Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Will the three Bs seal Wolves’ fate?
Chief Sports Writer Martin Swain looks at the key questions confronting our clubs and now asks – Will Wolves’ survival hopes rest on beating the three Bs?
For the 3Ms, the 3Bs loom large. Birmingham, Bolton and Burnley present a Molineux triplet before Christmas in which Wolves simply must do well – or risk turning the year with an improbable chance of staying in the Premier League.
This Morgan-Moxey-McCarthy era is all about stability and substance, they will not judge the club’s future prospects on the outcome of this campaign alone but how it effects their five-year outlook.
But neither do they under-estimate the importance of clinging to Premier League status and each will know, deep down in their socks, that the footholds will be slipping if Wolves come up short again in these looming home fixtures.
Manager Mick McCarthy is rightly taking comfort from his team’s overall performance levels after the drop into the bottom three. And he is right – it is a drop which has not been greeted by panic but patience and understanding from everyone in and around the club.
But nagging away at everyone – the players, the 3Ms, the fans – is the suspicion that Wolves have already leaked a cluster of points from those games the realities of the Premier League insist you simply must do better in.
We all know the matches we’re talking about – West Ham, Hull, Portsmouth in particular. Their performances at Sunderland and Everton also could, should have brought better results.
All the time this happens, the margins for error grow ever thinner. In stark contrast to the pre-Yuletide home games, Wolves’ away schedule is like a footballing war zone. You can’t see anything but punishing contests from trips to Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.
So Blues, Bolton and Burnley have to be their moments, prime-cut fixtures which must reap – what, six points minimally? Seven would be handsome. A perfect nine would have the gold and black throng tucking into their turkeys with a relish for the second half of the campaign.
Amid the pressure of these fixtures there is much about which to be positive. McCarthy knows that two of the opponents, Birmingham and Burnley have made better advances which in another era could be generating grumbles from the Molineux thousands.
But as has already been reserved, this generation of Wolves fans have absorbed the lesson of over-expectation and understand the sways and rolls of the fixture list have to be played out before comparisons are valid.
Wolves have been unlucky in their collisions with the big boys so far. Nothing but credit can go to Burnley – marked down as relegation certainties – but if you have to play Manchester United your first home game of the season is as good a time as any, with adrenalin running high and the imperial forces of Old Trafford yet to settle.
The men from Molineux went to Manchester City at the worst possible moment – their first home game of the season.
It was like a showbiz spectacular in which, I suspect, even Wolves felt their role as bit part extras. When they started having a ‘go’ at City in the second half, they discovered this chocolate box collection of stars were far from a perfect team– but too late.
In contrast, Burnley went there last weekend at the perfect moment. City were nervous, stuck on a run of draws and uncomfortable against such game underdogs.
And who wouldn’t want to play Liverpool tomorrow? Birmingham did on Monday and eagerly tucked into the Anfield giant’s current unease. No Torres. No Gerrard to start with. Can we play you now as well please?
Wolves can only hope Liverpool’s vulnerability is still evident come Boxing Day.
In contrast, running into Arsenal last weekend was like trying to get your Ford Focus past a Rolls Royce purring in the outside lane. Arsenal had already scored more than 50 goals and were flying – they got the breaks that follow a team in such electric form.
Next up? Chelsea – in the match following the defeat of United to give them a five-point lead at the top. Ouch.
A year ago, the Gunners were beaten by last season’s Burnley, Hull City, at the Emirates.
But Hull hit them at precisely the right time, when the two teams’ bio-rhythms were moving in opposite directions. A year ago, Hull were sixth and Tottenham were bottom. Now we all know how that panned out.
So Wolves’ timing has so far been lousy but not conclusive.
Over a season, they will get their breaks providing they keep working for them and McCarthy’s point about his team’s overall form is right – we are not yet looking at them and doubting their ability to win games.
Sure there are worries. The lack of goals from open play , the injury-influenced muted impacts of their outstanding players from the last couple of years in Messrs Kightly, Ebanks-Blake and Foley.
How Wolves could have done with all three hitting the ground running. Instead, two have yet to get into their stride and the other is fresh out the treatment room.
The summer recruitment programme has also reminded us that you get what you pay for. The outstanding success has been Kevin Doyle who has looked a fine, fine player. But that player cost £6.5million and it was a delightful bonus that he chose Wolves ahead of rival offers which might have offered him a better chance of staying in this division.
