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Lafferty is new strike target
Saturday 16th June 2007, 12:16PM BST.
Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty is today revealed as Wolves’ mystery third strike target.
Wolves have made initial contact with the Clarets in an effort to bring the Northern Ireland international to Molineux and add him to a pool of strikers that will soon include Southend hit-man Freddy Eastwood.
McCarthy sees 6ft 4ins Lafferty as offering him a different option from his existing forwards and believes he can be the bustling target man that is missing from Wolves’ striking armoury.
I understand the highly-rated 19-year-old is one of three priority targets up front – with the others believed to be Scunthorpe’s Billy Sharp and the Molineux-bound Eastwood.
Read the full story in the Express & StarBurnley striker Kyle Lafferty is today revealed as Wolves’ mystery third strike target.
Wolves have made initial contact with the Clarets in an effort to bring the Northern Ireland international to Molineux and add him to a pool of strikers that will soon include Southend hit-man Freddy Eastwood.
McCarthy sees 6ft 4ins Lafferty as offering him a different option from his existing forwards and believes he can be the bustling target man that is missing from Wolves’ striking armoury.
I understand the highly-rated 19-year-old is one of three priority targets up front – with the others believed to be Scunthorpe’s Billy Sharp and the Molineux-bound Eastwood.
Lafferty has hit five goals in 18 starts for Burnley, but saw most of his action from the bench last season. He has also played ten times for Northern Ireland, scoring once in a friendly with Finland last year.
With Wolves looking to step up their interest in the striker, Burnley boss Steve Cotterill will be braced for a battle to keep hold of a player he sees as a key part of his squad next season.
The Clarets turned down a £500,000 bid from Celtic for the striker in January – and are believed to value him closer to the £1m mark. The Glasgow giants could also return with another bid.
Burnley will be reluctant to sell, and any approach is sure to be met with little enthusiasm.
Celtic would be considered front-runners for the striker, but, with Steve Morgan’s £30m investment, Wolves have become arguably the Championship’s most attractive propositions – and the lure of joining McCarthy’s ‘new Wolves’ would prove tempting.
The Molineux transfer blueprint has become clearer, with a £1.25m deal to bring Eastwood to Molineux set for completion next week.
A bid has also been lodged for Sharp, but Wolves are still waiting for the forward to make a decision on his future. That delay – and his £2m price tag – could be a sticking point in the deal, but Wolves still hold out hopes of signing him.
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Another striker?
Seems odd when we have Easywood on the way and hopefully Billy Sharp as well as Bothroyd, Keogh and Ward.
6 strikers is too much surely unless someone is on the way out.
I just hope we tie up the Eastwood and Sharp deals asap.
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Another promising striker in the pipeline ! when will it end ?!!!
Lafferty is a big target man like Horsfield or Cort but of better quality, lets face it he doesn’t need to do much to be better than Cort, He only needs to play !
Nice one Mick but lets get the defence sorted out…. Please !
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dont knock corty goals for games ratio was superb, just unlucky with injuries.
Boothroyd not good enough the odd wonder goal not enough,ward one for the future only leaves keogh.
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Seems to me that McCarthy plans to change strategy to 4-3-3 :)
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keep em coming mick,the more competition the better. just the defence to sort now,wonder who?
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“Lafferty is a big target man like Horsfield or Cort but of better quality”
The one thing Lafferty is not is a big target man.
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Burnley fan please explain what you mean? At 6ft 4in that certainly qualifies him as a Big Target – Can he hold the ball up whilst other players join in the attack – If Yes then he IS a Big Target man – If NO tells us what you think?
Our concerns are the quality in defence – Breen and Craddock Ok as cover – Collins and Edwards probably first choice in our view BUT we could do with competition at full back – left side especially or a left sided player that can play at Centre half and full back (please with some pace!)
We trust in MM and we’re sure all will be revealed shortly!!!
Up the Wolves!!!
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I know everybody is going crazy about sharp, but i think lafferty is a better option, he will give us something in the air, which we don’t really have upfront, i think we should let norwich or watford have him ;)
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6tf 4 and not a big target man,,,, yeah right!
