strolls through games when he should be taking teams apart. Sako , brilliant ,useless, erratic, defensive liabilty, match winner usually in the same game I just feel the team is more of a team without him . then our hero Griffiths yes he gets goals but how many chances does he miss answer is most of them , awful control, makes little attempt to get back onside Macalindens work rate put him to shame. Peronaly as he is fairly young I’d perservere unless its true he’s homesick then best he along with the others are sold. Jacket for me is developing is own team one which dominates possesion something we have not done for years all thats missing is the killer touch and pace . Unfortunate for him he as to go up this season so this transfer window is vital.
And very nice to see local lad Danny Batth sign a contract.
This should auger well for solidifying our defense even more.
And, he sounds like Bully!!
Cool blog Ben, I do enjoy the trepidation of transfer windows, even if that means mainly hoping and waiting only to see little happen when you’re a Wolves fan!
I would say that any attacking players with skill would be welcome as we are painfully short of goals. In other aspects the team seems sound (Batth signing his new deal is proof of that), and so in theory Clarke would be a good signing being a top scorer in the league. Is he capable of scoring at such a rate next season (hopefully at a higher level), or is he a one-season wonder? Who knows? But perhaps he’s worth the risk, as the fact is that he IS scoring for fun this season, which is more than can be said for Doyle, Cassidy, McAlinden (he hasn’t had so much chance though to be fair), and Sigurdarson (ditto).
Sell or loan Doyle. Simply put, he must be one of the team’s biggest earners and he isn’t scoring goals. I’m not saying he’s without value, as his link up play is important and he seems to have worked well with Griffiths. But he takes a striker’s berth and doesn’t score. Could he be moved back to playing in the hole as an attacking midfielder though?
Selling Griffiths would, for me, be a mistake. He’s barely played for us, having been on loan for much of his Wolves career. He’s started brightly, and recently signed a contract if I’m not mistaken, so why sell him?
Rather than seeing some of these bigger names going I’d like to see the squad shorn of some of its non-players. What’s the point of paying these guys and never using them? O’Hara, Foley etc.
At the very least their departure would give Kenny the occasional reason to play youngsters more, and in League 1 it’s the perfect opportunity to give them some playing time that they perhaps wouldn’t get in the Championship, or Prem.
Great read as usual.
I’m sure Kj has been told if he wants 1 or 2 strikers he will have to get rid of the same number, I’m sure first out will be Siggy (unfortunate in my view), not sure who potentially the other could be, I’ll plump for Griff (disaster in my view).
I think Doyle should move on but lets be honest who is going to pay $40k a week for a Div 3 striker who doesn’t score? I can’t even see someone agreeing to pay him half that, even if he did agree to a 50% pay cut.
Great news on Batth – I was sure he was holding on until the end of the season to see if we were promoted or not.
All in all seems like slow but steady progress, can’t really argue with that.
I’d be happy with Doyle out and McGregor in (although i don’t see this one happening).
Leon Clarke no. I admit i haven’t watched him of late, except the odd goal on highlights, but i remember what he was like with us. Bit of a donkey for me and donkeys, like leopards, don’t change their spots football-wise. I’m not totally convinced that this isn’t Coventry talking him up because KJ siad he wasn’t a target. He’s older and a different character to what Kenny seems to be building so i’m hoping it won’t happen. If it does, i hope he makes me eat my words.
Griffiths no. The fact he’s not first choice in the formation at the moment doesn’t mean he’s not a natural goal scorer who will play his part in the future. I think and hope he will stay. Saying that, if Celtic put in a bid i could understand him wanting to go back where his children are.
Not sure about Clarke despite his goals this season. I think we need to be looking to the future and Championship football next season. Doyle – a reluctant yes. Griffith – has scored twice as many as anyone else despite spending quite a bit of time on bench . . . . . . but with one up front he doesn’t really have the physical impact needed but still a good guy to come off the bench. Siggy . . . . I just think he’s got the lot except perhaps a bit of confidence. I hope we persevere with him but I think he will go and be a success elsewhere and come back to haunt us. Celtic lad seems the part but I know little about him . . . . . and feel Evans has so much potential. Batth best signing of them all.
I’m assuming promotion is a given this season and looking to next year. A number of our signings have yet to make an impact at that level 🙂 :).
You’ve opened a big can of Winter Sale worms here Ben!
There could be more ins and outs than a bridegroom’s tackle on his wedding night
Here’s my list of wants and those who should be consigned to the Molineux Museum of History.
IN:-
McGregor – A no brainer. Young, highly talented and would fit in really well with the style of play that KJ is developing.
Clarke – He’s scoring loads of goals and is worth a season’s punt if the price is right.
Donaldson – I don’t know if he is available but there was talk earlier in the season and I really rate this lad.
Ronaldo – Up and coming FIFA Ballon d’Or winner.
That should go a long way, with the arrival of Dicko, to solving our midfield and striking shortfall.
STAY:-
Griffiths – I think he will go but he is a natural goalscorer, given the right service, and I love watching him.
OUT:-
Sako – Everything has been said before about him. It’s all true. He is funnier than Lee Evans (the comedian) but probably worth less to the team than Lee Evans (the other one).
