Jody Craddock has admitted his shock at seeing defensive team-mate Gary Breen leave Wolves and believes he will be a “huge” gap to replace.
Craddock is Wolves’ only experienced defender as part of Mick McCarthy’s plans after captain Breen, Darren Ward and Rob Edwards were released and put up for sale respectively.
Neill Collins is Wolves’ only other senior central defender, with the boss expected to splash out on two centre-halves this summer.
“I don’t know where Gary will go and it was a shock to see him released,” said Craddock, who has had his one-year option taken up by the club.
“I rate him as a player and he’s one of the best centre-halves I have played alongside. On and off the pitch he was a huge presence and a likeable fellow. It’s a shame because he is such a very good player.”
Breen is 34 and his future is uncertain but Craddock believes age should not have been a consideration.
“Age should be nothing to do with it – if you saw him play and didn’t know his age, you would say he was 25 – age would never come into it,” said Craddock.
“The older you get, the more experienced you get and that showed because he did very well. I’m sure the gaffer has people lined up.”
Craddock was also surprised at the decision to allow Ward – only signed last summer for £500,000 – and Edwards leave.
“I was susprised to see Darren Ward and Rob Edwards made available for transfer – with Gary Breen, that’s three players who can play centre-half,” he said.
“I have got my contract, but these lads are my friends and it’s not a nice position for them to be in.
“Seeing what has happened to them, that’s why it means so much more to me to be staying.
“Darren has only been here a year but football is a cut-throat world so he (McCarthy) must have players in mind.”
Signed by Dave Jones for £1.75m in June 2003, Craddock is the only senior player, with Matt Murray, who has served under Jones, Glenn Hoddle and McCarthy. And he admits McCarthy rivals them as the most passionate.
“It’s difficult to compare. They all wanted to win but Mick is very passionate and he’s out there with the lads every day,” he said.
“He gives his all and you can see it means a helluva lot to him.”
Craddock almost left for Premier League-bound Stoke last Autumn but has no regrets at staying.
“I might have stayed at Stoke and got into the Premier League, but given the choice, I am more than happy to stay here,” he added.
“Because my contract is only for a year, I need to stay fit and I need to be playing because at the end of the season, I need to prove myself whether it be here or somewhere else.”
l Wolves youth team finished fifth in a German youth tournament – but at least returned with some success after winning the fair play award.
John Perkins’ side drew 0-0 with Muhlendreis and 1-1 with Brazilian side Americal FC at the Stemwede International Youth Tournament
Fresh from a tournament win in Switzerland, Americal took the lead but Wolves levelled through an Ashley Hemmings volley from Kyle Bennett’s corner.
Wolves ended with two defeats in a day, conceding two first-half goals against Hertha BSC and then a goal five minutes from time saw RCD Mallorca of Spain beat them.
SV Werder Bremen beat Borussia Moenchengladbach in an all-German final.
Wolves picked up the Fair Play award after going through without picking up a booking. “The tournament has been a success with regards to experience although results could have been better,” said coach John Perkins.
“We didn’t perform as well as we should have in front of goal, scoring just once in four games.
“But, apart from the first-half against Hertha when we were below-par, we played some good football. Ours was a young side which included two schoolboys.”
53 Comments
“Age should be nothing to do with it – if you saw him play and didn’t know his age, you would say he was 25 – age would never come into it,” said Craddock.
Yeah - he was pretty useless at 25 too !!!
Y, i only wish MM and kevin kyle would follow!!!
Watch your back jodie
otherwise you will be off to vale next
You always give 100% keep it going, looks like you are a lone centrehalf next season (mind you probaby the same restrictions as playing with Ward)
Another article padded out with youth team news.
2. Kyle went back to Coventry already
Re 2 - Kevin Kyle?!!? Having a moan just for the sake of it are you? Kyle went back to Coventry after his loan ended you cretin.
Why is there no news about next season, there just seems to be players saying something about what happened this season. Like Seyi, Keogh at least Craddock dosn’t insult fans though.
Noticed on Sky Sports that clubs are already starting to move in on transfers, lets just hope we dont leave it too late then panic buy.
QPR have just signed Ramage from newcastle and cerny from tottenham and there managerless, maybe thats where were going wrong? Yes we would probably do better without the muppet. Top six next season will consist of, Derby, Birmingham, Reading, Qpr, and two of the four battling in the play offs ( palace, bristol city, hull,watford). if you think weve a chance, think on. MM OUT!
post 2: Went back to Coventry!
