Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves blog: Credit crunch window
Friday 9th January 2009, 9:10AM GMT.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd worries about the return of the weak links and calls for young or new blood ahead of the visit of Preston.
Welcome to the credit crunch January transfer window. I’m a little bit worried.
A little worried that, after the inevitability of Chelsea recalling the superbly talented Michael Mancienne, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy looks like falling back into his bad habits of last season’s.
We have Neill Collins, one of the hardest working defenders you will ever see, so no argument there. Always give all to the cause, awesome in the air, but not quick enough on the deck to deal with pace , therefore always a bit of a liability.
Yet you get the sneaky feeling that MM has decided that Collins is again the answer to fill in at centre-back now that Mancienne has gone.
That worries me. It worry’s me because in Jason Shackell and Jody Craddock we have – and this is only my opinion – two much more gifted defenders.
In the last home game on Boxing Day, where we somehow escaped with a draw, Collins was even given the ‘Craddock’ song from the South Bank, who announced that there was only one Neill Collins, who used to be not so good, but now he’s alright.
Another worry is that Darren Potter could be back on the scene and be in Mick’s plans for Saturday’s home game against Preston.
I know we have a few casualties at the moment with David Jones and David Edwards struggling to be fit, but come on, do we need to turn to Potter? I would switch Kevin Foley to midfield, bring in Shackell to play alongside Richard Stearman and stick Collins in the right back slot.
Better still, bring back Mark Davies from Leicester, who shouldn’t be allowed to extend his loan, and put him straight into midfield alongside Karl Henry. Or move Stearman into the centre of midfield or the returning Stephen Gleeson, or bring back Seyi Olofinjana anything but Potter! Am I perhaps taking my dislike of Potter a little far?
I think it could be time to give Chris Iwelumo a rest and start Sam Vokes alongside Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front. Every time Vokes has made his cameo appearances off the bench in recent games, he has changed the game and we have looked more of a threat.
Less can be said about Andy Keogh, who I know I have tried to defend against the boo boys on many occasions, but he hasn’t been great this season.
Perhaps a spell out on loan could do him the world of good and help him regain is confidence, it certainly hasn’t done Davies any harm at Leicester and it could also be extremely beneficial to Lewis Gobern, if the MK Dons decide to give him some football.
Anyway back to my anxiety and worry. I said in the last blog that Alan Gow wasn’t a player that has impressed me a great deal whenever I have seen him play, albeit on only a handful of times.
Birmingham still have Premiership parachute money and are able to offer big wages to players who want to join the club.
They have been linked with a lot of good players in the window and have already tried, and failed, to bring in striker Kris Boyd from Rangers but have loaned in Hameur Bouazza from Fulham and Scott Sinclair from Chelsea.
Sir John Madejski and Reading have yet to move in the window, apart from sending Graeme Murty on loan to Charlton and are probably trying to keep their big name players like the Hunt brothers and Kevin Doyle at the club at the end of January.
My biggest worry then is that Birmingham and Reading have been, and still are, our greatest threat all season and I’m worried that they could really leave us behind in the transfer window. Is Mick thinking that the likes of Potter, Keogh and Collins are good enough to see us through this season? I don’t.
We are woefully inadequate in terms of cover down the flanks and I still think we need a striker who can come in and take some of the burden off Ebanks-Blake and Iwelumo, when they are having an off day.
I know January can be a poor time to buy players, with transfer fees inflated, but look at the business we did a year ago bringing in Ebanks-Blake who single-handedly nearly prevented our season going down the toilet.
Sylvan fully deserved to win the PFA Championship award for player of the month in December, he has been brilliant.
So of Tamika Mkandawire, Marvin Elliott, John-Joe O’Toole, Matt Fryatt and any other player we have been rumoured to be linked with, who can come in and make a real difference?
Shouldn’t we be looking for players who can come in and compete for places against our very best?
Its always sad news when a former Wolves player or manager passes away. Ian Greaves was a hugely respected individual in the world of football and carved out a successful career away from Molineux. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
It does seem an age since we last picked up a win in the league, three long weeks, but I just sense that we need to get on track against the Lillywhites on Saturday. Preston lie outside the play-offs only on goal difference and in their ranks they have a massive Wolves flop in Stephen Elliott.
I wonder if like Freddy earlier in the season, Mr Elliott might have a point to prove. Unlike the enigma that is Freddy Eastwood, I don’t think Elliott is really all that good.
Yet I said that about Chris Marsden a few years ago and that came back to bite me on the backside, when he returned to play with Birmingham.
I just hope that Mick doesn’t field a really disjointed team on Saturday. Hopefully the wings will be our biggest creative threat, with Matt Jarvis looking excellent on his return against Blackpool and Kightly will hopefully start regaining a bit of form. I’m hoping to be a little less worried come 5pm on Saturday.
It’s a busy week with the rearranged Blues game on Tuesday, where I would be quite happy to see Potter kick that ball backwards and for Collins to have one of his now legendary mistakes. Get them out the way in a cup game and not in the league.
