I remember my first taste of watching a Wolves away game when I visited the City Ground in the Eighties, writes Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd.
The Forest faithful were singing that we were just a small town in Walsall, and I remember thinking at the time that I’m sure we didn’t belong to that particular borough.
I hadn’t quite got the joke and I think I upset one of the “happy” contributors in my last blog with a similar jibe, by referring to West Brom as Sandwell town.
It was only meant as a bit of light hearted fun, but I did apologise if I had caused any offence.
Just to quickly mention Sandwe.., the Baggies, I thought they were extremely unlucky not to have beaten a Pompey side who appeared to be under the illusion that they could just turn up and get through to the final.
I watched
For a Wolves fan, the weekend was all about watching out for other results to see where we would be sitting in the league come 5pm.
With Ipswich losing at Colchester and Charlton beating Plymouth, results went brilliantly for us and we managed to cling on to that sixth spot.
Unfortunately last night Palace’s victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium meant that we are temporarily looking up at the play offs, but with a couple of games in hand.
The other bit of interesting reading this weekend was that Wolves are beginning to look like a feeder club to Everton.
It seems that ever since Joleon swapped Molineux for Goodison, Liverpool’s second club have been linked with any Wolves player that hits a bit of form.
The Toffees have recently been linked with moves for Kightly, Hennessey and now SEB.
Is it just lazy journalism by the tabloids to link anything decent in old gold ‘n’ black with a move to Everton or is their genuine interest?
The probability though is that if we don’t get promotion this season, we probably have one season at best to keep hold of these three players who deserve a shot at Premiership football with or without Wolves.
I remember when we tasted promotion to the top flight five years ago and I was dreaming then of Wolves bringing in players that could help us compete in the top flight.
The reality however, was that the players brought into the club to help us battle for Premiership survival, really just made up the numbers and we didn’t see a significant increase in quality.
So, is there ever a right time to gain promotion?
When we played the Blades at Cardiff In 2003, they had disposed of Forest in the semi-finals.
A good friend of mine, Steve, a Forest fan, said he felt that the Forest team at the time was too young and inexperienced for Premiership football and that it was too early for promotion.
However, just a couple of years later and the twice European Cup winning club found themselves relegated to the third tier of English football and will probably face a play-off battle this year to get back into the Championship after three years in the First Division.
Billy Davies was the victim of his own success when he guided Derby County to victory in the play-offs last season, earlier than he or the club expected.
After directing Derby’s solitary victory this season against Newcastle, Billy criticized the board for their lack of investment and subsequently left the club by mutual consent in November 2007.
The club has gone on to amass a pitiful five points under Paul Jewell’s leadership in the four months since the change at the top.
It seems that promotion caught the Derby County top brass by surprise and they simply were not ready for the transition and have become the laughing stock of the Premier League.
So do you think Wolves are equipped this season for promotion?
We all know victory in the play-offs means you have a lot less preparation time than the two teams automatically promoted.
But if we can add some real quality to the team, particularly in defence, perhaps we could survive that tricky first season in the top flight.
All speculation I know, but it’s nice to dream.
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50 Comments
Hi Nathan,
Your points about the 3 players linked with moves away.
SEB dont think will be going anywhere
Kightly the injury has helped wolves in a way so I think he will be staying (for now)
The only one of the 3 I can see moving is the keeper.
Your very last point “its nice to dream” too true thats what football is all about I dream of west brom winning the prem and I presume you dream of the same we both know it will probably never happen but as you say we can but dream
Regards
Baggie Boy
they dident mean small town in walsall,they meant bilston boing boing enjoy your dream cuz thats all it is
Nathan,
Nice blog once again.
When the accounts were published last month, Moxey said we were in a much better position to be promoted than we were last time. We have a chairman with ambition (and money!). However, I feel that Mr Morgan has more of a business head than Sir Jack did, and instead of throwing money at a club he loves, will only release money for quality players.
