Davies was influenced claims Mick

Saturday 31st January 2009, 8:30AM GMT.

Mark DaviesWolves boss Mick McCarthy claims Mark Davies was influenced by outside parties ahead of his transfer to Bolton.

Davies moved to the Reebok Stadium for a fee of up to £2million this week after making just 35 appearances for Wolves.

The 20-year-old midfielder had been injured for much of McCarthy’s two-and-a-half years in charge, but he regained fitness and form on loan at League One leaders Leicester before switching to Gary Megson’s Wanderers side.

Davies was groomed at the Wolves Academy under Chris Evans, now assistant manager at Bolton.

McCarthy said: “We wanted him to stay and we sent him out to get some football gain fitness. Almost immediately someone’s been in his earhole and tried to nick him out of the place. Whether that be an agent or whoever, his head was turned and he was gone.”

The Wolves boss insists academy players can break through to the first team despite Davies’ decision.

No homegrown outfield players are currently in McCarthy’s squad, as players such as Mark Little, Stephen Gleeson and Daniel Jones have been forced to go on loan.

But McCarthy, whose three goalkeepers are all homegrown, reckons there is room for academy players to become the future of Wolves – if they are good enough.

He said: “Let me clear the Mark Davies issue up – he hasn’t been fit for two years. At the end of it, he didn’t want to stay here, he put a transfer request in so we wanted to get the best possible deal we could for him.

“But we have got some good young players in the Academy and if they’re good enough, they’ll get in the team. Certainly Kyle Bennett, Scott Malone, Ashley Hemmings, Danny Batth and Mark Connolly, who’s still only 16, are all doing well.”


  1. 1
    Golden Balls

    I know somebody who socalises with Mark Davies and apparently, he and MM didn’t get on very well. Chris Evans has known him since he was a nipper and was instrumental in Bolton signing him. I only hope there is a massive sell-on clause because he is very talented and if fulfilled, will play for England one day. At the end of the day, he didn’t want to stay and in that situation, there is only one outcome.

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  2. 2
    Noisy Minority

    The ‘send them out on loan to get experience’ policy sounded good when it started but who has actually come back into the team? Davies should have been brought back when we were signing Quashie.

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  3. 3
    ThickMick

    Nicely managed Wolves – he was exactly the type of player we should hold on to. 4 year contract for Collins – who’s takin the MICK!

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  4. 4
    Cavil wolves

    Who would have thought it. Keith Andrews V Mark Davies, in the Premier League the other night..

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  5. 5
    Hacksaw Jim Duggan

    Davies sell-on fee was 30% according to my sources.

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  6. 6
    Dennis W Nicholls

    McCarthy can still talk the talk but will he still be at the club when the youngsters mature.

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  7. 7
    David

    Dennis – I certainly hope so. As far as managers go he’s one of the best we’ve had. In terms of where he has taken the club in 3 years – from relegation possibles with no money to top of the league, with financial backing.

    Many Wolves fans are never happy.

    Super Mick is an honest, passionate manager. He makes mistakes as do most managers.

    I’d rather have a few odd decisions with plenty of passion, than the Glenn Hoddle era which was littered with loads of mistakes, wasted transfer fees and ZERO passion.

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  8. 8
    WetWolf

    The fact that we were considering playing Potter when we should have had Davies back from Leicester may have been an influence.
    The big thing is, he decided to go. Wolves gave him his training and nursed him through his injuries and he decided that didn’t need him to show any loyalty. In that position we did the best thing by getting a good fee for him.
    That fee can go on to bring Berra here, hopefully he proves worth it. At least he seems to want to be at the club.

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  9. 9
    ilkeston wolf

    Outside influences such as Potter, Quashie, et al, and if he has been injured for 2 years what was he doing scoring in the early season game with Accrington ?

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  10. 10
    stewart

    4
    obviously not mm

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  11. 11
    Wulf

    Sounds like Mick’s pointing the finger at Chris Evans. If it was him that ‘had a word’ then he should be ashamed. The Bolton fans can’t stand Megson anyway and if he goes then Evans may well follow, then Davies will probably hand in a transfer request.

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  12. 12
    MACTHEWOLF

    The truth is he came back to Wolves and MM put POTTER on the bench and ignored DAVIES so he obviously got the message and left. So for gods sake don’t do the same to GLEESON, he’s a better player than the ones we are playing so give him a chance please!!!!!