One last question to maybe spark up a bit of debate; with Jermain Defoe returning to Spurs in that ridiculous hat, which former Wolves player still plying his trade would you most like to see back at Molineux? Mine would be Everton’s Joleon Lescott, but you may have other ideas.
I’m going for a 1-0 against Preston, with Stearman finally getting his first goal, so the bookies can pay me back for all the cash I have put their way in recent years.
I think we could sneak a draw at Birmingham in the cup. But in a way I would rather we lost and got on with the important task at hand.
It might not be as exciting when Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence pull out those numbered bingo balls at FA headquarters for the next round, but I think I can live with that.
Oh and last thing before I go, a big congrats to my mate JR who now has a little son, Lewis. Enjoy your weekend.
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
i agree when i saw birmingham were trying to buy rangers top scorer and on the same day we were on about putting potter back in i thought here we go again!
I want to get behind the team but agree if were gonna play potter we should bring back mark davies!
2 – 1 wolves at the weekend!
Report abuse
i agree with every thing you said, i’m starting a bring back mark davies campaign. oh apart from the chris marsden thing, i thought he was fantastic at wolves untill he got that terrible injury right infront of the north bank.
Report abuse
Excellent article & very true.
I am not a negative Wolves fan and am pleased with what MM has done so far, but Collins is not up for the task. With
If we are struggling in CM, why do we not bring Davies back from Leicester? Problem solved. Potter is not the solution and a step backwards (similar to his passing). If Walsall do not want him on loan, surely that must say something?
With Gow on the scene now (which is an excellent purchase) I see little room for Keogh as it pushes him to fifth choice striker and last resort for a left winger.
Report abuse
Heard a rumour the gow deal has fallen through to
him failing his medical, so he won’t be joining now
Report abuse
Bit of a mixed negative blog,Nathan falling back into his negative frame of mind ,he will be asking for MM to be sacked again shortly.Wolves are playing in the championship and lets be honest it aint that great is it.The young squad we have with a couple of additions will be good enough in my opinion to get wwfc promoted.
Report abuse
6 months on and you still can’t resist bringing Freddie up. When will this blog ever move on from the past??
I put this to you Nathan. Mick has done nothing wrong all season, not 1 thing. We are top by 7 points. Why the worry? Has he not led us in the right path so far?
I think you and your blog need to leave last season as LAST season. Sorry Nathan, but i’d hate to have a drink with you drumming on about “how we might fail”, cause you seem that type of character from your blogs.
I have normally enjoyed your blogs, and do respect the opinion on Potter, but other than that you seem stuck on 07/08 season and really need to let go.
Report abuse
I have been the first to knock Collins in the past, but his contribution has been immense. He maybe slow but is by far the best in the air and stearman has pace next to him. I am getting behind Neil Collins because he deserves his place and gives his all.
My player I would bring back is Keano, I think Lescott was superb but Keane is a special player with real flair and he loves the wolves.
come on boys, blues have signed a non league winger, an irish league player and sinclair (who wasnt wanted back by palace) bowyer and bouazza let them pay wont fix their problem
Report abuse
agree to a point- 1. do you get the feeling that davies is on his way, if so do the club know something that we don’t (injuries?) 2. I bet you don’t like potter- only joking.
By the way Happy New Year to all Wolves fans were ever you are.
Report abuse
Largely agree with you Nathan. I too am concerned about Mick’s decisions and tactics of late. It’s heartening to see reports we are being linked with this or that midfielder and perhaps we will pull off a smart signing before long. Still feel we need to play a settled central defensive pairing for the rest of the season and we should be trying Stearman and Shackell together. If we can get another CB in better than either then so much the better, even if its a loan. With Gow now onboard there seems little likelihood of getting another striker, but still a chance of Carlos Edwards or someone similar on the wing coming in. I feel Potter and Keogh should be moved on whenever possible as both are now surplus to requirements but deserve a chance elsewhere. We must win on Saturday against PNE. A draw will not do.
Report abuse
Except Dutchwolf, Gow isn’t on the scene is he? The purchase hasn’t been finalised has it? Last we heard he was on his way to Molineux for a medical and there has been nothing since – has he signed – did he get lost on the M6? who knows?
I am worried too Nathan. I have the same feeling now as I did in Sept and Oct 07 when we were winning games but not playing well and I felt that it would eventually catch up with us. I hope I am wrong but I can see this happening again unless MM addresses the issue.
Don’t get me wrong I am not being negative or cricitical of what the team has done so far – 7 points clear – brilliant, but as the old saying goes it’s a marathon not a sprint and we have looked over the last couple of weeks like the preverbial pace setter who then drops out – I desperately hope I am wrong.
Up the Wolves!
Report abuse
I have heard this week john joe o’toole, Marvin Elliott and one that hasnt been mentioned for a while Danny Gabbidon maybe coming on loan. I am 100% behind mick us and Reading have made shrewd signings, Madjeski, Moxey and Morgan are superb businessmen and Birmingham are chucking money at everything paying way over the odds and still havnt got undersoil heating?! Whoever mick signs and whoever puts on the gold shirt irrelavent of my opinion I will sing their name and get behind them, just think next season we could be in the prem, with mark davies and gobern playing, what a thought.
