Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves blog: April Fool
Friday 3rd April 2009, 9:20AM BST.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd did not enjoy April Fools Day but at least his stock is rising with the nice people at a certain online betting firm.
As funny as cutting your own arms off with a blunt spoon, April Fools Day has become tiresome fodder that surely doesn’t suck anybody who has any semblance of intelligence into its web of juvenile deceit?
Amongst all the side-splitting April fool wind-ups on Wednesday was the one about a footballer who had just been voted third best player in the Championship getting injured in a meaningless friendly against a Shropshire XI.
If only it were a wind up. Wolves winger Michael Kightly broke his metatarsal, a bone that wasn’t invented until 2002 by Professor David Beckham of Manchester Polytechnic, landing awkwardly after jumping over the Shrewsbury goalkeeper.
I’m not lambasting our manager Mick McCarthy for playing virtually a full strength side in a friendly. As I think we are all fully aware, he is his own man and doesn’t give two hoots about other people’s opinions, especially ‘nuggets’ like me.
Mick needed to keep his players sharp for Monday, especially given the fact that we haven’t had a competitive fixture for over two weeks. The Kightly injury could have happened in a training match, down the park or even in the bathroom with an over-zealous bottle of ‘Denim’ aftershave, it’s just one of those things.
So who comes in to replace Mr Kightly on Monday in Birmingham? Mick won’t change his formation for the Blues game, so it’ll be a proper traditional Yorkshire man’s 4-4-2, none of that namby pamby 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 malarkey.
Fingers crossed that Matt Jarvis is fit enough to come in on either flank, if he is I would play partner him with George Friend or if Mick can’t remember where he left George, then Kyel Reid.
Talk of new boy Marlon Harewood being given a role on the wings probably won’t come to fruition, as he might well be needed up front if either big Chris Iwelumo or Sylvan Ebanks-Blake can’t shake off their injuries.
I’m sure Mick hasn’t brought Marlon to come in and warm the bench for the remaining half-a-dozen games, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts on Monday.
It was almost a perfect week of Wolves news. Firstly, Sylvan was quite rightly voted the player of the year in the Championship and awarded with best goal of 2008 for that sublime strike against Charlton and Wolves also bagged family club of the year, whatever that entails.
There will be a few Premier League teams hoping that Wolves fail in their Premiership bid so they can snaffle up SEB for a price tag I would imagine would be at least in the region of £5million plus.
Secondly, news comes in that the dreadful dandy highwayman Chaucer logo is finally coming off the shirts, to be replaced by the much more aesthetically pleasing sportingbet.com emblem, which means if we do seal promotion, probably rules out any bids for self confessed gambling addicts Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen or George Best.
Well done to our chief executive Jez Moxey for doing something that Jeremy Peace down at Albion couldn’t, to seal a brilliant sponsorship deal in these toughest of economic climates.
I like a flutter, and I’m sure if I give sportingbet.com enough plugs in my blog, they will be more than happy to keep topping up my new account!
We should also say thank you to Chaucer for sponsoring the club for the last five year, they will always be in my all time consultancy top 10.
To prove that good news doesn’t always come in sets of three, reports came in after Tuesday’s game about Kightly’s broken foot.
Even without Kightly on Monday, the bulk of the pressure will be on Blues to get all three points.
Birmingham sit five points behind us in the league, which is as good as six points with our vastly improved goal difference.
With Reading playing at Coventry beforehand, Blues could come into the game with just a one point advantage in that second spot.
Although they have recently been boosted by the return of Garry O’Connor and Kevin Phillips, I would target Franck Queudrue as their really weak link at full back and his lack of pace should be exposed by a hopefully fit again Jarvis.
I don’t see any reason why we can’t have a repeat of the wonderful display in the cup and just sneak it 1-0, with either Nigel Quashie jumping off the bench to show Birmingham just what they missed out on, or for Harewood to make himself an instant Wolves hero.
With six games to go, three wins and a draw or two would suffice to see us return to the land of milk and honey.
To go up as champions would be a very proud occasion, a fitting reward for a fantastic manager and a great set of players.
Finally, congratulations on Mick McCarthy missing out on manager of the month, that’s one award we can do without.
Right, I’m off to put a bet on Harewood grabbing the only goal at St. Andrews, I believe the lovely people at sportingbet.com should be able to accommodate me quite nicely.
Have a great weekend, roll on Monday night!
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Good blog Nathan, I too am going to have a little wager on the Hare scoring the winner against the bloose, might even have a cheeky double on Wolves/Stoke winning.
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hmm well lets look at it realistic instead of gettin on micks back sayin hell do what he pleases.. He has probably the biggest game of the season on monday this could either make or break wolves promotion… he has limited training since the last game for internationals. hes used the game as a training exercise. If kightly didnt break it in that match it could have been a normal training exercise. Worried about him being out now and the doubts over big chris and blake?