But foreign arrivals Nenad Milijas and Ronald Zubar are still coming to terms with English football, Andrew Surman has been injured, Greg Halford efficient and Michael Mancienne jolted. These are the returns only to be expected for comparatively modest outlays.
Still you sense Wolves have it within them to add those seven or eight points they need to reach Christmas in a competitive position.
At the same stage last season, Manchester City and Blackburn were in the bottom three with 18 and 16 points respectively and got out of trouble.
Wolves will convince us they can do the same – but only if they finally deliver on the key fixtures now approaching with such ominous significance.
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I lost all respect for Martin Swain some time ago. He appears to me, to have little knowledge of football, and this article is his usual drivel.
Football, there are some serious journalists about who do know what they are talking about.
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I will be interested to see what Moxey and Morgan will do if we fail to get a at least two wins out of the 3 games against Burnley, Brum and Bolton. They have been quiet up till now, but lets see their reaction after we’ve been doomed.
The clubs needs leadership I dont see it anywhere
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Forget about IFs and BUTs, reality is that we have fared less better than Birmingham and Burnley, the tripe coming out of Jez Moxey was that teams automatically promoted would be 4-5 weeks better prepared. We did not match the ambition as Birmingham have shown, nor the sheer resilience that Burnley are showing. We will struggle, it will be a great achievement if we stay up now.
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I think in our hearts we all know we didn’t do enough in the summer transfer window.Not enough quality.We needed players who could make an immediate impact.Only Doyle fits that bill.If we survive this season Mick should get the freedom of the City.
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You forgot the fourth B – Bob Wolf.
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well the Baggies sealed it enuff times aye boing boing down
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Who is this bloke trying to kid????? Is there ever a right time to play the likes of Man Utd Man City Liverpool etc? I think not, as their Reserve teams are worth more than ours, Burnleys and Birminghams put together. Lets give Burnley some Credit as they have done superbly well! Fortunately for them they have a manager who says the right things and gets the players into the right frame of mind for whatever match! You never here Coyle saying we wont win at Old Trafford, Anfield etc, unlike our manager! We need to strengthen desperately and if we are bottom at christmas we can kiss bye bye to any decent recruitment and also the premiership – UNFORTUNATELY!!!
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7 points will be a good return on our 3 home games v the 3 B’s but 9 is achievable. Bolton are a terrible side and I have a feeling they will right in a relegation battle this season, I think Blues will be the hardest gaME OUT OF THE 3.
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What a negative headline! We are in the bottom 3 for the first time since after the West Ham game. So what.
We will not lose these 3 games. The odds on this happening would be 50/1 and it is not going to happen. If there was a disastrous run of results, it still would not seal our fate in any case.
UP THE WOLVES!
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What a despairing article by the local rag.
Low rent journalism by a man who clearly has little understanding of the game or of the local team.
The E & S used to represent decent journalism but now seems to write any old tosh that comes into the mind of anyone passing the sports desk is there is such a thing at the E & S anymore.
Very poor to say the least, thankfully the club do not depend on you for any kind of professional coverage of our team, as an exiled Wolfrunian I am embarrassed by the rag you have now become.
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I was thinking, what a well-written, well considered piece of writing from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.
Not surprisingly, some of the usual automatic moaners on here seem unable to hold such a balanced view.
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Having seen all Wolves games, home and away, live over here this season I have not seen anything that fills me with any optimism.
I believe the manager is too negative in his tactics and I don’t think he is up to the task.
By negative I mean ”comfort football”, pass the ball backwards and then hoof up the field instead of taking positive chances up front.
Moxey is a Molineux for Moxey, nobody else.
His epitath will say ” we won’t do an Albion”
He will oversee 2 relegation and STILL he retains his job. Why?
It would not be tolerated in the workplace.
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I have said right from the start that Christmas was the cut off point. Lets wait and see. We know most of our players are just not good enough and neither is the manager but we could still stay up.
If Crimbo is bad then we can break out the mistletoe and kiss the prem goodbye, the next few weeks will tell. The plays the thing.
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What nonsense to critiscize Matine Swain’s excellently written article. He has concisely summed up Wolves plight and what they need to do about it, how strange for some fans to knock him as being negative? Completely befuddles me????
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I have seen nothing from our games with fellow “strugglers” to suggest that we are favourites to take (atleast) 6 of the 9 points mentioned.
Please, Please, Please I hope im proven wrong, but I just dont see it happenning. I see Birmingham putting us to the sword whilst Burnley will have their tails up too, and we’d do well for a draw.