Report abuse
Gow will not be joining trust me so another striker will be on the shortlist
Report abuse
Chris Marsden lives near me in Cyprus. Not seen him for a while though, he’s No 1 Cypriot golfer.
Nice man.
Alan
Report abuse
lads and lasses…
we are top of the league (by a mile)… let blues go and buy a centre forward from some scottish club. If it keeps phillips out of the team then that’s alright by me. He’s only as good as kenny miller (who we all know was absolute ****)
I know it’s a bit of a cliche but the other teams are chasing us… we can afford to lose a couple of games and we’re still top. with our run up of games I fancy us, i really do.
Also agree with blogger about us losing to blues in the cup, that would be best case scenario. let them have the extra games against teams like boro.
Report abuse
What worries me, apart from the goals drying up and midfield looking short of bite is Birmingham signing up 2 wingers. Looks like they are going to use wolves blueprint for the premiership.Or did they go after Sinclair to stop wolves signing him? Hard to see him fitting in Blues team play at the moment isnt it? Still think Mick has got an ace up his sleeve though. Up the Wolves!
Report abuse
gow failed a medical so we not signing him!
Report abuse
alan gow aint coming now nathan so you can be relieved
Report abuse
the worst article i have read.
youa re on about mick going back to last seasons tactics before he has even picked the team and 7 points clear at the top?
then in the next paragraph you say putting foley in centre midfield?, the best right back in the league, then put collins right back, talk about square pegs in round holes.
Potter is a ok player not the best but he will do for one game especially with jarvis and kightly back flying.
Report abuse
i agree with you on the whole Nathan but i think that a lot of what you have put is based on the projection that we wont sign anyone or will make poor signings – look at the window last year when our best player was signed!
I’ll stand by Mick (for the time) and say im sure another 2 or 3 players will join (def’ a centre mid, another striker and/or a loan centre back)
Player i’d like to see back – Robbie Keane!!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
is gow on board nothing anywhere about him actually putting pen to paper.mick must realise we need 2 or 3 players to come in and keep the momentum rolling upto the end of the season,or stand a chance of small heath or reading passing us by. jj otoole elliot midfield beevers cb edwards either flank.
Report abuse
Think you need to remember that Blues are having to spend big in order to bring the sort of quality we already have at our disposal. The likes of Kightly, Jarvis, Foley, Blake, Stearman, Elokobi (when fit) and homegrown talent such as Hennessey, Ikeme and Davies!! Blues don’t have this quality and if you compare the average age of their squad with ours, we have nothing to worry about long term. We lose a loan signing and all of a sudden, the doom and gloom merchants are at it again. Gow for me is a good option, inexpensive and offers cover on either flank assuming we sign him. I’d rather us spend big when we’ve achieved our dream and not before. I do think we need another centre back and the fact that MM felt the need to sign Mancienne in the first place suggests that he may well have somebody else in mind. KEEP THE FAITH GUYS.
Report abuse
mr smug kenny miller scored over 20 goals the season we got promoted thats not s****
Report abuse
In the early games of the season we were playing a settled side.Little in the way of tinkering was done.Then came the Preston match Iwelumo was sent off and subsequently it disrupted our flow.To many changes are made by MM to accomodate certain members of the team so stop prating around MM keep it simple.Get back to flowing football stop accomodating your pets lets go.Put your foot on the gas boys. PRESTON CAN BE ONCE AGAIN THE TURNING POINT.
Report abuse
Collins, Potter, Keogh… no, no , no!!!!!!!!!
Just when I was starting to believe in MM he’s making the same mistakes again. One of the reasons we are top of the league is because Potter hasn’t figured so far!!!!!!!!!
Collins lack of pace will make us vulnerable and Keogh will never score enough goals. The two games over Christmas showed we are far from invincible and our last two victories were scrappy affairs against struggling teams. The squad needs strengthening all over – trouble is now is not a good time to do it.
7 points clear we may be but we are up there to be shot at and I fear our weaknesses may yet be exposed.
I hate to say it folks but don’t book your summer hols during the playoff dates!!!
Report abuse
I think we will still sign Gow but on a loan till the end of the season with an option to buy.
Think of it from Rangers point of view – how can they sell a player to another club when it is known that he’s failed a medical already.
Walter Smith doesnt want him back after Gow’s White Hat joke …. hence the reason why Gow has never played a league match for Rangers!!!
Report abuse
When the likes of Collins, Keogh, Craddock and Potter have left Wolves, I’ll know we’re on the up. They all do a job for us, but they’re either getting too old (Craddock) or simply not good enough (the rest).
I have no choice but to still see the present squad as a work in progress. As long as guys like those above have the chance of a game, then we’re not the finished article.
Gow’s wanted by Mick but it’s our midfield that needs bolstering seeing as Potter’s in the frame again. That tells you everything.
I was hoping we’d kick-on during the January transfer window, but I’ve a feeling we shouldn’t get too excited just yet.
Report abuse
Birmingham are getting some great loan signings in, I thin thats what we shud b looking at. Shame about Gow tho! I think Mark Daqvies shud deffinately b recalled for 2moro’s game tho!!
