Never leave a game early! I made that mistake in the 1994 season when we were 3-2 down at Bramall Lane, writes Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd.
I left to beat the traffic and Flo scored in the 7th minute of injury time to steal a point.
And so it was on Saturday, with half of Molineux heading for the exits to watch the X-Factor, Neill Collins thunders in a header for three undeserved points.
Disjointed, lacklustre and scrappy, call it what you will, it was three much needed points.
We have, and we will in the future, play much better than that and not get a thing, so lets not feel too guilty.
An inept and over-fussy refereeing display, added to losing three key personnel before the break meant it was always going to be an uphill struggle.
Luckily we had some good performances to keep us in the game.
George was tremendous in the middle, Craddock and Breen were solid at the back and Kites was the only one creating any real threat going forward.
Most fans real concern at the moment is the lack of attacking penetration.
At the start of the season, this is where I thought we had the most strength and depth of all the departments with Keogh, Elliott, Eastwood and Bothroyd fighting for two places.
If anything, this is now where we are weakest, with an output of only five goals in the last seven league games.
We saw three of our four striking personnel on for the second 45 on Saturday.
With Gray and Ward off the pitch, there was no service coming from the left flank and with Keogh and Elliott both having poor games, you could argue that Freddy was starved of any real service.
But for me he didn’t get involved enough to warrant a starting place and vindicated MM’s decision to use him as a bit player so far.
So, unless Freddy, Keogh, Elliott or Bothroyd come good, I think we need striking reinforcements.
Either we bring someone in on loan or come January its time to invest some of Morgan’s £30 million and bring a new target man to the club.
Billy Sharp can’t get a game at Sheff Utd and might fancy reuniting with Keogh.
Other potential names could include Danny Graham from Carlisle, Todorov from Wigan or Paul Gallacher from Blackburn.
Anybody else you think might fit the bill? Or am I being too quick too judge and the goals will come?
Wolves fans what do you think? Leave your comments below
41 Comments
Surely Jay now deserves a start. The other 3 have all had a chance and without being shocking it’s just not quite working. Jay plus one other for me against Charlton.
I too missed the goal because I left the mol dead on 90 minutes so had to see the goal on Sunday TV.
I believe it’s a bit early to make decisions on our strikers. I’m confident FE will have a big part to play although not just yet. Mick is clearly right not to play him ahead of Elliot at this time but I have a feeling that will change.
Bothroyd and eastwood must start, otherwisw, they could be excused for believeing that there is little point in being at the club
I think the time has come to take a punt at Keogh and Bothroyd or even Bothroyd and Freddie. The one thing that worries me is that watching Freddie at the weekend he didn’t seem to be 100% switched on, I just hope that whatever happened between him and MM hasn’t damaged his commitment to the cause
With all the ramblings of FE and MM we forget some of the other players still in with a shout. I remember last season at home to Hull. Keogh and Bothroyd destroyed their defence. JB got himself 2 goals and Keogh just tore them all apart. We are not scoring enough at the moment so we need to change it around a bit. What harm can it do to mix up the partnerships a little. None in my view.
But what do I know?? I manage a Sunday League side that are bottom of the league!!!
I still think that MM is one of the best managers to walk through our door.
In Mick We Trust!!!
Billy Sharpe had his chance, and didnt want to know, do we want him given the chance?
Mick c what’s happened to our so called striker’s you bought in,keeping faith with keogh & elliott isn’t working.Jay bothroyd is a great player whoose rescued games when we needed to win or get a point out of disappointing game.Saturday show’s how good our back four have been since bringing back jody craddock from stoke,if it wasn’t for a great performance by our defence, we’d have been dragging our tail’s in shame at the end of the match,approach sheff utd to see if we can take billy sharp on loan.IF OUR TEAM PLAYS LIKE THAT ON SATURDAY AGAINST CHARLTON NEXT WEEK WE’RE GOING TO BE PUNISHED 3 OR 4-0,IF WE’RE LUCKY IF NOT IT COULD BE MORE, THE PLAYER’S ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE PRESSURE & IT’S A LONG TOME TIL THE END OF THE SEASON.I KNOW IT’S TOUGH WITH THE STICK WE FAN’S GIVE YOU WHEN WE’VE A POOR GAME BUT IT’S ONLY BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU CAN PERFORM BETTER THAN YOU ARE BUT IT ‘S YOU THAT HAVE TO GRIT YOUR TEETH & THROW IT BACK IN OUR FACES, WALKING OFF THE PITCH GRINNING KNOWING THAT YOU DID IT FOR YOURSELF,DON’T PANICK EVERY MATCH WONDERING IF YOUR GOING TO END UP ON THE BENCH,IF YOU WANT TO STAY IN WEEK IN,WEEK OUT,THEN YOU’VE GOT A BATTLE WITH YOUR FELLOW STRIKER’S,COME ON FREDDY & JAY WORK YOUR SOCK’S OFF,GET FITTER THAN YOU’VE EVER FELT BEFORE.DON’T EXPECT TO SIT THEIR WAITING UNTIL SOMEONE GET’S INJURED SO YOU CAN GET BACK IN THE TEAM.IF YOU CAN’T BE ARSED TO BEAT MICK AT HIS OWN GAME,THEN YOU’RE OBVIOUSLY THE WRONG PLAYER’S TO WEAR BLACK & GOLD !!!!!!