My main worry is our scouting system and our transfer policy. Firstly, Mick has admitted that he never even saw Kites play, nor did he see Elokobi. With regard to our transfer system, we always seem to be painfully slow. Granted, we signed SEB in January and David Edwards from Luton, but every other season it seems to take us months to even get a bid in.
Now, I know that Wolves always do their business behind closed doors and I’m glad we don’t specify our targets to the media, but our lack of urgency really worries me sometimes. We have all season to plan for players to bring in, and as soon as that window opens, we should be in with bids.
Another of my concerns is the young blood. If Mick isn’t playing them in the Championship this year, what chance have they got of playing in the Premiership next year?! None what so ever!
you,l have to be asleep along time for your dream to come true i think sleeping beauty slept for 100 years not sure if thats enuff boing boing im going to kip on coach to blackpool
lets go for the top two,insted of the play offs.COME ON WOLVES
come on me babies!
Usual good blog Nathan.
These days I don’t think there is a good time to get promoted. The gulf in play (to some extent)and in money (in the main) is getting wider each year. Any team getting promotion has to be prepared to spend. Assuming we do go up the priorities have to be the centre of defence and someone to boss midfield (a la Incey). I think we definitely have the essence of a very good side - we need a little bit of experience. I’m not advocating that we buy some premier player that is coming to the end of his career and who is looking for a final pay day. And I think there lies the REAL problem - being able to persuade someone of class to come to the club and commit to the club and be prepared for a battle to survive because that’s what it will be for the first few years. We do not want someone who is going to leave the club like Camara did. I don’t think just buying a couple of good players will work. the club needs committed investment over a long period of time. Perhaps then we really will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the big boys.
Maybe I’m dreaming as well but what a dream eh ?
Come on you Wolves we need a final big push over the next few weeks.
we’ve got a good base for promotion,new owner,training ground etc. our ground needs redeveloping if we’re ever going to compete-at least 35000 is needed to sustain decent income due to(over the top) wages. but the most important area is on the pitch.
I feel we probably have-hennesey,murray(got to be the best 2 british keepers at any club in the country?)foley(maybe)elokobi(def built for the prem),craddock(in reserve),kightly and jarvis,seyi(in def midfield as he plays international),henry(better than he’s given credit for) and the current 3 fowards,keogh,eastwood and seb.all these would imo be good enough for prem-that leaves a huge amount of players-24 i counted that wouldn’t be up to scratch! its obvious we would need 2 good centre halfs-big money 4-5 million each,could we attract that sort of player?
Are wolves equipped for promotion, i see no reason why not! There is not a team that is head and shoulders above the rest, it’s the old cliché, everyone can beat anyone. I think we have a lot of quality but earlier in the season we were hit by injuries and we couldn’t cope, now we have the players and MM has found/stumbled across a system that works.
SEB has been an inspirational signing, and I for one questioned Mick for buying another forward when we needed creative midfielders in my opinion, i’m please to say i’m eating my words now (although he did buy D Edwards which i was pleased about).
With us playing the teams around us, we are in with a genuine shout of automatic, i maybe jumping the gun as we are now 7th but we have as good chance as any given the teams we are playing!
If we did get promoted i think we would need two centre halves and a central midfielder and maybe another winger, but then i think we would stay in the prem, all if’s and buts at the moment but in less then a month we could know our fate!
Doing the single the McCarthy way
Lets live the dream, go for it lads 18 points available and if you can do that the play off’s may not be required.Im 1800 miles away its a point for every 100 miles.