Report abuse
Its like you read my mind… i cant construct objective posts like this cos i get too emotional and start swearing and having a go, but as incredibly overjoyed as i am at our position i’ve been concerned about our defence since the start of the season.
Based n our last 5 or so games it is clear that our position is inflated. We need to realise this and address our weak areas ASAP or we will soon be overhauled.
im hoping mick proves me wrong and 2 strong defenders are putting pen to paper as we speak but i think (as you mentioned) its more likely that mick thinks we’re ok.
Great blog and a very healthy dose of caution.
COME ON YOU DEFENDERS !
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!!
Report abuse
This blog has valid points apart from….
If I may let me cut it up.
Granted Mancienne was a class apart in this league and it comes to no surprise that chelski was going to recall him back. However I think you comments on Collins is harsh, because out of the dross from last season he has vastly improved his game and has won wolves a few matches which is aerial presence. Shackwell has not had a run in the side so you cant call him gifted and Jody Craddock is a carthorse. He lacked pace when we were in the premmiership 4 yrs ago so he is not in my opinion gifted.
Potter… I agree he is not great but I would not move Foley into midfield. It backfired against Balckpool where stears looked exposed at right back.
Big Chris has had a 2 week rest and he is our second top striker so he must start, however Vokes to go on the pitch before AK if subs are to be made in the game.
I just hope both Jarvis and Kites start!
Anyway, we are top and if win by a scrappy goal then I be happy!
Report abuse
Oh and full agree on Davies … he’s a big part of the revolution over there why the fruitbats isnt he helping us…
… and Vokes, an absolute revelation very time. You can almost put a wager on him have a great shot at goal within 60 seconds of coming on.
Come on Mick… learn from last seasons mistakes and build on what you have achieved already. Wolves fans mugs (most of the time)
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!!
Report abuse
GOW’S NOT SIGNING FAILED HIS MEDICAL.BUT WEVE GOT GEORGE FRIEND HE CAN PLAY WIDE LEFT SAYS MAD MICK HE HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST SIGNING ANY WOLVES MANAGER HAS EVER MADE NO PACE NO SKILL NOTHING.ALSO HE SAYS OUR MEDICAL STAFF ARE GREAT FOR SPOTTING GOWS DODGY HIP,IF THEY HAD THAT GREAT THEY WOULD HAVE SPOTTED KITES DODGY ANKLE LAST SEASON AND WE WE WOULD HAVE MADE THE PLAY OFFS BLUES JUST SIGNED ANOTHER PREM PLAYER SAYS IT ALL TOY TOWN
Report abuse
That song about Collins was sung at times last year and all this season. Especially away. One point I get confused about….In your blog you ask him not to play a disjointed team, yet you are suggesting playing players not in their preffered positions. In my opinion it is better to have players in their best / favoured positions – so if Potter is our only fit CM he should play. I take your point about Davis that is true! (I will point out that Gibson was disliked by Fans Like Potter – but he is on the Bench for manure regualarly!)
I do feel we are losing ground on the blues they are getting extra depth in their squad, Bowyer just signed on Loan!
Report abuse
He is right but m8 just said collins has no pace and then you say we should put him RB not a chance and jody c is about as fast as collins i would keep collins anyday over jody c but lets just see what happens COME ON WOLVES
Report abuse
Utter Rubbish, apart from the bit about Collins.
You don’t play your best right back in midfield. It was an absolute disaster against blackpool. And you don’t play Collins at right back, that’s even worse.
What you do is give Shackel a chance as he hasnt had one yet. You certainly do NOT rest your top goal scorers. They dont need a rest. What they do need is a run in the team without a manager keep constantly taking one or the other off at half time.
To take both our strikers off against blackpool was criminal in my book.
Stop tinkering with the team, and play your best players in their best positions. It’s not rocket science. And YES, brink back MArk Davies and BUY someone to replace Karl Henry. He’s no where near good enough at this level, let alone the premiership.
Finally, stop this utter rubbish about ‘Young and Hungry’ Players bought in now should be good enough for premiership football, so you buy on ability and nothing else.
I note Blues have got Bowyer and Sinclair. To me, that’s a club showing tru ambition to get back into the premiership.
Report abuse
So you say that Mick shouldn’t field a disjointed team on Sturday. That is fair enough and obvious but earlier on in your blog you suggest that Foley should play in midfield and that Collins should be moved to right back!
Calls for Mark Davies to return may be just and Potter probably isn’t good enough but this article is just ridiculous. If Potter is selected support him or don’t go.
You are an idiot
Report abuse
At last the penny has dropped Nathan,,not long ago you were fighting Keoghs corner..You are spot on we have Birmingham offering millions for a striker,they took Synclair from under our noses,now I hear they have Bowyer on loan,,what have we done ???let me tell you this boys,,Collins Keogh,Potter are not good enough to get us promotion,,(mick says)Keogh has been brilliant for us this season,,let me ask you this then Mick,how many enquiries have you had for him,how many clubs have asked iff hes for sale.