PAUL H
ANY PLAYER’S FROM WOLVE’S BRAVE ENOUGH TO SEND ME YOUR RESPONSE TO HOW DISSAPOINTED WITH MY COMMENT’S. GIVE US A REAL RESPONSE THROUGH THE EXPRESS & STAR NOT A CLUB WHITE WASHED STATEMENT VETTED BY JEZ MOXEY BEFORE IT CAN BE PRINTED,TELL US HOW YOU FEEL & WHAT THE FAN’S,MICK OR THE CLUB CAN DO TO LIFT YOUR MORAL, AS TO ME OR MANY FAN’S IT’S SINKING FAST.
MM is clear and upfront with players i like that.
It may upset a few but they need to know where they are and the sooner they do the better. YOu give 100% or you give nothing at all, seems to be mick’s mantra, that’s fine by me.
Eastwood came with a reputation for scoring goals in a lower league side, with little or no competition for places he was assured of a game each week. Now he has to fight for a place with the expectation higher. I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until after xmas myself. Until then he has to change his approach at Wolves…and fight for his place and not outside nightclubs in essex…!!
It’s only a matter of time!
I’m sure all MM’s strikers will start scoring for fun soon but if not then he can always go out and buy another set in January, no problem!
In Mick we trust.
Where will we be in the league next month, “who knows!”
What is Bully’s capacity at the club? The man’s a legend could it be possible to get him to coach our strikers and inject some of his magic and workrate(keogh no question) .I know MM was a defender
but what about attackers?
its odvious you’re winding people up with the above names(not including sharp),you know there even worse than elliott.the answer is give freddy a run in the team,5 back to back games,& then lets see.as for loan players,it would be great if one came & did well but what would happen when he went back,i know people will say,lets worry about that “when” we got up but its the worst way to aproach the prem’,minus you’re top striker
I dont see upfront as our problem, there was no service on Sat from midfield. In the previous two games we had 19 corners and 30 odds shots which keogh and Elliot (in particular) failed to convert. It will come good but we need a true left winger (well done ward though good squad player) We shoudl not of let McIndoe go.
what we need is creative midfielder like koumas wba had last year
quite simply how many clear chances have strikers had? bothroyd none when on, freddy none elliot none
only clear chances i remember is keogh had 2 vs hull city
we not creating the chances thats the problems, seriously how many shots we have sat before the goal? 1 in kightly?
i agree with 1st post play bothroyd vs charlton, ex players tend to do well vs old clubs, jay waited his turn! i would play freddy with him for one game n see how they work! if not good then dont play them together again but i think this is our best strike force
With Jarvis, Gobern and Davies all injured, we’re missing McIndoe. The strikers are just not getting the service they need–McCarthy said as much about Eastwood. So to change or not to change? Bothroyd ought to get a chance. A bit of height and weight in there to get those high balls? IMHO, Keogh has to play somewhere! How about the 1 in 4-3-1-2? Puts a lot of responsibility on George, Henry and Kights, but might be worth a try.
The thing that worries us is that there seems to be a focus on what the forwards are creating by way of chances and not collectively created chances by way of the midfield, wings and the rest of the team
We feel that relying on the forwards to not only score but create the chances is foolish to the extreme as it is probably the reason why the strikers are failing to do what is really required - score goals as their focus is on creating chances, taking on players and beating them and then failing at the last hurdle and not sticking the ball in the back of the net!!!
What happened to the midfield and wing play to do most of this work? Or are we making a statement that means that we have an 8 man defence and two strikers?
Someone famous in football once said “the ball never gets tired” we believe it was Bill Shankly and as some fans have also said that its a long season - therefore, would it not make sense that the team supplies the service and the strikers make themselves available in the box to make attempts at goal?
We have no experience as league football managers but is that not how football is supposed to be played? As we see it presently - Keogh and Elliott are two “Roy of the Rovers” types without the end result - GOALS
MM saved Wolves last season from what could have been a very embarrassing season - due to Hoddle being allowed to “walk away” instead of being dismissed at the end of that debarcle of a season BUT, we are looking for an improvement this term, and the same problems are clearly visible - most of the time - pretty football with no punch - a little like a boxer that looks good with all the physical attributes but floats like a butterfly and stings like a ………. butterfly
We’d like to see lots more contributions from the team not just the strikers by way of creating chances - afterall it is supposed to be a - team game?
Does anyone else feel a bit uncomfortable with the way B&T ALWAYS agree with each other in their posts ??
It’s always “we think” or “in our opinion” - they are like a two-headed monster sharing the same organs…
Guys, what would happen if say, Tony thought Freddy should play but Bridget was backing JB ???
Would we get a “tony only” post ?? Would Bridget allow him on here on his own ?? Do they arm wrestle to see who’s opinion gets posted ??