LIVE THE DREAM GO GO GO
interesting thoughts there, i’d agree the dangers of going up too soon without expecting or preparing for it are there, but the sheer finance involved in promotion make it imperitive that we achieve it. i think the mistake would be to gain promotion and then assume the quality is there and needs to be built on. we maybe have 3 or 4 players who could be considered in a premiership squad, we’d need to be spending from day 1, getting new players in and getting them to gel over the summer. i think the difference this time around is morgan. 2 months ago i’d agree that it would have almsot been a disaster to go up, but i believe if the chance is there we should bloody go for it and make sure we do it right this time. that baptism of fire period when we went up of 5 or 6 games where we were just swept aside has to be avoided. it would have to be fight to the death for every ball, and learn from mistakes very quickly. it could be done
Although I reckon we have had a very up and down season and MM has made some poor decisions, we are looking like a side that could match any side in this division.
Our weakest link is most definitely Neill Collins, in defence and we would need major repairs of the back line if we did go up.
However, certainly in midfield, if we get our long term injured back, we are strong. SEB, Keogh and Freddy - if not sold - would be much better than what we had last time, in the top flight!
The defence would need total rebuilding, a leader in the middle of the park would be needed and Keogh wouldn’t do it in the prem either. Cover would also be needed for Kightly and Jarvis. So i think it’s safe to say unless we spend big we will find it just as tough as first time round. Saying that can Mick attract these players required???? That’s the Q.
is it possible that we could squeeze 2nd place out of this season?? surely not!!! we seem to be having all the luck with the results!! maybe a draw wouldve been better last night but hey, lets not be greedy!!
Ready? No mate think we’re way off.
Hennessy, Kightley and SEB are the only players in our squad that appear to have premiership quality. We then have a string of maybe’s…. Olonfinjana, Foley, Jarvis, Edwards, Elokobi and Keogh all spring to mind in this category.
As you state above our real frailty lies in defence… a minimum of two new centre halves would be needed.
Regards the right time for promotion that has to be asap even if we get embarassed the following season. For financial reasons and the experience, however demoralising, it would give our young squad.
Win our two games in hand and we could be 2 points behind Stoke in second. It’s not likely, but still a mathematical possibility so while we can, let’s hope and pray for a continuation of our good run to keep the momentum going. Things are definitely going to get exciting over the next few weeks, come what may!!
Remember guys, we have played since December without our best player in Michael Kightly.
We could not gel as a team due to injuries to Matt Jarvis, Andy Keogh and Freddy Eastwood.
Not to mention some of the off the field problems and petulance involved with a certain South Bank hero.
But we have fingers crossed, finally got our act together, and whisper this quietly, even Neill Collins has been playing well recentley.
We got the teams above us looking over there shoulder and the teams below wishing they were in our position, lets enjoy it.
Up the Wolves!
Check out my own blog: http://www.oldgoldandblack.blogspot.com/
It is new, so I am looking for comments, ideas and any thoughts anyone has to offer.
I would say we definitely need to try & get up, regardless of any shortcomings the squad may have. Otherwise we may stand a chance of losing what premier quality we do have. We have a good nucleus of young players (like Reading had and they did well) such as Hennessey, Foley, Little, Henry, Kightly, Jarvis, Keogh, SEB, Eastwood and probably Seyi. All of these have the ability to play in the Premiership (yes, even Henry) where you generally have more time on the ball and can play a passing game. We then need to spend good money adding some genuine quality centre-backs with a bit of pace and some experience in midfield and I’m sure Steve Morgan would make sure that the funds were there to do just that. Then - who knows ???????????
3,tim2bobwolf, top 2 you aint even in the play off places boing boing oh i do like to be beside the seaside
Do Wolves fans think that both WBA and Wolves can go up automatically?? We have to play each other so either way you cut it one of us is going to drop points, we both have tricky games to come but Wolves have faired better against teams towards the top of the league. I think you would have to win maybe 5 from 6, tough ask, but you are in good form. Liked the blog nath, all games are now huge and everyone seems determined to do it the hard way. Whoever holds their nerve is going to do it, i have thought long and hard about it but still cannot call it!!
Watford might just have the recent experience to push themselves over the line, Hull are going like a train, and ourselves have the games in hand. Bristol and Stoke have the points but are both stuttering, is there enough beer in the black country if it was local 1st and 2nd???!!!!