Report abuse
As I suspected, this transfger window will provide nothing new to the promotion push.All we are doing is looking at average players in an average league when we should be signing PL quality if we (a)want to go up and (b) survive next season.Typical Wolves though, look a gift horse in the mouth and give it a carrott.We’ll never learn.
Report abuse
Finally, a bit of passion and reaction from the fans! For those who think I’m anti-Mick, I’m not. I’m just pointing out a couple of concerns.
I just think if Collins sneaked back into the centre of defence and Potter was back in midfield, then it would take the team backwards.
I still believe we will finish in the top 2.
Thanks fof the comments.
Report abuse
And yes, I am relieved that Gow hasn’t signed. (YET)
Report abuse
I have been positive all season. Birmingham have signed, Scott Sinclair, Lee Bowyer, Bouazza (who is exceelent by the way) and were splashing £3m on Boyd…………Wolves looked like they were signing an excellent player on the cheap which has now fallen through……..
I hope there are some aces up Micks sleave as Birmingham have already strengthened and by signing 3 loan players have improved their squad dramatically by spending very little…… I hope we have similar things planned but we obviously didnt have them lined up as Birmingham did who have so far made a statement of their intent in the first week of the window.
With loan players being snapped up, we may be in the situation soon where we will have to splash the cash on permanent signings. We need defensive, central and wing midfield cover!!! We are not as strong a squad as Blues now are.
Report abuse
As reported on Wolves FC site the interest in Gow has ended, we are back to square one. We need a CB, a CM, a winger and a striker please. We are NOT good enough for the top two unless we miraculously stay injury free and everyone performs better than of late. Tinkering and playing players out of position rarely works. Round pegs in round holes please. I am confident we will bring in 2 or 3 decent players in Jan but it will probably be a few days at the very least. Till then we must put out our strongest side against PNE with players in their best positions. I would like to see Davies back at the Mol now but I don’t think it’s likely as MM will probably think it best to leave him with the Foxes. If their’s one position to strengthen above all it’s midfield. Jones is misfiring at the mo and Edwards injured, hopefully back soon. We have little else apart from Henry and Potter. We need Kights and Jarvo to be free to wreak havoc with the opposition defences and Looms and SEB to be bursting the nets. Come on you Wolves! Good luck for tomorrow.
Report abuse
Buy Cheap get cheap, I predict in 4/5 weeks WW will be 3/4 in the league, mad MM will carry on playing his 4 sons Keogh S Ward Collings ans born again son Potter, I think we are starting to shoot ourselves, why loan davies out we need him here, the way things look, we may as well scrap the youth Scheme.
Report abuse
Hi Nath, happy new year!!
I think you are nailed on certs for promotion and from that point of view i would be looking to sign players who will be able to do a job in the Prem.
Or even sign players on loan with a view to perm deals if and when you are promoted.
Which would rule out most of your reported targets.
You have a handfull of players that have a good chance of being good enough for the top flight, but dont make the same mistake we have by not planning for next season now.
Report abuse
Whilst Mancienne was quick and good on the ball – he often needed his pace to get himself out of trouble from some woeful positioning. We will miss him a little but not THAT much. Shackell remains a mystery to me – I dont know anything about him so cant comment. He was Norwich captain so must be half decent. Collins is a trier but needs cover for his inadequacies. Having said that he has scored some vital goals for us – maybe we should play him up front ? I would like to see Davies back from Leicester and the idfield strengthened too – but we dont need more wide men in my view. Kights, Jarvis, Keogh ,Foley and Gobern capable of playing on the right Jarvis, Kights, Ward, Keogh and Gray capable of playing on the left to keep the balance. It is keeping the balance of the side that is key for me.
Report abuse
Nathan i suggest you have some st.johns wort mate……
We are currently sat nicely at the top of the league with abit of a cushion to boot. We have a good squad of players and are actively looking to strenghten it further, whats with all the panic and negativity, the window has only just opened. Lets just sit tight and see what happens before all the big mick slaters start mouthing off again….
No one knows what team mick is gona put out on saturday so judge him and the players after the match and try and get behind whoever is wearing the gold shirt in the meantime.
Im never gona be neil collins biggest fan but the boy has performed very well for us recently, yes he lacks pace but i can hardly see prestons big lumps of mellor and parkin beating him in a sprint finish.
As for mancienne it was only a matter of time before chelsea recalled him so lets drop it hey……
If i could have an ex wolves player still plying his trade now back down the molineux it would be robbie keane, the most gifted player weve had on the books since bully and the lad still loves the club.
Up the wolves!…………..
Report abuse
Davies is fit and playing for Leicester, so recall him! Don’t do anyone else a favour, look at Chelsea with Mancienne. Potter’s not played all season, so is a risk.
What worries me is that yes we’re 7 points ahead but we play both Reading and Blues away from home. Defeats in those games could seriously harm our season. I still remember the pain of losing our 10 point lead over the Baggies and missing out on promotion!
I hope we can bring in some quality players this month to keep the momentum going. We missed out on Scott Sinclair. C’mon wolves, we’ve got to win on Sat!