Doyle – Too expensive to keep for the return he gives.
O’Hara – Need I say more?
Henry (K) – Need I say more?
Johnson – Need I say more?
Siggy – A big disappointment for me. He’s got everything, pace, power and skill. Or so I’ve been told. I have very rarely seen any evidence of it.
Hennessey – He rather dropped one in his own net with his recent comment. Anyway, I think he is third in the pecking order now.
That’s my list.
I’m forwarding it to Mr Thelwell to action ASAP.
Do we infer from his omission above that you want to keep Wardinho on the books?
I must admit watching Relegation Roger the other day backing off all the time made me nostalgic for a bit of Ward’s non tackling escapades.
Plus I miss the light hearted banter between those among you who felt that he was somehow a footballer and those of us who saw the light and know the truth!
Also, I just saw a recent photo of McDickwadhead, greybeard and all.
He looks like a very poor man’s Gandalf…. and he has a bunch of hobbits playing for him!!
Still, I bet they all put in a shift.
Oops!
Forgot about him.
It’s amazing how the human brain has the ability to blot out the really traumatic memories.
Plus, now he’s back with his master, he’ll stay there.
…Won’t he?
If we can off load Doyle and get a few £’s for Sako and bring the lad in from Notts County I’d be happy. Keep Griffiths and Siggy in case of injurys and sell in the summer al though Griffiths I’d like to stay but if Celtic come calling then fair enough let him go but I don’t see the point in selling him to a rival ie Championship side assuming we’ll be in that Leauge next season. I like the fact Jackett his going for young up and coming players as apposed to the last big pay day donkeys we’ve been told will ” do a job for us ” in the past who will be open to the ideas and long term plan of getting back into the Premier League.
Clark: No way remeber his last stint lazy and seemed over weight, still carrying to much timber. Like old girlfriends you should never go back no matter how tempting, you find out only too soon why you parted company in the first place.
Halfway through the transfer window and I’m pretty chuffed with the business so far – turning the loans of Henry & Jacobs into permanent deals, shipping Johnson out on loan for the rest of the season, signing Dicko (let’s hope he gets a better chance than he did last season) and probably best of all getting Batth to sign a new deal.
I’d like to see three new players come in – Kevin Phillips (great to have on the bench for the last 20 minutes or so), a big physical striker in the Iwelumo style and finally a hard-as-nails central midfield as I think we lack a bit of nastiness in the middle of the park.
McGreogor looks like he has good potential but Clarke is a non-starter for me.
Having said that like Thomas I would be quite content if we kept the squad as it stands bearing in mind that we can still make loan signings after January.
Departures? At least one striker will go probably Sigurdarson which is a shame but he hasn’t delivered on his potential. I’d like to see Doyle and Griffiths stay at least until the summer if possible. Cassidy could probably benefit from a loan move.
Elsewhere Sako can go for me. At this level he should be bossing it but he has one good game in ten. Henry and Jacobs are much more effective and probably cost a quarter of the fee we paid for Sako. O’Hara also needs to be moved out on loan if anyone will take him.
Foley is nowhere near the team now so we should let him go somewhere so he can get his career back on track. A shame as when he first joined us I thought he was a tidy player.
Last of all Hennessey should be sold as soon as Ikeme is fit again as McCarey has shown enough to be a sound understudy. Sell him to West ham so he can line up with his old mate RJ again…
UTW
I’d get rid of O Hara, Foley, Doyle, Sako, Ziggy, Hennessey and Griffiths.
Either they are old guard, or indications are, they don’t fit in, or do not want too.
Like the sound of McGregor but please not Leon Clarke.
Onwards and upwards.
My Mother always used to say that when Wolves did well so did I and as I am doing well at the moment I foresee automatic promotion….
Quite happy to leave it to the manger. Fact is we do have a lot of old wood to get rid of.
I used to rate Doyle but I regret he has nothing more to offer us, he need s a move for himself.
Thanks Kev.
If KJ can get in who he wants,and keeps Griffo if he wants to stay,then for me doyler sako Henno foley siggy O’Hara and big George can go.
I have just read the following on the express and star Wolves blog, and it brought tears to my eyes and is probably the best blog ever written by a Wolves fan.
Whoever wrote this, thank you.
“I went to see my Dad the other day, I hadn’t been to take him anything for a while, thought it was about time I went and had a chat…
I turned up armed with a couple of bottles of water, a bagful of cleaning stuff and some flowers to brighten the place up a bit. I should really have taken one of his favourite Pavarotti albums as well…he loves that “Nessun Dorma”, but I haven’t got an extension lead long enough to plug my CD player in. I didn’t take much to eat, so have to make do with some of those old “leaf” scratchings that only the finest butchers still prepare. Those bags of iron filings masquerading as the fine Black Country snack are merely an impostor , not conducive to keeping amalgam in place, and are, quite frankly…rubbish
I said to him that Wolves are going through a bad patch, Lord, how used to that are we. He will be happy in the knowledge that things are on the up. As Thunder did say “ love walked in through my door, that particular feeling I felt once before”….I said to Dad, not exactly your world class tenor stuff, but still a good song. I think , once you have found Wolves, that’s exactly how you feel… disagree all you like
So I hootched up my newly pressed trousers at the sharp crease and took a seat, Dad always appreciates the older formal dressed look, but I do draw the line at having to starch my collar. I was reminding him about how he rediscovered the love when we lost to Aldershot in the play off final. He had said he was hanging up his season ticket in the late seventies when the game was in the grip of tribalism and violence, and I did honestly believe he would never go again. But Lord Bully got him out of a retirement that never really sat very well with him, and I was going through some of our favourite goals from that era. Another love rediscovered thanks to an unbeknown source. Funny thing life eh?
