Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves blog: The Craddock Factor
Friday 27th March 2009, 9:15AM GMT.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd explains why veteran defender Jody Craddock has made all the difference to the Molineux title challenge.
Winning ugly – I am sure that is a cliche that is rolled out by many a punter at the business end of the season.
But that is exactly what we are doing at the moment, based on the foundation of a rock solid defence.
With Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra together in the back line, Wolves have conceded just one goal in the last five games.
Before the two of them came into the team, Wolves were leaking more goals than Leaky FC, who played their games at the Leaky stadium in the city of Leak.
Craddock is exactly the kind of dependable and level-headed player we need right now. In that eight to 10 week blip from December to February, you could see the team needed some leadership to stop them all running around like infants who had drunk too much Kia-Ora.
They were all so eager to please a nervous and twitchy Molineux that the early season fast paced penetrating football, that had delighted us all, was replaced with mainly over eager, mistaken strewn, slightly clueless dross.
Someone needed to come in and marshal the troops, and I think Jody is now captaining the kids superbly.
In my Friday the 13th blog, I had heard rumours of the impending arrival of Villa striker Marlon Harewood and I thought it was a joke.
In hindsight, that was a slightly idiotic thing to say. Although if someone would ask me which strikers would I like to see join the club, I don’t Mr Harewood would be at the top of my list.
But when manager’s like Birmingham boss Alex McLeish are dementedly sending their better players like Gary McSheffrey on loan to get some fitness, Mick has been incredibly positive bringing in a bit of new blood to keep things fresh for the run-in.
At the moment it is unclear whether Harewood will be linking up with top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake for the game against Birmingham a week on Monday.
It always fills me with immense pride to see any Wolves player down the years named in an international side. But then it fills me with immense dread that the player will play in the game and pick up an injury.
At least with the international break, it should give Sylvan enough time to shake off his calf-strain and line up for that crunch game at St Andrews.
If he doesn’t play, I wouldn’t want to be the opposing defender facing the two colossal figures of Chris Iwelumo and Harewood!
Best of luck to all the Wolves players involved for their country this week, including Christophe Berra who looks like facing the Dutch in the Amsterdam ArenA.
We also welcome back the lively goalkeeper Graham Stack this week on loan from Plymouth, as our previous loan keeper Darren Ward heads back to Sunderland for treatment on a back injury.
As long he can stay away from those dodgy calendar shoots, ‘Stacky’ should prove a positive character to have around for the final six games.
Have a good weekend and let’s hope all the players return home safe and injury free.
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Kia-Ora what a drink!
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Good blog as usual Nathan. I for one would like to see Jody given another contract. Whether that be as a player or as a player / defensive coach. There is no disputing that he is still a class player and has something to offer even after his playing career for us is over and I think that it’s nothing more than he deserves. He’s been a loyal servant to the club even after MM mistakenly signalled the end of his Wolves career with that loan spell out.
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Stroke the Hare and he will score!
Harewood and Ebanks-Blake, bitter McLeish and his band of 20k a week mercenaries and 10,000 strong home support will not know what has hit them!
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I find it a little strange that Jody Craddock is getting all the credit for our recent turnaround. He was back for the defeat against Plymouth and the lucky draw with Cardiff. The real change has occurred since Matty Hill has come in at left back. In fact we have never lost a league game this season when Hill has been in the starting lineup.
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could nt agree more about jody craddock , and i for one will be sad to see him go if he decides to go to australia in the close season . hes been fantastic for us , every time mick has tried to get rid of him , hes come back and proved without doubt how good he is . it will be such a shame that we cant thank him properly . all i can say is at the doncaster game after we ve finnished chanting BRING OUT THE CHAMPIONS .. we can rise from our seats to an almighty .. THERES ONLY ONE JODY CRADDOCK, unless of course we cock it all up then we should join in with bob wolf and his fickle mates .. jeering and booing in a typical wolves style .
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Nathan you are a bit negative mate. I met you at Molineux for footballaid last May and you didnt seem like that. Is Harewood better than Iwelumo, Vokesy and Keough at this moment yes. Looms and Harwood are real battering rams, but we completely out played blues in the cup in their own back yard I think we can do it again? We have stength on the bench if needed.
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Why all the grumble about Harewood? He is a far better all round player AT THIS LEVEL (IS WHAT PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET) than Keogh and even Iwelumo.
At least give the lad a chance yeah, we aint seen him in a gold shirt yet and there’s negative vibes already.
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Nice blog. I’ve given Mick some stick this season over playing certain players, but I have to applaud him in bringing back Jody. Not many fans would have gone for him over Stearman. An exemplorary pro and I hope he continues to shine in these last 6 games.
Up the Wolves!
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Nice one Nathan, I totally agree with everything you have said in this blog!!
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The fact that Sylvan has picked up this calf strain, which we all hope and trust will clear up in time for the Blues’ game, underlines Mick’s good sense in bringing in another striker – just in case. Thanks for the blog, Nathan.