Report abuse
Latest score:
Birmingham 2 (Bowyer, Bouzza) Wolves 0
Report abuse
Why all the doom and gloom? Collins is not considered as a permanent fixture, he has made it clear that no one is safe from being dropped. We have Shackell,Craddock, Friend and Hill that can play in the centre. The Gow deal has fell through but we do not announce our targets but O’Toole and Leigertwood are on our radar for starters!
We are 7 points clear and Blues and Reading are not doing great over the last few games. We have the firepower to succeed bearing in mind Kites and Iwelumo are not firing, but will come good again. Potter may not figure and if he does he is a good passer but needs to get stuck in more.
LESS OF THE NEGATIVITY!
Report abuse
Patrick (34) Thank you for your views. My comments about moving all the players around to fill in the central midfield, was it has to be said, a bit tongue in cheek.
I’ve been very quick in the past to critize MM for slotting in players in the wrong positions, square pegs in round holes and all that.
I think it does illustrate that we are a little light in several areas and these are the ones Mick should concentrate on in the window.
We could probably make do in defence. After all, Shackell was Norwich player of last season and an ever-present so surely he is ok?
If Mark Davies isn’t returning, then some cover is desperately needed in the middle of the field and on the flanks. Do people forget how bad things were with Gibson and Potter? I don’t however think that Henry is a bad player, quite the opposite.
I know Blues and Reading will have deeper pockets than us but if I’m confident that Mick can unearth another bargain gem.
We haven’t become a bad team overnight, I just think it is essential we get back to winning ways on Saturday. This could be a crucial month.
Report abuse
Ok i agree we need a new defender but at first you said neil had no pace you was right about that then your saying you should put kev foley in midfeild then put neil Right back your having a laff ent ya if he hasent got enough pace for the centrel posistion he isnt going to have enough on the right is he think about it im a big fan of neil and he can not play at rb not at all and jody c isnt as fast as neil so i would rather have neil than him but never mind we can only play with the team we have so lets get on with it
Come On Wolves
Report abuse
IN MICK WE DON’T TRUST !!!
Report abuse
Hi Bomber, happy New Year mate. No chicken counting just yet in terms promotion. We do have the core of a great potential Premiership team….. no, I’m not going to think about that one!
Report abuse
Nath
Chill fella
Think your getting a little anxious, for a start you are contradicting yourself with the Collins coments, quite rightly you point out that the lad struggles against pace, worse still he is also prone to ‘ball watching’ yet you want to shove him into fullback, where he had countless nightmares last season mainly due to his lack of pace & then do what MM did against Blackpool & presume Kev Foley can play anywhere this turned out to be a mistake in what was a disjointed performance.
I have been ‘lucky’ enough to have watched Wolves for about 30 yrs now & this team is the best I have seen, no question, some the football we have played this season has been awesome, granted the performances have diped recently but the results haven’t 11 points from the last 5 games backs this up.
Shame the Gow deal has collapsed, unlike you I thought he look v good against us for Blackpool, but I’m sure MM will have a plan B, I also think we will see about 4 players join the ranks.
Not fussed about what Blues are doing they are playing catch up & are trying to apease their disgruntled fans eing linked with big names, Bowyer, do me a favour a thug who is finished & being paid a fortune, does that remind you of what another club used to do, much closer to all our hearts????
Sinclair didn’t come here because he would be behind Kites & Jarvis who thankfully are now fully fit, good option to have on the bench but he wants to play games & he wouldn’t be in my side ahead of those 2.
The new signings that I am sure are on the way will create more competition for places & thus freshen up performances.
We need to play round pegs in round holes & stop getting players to ‘do us a job’ when we don’t have to.
Keep the faith
Wolves forever
Report abuse
46 – you will find its 3 – 0 Blues as they have Sinclair as well! Maybe thats should be 4-0 as he is worth two as we wanted him!
Report abuse
Reading certainly don’t have deeper pockets than us, I think that the current regime at Wolves have based us on Reading, you dont see them making transfer market headlines. This morning they were linked to a player for £250 k.
Prudence & patience is needed, not the attitude that Blues have, all front & bullsh*t, they don’t even have undersoil heating & their main stand is falling down.
Let worry about what we do, not what other teams are up to, afterall thats what we have done all season & look where we are.
Keep the faith
Wolves forever
Report abuse
11 wins out of the last 20 matches is all we need one thinks..
Get behind the lads at the home mtches and we are almost there…
Kiwiwolfffffffff
Report abuse
Whilst not the biggest fan of Collins, Ward, Keogh etc. they can all do a job within the team so long as they don’t play at the same time. I’m sure Blues and Reading have similar problems. Therfore; we need cover in those positions so we don’t field a weakned team. I think we should also try to bring in PL experience and/or quality to the team (not the squad). Ince/Irwin galvinised the team so why not look for similar although the board would have to cover this with wages or bonuses on promotion. Bowyer might be a thug and not a role model but he would provide the energy and guile for Jarvis/Kites to do their work.
Happy new year to all and carry on the blogs Nathan…interesting points?
Report abuse
Excelennet blog Nathan. I agree with just about all you said.
I think Mick deserves credit for what he has done so far this season. However to be quite honest, we havent been good at late.