Anyways, Get two new centre halves, new full-back, new Centre Midfielder and a striker to back up SEB & Keogh!
Lets get buying!
What Jody is really saying is “How can anyone believe Collins is worth keeping?”
christ jody, does your missus work for the express and star??? seems likeyouve spent all day there with the articles youve done today, getting a new career underway are we? ready for when you retire!!!lol. Be careful mate, youve seen what happens to players who talk behind the managers back!!
Craddock. Nice Guy. Not good enough. Needs to go as well.
We all have faith in Thick Mick to replace these players.
His signing record isn’t actually that bad really. He just can’t get the players to gel into a team really and plays them all out of position
Staying down the Thick Mick way, oh yes!
said this many a time
craddock ISNT GOOD ENOUGH
he is just a average apple in a poor bunch
QPR = managerless, rumour mill says its paul ince!
7) No chance. The owners at Blues want nothing more to do with them. Derby are in dire straits and Coppell is most likely going with wholesale changes.
Sign some spine to the team and get Gleeson, Davies, Little, Jones contributing and we will be challenging for the top 2!
10 - ha ha.
Jody craddock posts more than I do !!!
Shut up Jody !
Instead of Gobbing off, get on yer bike and find someone capable to partner you at the back.
1. Breen was quality in his day you idiot.
Craddock was shipped ouy by MM-came back and I think did well at least he plays for his shirt–He is a experienced Pro who has served the Wolves well… If this is your view JODY thanks for it–I wish you well—Have a good holiday mate come and join me on the Beach we will have a few beers–My mate will pay (What do you say Freddie) oh my god he’s on the phone–Who is it Freddy ? Oh muy god its Warnck–Only joking–Come on you WOLVES–Stop moaning you crettins–Cheers.
Craddock is a class act and is clearly are best center half. all we need is another sept younger
4 MM is going to try and sign get him bk on a free.
5. thats right i am moaning for the sake of it. Unlike u who is quite clearly either not a wolves fan or r an arm chair fan i pay my money and watch wolves unfortunately!! U should try it some time, and if u new anything u would no that MM is going to try and sign kyle for next season as Coventry will be letting him go for free. What a shocker!!!!
18 - I must have been off that day !
If he ever did have “a day” it was 12 years before he joined you lot !!
Still - he was one of your best players LOL.
Both Breen and Craddock are decent centre halves and l would have kept both. You need experience at the back alongside a younger player who has a bit of pace. This is especially true seeing our first choice full backs are young and need leadership at the back. I agree that Collins and Ward are not up to it and both should have been released.
23) In case it escaped your notice your defence was far worse than ours last season, so you better get signing or you are straight back down!
That is allowing for the clumsy and slow Neill Collins.
think we am all missing the big picture here like one of u fans just sed qpr just signed to class prem players which wolves sed they couldnt afford the wages well says it all about wolves there then
Mike QB–You are wrong–go back to school and get some spelling lessons–Crazy Comment–Cheers
More like he used to leave “huge gaps in the defence” or was it just when he played us!
Breen !! Remebered for the clearance v West Brom that Philips hammered home and the free kick he needlessly gave away v Ipswich with 2 seconds to go - they scored !!
it breen played every match like he did against plymouth no one would what him to leave but like the others have found out you question mm your time is up and you are on your way out
25 - Yeah, whilst we were winning 5-1 you lot were playing 9 behind the ball and getting a 0-0 or maybe a 1-0 - so much better than us.
Maybe there is a parallel universe (a dingleverse) where wolves had a great season, albion were rubbish, and wolves fans have the bragging rights - but this aint it.
If you ever have a better season than us i will listen to your point of view - but its been so many years I wouldn’t hold ya breath.
mike qb - new anything oh dear you’re an emabarrasment, go away thick boy.
it is “knew!!!” You’re giving the club a bad name!!!
Why is Collins still at Wolves? Most possibly the worst player I have ever seen in the black & Gold.
Fuuny that the only centre halves Mick Has kept are Craddock, who he deemed not to be good enough by shipping him out on loan, and Collins, well do I need to speak about Collins.
mikeQB!I am a season ticket holder in the southbank and i agree that we should not sign kyle on free. But can you tell me what the hell he did wrong when he came on for wolves or started for that matter. When he came on against charlton did he or did he not hit the bar within 2 minutes. And if im not mistaken i think he crossed the ball in for henry too score. In my opinion he came in and did his job which was too make an impact from the bench and be another option!so can you tell me what he did wrong at wolves in his loan period?
Collins is surley also being added to the list?