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Great blog! Got to comment on the ironic sponsor we now have. Family club of the year sponsored by a betting firm?! LOL
Cannot wait till Monday. I have my ticket for that and Derby all topped off by my purchase of a Barnsley ticket tomorrow :D Im not missing this promotion party! :D
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Is that Tessa Sanderson carrying Kightly from the pitch in the photo at the top of this page?
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Good points as always nathan. Totally agree that a friendly was required and that the first teamers need the game, no amount of training can create the same scenarios as a match whether it be friendly or league, so MM has my support on that 1. Kites injury, as you say, couldve happened doing ANYTHING , from going to the loo to jumping off his wardrobe in a batman suit! But we have the options and strength in depth to cope with a boring brum side, 2 goals will see us home i think, just have a look how many times brum have scored 2 (let alone 3) this season! UP WE GO!!!!!!!!!!
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Totally agree with Nathan on getting into Franck Quedrue, lacks pace and if Jarvo is fit then lets take advantage of that.
I sincerely hope we win the league and lift some silverwere so we can take the trophy of the baggies although they will probably get it back next year after there sorry relegation this season!.
I think a cheeky double bet might be in order on Monday with Wolves to win 2-1 and Harewood with the last goal, lets hope SportingBet take the double.
Can’t make it to Blues on monday but will be there as usual on Fridat for the visit of the saints and then on to Pride Park which could prove a very pivitol day in the club’s history.
All the best for Monday and lets get all the points
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Why hasn’t anything been mentioned about our Blues game and not even selling out yet?
Come on folks it’s pay day and the biggest game of the season and we havn’t even sold our tickets.
p.s i have mine before anyone questions
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shameless sucking up there Nathan !!! but its difficult enough making cash online so all the best to ya !!
look mick cant expect to insult the Wolves faithful on a regular basis and be as pigheaded as he is without shouldering some serious criticism.
no one however can argue with results, and against the odds mick has lead us to the top of the champs with only a handful of games to go, and for that he should receive (at the very least) a standing ovation from all of us at the end of the Doncaster game. (fingers crossed we’re celebrating)
Jez and Co. have defied the financial trend and acquired our biggest sponsor to date (though i honestly thought a title sponsorship deal was worth a lot more than that) and you can only admire the way we are a sustainable business with the bulk of our £30mil kitty still in tact. Well done Suits !
As for the injury, many have pointed out that MK hasnt been himself so i dont think its as big a hit as we think. We need Matty Jarvis (The New Kightly) fit for sure and a combo of Harewood and us only really needing a draw means we should be pretty well set.
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!
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1.6. I might be tempted to add a Cov win for a treble.
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4 Tessa Sanderson? nah definitely Drooper from the Banana Splits
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7…Blues have made it kids for a quid too, highly commendable, but shouldnt be necessary with a local derby and 1st , 2nd in table….just shows what sky tv does!!!
with reference to my earlier comment about bues not scoring 2 or more goals many times,
They have scored twice and won 7 times, only keeping clean sheets in 3, and scored 3 in 4 winning 3-2 3 times and 3-1, all against lesser opposition than wolves….so i still say 2 goals will be enough to win!
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4….dont think Mr. Daly will be happy you comparing him to tessa sanderson!!!!
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Good Blog Nathan – read over coffee which was really good with my Sarney.
Bet Harwood to Score
WH to keep a clean sheet
Wolves 2-0
Be positive guys have a good day you away fans–The Dream is there nearly–Please make it happen–
When I first started to read the Blogg i was hopeful that we had all been duped–Never mind press on a shape up you “Young Guns”
Good Luck to all- Kiss the Lucky Shamrock –Crazey Dave
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7 – I imagine the cost of a ticket (£30) and its on sky has something to do with it. At least some loyal supporters are going ay? ;)
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£30 isn’t a great deal, wait til we’re in the premiership and all those london games
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For those London exiles unable to get a ticket for the Blues on Monday which hostelry for the viewing???
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16 .. my house will be open . few local wolves coming .. unless i hear about a gathering up town ???? anyway .. about the kightly thing , yes its a loss , but my money will be on the keogh goal with freindy on the left , similar to the fa cup ,when contary to some blue nose radio oppinions … we wiped the floor with em . as nathan quite rightly points out , the pressure is on them . i thought in the cup we played a much narrower midfield game and any one who saw it will tell you the passing was excellent . most teams set their stall out to deal with our width and friend gives us that edge with tight interchanges . a draw at blues is as good as a win . cant wait
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Wolves mod 30 is a lot when you can watch it for free at home!
16 – UNABLE to get a ticket??? You can get ticket as they are on general sale, it may be a case of not wanting to get one with all extra cost it will be for the london lot.
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I’m amazed that you lot are that confident that the Blues are going to roll over and let you tickle their belly.
Reading will win, we will beat the Wolves and then its game on again.
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4. 10. Siggy Marley?
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SellyOakMassive, smell the coffee.
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19) You might scrape a win but you will still be 2 points behind and we have not got to go to Reading. There again you may offer another of your abysmal performances for the season. Hope you get a bumper gate of 20,000.
Anyway we are going up and you might get in there but Sheff Utd and Reading will have a say in that!