We arent clinical enough upfront, and seem intent on howlers at the back every game. A hint of salvation perhaps with Doyle, Zubar and Milijas, but the squad depth just isnt there.
Im not saying we’re playing badly, just not good enough to stay up.
I hope im wrong.
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6, sir terry baggie, again u show why albion fans have a reputauion for being thick
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Good post from (at last) an impartial jusge. Everything this bloke says is spot on – anything from the next three away games will be a bonus and anything we drop from the next three home games will pose a serious threat to our survival. Come on me babbies. KinverWolf
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i think mr swain has a good point here seeing as mick seems to be writing us off against any of the big boys b4 a ball has been kicked(not a good message for the players)i think it is imperative that we win these 3 if possible or at least 2 because you can bet the 3 b’s will fight tooth&nail to win these games against us like they do any team as their managers seem to be able to motivate their players and get the best out of them whoever they come up against.i’d like to see us let the opposition worry about our players for a change instead of the other way round and that means kites&jarvis on the flanks and 2 strikers who actually get in the box lets get back to what got us promotion all action attacking football,yes some games we will get hammered but lets not go down without a fight.mick seems to be playing too defensive in central midfield we need some flair in there milijas has to up his game. please a proven PREMIER LEAGUE STRIKER and a LEFT FOOTED LEFT BACK come january PLEASE MR MORGAN
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I’m not Swain’s biggest fan, but this article makes perfect sense to me.
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oh dear, what a complete load of drizzle, denial, denial, denial, full of what if’s…
face the reality, you can’t beat the big guys, you lose at home to the bottom teams, but it’s just unfortunate timing
easiest start on record to a premier league season, face the realities of the winter.
if you do secure 9 points against the 3B’s then fafair play to you… but remember, whilst you playing the big guns, man utd, chelsea, spurs, liverpool, the teams around you are playing each otother and that means points for some
who exactly is mark swain anyway?
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The comments by Swain have some merit, but it’s hardly worth the paper it is written on as it is all whats, ifs and maybes.
We need to win 3 games by Chrsitmas – simple as. Winning brings confidence and 19 points at the half-way stage gives us a chance of survival; or at least a springboard for such.
Kightly is far too lightweight for this league and I would prefer a run for Jarvis. SEB is struggling and, unless he plays off The Hoff, I don’t see him having many chances in front of goal.
I believe that The Hoff should be given an extended run alongside Doyle, with Keough given a chance in place of Edwards.
We simply have to score and have to win some games. Draws are not enough and, presently, we appear to be playing for draws rather than pushing the boat out for wins.
This comes from a strategy that dictates that we don’t play our best attacking side; but then again, I wonder whether Mik knows his best side yet!
Mr Morgan has disappeared for the time being. He has to show come Christmas……
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Like Mark Smith, I am a Wolves fan living abroad who has watched every game this season. Up until Everton, I had not seen everything to suggest we could even compete with Premier League clubs, let alone secure a place among them for next season. Granted, we have put in some good performances in recent weeks against Villa, Everton and Stoke. However, the fact remains we are second bottom having failed to score enough goals while shipping far too many. One point from Portsmouth, Hull and West Ham is simply not good enough to stay in the division. If we secure a similar return against Birmingham, Bolton and Burnley than I can’t see anything but a return to the Championship.
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seems to me there are more wolves livin aboad than at home,maybe thats why you got to take 600 seats out and let kids in free for a local derby,aye boing boing down
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This was one of Mr Swains better columns, with some very good points but he did get 1 point wrong.
A Ford Focus will pass a Rolls Royce if it has the right engine and is tuned correctly.
But not if you only by cheap parts for it and keep the money in the bank for who knows what!
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Good article if you ask me, i think its time as wolves fans that we have to understand, that we don’t have the right to beat any team, MM is doing a good job thus far, the season will get better, i a can safely say we will beat the drop.
As for wolves fans abroad sir boggy may have something to do with people in wolves actually having a brain,still i suppose smethick is a lovely place…
UTW
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Call me abit strange but as a wolves fan, if i see an article on the baggies, i will never go out of my way to read it……. it just doesnt interest me! why do i see so many tescos commenting on an article about a club they supposedy ‘despise’, shouldnt they be reading about the fortunes of their own club and upcoming fixtures against scunthorpe or peterborough etc?
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Its not rocket science we didnt invest in Prem players despite Moxley saying otherwise pre season.We basically have a Championship side,the only way to save us from relegation is to invest heavily in experienced prem players in the Jan window.I am totaly fed up with being lied to by Moxley in order to sell season tickets.