Or would they simultaniously combust ??
Maybe its never happended - but I find it just a little bit creepy weird. (no offence).
Eastwood will get his chance to show us what he can do when he plays fow wales but if you fink about it he was used to starting week in week out for southend and having to sit on the bench isnt gunna make him happy. yea every player has to play for thier place and he wont be the 1st wolves player and has a few bad games every player does it..
Keogh on left mid till jarvis is back.
Bothroyd should be given the chance but at the end of the day its what MM see’s on the pitch and mostly on the training ground
keep faith
16.HB
Maybe they are just one person……a bit like Norman Bates and his mother…..
With Jarvis soon fit (playing against Charlton?) Ward will be free to play as a full striker and then MM will have 5 to choose from. It´s a long season and both Eastwood and Bothroyd will have the chance to prove themselves. Come spring Wolves will be strong enough to win against any competition. And the strikers will be fit enough to work hard AND score and that means that Wolves will compete for a place in PL.
Wouldn’t want Billy Sharps now… He aint cut it at sheff utd…
I aint going to say anything about what I would want to see… It doesn’t change Micks mind what we think…
But still think that we already have enough up front if we start putting the ball in the net instead of wasting chances- the key is to mix it up a bit and find the best pairing/threesome…
HB - Nothing much to say today?
Put the kettle on and have a biscuit
Happy Baggie, you ought to try comedy, your letter re B & T was hilarious! I have often thought the same as you and often wondered if they are the same person? B & T, if you are two people, surely you must differ in opinions every now and again, for after all no 2 people on here ever agree as much as you two (?) do!
18 - it HAD crossed my mind..
21 - just the one cup is it ??
nice one Paul H. and if MM is going into this ‘break thinking all is roses, he’s got another thing coming.
I think Bothroyd is just the man to ease our stirking woes (have been saying this for ages now) - let MM start with his mediocre “love doves” in the first half, then let Jay score a fistful in the second. Freddy, its up to you sunshine if you want to get back in it, you still have many many fans, so ignore Mcarthy’s mindless ramblings and GET SCORING ! We’d all much prefer you and Jay upfront !!!!!!
Highly doubt SU will let BS go out on loan to one of their rivals though - but it would be a great move !
We still need some quality at the back. Oh Joleon how much we miss you
COME ON YOU WOLVES
Just a thought - Isnt anyone worried as to why Happy B is always Happy?
Is it the wine gums, or what he gets up to in dark cupboards?
B&T 25 - come to the Hawthorns - you will see why I’m always happy..
I have “a” seat you can use.
H_B one will be no good I’m afraid. It’ll have to be three. I’ve always assumed “&” is a real person too!
Nathan, i think you will find Flo didn’t play for us in 1994. He didn’t sign till January 1998.
On the subject in hand, give Boothroyd a decent run, he has improved his workrate and deserves his chance.
3 empty seats ??… where do you think I sit, the south bank ??
HB - keep smiling - you wouldnt get either of us there even if you paid us - thanks but we shop at Asda
We know why you’re always Happy - you must be Frank Skinner
It’ll never work - It’ll never work
One Question Why is there a _ in your name - does it stem from childhood?
UP THE WOLVES!!!
It’s because the name Happy&Baggie would be just silly..
Also its the only “underscore” we get at the Albion these days !!
“We” shop at asda…??
Tony mate - honestly.. give the girl some space !!
Sometimes I get a bit lonely. Would “&” like a free transfer and I’ll become “Prawn & Sandwich”?
(It’s getting so surreal!)
Forgot to say we’d see B&T in their true colours then - Bridgetony.
We don’t need new strikers, we need new service.
A sold left winger (unless Jarvis can fill this role) and a midfielder that can supply our attacks and maybe control the tempo.
17.
Ha well funny, made me laugh, nice one H_B.
28, AsmthaWolf, I think you’ll find it was Jostein Flo who scored for Sheff Utd in the last minute and not Harvard Flo. I remember that game well, we lost a 3-1 lead!
HB 31 - We all heard it here first folks!!! Happy & Baggie would just be silly (LOL)
PS Asda is only over the road from the Golden Palace
UP THE WOLVES!!!
37 Nope. It was Harvard.
Why don’t you bring in a new player? Maybe one that doesn’t cost as much as all these foreigners?
Tony Daley would be excellent value and he was a very fast runner. I know he had poor ball control skills, but surely that doesn’t matter, as long as he was running really fast. You probably wouldn’t even have to buy hima new team shirt as I bet he’s still got his old one. You could maybe also bring back Steve Bull? I know he’s not very fast anymore, buthe scored lots and lots of goals. I’ll bet he’s still got a few goals left in ‘im.
And NO, I don’t support the Baggies.
And NO, I’m not Andy Gray, although I did see him on holiday in Spain once. His wife’s really fit.
40 yrs a baggie but would just like to say hello to my mate mike cox residing in potugal nowadays.just come back from a visit and we were remeniscing about the good old days when we all got on rather well.he is mad on wolves(peter broadbent his favourite).all the best mike.lets set a precedent and be nice to each other occasionally.