You might applaud Collins workrate, but is it really Championship winning style, to hoof the ball out of the stadium, of in lucky cases up the field, as Collins tends to do?
Also his lack of pace, forces us to stand much deeper in defence, which means that we are more easily put under pressure.
He cant mark very well, turns like a bus, and is easily dispossesed.
Some people say: “well he is not a permanent solution”
Really? Then why is he being picked in front of players such as Shackell, who as a former Norwich captain, might be wondering what on earth is going on, and why is McCarthy keep hailing him as the new Messiah? Maybe because Mick preferes those types of players? He does give a lot of credit for hardwork, and I do like to see players work hard as well. However in recent games, lack of quality has been sadly missing as well.
Report abuse
I would have Keane back :-) Nathan whats your opinion on Paul Ince as manager now? I notice nobody is schouting for him to replace MM now :-) Happy new Year to all here
Report abuse
With the Gow deal falling through we definitely need some cover for the flanks as most have pointed out. Gow would have been a good utility man and could have covered quite a few positions but c’est la vie!
Mick no doubt has other players on his radar which hopefully will soon be added to the squad, for a few new faces will freshen the squad up a little.
Latest news about Jody Craddock – he is wanted by Swindon Town but whether Mick will let hinm go, we have to see.
The rumour mongers tell us Wolves have increased their offer to Watford for O’Toole so hopefully he will be a Wolf before much longer.
Report abuse
Collins was comfortably our best centre-back against Blackpool.
Potter is a perfectly capable player.
Alas, you cannot judge a footballer to save your life.
Report abuse
Like every1 else it would be Joleon or Robbie i would bring back. But realistically. Never gonna happen. Soo im gonna say Issac Okoronko.
Anyone remember him? He was a beast of a CB
Strong fast and scared the living day light out of any striker.
He would fit in verrrry nicely next to stearman.
Report abuse
22 – I know Miller scored 20 a year in the championship… wow! but he was crap. He did little for the team, do you think he’d get in THIS team?? he wouldn’t even be on the bench at the moment.
My point is that blues are paying over the odds for a scot who clearly isn’t good enough for the premiership (if he goes to fulham we’ll all see this)…. blues are doing now, exactly what we were doing a few years ago. Squandering the parachute money in the hope they go up.
Blues will probably go up but will they have a stronger team than their last promotion push?????? NO!
Who would you sooner have, Iwelumo or their scottish bloke?? no contest.
Report abuse
Ad Mant
Latest score
Wolves- 58 points
Birmingham – 51 points
Report abuse
Good blog Nathan. Glad to see you dumped the candy floss this week. Had a giggle reading your tongue in cheek passages but knew they would be over the head of some posters.
Regarding the proposed Gow transfer. I would have been somewhat happier if there had been some indicator that Keogh was being shipped out.
That wasn’t the case, so all we would have done is pad out the wage bill with similar players , neither of which will cut it in the Prem.
Report abuse
MetalWolf — No, You can’t. Neither are good enbough at chanpionship level, let alone premier league. If you think they are , then I pity you.
Report abuse
trouble with that is your advocating moving 3 players to cover 1 midfielder, we have done this before and it dosent work, why move foley collins or stearman, and bring in shackell, when you can just put the next in line into his correct position,(potter) he isnt a bad player and if he does pass it sideways at least it will go to jarvis or kightly now, when he last played we had ward on the wing with keogh and bothrotd up front, he will have far more passing options now, round pegs in round holes please,
just one more thing, we are now 5 months from the premier if we keep this up, lets support every single player who wears the shirt from now till the end of the season even if we slate them in the pub after
Report abuse
Latest score:
wolves 7 points clear..
Report abuse
“Collins was comfortably our best centre-back against Blackpool”
You gotta be kidding. All I saw was a player hoofing balls desperately out the stadium, as well as being out of position on several occasion.
Collins is good, if you want average Championship defending.
I for one, want os to raise the bar and aim for promotion form and quality at the back
Ps: I would love to see Keane back. Lescott as well, would be great.
Also, as Keith Andrews might not be Big Sam’s cup of team, could he do a decent job as a DM for us? Certainly not a fave of mine, but who knows.
Report abuse
Danish Wolf
Have been drinking some of that strong scandanavian beer, Keith Andrews……………………..lol
Report abuse
62 Dingle) & 66) how many points left to play for versus the gap? I’m merely calling the transfer score. in terms of total points on offer we are effectively neck and neck with a couple teams.
I want us to come out best prepared for the final push – but as of 2:53 pm Fri 09 Jan we simply arent.
No blinkers here.
COME ON YOU WOLVES !
Report abuse
Keane? lol!! No chance of that happening, not until hes 35 and in his final swansong im afraid. As for Lescott, Arsenal are sniffing round him so what chance have we got seriously? Some of the fans on here are bonkers!! No point even looking at proven premiership quality until we get there.
Report abuse
Bullseye…
I think yourl find that fans where referring to nathans question about ” if you could have any ex wolves player who is still playing regular football back at the moll who would it be?”…..
Id recommend reading things properly before you start making comments referring to some fans as bonkers….bullseye? japs-eye more like …..
Report abuse
on BBC website theres a predictor.