MM knows that our failing last year wasnt just the defence, scoring goals wins you matches, something that Bothroyd, Ward, Johnson, Davies didnt do on a regular basis, we need strength in depth and thats something we aint had for a long time, 4 strikers at a club similar to the baggies had last season will win us more matches, 4-3-3 not sure about that formation as MM always favoured 4-4-2 so strikers will be fighting for their shirt, plus we have reserve football next season to think about defenders will arrive but strikers are hard to come by hence its taking longer to sort our fees, contracts, agents etc. There are plenty of defenders out there and I reckon MM will look at the loan market from the premiership for them.
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SDJW – Your name is waaaaay too long to type out! ;-)
Agree with you that finishing was one of our main weaknesses BUT we also conceeded some elementary stupid goals which was down to bad defending (mainly players who had the turning circle of an oil tanker)
We’re sure that MM has already targeted defenders – BUT in our view BOTH are just as important – as we dont want to be a Newcastle under KK – we score 2 they score 3 etc
Somehow we gets the feeling that MM aint just aiming at the play offs this time!!!
Up the Wolves!!!
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nothing wrong with competition 4 places we didnt have it with kennedy and the likes hence they played every game even though 8 out of 10 were poor
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a similar player to nial quin-?you have to have options its going to be a serious assault on the championship it looks more and more promising
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NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
The guy’s best season was last year when he scored 4 goals from 16 starts and even more sub appearances. Celtic bid 500K for him but was rejected as Burnley wanted 3-6million (shock horror).
This guy isn’t good enough for Burnley so not good enough for us and dramatically over priced. Granted he’s played 10 times for northern ireland but he only scored one goal and that was in a friendly.
This guy will be a waste of money and will be on our transfer list in years time.
If we want three strikers then have Eastwood, Sharpe and Keogh. We’ve still got Bothroyd and Ward in reserve so are fine.
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3 new strikers is bordering on obssesive we need 5 strikers maximum. so surely we should just sign 2 and use the rest of the money to strengthen other areas of the pitch, that are in much greater need of strengthening?
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Glad to see we all have confidence in MM, perhaps we aren’t going to get all the targets we want but strength in deapth is vital as we all know and if we do go up and I hope it’s as champions, well we’d all be happier with a tight and familiar squad, eh? As for defenders, well, I for one have no doubt MM is aware of the problem, I know too he said so before the end of last season. Rest assured Wolves fans, he won’t let us down in that area either. Roll on next season.
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Not good – let’s concentrate on Sharpe and Eastwood!
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If we’ve got the money (which we have) we should get all the promising young players that we can get our hands on. There’s no guarantee that if we think “we’ll get some more next year” that there will be as good lower league players. Sadly it is part of the game that players become surplus to requirements so yes, Ward and Bothroyd may end up on loan/sold, but they will still have a chance to prove their worth.
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if mick likes him i do! mick knows who he wants and why. i have got a feeling that we have lost billy sharp as we have heard nothing from anyone since the one bid AGES ago. i hope he stays there if he doesnt come to us! dont want him to choose the mustard boys over us!
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CAN SOMEONE GO TO MOLINEUX TOMOROW AND ASK THEM WHATS HAPPENING WITH BILLY SHARP??? IM GETTING BORED OF THE RUMOURS THAT HE IS COMING TO US THEN NORWICH NOW WATFORD!?! KEEP US POOR OVER EXCITED WOLVES FANS IN THE LOOP! WE DONT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN!
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Astalavista baby! ;)
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WE NEED A GOAL POACHER !!!
Lafferty’s not ready for us yet. Were grooming Ward, so DEF NEED to hit the ground running. No time for beddind in.
WHOSE THIS “LEDLEY” player for Wales in Bales absence.. Looked the bis’..
Dont 4get JONES, DAVIES and HENRY..
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Maybe in buying the ‘extra’ players and providing them with CCC experience and a shop window, maybe then (bear with me), should Wolves be promoted this season we know some of these lads will not be Premiership quality but will be good enough to play in CCC or CC1. tTey get sold, Wolves have a bit of extra pocket money for the kitty in 08/09 season. Could all just be the business of spending Bigger money wisely.