I can see the headline now on May 5th, industry grinds to a halt as nobody turns up for work in the Black Country!!
All the best.
Whilst watching the Stoke-Palace game, one thing struck me…neither team should be feared by us. We look a much better team than both sets and I thought to myself two things; ‘How are either of these near the top?’ and ‘based on this, we are the best team in the division, perhaps bar Albion.’
But then, we are seventh and deserve to be there, as the table does not lie.
Onwards & upwards!
As a Baggie venturing on here, I’ve got to agree with 7. There’s no bad time for promotion, both financially and to hang on to your best players. Some of your fans have branded us a yo yo club, I don’t see anything wrong with this, unless you have a billionaire benefactor, it’s the only way to ever have a realistic chance of the Prem.
Sorry 7 should have read 9.
1st two posts… God mate you need to GET A LIFE YOU SAD MAN! I saw you crying at wembley!
If we went up we would have to spend 30 million just to have a chance of staying up.
Micks transfer dealings have been okay, we’ve picked up a few gems such as SEB but I’d dread to think what he’d get for us for the premiership.
Just a few congratulations to SEB for getting the player of the month award beating KP down the road, and also KYLE BENNETT for the call up for England under 18s match against Austria next week.
Terry the FA cup dream is dead. 4 out of 6 games away, where your form is not good.
Let’s see if the ‘best footballing team’ in the championship have got the bottle and are good enough?
Come the 15th… we cud be on equal terms with u boggy and have a game in hand..
But u keep runnin ur mouth.. its u we all enjoy to mock wen u it doesnt pay off
Pompe x
Anyone spot the deliberate mistake??????
Terry…..baggie remember the pride that came before the fall at the weekend ? You’re setting yourself up for another fall
Coming down to earth with a bump, in style the terry baggie way Oh Yes !!
10.What time are you leaving for Blackpool,then Terrystayathomeandwatchchampionsleaguebaggie.
In all fairness, promotion and staying up isnt about spending lots of money alone!
Something that DJ said when he was manager here at the Mol - If we had a squad good enough to compete with the middle section of the Premier league - then we would be more than capable of staying up
Instead of huge transfer fees, we should have brought in short term salaried deals for players with abiillity - just like Big Sam did at Notlob - Point is IF you cant punish teams by scoring in the Prem - It doesnt matter how much “pretty” football you play - you’re not going to win many/ any games!
No promoted teams will compete with the Big clubs in the Prem - Its more about competing well against the middle teams and staying outside of the bottom four!
I think the gulf between the championship and premiership gets bigger every season so the sooner promotion is achieved the better.
Within the next few seasons I think the FA will have to re-evaluate promotion pay offs to help those teams to stand any sort of chance of staying up otherwise there will just be a select group of yoyo clubs who I reckon will pan out to be the likes of us, Albion, Charlton, Watford, Fulham, Bolton, Blues and possibly QPR within a few seasons
21 Nice post
6 I’m 4000 miles away and If we do get to Wembley for the P.O.Final I’ll be there hope you will be too.C’MON THE WOLVES
You cant go up playing sexy passing football. You have to become a rough, aggressive physical team with a strong defence. A team that defends first, and then hits on the counter with two fast wingers. Thats the only way to stay up in the first season, and from then you can build. The same way in which Big Sam did with Bolton before he left.
This applies to both Albion and Wolves, but moreso albion, as they are regarded as probably the best “footballing” side in the league. They cant go up and play like that in the first season.
Todays blog is a little head in the clouds for me, Nate, mate.
We have three prem. quality players. For the rest, major investment would be needed if we were not to spend the entire season with our pants around the ankles. That kind of investment will not be sanctioned resulting in the addition of a few journeyman players. In any case, the kind of player needed would not come here even if the money was made available.