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That nagging feeling that we have left ourselves a mountain to climb already is keeping me awake at night. To get 1 point from West Ham, Hull and Portsmouth at home was a disaster – I hate to say it but I think we will be bottom by Christmas and stay there.
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Swain has not made a single perceptive comment about Wolves since he started commenting instead of David Instone. If anyone is relying on his articles to learn anything then they must be clueless. We have to beat the teams that we can beat when we play them at home – genius!
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If we do not come up with the points against the 3 B’s, then I’m afraid Mick’s position will become untenable and so will Moxey’s.
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First,Sir Terry Baggie go and bury yourself you typical boing boing moron.I have said before and I`ll say it again MM has not got a clue.Apart from Doyle what have we really got?Why isn`t the Hoff having a run with Doyle?he has European and International experience but MM wants to persevere with Blake who is not a premiereship player.Has Mancienne suddenly become a bad player?Mick,you really have to wake up,this is Wolves not Sunderland if you can`t cope,and I believe you can`t,then do the right thing and make way for someone who can.
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lets just be positive, and let teams think they’ve played ‘US’ at the wrong time instead of the other way round!
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I have never rated Swain as a football journalist, but then he has the impossible task of following in the footsteps of the legendary Phil Morgan.
However, he occasionally produces an article of note, and this is one such. It is an accurate and fair assessment of our situation.
The posters who have been slating it probably carry a bucket of sand around with them to regularly shove their heads in!
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31 spanish omlit,im not an ordunery moron im an oxymoron witch is the best moron yow can be,aye boing boing down
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Its not the three B’s that will settle our fate, the three M’s have already done that!!!
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16 Pete. You go on at Sir Terry about Albion fans being thick & you can’t even spell “reputation”. Typical Wulf fan!.
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34. Terry if I lost to Barnsley,Swansea, Crystal Palace I’d probably want to get away from my own pages for a whie so I don’t blame you, the Premiership is alot more attractive. Anby tips tezza for the wolves? you did finish bottom so don let the list be too long!
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34 – you are right. An honour and a baggie in the same name – that is an oxymoron
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WE WILL SURVIVE COMFORTABLY – DESPITE MARTIN(VILLA FAN SWAIN.
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An excellent article. The criticism of Swain is ridiculous – he’s not there to do Wolves PR, but instead offer an objective comment. There is a lot of criticism of the new boys, but Doyle, Milijas and Zubar have done OK.
The main problem this season is that the players we hoped could cut it in the premier league – Ebanks-Blake, Foley, Jarvis, Kightly, Mancienne – have so far failed to deliver. This may in part be due to illness and injury, but we need them to fire if we are going to stay in this league.
Jezza
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37,laffinatwolves,at least i got the bottle to come on here using my own name which is more than can be said for you shadrag,aye boing boing down down
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When you can treat your fans like the wolves board does ie selling “your seats for a pie & a pint”. Sums up the wolves boards ambitions. Keep yo-yoing up and down the leagues and keep collecting the parachute payments. Said it before and will say it again no decent quality premiership player wants to come or will ever want to come to the Midlands, Villa have been trying for years now and you can count on both hands the top quality they have attracted.
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41. What are you on about? So Sir Terry Baggie is your real name? Talk some tripe pal. Back to the job centre in Sandwell!
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What’s all this about Doyle being class. Three goals so far for our £6.5 mill. Don’t forget he was subbed off in the Ireland v France game. The commentator said “no surprise, they have taken off the largely ineffecive Doyle” He did nothing.
Hopefully the muppet will be gone by Christmas then we might be able to salvage something from this horror show. I’m at Stamford Bridge next week. God help them!!
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Another inspired piece of journalism from Swain, there is an identical piece on the BBC Wolves page which was posted days earlier!!!
UTW
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Paul, no 44, he was voted man of the match! Only came off with a kick to the calf! Excellent article Martin, spot on.
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44. got some shocking news for you pal, the muppet as you call him, you know the one who built a team from nothing and helped us become champions, will still be here next may. and one question, why are you wasting your money if you think we are already relegated?
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I agree with 21, It doesnt really matter whether were in the bottom 3 at xmas, but we need to get to 18- 20 pts. 3 more wins by then. This gives us a real chance of getting around 40 pts to survive this league. What the squad are learning is that a half fit gerrard/Torres can still do the business for liverpool, but a half fit Kightly and SEB will really struggle. To be fair neither have had any impact on any match apart from SEB’s pen.
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