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You’d do well to remember that correlation does not = connection. Just because Craddock’s return has coincided with a good run of form doesn’t mean that it was he that fixed the problem.
For one, Craddock is incredibly calamity prone. Back in the day he could be relied upon to have one calamity per game, whereas now he has them repeatedly. The fact that we now have Berra settled and on form covering Craddock’s errors doesn’t mean that Craddock has regained his ability to adequately defend.
Similarly, perhaps it is the inclusion of Matt Hill who has fixed the problem, as we haven’t lost a game all season with the left-back starting. Perhaps it is the return of David Jones, whose passing allows us to put teams under significant pressure from the front?
These are certainly more palatable arguments than calling Craddock ‘dependable’. If you want ‘slightly clueless dross’, you need only watch Craddock when he fails to head the ball clear, or mishits a clearance, events which are occuring increasingly worrying frequency.
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Correlation does not = connection; This is a fact which Nathan Lloyd would do well to remember. Craddock’s return also coincided with the settling of Berra (we all know how good he is now) and the inclusion of Hill (no losses in games he has started), as well as the return of David Jones whose range of passing allows us to put pressure on from the front.
The simple fact is the Craddock is calamity prone. In the past you could rely on him to have one calamity per game but this trend is increasing rapidly. The fact that we have a settled Berra covering for him doesn’t mean that Craddock has somehow regained the ability to defend. His headers are poor and his mishit clearances are happening far more often.
If you want “slightly clueless dross”, it is in Craddocks direction you must look.
Nice use of senile dementia as an insult for McLeish’s tactics though. Very classy.
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I’m coming over all warm and fuzzy and no its not the JD on the shelf. I am starting to believe (but not celebrate quite yet) we are approaching the promised land. Come on you Wolves get into em!
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I totally agree that Craddock has made a difference but Berra has been a quality signing. Our defence looks more solid also due to Hennessey’s return to confidence and Hill doing a steady job – apart from his ball distribution sometimes – and Mr Steady, Kevin Foley. I must point out that I still believe that Stearman is a class act and certainly one for the future and Jody will be on his way with my blessing, as another season in the top flight is too much for him.
MM has done an excellent job but what is extremely important is not to overlook some of the many quality youngsters, as they will become frustrated. I noticed that we have signed up Kyle Bennett as Liverpool were sniffing. We must not lose the likes of Little, Gleeson and Gobern!
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Great Blog
Fingers crosssed that berra does not get injured !
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no.8 Stearman is a young centre half still learning his trade. His positioning and marking is POOR.
when blues came down here Jerome ran him off the park from the 1st minute.
He’d be useless in the Prem.
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Good Blog.
The main reason Craddock is in is because Collins has been awful this season and does not warrant the reserve team!
I feel sorry for Stearman and only hope he can win his place back as Craddock will find the Premiership too tough if we make it.
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One of the worst articles i have ever read – congratulations.
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If you want to post on here and you are a completely clueless idiot and devoid of any worthwhile comment whatsoever, please could you use the name “Bob Wolf”
Thank you
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I am not worried if Berra gets injured as Collins and Stearman can slot in- no worries!
As for Harewood, get him on the pitch as he will scare the living daylights out of a very ordinary Blues back four!
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS – This is our season!
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6.laughingwolf
Did we meet? Or is it another Nathan you are referring to?
12.Dave Jackson
I’m not simplisitic enough to think that Craddock’s return is the only reason that Wolves have started to pick up points, simply that the defence seems to work well with Jody and Berra.
I have no doubt that the return of my supermarket buddy David Jones and Matt Hill have also made a large contribution to Wolves getting back to winning ways.
I don’t agree with you when you say that Craddock is calamity prone at all.
I think he is a great professional who has served this club wonderfully well in both the Premiership and the Championship.
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I would have preferred something more topical. Finances have been in the news this week.
Football’s top dog has said:
** Around 10 FL clubs will go bust in the next 12 months.
** All clubs will get a massive financial reality check in the summer.
As for us?
** Announced a price hike when everyone else (who have announced their plans) have frozen or reduced theirs.
** Begging bowls passed around the match day crowd ” to boost club funds ”
** £4m loss announced.
What about the Prem riches next season?
Forget it. Most of that will be swallowed up by having to bring contracts up to a minimul level.
Do not expect to see any quality signings in the summer. The best we can hope for is a few journeyman utility players.
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Calendar shoots! LOL!
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Good blog, Nathan!
I tend to agree with 11/12 about Craddock often failing to head the ball clear. But he is not alone in that. Just looked at a clip from the Forest game. Everybody is “pussy-heading” and fails to clear the threat. Against a better team that could be lethal.
However Craddock is possible the best alternative at the moment and he has saved us more than once. Next season, however, Wolves needs alternatives to his position.
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Some good points made, but a a defence with a 35 year old Jody Craddock would get murdered in the Premiership. I know we aren’t there yet but that doesn’t mean its something we shouldn’t be thinking about.