To have a genuine chance of survival you need to have a team and squad already so strong that it steamrollers its way over this division and is promoted in a canter. You’ve then got a chance of attracting the right 2/3 players. Sunderland will survive this year to prove an exception, but they have a class manager who has managed to buy well and a football ambitious board.
The only clubs from this year’s crop which would have any chance of survival are Watford and Charlton. Anyone else would not. That includes WBA whose much vaunted attack proved to be powder puff girls against prem. opponents on Saturday. Not so much baggies as handbaggies.
Professional Yo Yo clubs, now there’s an idea!
Interesting and thought provoking blog.
Are we ready to go up? Do the club even want to go up? Will Mick stay if we fail to get promotion?
All these and much more in next weeks episode of Soap….
31 optimistic wolf - LMFAO hilalrious arked.
Wolves an albion to go up. Id take top 2 hands down but im relishing the oportunity of a trip to wembley to show Our friends how its done ?
Dingle Shandee
I don’t think we will get close to the top 2, we will be relying on to many teams to slip up.
I think we will finish 6th, lose in the semis and Mick can grab his coat and do the honourable thing.
Alright Nath, good blog son.
We only have 3, 4 players at the most who would survive in the Premiership, but I’ll take promotion over another season of sitting through the dross.
hey nathan how ya doin matey.. if we do go up, will be interesting to see our new chairmans reaction. will he gamble and invest more millions to try and get the kind of players we’ll need to stay up..or just leave em’ to it like sir jack.
in fairness sir jack had spent multi-millions before we got promoted, but this will be the first time steve is in a situation where his wallet will be tested. personally i think he would invest heavily if we go up. ok he couldn’t buy his beloved liverpool, but the wolves are the next best thing yeah!.
i can see us makin the play offs quite easily now to be honest, but then it’s in the lap of the football gods i’m afraid. i would much prefer the albion out of the way to be honest, i give us much more chance against the other teams who would be involved. so automatic, or preferably failure to secure a top 6 spot for them would do nicely.
GOING TO THE PREMIER THE MCARTHY WAY..IN STYLE OF COURSE..OH YES!!
Bomber, like your words mate. Also like the idea of no-one turning up for work on the 5th !! Believe me there wouldn’t be enough beer in the country if we both went up - what a thought !! I think it’s a very very long shot but hey, what the hell, everybody has got to dream sometime.
Note for the Real Bully - I don’t think any Wolves fans mind Baggies fans coming on here provided they’re here for a laugh, a reasoned comment etc etc. What I think is objectionable is when the so called fans just pour out the bile they’ve stored up. Having said that I’ll probably get a load of abuse noe=w as well !!
All the best to you as well !!
40. Graham Wolf. “Do the honourable thing”. I presume you mean pander to your every wim. Mick isn’t going anywhere mate.
I remember the teams of the 50’s and 60’s! Dreaming of the premiership this season based on the current team, management (who don’t care) and results so far but be fueled by some substance other than common sense. Good blog, but reality is the nightmare.
Graham Wolf (40)
You idiot. Do you not want the season to carry on whilst its still all to play for? You make me sick.
It may be a slightly rose tinted blog, but at least we aint argueing about getting Big Mac out every day. Lets see if he can get us up before we have the last supper eh?
27 rob, 1 down 5 to go, boing boing we are top
TERRY..WE WON’T BE TOP FOR LONG BOGGIE..I BET YOU WON’T SHOW YOUR FACE ON HERE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AFTER TUESDAY’S MAULING BY THE MIGHTY WOLVES.
ESPECIALLY WITH HULL TOP AND STOKE BACK IN SECOND..OH AND WATFORD AND WOLVES ABOUT TO LEAP OVER YOU TOO.
GOIN UP THROUGH THE PLAY OFFS THE MCARTHY WAY..IN STYLE OF COURSE..OH YES.
#48, the only going up with McCarthy is the Balloon!
49.quality counts
A very unintelligent response, well done.