Mick McCarthy today hailed new boy George Elokobi as “one for the future” after Wolves beat the midnight transfer deadline to sign the left-back.
Elokobi penned a two-and-a-half year deal at Molineux late last night after sealing a transfer from Colchester United thought to be worth in the region of £500,000 with potential add ons for the Championship club.
The 22-year-old Cameroon defender will not play at Watford tomorrow, as Wolves look to continue their fine recent form, but McCarthy is delighted to be signing a player who he believes has huge potential.
“George is very talented – he’s not the finished article but he is one for the future and he certainly gives us an option at left back,” he said.
“But as he accepted last night, we’ve got the best defensive record in the division and Michael Gray has been different class so far this season so he may have to wait for his chance.”
On a busy deadline day for the Molineux men, Elokobi was the only new signing as Wolves let four players go.
Veteran defender Jamie Clapham had his contract terminated and was snapped up by Wolves’ Championship rivals Leicester while Charlie Mulgrew was loaned to Southend until the end of the season.
Youngster Elliott Bennett left for Bury on loan while midfielder Matt Bailey departed for Kidderminster, also on loan.
With striker Kevin Kyle coming in on loan earlier this week, it takes Wolves up to four signings in the window and McCarthy today declared himself happy.
“We’ve given ourselves more options,” he said.
32 Comments
Never seen him play, but he looks big and strong, we need at that sort of player in the side. Good bit of business!
Michael Gray a differnt class - what has been watching that 25,000 others have missed.
How come if this blokes that good, why is he not at the African Nations cup doo dah thing.Or is Cameroon not in it?
i THINK WE HAVE DONE QUITE WELL IN THE JAN SALES WELL DONE TO THE MANAGER AND CHAIRMAN, LETS GET BEHIND THE TEAM!
One for the future??? Why have we only signed him for 2 1/2 years then???
Welcome on board Big George Mark II!
I saw him play earlier in the season on sky and looks OK…
Relatively pleased with what we have bought in.
Glad Freddy is still here and still has the chance to prove himself…
Comment 2 - Completely disgree with your comment and wondered whether you’ve been to any games over the few weeks!! Gray has been one our best players for a long while now, even when the team were playing poorly. His energy, his work rate going forward and how he compliments our attack is an example to the younger players in the team.
Hear hear Cheso Wolf - and the likes of Elokobi and Dan Jones can only learn from Micky Gray’s attitude and application. Elokobi is still a raw player by all accounts but he is in the right place if he wants to learn and develop into a better footballer. On some of Gray’s performances this season MM may well offer him another year when it gets to June but if not, at least we have some good alternatives.
He is big and his name is george - so what do you lot call him….
Where is your sense of irony - we had Big Dave - even iIhmail miller is called Tiny !
Come on wolves - we know you can do better….
Eddie Wolf said: Feb 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am Never seen him play, but he looks big and strong,
So is the guy on my garage roof, refelting it.
As it never posted previous times ill say it agian. For all those moaning we need a pacey center half to sort out the defence go and have a look at the tables and tell me which team has the best defence in the division. Also you should know Merlin, As you were all calling him last year has always been after a lofty forward. So Kyle is no big shock.
7 Happy_baggy:
You are an imposter!
The “clever” Happy_baggie, spells baggie differently.
On a serious note, welcome to Wolves Big George Mk2.
Hopefully next stop,The Premiership!
7, Get a life.
shenton landywood:
We have looked quite lightweight at times. By big & strong, I mean that might inject some much needed power at the back. Plus it offers good cover for Gray. The fact he is young suggests a very good prospect to me.
5…totally agree. Grey took a few games to settle in but that was because he had been injured, so, what do people expect. After those few games, I believe he has been outstanding, and that has surprised me.
Kent 10 - OOOOPS !!!!
It is me - I was rushing cos i have to go out shortly and can’t even spell my own name - well spotted.
7 - your one and only comment on the wolves page is to tell me to get a life - but you post regular stupid one liners on the albion pages… what a MUG !
I stand by original statement - Big George is no name for a big bloke called George !
nice one ken re post7.have seen george play and i would say good buy one for the future nice one mick
c u all at watford.COME ON THE WOLVES.
Happy_baggy
“Happy Baggy”… is that irony code for Sad b******d?
Simon
Grays been one of our best players all season and always gives 100%
Kiwiwolfffffffffff
14. Dear Happy_baggie,
Amazingly, I agree with you…
I suggest we call him “Obi-Wan”
Cheers
Marseille 18 - good one…. Obi Wan Ekilobi - LOL !!
See, it can be done.
19 and 14.
Seems like you’re having a bad spelling day…what with your name and Elikobi’s !
Obi-Wan Elikobi
just the man to combat the Dark Side of the Black Country ?
I do seem to be having problems at the moment… i HATE typing.
p.s - you ARE the dark side - we are sweetness and light !!
Totally agree with comment 5.
I cant fault Gray over our last few games.
21.
Out of Darkness Cometh Light !
(Obvious, but I couldn’t resist it)
I actually think both Black Country teams have been in the dark far too long…lets hope we both go up and stay up and give the Villa a run for their money…
I’m sure i’ll get flamed for that…
Cheers Happy Baggie,
Happy Marseille Wolf
Thank you Marseille Wolf and Happy Baggie your banter as really cheered me up. I must admit I had to laugh at the Obi-Wan Elikobi gag.
Use the Force
Good luck at Watford.
Steve
14, Get a life.
I’m pleased with George signing and 2. I can’t imagine you have been to too many games. Micky Gray has had a few dodgy games but recently has been inspiring, its a good purchase in my view and all we need to do know is play with a shape and we have a chance of getting promoted. That is down to Mick to sort out.
On the centre back issue, lets not forget that premier league clubs have been strengthening throughout January and were not in a postion to offload anyone on loan or otherwise until their squads are sorted out. This was one of the reasons we let a load of youngsters go last night when we knew what we were gonna be left with at deadline. So, now that its closed we can still get English players on loan and the bigger clubs in the Premier League are in a position now to offload raw talent that needs bleeding out on loan. All it needs now is for us to go out there and get the speedy centre back we need to consolidate and compliment what we already have
16. Please don’t stir up hatred on here, it is purely banter
Marseille Wolf.
Both black country teams in the prem. The FA, the League, the Press association and Match of the Day would invent a rule to prevent it. They don’t much like having the Villa and Blues up there.
omg come on every wolves fans think logicley we are the best but they am against us he is a good player and all of u know he is hey george just remmember me even if u go on this site we rock! ! ! ! !
decent balance in squad. No more square pegs please MM. Keogh and Eastwood could easily rotate.Matty Jarvis is on fire at mo. KH needs to release the ball a little quicker, loses ball too often.Like D.Edwards attitude, drives forward at will Jarvis needs to keep up with him.GO GO Top 2 can still b ours. KEEP THE FAITH….
He may be big and strong but i see no point in the transfer
michael gray player of the season 4 me so far and if we need any1 for the future daniel jones is the perfect player