I took some photos with me of my kids, thanks to Dad , a generation of following Wolves has been passed on from me to my kids. However, I said to Dad how my passion for the club has been generically inherited by said offspring and how she coaxed me out of , what would have been, a long self imposed exile from the Golden Palace. The love is indeed there once more, and it’s actually starting to become enjoyable again after two and a half years of fingernail pulling torture.
I went on to say to him, as much as I think Doyle, Sako , Batth etc are good players, that any comparison with Knowles, Dougan, Richards, Hibbitt etc was a complete waste of time. I said I remembered my first season ticket, purchased by Dad for the princely sum of £12 and 10 shillings ( it was a lot of money then), in 1966/1967 . I wished I still had those funny plastic stars…Mcllmoyle, Burnside, Wharton , Thompson, Woodfield …that sat on one of those bobble hats that really made your head itch. I even had a rattle. Mind you , I have a few more now, basically confined to under my kneecaps and left shoulder blade
I was saying how much he would have enjoyed the away days at Preston and Port Vale, and although most teams are characterless, and most venues resemble Lego land , that’s it’s still fun to watch your team in their own back yard.
Ronnie Allen was the Manager back then, replaced by Bill McGarry , a good disciplinarian in his own right, but I said that Kenny Jackett may just turn out to be the custodian we need to try and gain some sort of respect and better status within the League. Those days of marching down Molineux Street and entering the turnstile just passed the old cobblers are long gone. But you can still keep the memories. Great ones I remarked, particularly of the UEFA cup nights against Juventus and Carl Zeiss…we won’t dwell on the final, all anti climactic after all that had gone before
Reminiscing wont get us anywhere though, only back in a happy frame of mind when you do recall the legacy we all have of supporting this club. Compared to what some have, and indeed have never had, we are quite lucky.I’m lucky I had a Dad that took me to the games, and didn’t full into that blue and white trap, I’m lucky I have a daughter who keeps me on my toes, and I’m lucky I did eventually succumb and buy a season ticket
It’s getting a bit chilly, I better get going, and I’ve munched my way through my scratchings, so I take those bottles of water and empty my bag, I make sure Dad’s gravestone is nice and shiny, and those flowers do brighten it up a bit. I miss him terribly, he was such a great mentor, and most of all he gave me Wolves, and the love really is coming back
Thank you Dad, see you again one day, get that pint of mild ready”
Great article…getting soppy in my old age but just had to tell a little white lie when the missus asked me what was wrong…don’t think she believed the hay fever excuse in January??
I think the fact most of us are happy for Sako to go for a decent amount shows how well the young guys Henry and Jocobs have done since coming in, and although Dicko has come to us as a striker he could be used as cover on the wing as well…all in all I think KJ’s plans are being put into place, if we the window closed now I would be happy however but imagine if you could offload O’Hara, Doyle, Foley and Hennesey, those 4 alone probably cost us £100k a week in wages and we get nothing from them (Doyle has at least shown commitment to the cause however so as much as he doesn’t score he would leave with no ill feeling from me).
As for Clarke…no thanks…attitude has to be questioned, that would be the last thing we would want in the damp now.
Good article Ben.
UTW
Doyle is not showing commitment to the cause, We are paying him a shed load of money each week, far more than any other club are willing to pay. That is why he’s still at the club and bleeding us dry.
Yes, I saw it too. Very moving piece. Thank you to all Dads who took their children to the Wolves and passed on a lifetimes love of the game and the team.
Hoped Doyle would be rejuvenated in league 1 – but I fear whatever he had in that first season in the prem is gone forever. I’m amazed anyone is willing to pay those wages for a striker that doesn’t score any more.
Great article Ben.
Thanks Dad xx
COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Dorset. You’re too kind! No movement on any more transfers since I wrote this…I was hoping I would be pre-empting something unbelievably exciting! Ben
Whoever stays and whoever goes, it should not go unnoticed that despite recent disappointments, we still have the best defensive record.
That makes the solution glaringly obvious, beg, steal or borrow absolutely anyone who has a few goals in them.
Someone to put the fear of God into the opposition, to create a bit of panic, a young Fletcher maybe, a big bony nuisance, to hell with the skill or the culture, at least at this level.
Kevin Doyle offers none of these credentials, argueably never has done, time to get rid for the sake of the budget as well as the team.
It seems that Griffifths could benefit from an extended run, but as his face does not appear to fit with KJ, then maybe he should go too.
Maybe there’s another Bully around the corner……..