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19. Like you did in the cup? Like you did at molineux? With 2 of your starting 11 costing as much as our starting 11 you should win, but pathetic crowds and ugly boring football. 20k dnt make me laugh! blues are horrible little club, with a horrible woman running it and a horrible little tin shed ground
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22.brummierobwolves
At least when we go up we spend half a bag of beans on players. How long did you lot stay up last time?
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I’m watching it on the TV. Why on earth would you want the inconvience of a load of idiot blouse fans kicking off?
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Coventrywolf, TV? That really captures the atmosphere of a packed St.Andrews doesn’t it?
Thats it, stay at home, put your feet up and be a pathetic fan. loser.
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22) Selly Oak – Student Village.
We have learnt from our lessons and unlike your team have many quality youngsters that many Premiership teams are after.
On a final note look at your trophy cabinet…. nothing there????
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26. Packed St Andrews?
I nearly fell off my chair laughing.
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brummierobwolves and Darby End Wolf….
My dad’s bigger than your dad…. silly playground nonsense. We are the bigger, richer club and you’ll be taught a lesson in football on Monday, mark my words.
You may have the youngsters, but we have the wise heads who will teach these youngsters what proper football is all about.
St.Andrews will be rocking and you lot of orange wearing clowns will be trudging back on the wally trolly wandering if the premiership will still remain a dream unfilled!
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sellyoakmuppet jealousy is a terrible thing, you can only dream of having the history we’ve got and we’ve never bought a cup either.
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29) You may be richer, as in name the Golds and Sullivan are worth a lot. The problem is they do not want to be at the club… they want out. That is why the young morons invaded the pitch and broke the goalposts.
Bigger??? Not a chance!!
We have not lost or conceded in the last 3 away games and therefore you will need to raise your game 200% from the poor performance against Norwich. Irrespective due to the easier run in, I somehow doubt whether you will catch the Gold n Black legends.
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sellyoakmuppet if you are a bigger club than Wolves shall we compare both our club’s histories, shall we compare our attendances this season, shall we look at where Wolves are in the list of the most succesful clubs in England compared to where bloose are, even the steptoe’s of sandwell are a bigger club than bloose now be a good little girl and do one.
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Well said wolves1877, jealously is a stupid thing?
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sellyoakmoron, get real, what have the blouse ever won in their history compared to the might of wanderers? Monday night will be the beginning of our promotion party.
ENJOY THE PLAY OFFS!
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Looks like you Dingles are going to blow it again
with the best player Kightly out for the rest of
the season,dont like the look of your new midfeild
4 KEOGH,HENRY,EDWARDS,S.WARD.
Blues to win by a canter!
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To Sellyoakunmassaive :-
No history , no tradition , no class , low attendances , in shadow of neighbours , whinging fans , owned by businessmen who deal in what ? .
Even behind that lot from the bus stop in Sandwell in the West Midland football hierachy ! .
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sellyoak , remember darren roberts blues 0 wwfc 4 lol
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No joke lads my mate same age went school with him is a blues fan , he’s got ticket in blues end i’ll be in wolves end. funny thing is he phoned me yday an i swear his words was . i dont want to go monday poor performances lacklusture crowds an from a blues fan he sed , i really think wolves will win.
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Well, SellyOak.. Already the first part of your prediction didn’t work out, because Reading didn’t win. As for the blue lot being ‘bigger and better’ i’d love to see your shamble of a football ground pack in as many home fans as the Wolves do on our games. I’m having flashbacks to the FA cup when our YOUNG KIDS clattered your ‘wiseheads’ 2-0 .. You sure showed us how to do it didn’t you matey? And half of our usual team wasn’t even on the pitch.
As for Valero, I wouldn’t class Kightly as our ‘best’ player, he’s one of a few that makes a big difference, but he also hasn’t been on 100% form for a while now, so i’m sure whoever fills his place won’t make much of a difference, so that was a bit of a daft comment, although after the boggies just got wasted by Stoke i’m not surprised you ain’t got nothing decent to say on your own blogs, you make us Wolfies very proud when you blouses and baggies need to come here to vent and spread your bitterness, cos we know we’re doing summat right :)
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I’m warming to this forum. We all know we are going up. I have tremendous enthusiasm for Monday. It’s all on them, and I repeat, repeat, Reading will finish second. The best Blues can hope for Monday is a draw. We rise to these occasions. This one is in the bag. I live in New York, but rest assured, me and my girl are skipping out of work early to hit Nevada Smiths- a bar in New York’s East Village ran by Villa fans. I’ll be pished as a fart by 6, raising a glass or ten to our impending promotion. These are good days Wolves. Wonderful days.
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Hey Nathan, I see you have naviagted into the joyful world of the losers on Molineux Mix. What do you make of a forum, that, bans you for life, without reason, just because you dare to express your own opinion? I hope they enjoy their free ad in the next edition of ALOB :)
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We also have the best blogger amongst the midlands clubs… now Nath, where’s that fiver you promised me?
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