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  13. 13
    BAZZA 50

    It was quite clear that Chris Evans was instrumental in this transfer despite what was said when he left for Bolton that young players from Wolves would not be targeted. What other current promising talent at Wolves will end up at Bolton????? You can’t blame McCarthy for this. He did the right thing in sending Davies on loan to get match fit. Ltes hope Bolton get relegated and those in management get their just deserts – the sack!!!

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  14. 14
    Gaz7483

    Anybody that doesn’t want to wear the shirt can be on their way as far as I’m concerned, there are lot’s of players on the fringes that are going about their business without rocking the boat so good riddance to him, I couldn’t care less if he goes on to be Bolton’s best player, I for one, will not miss him.

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  15. 15
    bigbadwolftoo

    I agree David (7). Mick is way ahead of Hoddle, Lee, McGoo etc., and a bit better than Dave Jones. I like the passion, but he does make mistakes and is blind to certain shortcomings at times..
    The way Mark Davies was handled, seems to have missed the objective, ie getting him fit for US! So, he may well of misread the situation. Talent sometimes is difficult to handle, like MD, but the best managers seem to be able to do it.
    I wish MM all the best of luck, I think he will be our manager for a few years yet!

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  16. 16
    Cornish Wolf

    #13 BAZZA 50

    Ditto mate Ditto
    Up The Wolves

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  17. 17
    wolverines

    we must keep homegrown talent ,wake up mick,davies case is about money,loyalty means nothing anymore just look at southampton with surman.mick allow these guys to express themselves
    lets get behind mick but if u loan out our talent too often they will walk

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  18. 18
    Fenwolf

    The Point is why wasn’t he tied to a longer contract when he was injured last summer or even this time last year? His injuries were never career threatening. Why was such a talented young player allowed to drift into the final year of his contract when rubbish like Collins was being offered another 4 years??? Unbelievable! Poor management all round!!! Jarvis, Kightly and now Elokobi were all offered new deals when injured – why not Davies?

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  19. 19
    wulfie

    How the hell does he deserve a longer contract!!!! The guy has only played a handful of games and to get 2million is fantastic business.
    Good rid i say.

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  20. 20
    wolveswolveswolves

    good deal if ya ask me up 2 2 mill for him i reckon his transfer has paved the way for berra coming , plus we got zali ismail coming through the ranks , first 100mill player some people have said!

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  21. 21
    Golden Balls

    Just watched Match of the day, gutted! Mark Davies was fantastic for Bolton. Good point 18, maybe Davies didn’t feel wanted enough by the club although hes been injured for 2 years, you would have thought he’d give it one more season to try and force his way in into the Wolves first team. If Davies plays consistantly well like that, the sell on clause will kick in sooner rather than later i reckon. Just a shame somebody else is going to cash in on our Academy yet again!

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  22. 22
    The Usual Suspects

    18 Ditto – Just watched young Mark make his home debut for Notlob and MM picks Potter ahead of him?

    Mark didnt look out of place playing against Spurs
    Why wasnt he offered terms BEFORE?

    A real gem allowed to slip by; & now all the excuses are coming out!

    If Chris Evans was allowed to help Notlob to get at Mark – Its only because he could not have been happy not getting regular football – As others have said – Elokobi was offered a new deal while injured Why not Mark? – Is it a case of his face simply doesnt fit with MM and now he is getting rave reviews by Mssrs Shearer etc

    MM is well know for his bad man management – “My way or the highway style” – I get the feeling that young Mark knew he wasnt wanted – especially when he was allowed to play for Leicester in the FA Cup – MM couldnt have put it better if he wrote it out in letters ten feet tall

    A player that oozes class and will prove to be agood replacement for Kevin Nolan at Notlob

    Was Mark Davies sold to help fund the Berra porchase and balance the books???

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  23. 23
    pip

    Couldnt really see Mark had any other choice, he was obviously fully fit at Leicester and still not being condidered for a shirt. What kind of offer did wolves make? certainly wasnt first team football.Thats what Bolton offered.