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WELLSAID DAN K.
IT MUST BE SHARPE AND EASTWOOD.
WHOSE ” LEDLEY ” WALES LEFT BACK ??????
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if we can get our other 2 targeted strikers
we can then use twoddles phrase “put teams to the sword”!!!
prem ere we cum!
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I guess MM sees Lafferty and Ward in much the same way: promising youngsters who are great prospects for a couple of years time. I doubt he sees either as regular first team starters right now. I reckon that’s why he’s signed Eastwood… He is already the finished article, a proven scorer at Championship level in a poor team. Sharp and Keogh are just about there, but Sharp has to prove just how good he will be in the Championship while Keogh is a good player but maybe not a 20+ goals in a season striker. That’s not to say I wouldn’t pick Keogh, his workrate and link play may make him first choice forward with the other “goalscorer’s” place being the one that’s fought over. I believe Eastwood will prove to be the man for the job.
Mick has so far shown amazing ability when it comes to spotting young talent. Ask any Sunderland fan how many of Mick’s young signings are now regular first team players. I recall Mick saying something about planning for a couple of years ahead when he signed as manager. He may have exceeded expectations so far but I doubt he’s forgotten his long term plan in all the excitement! I suspect Laferty is part of the long view, just as long as the £3-6 million valuation isn’t what we pay, I don’t see his scoring record so far justifying that tag!
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whilst I respect Dan k views, what he has to remember is that once there was a certain striker called Steve Bull who wasnt good enough for a certain Sandwell Town wasnt there? Up the Wolves!!!!
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i would pay 2m max lafferty, all honesty i would like sharp but he similar to other players although more goal poacher we need a target man as different option if the game isnt going our way or if it isnt a footballing pitch!
if not lafferty why not try cheeky bids for howard or jerome?
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trust super mic!! this is just speculation!!! he is grooming ward! if he sorts bothroyds attitude then he can be a good player for us next seaos anyone agree? what will teh formation be next year all out attack? 4-3-1-2 what do u think?
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you guys are right, we need a few players now that are going to help our youngsters develop and also help if/when we go up! id hate to see our young lads get us up then have there confidences shattered in the prem we need a bit of experience now if we are to be sensible and plan ahead. maybe a 29-30yr old who has been there done that to calm things down if need be….any suggestions???
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Big yes but no target man. He is poor in the air and does not hold the ball up.
He likes the ball at his feet and to feed off the sort of player you think he is.
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As some of us on here have said – We also believe that MM has his eye on “project players” AND players that can find the onion bag regularly – Ward and this Lafferty seem to be the “project” players – ones for the future and Keogh – Sharp – Bothroyd and Eastwood are the main men to challenge for the two available striker spots – MM knows that Keogh and Sharp work extremely well together – but Eastwood is also a natural “poacher” who can shoot on sight and hit the target
The pressure will become more and more intense on Bothroyd – and thats good – as he now needs to deliver on a regular basis or face the prospect of not even making the subs bench
With the additions of defenders with pace and one or two others we will hae a squad capable of aiming for automatic promotion
We’re not looking to spend multi millions on has beens on a promise – a decent blend of youth and experience which bodes well for the future of our beloved Wolves
We dont think that Mr Steve Morgan will suffer fools gladly – you only have to look at his business track record to realise that – a man that also is hungry to show Liverpool what they are missing – and think on fellow Wolves fans – IF this man had ambitions of a take over at Liverpool – Just how much does he REALLY have in his locker???
Up the Wolves!!!
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joe ledley plays for cardiff
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THERES A CERTAIN LAD CALLED ” HEALY ” at Leeds, would cost around £2 mill.
GO GET IM’..
IS DANNY MURPHY COMIN ??
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Healy’s the man !!!
£2 Million…
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Sounds a bit like rafferty !
Remember im’..
Lets av a defence..
As long as everyone cheers win draw or lose, its where i wanna be..
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Apparently next season, MM is looking to use Keogh as attacking midfielder. MM will use him as a striker as well if needed but he’ll be training him up to paly centre -mid.