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Craddock should have been recalled much earlier to steady the ship – all it took to finally get rid of Collins was him being responsible for 10 goals, scoring an own goal and getting sent off…
Good point regarding Hill, Mick eventually saw sense it that area also.
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11/12 – why the vitriol about Craddock? Why the insults? Nobody said that our good form was solely down to Craddock, all that is said is that he has come back, done a great job and we’ve conceded 1 goal in 5 games. FACT. What examples have you got of him making calamities ‘repeatedly’ in recent games? If you do go to the games, then I bet you’re one of those irritating morons who prays for an individual mistake over success, so your flimsy, flippant arguments can hold up down the pub. Nice use of ‘slightly clueless dross’ to describe one of our own. Very classy.
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DERBY HAS SOLD OUT!
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Wolves AY I
I’m coming over for the game, should be a cracker!
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COME ON YOUUUUUU WWWWOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLVVVVVVEEEEESSS!
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look it,s about opinions and ifs buts and maybe,s but at the end of the day were top of the league with six games to go and all the players have done thier bit one way or another.Twelve months from now who knows wher we,ll be,so lets enjoy the ride.At the end of the day we,ll still love the Wolves…deep in my heart i do believe.
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no22 Grumpy ole man, I think{hope} you give the wrong picture on the financial situation for us at least.I have gone on for a few months now questioning where has the balance of the £30m gone.Well the money is still on the books and Jez Moxey has publicly stated the money is safe and accessible.I have been a constant critic of Moxey over the years but I have to say if we do pull off promotion our financial position looks very healthy and Moxey deserves credit for this. The big test will of course come on how we strengthen next summer.
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bob wolf no point is made about hill? I hope stephen ward comes back in eventually has much more potential than the steady reliable hill longterm.
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Can I also say that Dave Jackson sounds like the dullest bloke on the planet, leave Jody alone and listen to yourself going on and on.
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i would also suggest that craddocks steady form is in part down to having a good partner.
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I can only presume Nathan Lloyd enjoys the odd tipple, last decent defender we had was Paul Blades and thats going back some years now
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16 and 22 you are not wolves fans go back to the baggies page. 16 Jerome didnt start the league game and Stearman got man of the match that game so just prooves you are a baggie!
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COME ON YOU WOLVES !!!!!!!
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Danish Wolf – Its the day we are getting promoted!
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36.Torquay Man
You couldn’t be further off the mark!
Tea-total all my life, much to the bemusements of many of my friends, as I think I’ve mentioned on here a couple of times.
Paul Blades? When was your last game, 1993? What about Lescott, Richards, Curle, Craddock, Breen….. or as your sarcasm has gone clean over my very shiny head?
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Ha ha I love this site. there are more opinions than there are bum holes.
If Jody is “calamity prone” bring them on. 1 goal in 5 is the sort of calamitous statistic I like!
big hats off to “stubborn” Mick for picking the best team even if it includes players who he previously thought had no future at the club and then went out, worked hard and proved him wrong.
Seaside Wolf, I guess you just don’t get to many games do you?
As for the finances, what happens to us will inevitably happen to everyone. Lets hope they’re as well prepared for it as we appear to be.
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16) A totally wrong assessment. Stearman has had a good season and you have to bear in mind that in a lot of games he played alongside Collins – good in the air but slow on the deck. If he is that poor why would he be picked by the under 21′s – one of the strongest England squads in ages!
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Any addition to the squad is good. A lot of other clubs would want Marlon. Stop moaning, enjoy the run in as best you can. Would it not be nice to watch the last 3 games knowing we are up. Young team, time to improve and a bit of money in the bank.
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20. “A very ordinary Blues back four”.
Is this the back four that has conceded the FEWEST goals in the Championship this season???
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40- fair play to you to an extent- Lescott was decent and has improved a lot at Everton, cut out the Titus Bramble type errors which he used to do at Wolves.
As for sarcasm my friend you mention Breen in your list of great defenders….?
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Jody is a pro’s pro. Give him a coaching role or we may regret not doing so.
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I believe we may bring in an experienced international centre half next season for someone to further mentor Stearman who I have no doubt though can compete in the Prem.
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(32) Chris Hoggard. Appreciate your input, but…
Uncle Jez is an accountant. My own accountant is the biggest liar on the planet. He openly says he wouldn’t tell the truth to save his own life! As a result, I do not believe anything any accountant says.
As to that £30m. I do not doubt it is ring fenced, but (as I understand the contract) it is for the good of the club, not exclusively to improve the team.
My take on it is it will be used to prop up the clubs finances over the next 5 years and not for transfers.
I would like to make public the reasons for my conjecture. But there is no point attempting to on this site. It would not get past the moderator.
I stand by my assertion there will be no QUALITY additions to the squad, (they cost too much) only a few cheap, play anywhere types.
As for Laughing Wolf. Go and play with your Mighty Mick doll.
Life as a Wolves fan is but a leap of faith…
So spread your arms and hold your breath…
And always trust your cape.
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