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  24. 24
    The Usual Suspects

    19 Sorry typo errors – purchase

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  25. 25
    wolfhound

    Mad Mick is the problem Davies went to bolton he has his favourites and Mark Davies wsnt one.He was not given a chance when clearly we were struggling in midfield despite rave reviews from Leicester.He has walked straight into the first team at Bolton and his debut was superb according to Shearer and Co.We have lost one of the best talents to come out of the Wolves youth thanks to McCarthys biased favourtism

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  26. 26
    chris hoggard

    All levels of management at Wolves should hang their heads in shame over this.We the fans have been deprived of seeing a major and exciting talent.One of our own,who could become an international star,the type of player that excites fans the world over.McCarthy never gave him a chance.Davies had a full pre season,played in all the friendlies and wasn’t even put on thr subs bench for the first match of the season.If Moxey was doing his job properly he would have ensured the star of our youth team was on a long term contract,in accordance with stated policy.And what is our new owner doing to allow this to happen? As ever we the fans are the real losers.

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  27. 27
    carl3333

    its sickening to think we thought davies needed games in a lower league before considering him for our first team, yet bolton think hes good enough to go straight into there first team in the prem.
    fact is if Mm didnt sign you, you are facing an uphill battle to get a game

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  28. 28
    chris_sedgley_wolf

    the only influence mark needed to get the hell out was when he saw himself continually shunned in favour of people like potter, henry and now quashie! davies talents have always been premier league, the fans knew that, england youth knew that and even glenn hoddle knew that!

    i wonder if mick saw him running the show in his debut against spurs on saturday. I’m sure he will have some excuse though as to why it was a below par performance, just as he manages to justify the continual selection of collins…

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  29. 29
    Codsallman

    Watched Davies on MOTD and he played really well. Good luck to the lad. I am really looking forward to next season in the PREM it should be a strole !! Davies is not good enough for MM but performs well in the top flight so with the players we have it will be a sinch. Watch out for Collins who will also become Euroean Footballer of the Year !! Mark my words you MM doubters………..

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  30. 30
    Wolves till I die

    Mick is a nice guy to talk to, and OK with the players. However, he has no flexibility, if he disagrees about something then its an out and out argument and then arm’s length. If he likes a player then he will add him to his favourites list, as we have seen with Keogh, Collins and others.

    Man management is not Mick’s strong point, and that is why Mick cannot graduate to the Premiership. There, a manager needs every management skill in abundance.

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  31. 31
    Brimfield

    Influenced Mick? Yes, by YOU, you idiot!!!!
    Specifically;-
    1)Not offering him a contract extension when you did the same for Murray while he was a long term injury.
    2)Sending him back to Leicester and giving them permission to play him in the FA Cup while simultaneously recalling Potter to the squad against Preston.
    3)Trying to farm him out on loan to Notts County (It was Davies’ agent who got him the Leicester loan move).
    4)Signing Quashie.
    5)Advertising him for sale in the press by saying Leicester or others needed to come in with a firm offer when seven months ago you claimed that none of our young talent would be sold.
    Well congratulations Mick and Fat Jez! You’ve just saved Bolton £12-14 million as they’ve just announced they’ve shelved their plans to sign Veloso from Sporting Lisbon.
    No wonder the deal was for an ‘undisclosed’ fee!
    Doubtless a few hundred grand will fund Fat Jez’s annual bonus (like it did with Henry Camara).
    A disgraceful, sickening shambles that could only happen at Mick & Moxeys Molineux!

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  32. 32
    Codsallman

    It’s a crying shame it wasn’t in different circumstances, but Wolves got a rare mention on Match of the Day on Saturday.

    Unfortunately Messrs Lineker, Hansen and Shearer were talking about the impressive Premier League debut of Mark Davies for Bolton.

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  33. 33
    debigbadwolfman

    if collins is so fantastic mick,why are you still after another cb as well as berra?oh! and was it a coincidence, no collins in the team and we won for the first time in 5 matches.i do like mick mcarthy but why does he have to keep having a dig at the fans all the time? it seems like he wants to put a divide between the fans and the players at times.also i agree with you mick that collins is 100% committed and does for the most part of games play well, but its those small blips that you mentioned that always seem to lead to the opposition scoring a goal or 2 and costing us points which neither us the fans want and neither do you mick,maybe if collins was taken out of the firing line once in a while when he isn’t doing so well it would help him also.as for collins scoring goals i’d rather him concentrate on keeping them out mick.still think we’re gonna do it. UP THE WOLVES!

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  34. 34
    Wolf in Rugeley

    lets drop this now guys, he aint our player no more and its getting boring.yes i wanted to stay, yes mm has made mistakes (dont we all).

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