Sounds plausible to me – he has the ethics of a hard-working central midfield player who can also bang in a few goals.
The more players you have in ur team that can play in different positions the stronger the squad.
U Wolves!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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lol you lot..
I think super mick and the scouts and etc know just about enough to know for who comes in, so long as that idiot moxey doesn’t have a say anymore (hopefully the new regime will see him as the one who has made ‘good’ players not want to come to the golden palace) Time will tell, I trust super mick more than any manager I have ever seen here (and i am 43 pfft)
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Burnley Fan, are you on a different planet to the rest of us ? At 6’4″ you’re telling me that he’s NOT a target man ?
Ha Ha, go on, tell us another one mate ! So what does Peter Crouch qualify as ? A Dwarf ???!!!!
Do you even know what the term Target Man means ? If there’s one thing he IS, He’s a target man, I never said he scores 25 a season but regardless of what you say or think he is a big tall forward with the OBVIOUS height advantage (like Crouch) and has the ability to score goals, wake up mate.
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LEDBURY WOLF..is that Ledbury as in herefordshire as in a small town with lots of pubs but not much else apart from poets???
Im off at uni atm but thats where i supposedly live ehen i go back home…
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NOOOOOOOO GOD NOOOOOO
plz not another striker
bothroyd..keogh…ward…eastward(soon)..Sharp (maybe) concentrate on those 2
sod him…
DEFENCE
it needs doing
and quick
UP THU WOLVES!!
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I take the point the more the merrier and we need to think long term and getting to the Prem with a team equipped and mature enough to cope with it; but I’d rather see some serious attention given to defence. Maybe a combo of Mulgrew, Collins and Edwards can do a job at centre half, but I’d like to see a savvy specialist and above all QUICK couple of guys there. We need them in this division to get out – let alone to cope with some Prem strikers!
Come on Mick- sort it out with usual aplomb!
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At the end of the last glorious season our lads were dead on their feet. We had no strength in depth, players were performing hit and miss (Bothroyd) so a healthy squad with competition in all positions is the way forward. So Mick is making headlines with forwards at the moment, the defence will be next.Leave it to Mick!!
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Yep Dan K, sharp n eastwood not lafferty. We better get sharp now, hed b my 1st choice striker for a club of our stature. Hes a sure fire prem player 4 the future. U think of the players we’ve ignored b4 like ashton and must c that sharp is the one to fire us into the prem, eastwood is the big game player and the kind of player that will score a goal to get us out of trouble.
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I can’t believe that were really looking at signing three new strikers. Perhaps this is a ploy to get Sharp to come to Wolves with the ‘threat’ of sign up quickly or we’ll look elsewhere?
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If MM thinks he’s worth a shot, I’ll go with it! He hasn’t signed many dead pups, has he?!!
He fits the bill … the right age and on the way up. Not old has beens like we’ve signed when we’ve had money before.
Be interested who MM has got his sights on for the defence – which certainly needs a little work.
I’ve not been as excited about a season in a long time! Come on me babies!
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check this out, facts for 2006/2007
burnley & N.I
Goals: 4 Yellow cards: 5 Red Cards: 0
not really wot you call a striker
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You boys should check out the Southend FC website. Not sure you will be seeing Mr. Eastwood signing this week…..Not that we will either.
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we need to spend a bit more on a descent striker some one with a proven track record and a solid defender or 2
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OK IT’S GREAT WE’RE TRYING TO GET STRIKERS, BUT WE NEED THREE GOOD DEFENDERS REAL SOON PLUS A COUPLE OF MIDFIELDERS BUT AS ALWAYS SUPER MICK KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING,AS LONG AS WE CAN KICK THE BALL OFF THE LINE AND BAG 2 OR 3 AGAINST THE BOGGIES I’LL BE HAPPY BOING TWANG DOWN YOU GO, UP THE WOLVES
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lafferty would be a good signing but sharp must be the main target we need him come on sharpe
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I’m not a poker player but I understand that you have to ‘bluff’ a lot. I’m no fan of Jez’s but I bet he is a better poker player?
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