Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mick hails new flexible friend
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today hailed Michael Mancienne as his latest ‘flexible friend’ as the Chelsea man prepares to return to action.
The England Under-21 international is available for the next leg of Wolves’ Premier League survival mission in the derby against Birmingham in eight days’ time after being ineligible for today’s clash at parent team Chelsea as part of the loan deal between the clubs.
McCarthy played the 21-year-old as a holding player in central midfield for the first time at Wolves when he brought him on during the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal two weeks ago.
At centre-back, Mancienne initially lost his place to Jody Craddock after the Portsmouth defeat and was then laid low by a virus.
He starred for Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s at right-back last week in the Euro 2011 qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania and McCarthy believes he can offer a number of options.
Mancienne joins Richard Stearman, Ronald Zubar and George Elokobi as players equally at home playing full-back and in central defence while Zubar has also played as a central midfielder for Cael and Marseille.
“Michael’s played as a sitting midfielder for England Under-21s, he’s both full-back positions and he’s played centre-half so he can play in a number of positions,” said McCarthy.
“I’m delighted he’s said he’s prepared to fight for his place, but Michael Mancienne is a top professional, a real model pro.
“I knew he could play full-back and as a sitting midfielder, but I hadn’t see him do it myself.
“I put him there to have a look at him and make sure we didn’t concede any more goals and he did OK there.”
Craddock echoes his manager in believing Mancienne is a super talent who can adapt. But the 34-year-old believes he is now developing a partnership with Christophe Berra.
“Mancienne is a great player, but it’s not about the individual – it’s about the partnership,” he said.
“I feel myself and Christophe have a decent partnership and hopefully that will help me stay in the team.”
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Mancienne definately has a part to play. Personally Id like to see him in either full back position if Castillo or Henry were injured he could easily play there. Would happily pay 3mil for him and make him permanent.
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Left footed right backs, Right footed left backs,Full backs at centre back,Strikers at left back,No wonder we are second bottom and staring at a long hard winter ahead of us.Craddock-Berra partnership leaks 14 goals in 8 matches and we are told this is GOOD?.When are we going to see a side playing natural posistioned players in their own posistion on a regular basis and being played on merit not because MM Likes them or they put a shift in.
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Last season I think most of us thought Mancienne (if we got him) would have no problem playing at Premiership level, but, so far for a number of reasons it hasn’t worked out for him. I’m still not convinced the Berra Craddock partnership is the long term answer, although both have played quite well this season. If we keep Mancienne after January I still believe he has a vital role to play for us. His awareness and pace have to be tremendous attributes for the team.
Talking of last season (injuries to one side) Ebanks Blake and that guy who came off the bench against Arsenal wearing Kiteleys shirt have also been a disappointment…..and need reminding that the season’s a third over !
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Maltawolf its called modern football! football has moved on since the 1930s,and they didn’t have sky or TV to watch back then, if you look at the players profiles you will see that they can play in various positions, but being a “wolves” fan you would know this wouldn’t you?
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holding midfielder would suit him fine .
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“Hennessey’s respect for Cech”
“Edwards sad as Lampard out”
these are all head lines from this week,you can see why we play the way we play when the players are holding their oppoents with so much respect.its time for mick to go
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Basically Mancienne will play left back vs Brum
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Ready to play his part in the winter of discontent no doubt.
I hope the transer window isn’t too late for us to make amends for another summer of dodgy deals by moxey and co
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4, JohnWolf Chelsea 4 Shambles 0 ENOUGH SAID.
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This was never ging to be easy
The square pegs in round holes thing is one that is fine…if you have the quality of chelsea, arsenal, man utd…..hey, we definately dont
What worries me is the narrowing of the pitch, not always playing your strongeat team, the only performance this season that has given me hope was away to wigan. Keough put an putstanding performance in playing up front on his own.
The likes of Doyle, who i thought was good when he first arrived have dropped off alarmingly, he was awful against france, knocked off the ball far to easily. SEB has only just started to get the nod but is looking devoid of ideas, mind you he doesnt have much supply.
Jarvis is a bright light for me this season and his opta stats prove it, yet MM drops him for “favourites”
I dont know the answers…I think MM is panicking very early and he to doesnt know the answers, widen the pitch and lets try and play football….we aren’t stoke, we are Wolves.
Theother promoted teams have gone out and attacked, winning some games and getting beat in others, their managers havent changed their philosophy….Is MM upto the task….Now is the time to see.
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Can anyone tell me why Wolves wore that ridiculous strip against Chelsea instead of the old gold? I’ve seen Wolves/Chelsea matches going back 60 years and I’ve never known any reason for suggesting a clash of colours.
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Christmas is coming and Moxley wants to raise the cash needed to pay off Mick.
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