Breen is good on his day, but has been injury prone this season, hopefully he has got rid because he has the replacement in mind/ready?
And eddie wolf post 8, are u a keogh fan? every post mentions him, u must have his name on ur shirt!? More like keogh backin up someone else hopefully. lol
MM was right to get rid of Breen and transfer list the rest of the rubbish. We need 2 new central defenders and striker. Thanks
breen collins kyle ward are all useless enough said.
who cares that we have missed out on Ramage? Hes not exactly proven at the top level is he? Over paid just cus hes played premiership football occasionally. We should sign either Lee Carsley or Danny Murphy for starters and then 2 centre backs.
Bristol City 4-2 on aggregate in play off semi’s as right. Second goal McIndoe……. McIndoe was right as to which club had the greater ambition!
did hennesey break murrays record for clean sheets this year ????
i think it was the forwards not scoring that did us in this year (except ebanks)!!
i personally think that if we’d of gone up this year then mick would of got his lowest points record back…..so lets all sit back and let the players and staff have their summer holidays and await the arrivals to our club and cheer them on !!!!….i cant wait for next season !!!
Yes I did see the Charlton game, and he did well when he came on. However even poor players time to time make differences steven ward scored 3 goals in his first 3 games.
The other problem you have when Kyle is on the pitch is that the whole team switch to a long ball mentality, which is crazy. Last seasons achievements were not built on that. They were build on fast flowing football. Kyle is just one personally i am glad breen has gone, MM picks too many of his favourites constantly who are clearly out of form.
Anyway back to my original point are you seriously telling me with all the strikers in our squad, or even lower league stickers Kevin Kyle was really our best hope of scoring goals at the time when he was brought in?? It just another example of MM bringing in his pals, If he is that good then why were we the only mugs who wanted to take him off the hands of Coventry?? And why couldn’t he get in a very very poor Coventry team??
31) The truth hurts sometimes. Slagging off Breen, with some of the clowns you have had defending.
Carry on gloating - it will all end in tears!
We may be a division below but we have a better ground, more support, won more honours, a history and don’t sing a church hymn in our ground!
Lets hope the club have plans for defence this year.
43 - “it will all end in tears” - sounds like it already has.
34.wasnt Clement sent out on loan.
idiot
Defence 2 centre halfs needed, i think there is improvement in Collins i believe he will be a good centre half, we need a play maker in midfield someone who can take free kicks and corners with the ability to put a foot on the ball, a Greening type of player(shame Mark Davis cant get fully fit).We need 2 quality strikers, spend the money on 2 strikers its goals that get you out of this division not 9 at the back.
43,,,we dont sing a hymn song in our ground,,,NO YOUR RIGHT ITS COS YOU DONT SING AT ALL,,,,EMBARASSING SO CALLED MIDLANDS CLUB,,,,,,UP THE BAGGIES…..PRIDE OF THE MIDLANDS,,,THE MOWBRAY WAY,,,FULL OF STYLE,,,,OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YES.
46 - Michael Michael Michael…. will you never learn.
You simply cannot compare TM with MM….
Clement had been injured for nearly a year and he was sent to Hull to get match fit - Craddock was actually playing in your defence when MM suddenly decided he was rubbish. I think he then played about 4 -5 games for stoke before MM realised he had dropped another clanger !!
I know you are desperate to find some way in which to make yourself feel better - but it aint happening is it !
We know Eastwood has talent and has had a useless season. Thats a fact! Mick didn’t handle him very well but surely just put him out on loan somewhere for next season, or even half and let him get some confidence back. The bring him back and he will be so much better. Simple really!
49. HB
Truth is Craddock was sent on loan to keep match fit, while MM tried to develop the new guys, that didnt happen and Jody returned.
Up the Wolves
MikeQB i don’t think Kyle is good enough to play for wolves at all. But what i don’t agree with is when people were booing him before he even kicked a ball. It wasn’t his fault that he was brought to the club.He just wanted to play football. To be honest some of the games we were playing long ball to blake and keogh and then when kyle came on we switched back to playin it on the floor which i thought was weird. I will say well done to Kyle for when he did play he tried his hardest and did what was required of him which is more than i can say for Eastwood.
mark 51 - thats not accurate….
If MM thought he was a good player he wouldn’t have dropped him, let alone farmed him out to Stoke - at worst he would have put him in the reserves to keep fit…
Craddock was quoted as saying he had played his last game for Wolves when he left - a statement he soon retracted when he was recalled.
Clement hadn’t played in nearly a year - the situation was completely different.