Iv put my predictions in for the remaining 20 games of reading birmz and wolves (cuz lets face it.. 3 horse race)
We will finish on 99 points. Reading will finish on 96 points. Birmz will finish on 94 points.
Report abuse
Gold guvnor, rather harsh although i take your point!! Didnt read his blog completely……
Report abuse
71, gold guvnor
Thanks mate, I’m glad you read it! I don’t think for a millisecond that Lescott would come back, its all about fantasy and would we like to have back in a magical, special world!
And Bullseye, I think you missed the jist, but thanks for your comments.
Cheerio.
Report abuse
Blues have just signed more Premiership experience on loan for the remainder of the season, Lee Bowyer.
We have just lost two Premiership class players, and Nathan is right that we are now using Championship squad players to fill in.
I think this will be the turning point of our otherwise excellent season. Mick will start playing round pegs and square holes like he did last season, and we find we have thrown it all away as Blues and Reading steam ahead of us.
Report abuse
The most contentious thing in this blog is hopeing Wolves lose a game of football to Blues!
I don’t give a stuff if it’s the League, the FA cup, the League cup or a Sunday morning kickabout on Small Heath! We fans pay our money to go and watch and deserve a good game (with Wolves trying to win, obviously).
Let us keep winning and let us keep the feeling of superiority. A good cup run didn’t do Albion any harm last season. If Portsmouth can win it, then so can we!!!
Report abuse
I agree with Steve B., lets beat Blues in the cup… I think the point that Nathen is trying to make is that we don’t want any distractions from the main task in hand and if we pick up a few injuries on a cup run, from what is already a thin squad in terms of quality, then that would be complete pony.
Report abuse
Sorry, one last comment…. I think the main thing to take from the comments is that we look like we are patching up the team with 2nd class championship players and as ‘out of darkness’ quite rightly stated, Blues are doing there hardest to bring in Premiership quality and Reading already have it in their ranks.
I think we should be worried. I have a nasty feeling that Preston will beat us 2-0 today with Elliott getting the first.
Report abuse
Pish, Posh…. negative, boring, sad….. We are doing well, why does this blagger and everyone else concentrate on what could go wrong? You lot are losers and wouldn’t be happy if we were 20 points clear.
Oooh… reading and birmingham are going to catch us…. isn’t that what this game is all about? It really gets on my last nerve when I read the garbage spouted by so called fans about our players.
Potter wears a wolves shirt, therefore Potter gets my support. The same goes for Keogh and Collins who may not be the greatest players but shouldn’t get Trevored.
Reading won. Big deal. If we win, draw or lose today we are still top.
I think Wolves fans need a reality check. We are not going to be looking to sign the biggest name players, thats not what this club is all about.
GET A GRIP AND SUPPORT THE TEAM YOU MORONIC WASTERS!!!!!!
Report abuse
81.Judelawselbow
You have missed the point completely.
Fans are worried that our momentum might run dry if Mick is going to plug the team up with 2nd rate players like Potter and Keogh.
Get off your high horse.
Report abuse
Whilst I agree that as fans we should get behind the team through thick and thin, good and bad, I also completely understand the worry of some fellow Wolves fans.
Whilst some refer to the top spot as a ‘comfortable cushion’ that simply isn’t so anymore, it IS closing, and while that is a part of the sport and the way the league goes yes..But I do feel we need to play harder than we have been these last few games, while I know the january signings are important, I believe we have the potential and I think it’s been proven this season that we already have the team that could get us our promotion.
What worries me is that just lately we seem to be playing sloppy and lazily for the first 60 minutes then waking up and playing great football for the last half hour.. And it’s the football we play in that last remaining time that confirms we do have the ability within us to beat any team the league throws our way.. We just need to concentrate on playing it for the full 90 minutes.
Report abuse
Well said Jwolf!
Report abuse
Hate to say I told you so… but I said we would lose to preston today.
Report abuse
Utter garbage today.
Report abuse
I know that Wolves bid 750 for o’toole and it was laughed off by watford – expect jez to go back
the lad fits our profile as he lives for his football and wants to improve
mcleish phones the asst manager of another midlands team once a week for his view of players, so there looks a lack of confidence in the blues scouting, hence he has tried to sign players that are already on the scene
Report abuse
Just seen the pen on tv, if that wasn’t a pen, I’ll eat my hat!
Report abuse
Plain fact is, we have not enough quality in the team.The defence looks dismal without Mancienne, the midfield has gone AWOL, and up front we have a lone forager in SEB. If we had any ambition at all, Morgan would, by now, have sanctioned some quality PL signings to boost teh squad , especially if we were to go up.Now, I can’t see us winning a game this month, or indeed finishing in the top two.We have been found out and teh Manager has no clue how to address this.Everything the maority of people disliked in McCarthy is now coming back to haunt us.We should have got rid after leats season;s debacle, and got Ruud Gullit in. I’ll be the first to applaud Mad Mick getting his P45 , because, deep down, we all know we are doomed to failure again this season.Play off defeat to Cardiff anyone?
Report abuse
Well said Jiwal. SACK MICK NOW!
Report abuse