Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves blog: All hail King Keogh
Friday 17th April 2009, 9:53AM BST.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd cannot help but respect Andy Keogh as the team stand win one way from the Premier League.
At 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday, all the season’s worries and woes of the Wolves fans seem to just melt away – well mine did anyway.
We now have one foot in the land of milk and honey and, with the cork slowly edging its way out of the promotion champagne bottle, our fans are ready to go completely chicken oriental.
It would probably be hypercritical of me to start dishing out plaudits to Andy ‘The King’ Keogh after his fabulous man of the match performance against the Rams.
But in that one game, Andy took all this season’s vicious bile spouted by the moronic boo-boys and shoved it right back down their throats.
I have never questioned his commitment to the cause. He is probably the hardest working member amongst manager Mick McCarthy’s army. But I have sometimes questioned his ability to score his quota of goals as a forward, but what do I know?
Perhaps he is the cliched confidence player that we hear so much about. I’m yet to be convinced that he has a long term future at the club, but for the performance at Derby alone, Andy, I salute you.
His first goal, the sublime volley with the ball dropping over his shoulder, has quite rightly been nominated for Wolves goal of the season, which fans can vote for by text until 5:30pm this evening, with all the details on the Wolves official website.
Out of the shortlist of eight goals chosen by McCarthy and his coaching staff, for me the winner is a battle between Chris Iwelumo’s sublime overhead kick away at Preston in probably our best away performance of the season, and Michael Kightly’s 25 yard rocket against Nottingham Forest in our best home performance of the season.
Fans can also vote for their player of the season at the QPR game this weekend and it’s looking like a bit of a formality, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake likely to quite rightly walk away with the honours.
Kevin Foley should be the runner up, and at least we don’t have a sea of Senegalese flags to muddy the thoughts of the people counting the votes!
But there are many players who have stepped in, helped Wolves get back to recent winning ways and get us close to that terrific earlier season form.
Jody Craddock, Christophe Berra and Matt Hill have plugged a leaky defence, the two Dave’s – Edwards and Jones – have come into midfield to give us a bit of creativity and when they have been called upon, Sam Vokes and Keogh have not let us down.
The timely dogged and resilient recent performances from the team have echoed the fans desire to see this wonderful club back where it belongs, another tilt at competing with the world’s best players in the top flight.
The three year plan that McCarthy and chief executive Jez Moxey set out in the summer of 2006 is ready to come to fruition. There are many from planet JIWAL that will be probably be gutted that Wolves are now on the brink of the Championship title.
The rather dour JIWAL type of fans will probably point to the fact that promotion isn’t down to the tenacity of this young, hungry and talented squad at all – but is in fact because of the atrocious standard of football served up in the Championship this season.
Well, pah! When Mick joined the club in the summer of 2006 we had half a football side at best.
He rebuilt the team with hungry whippersnappers who over achieved that season. Expectations increased amongst the fans and when the football in the following season failed to live up to the same giddy heights. A lot of fans, myself included, stop believing that Mick’s plans would succeed.
But like Keogh, Mick has proved his doubters wrong and is now delivering the success we all so desperately crave.
QPR come to Molineux on Saturday with only a sliver of a chance of a play-off place, but will be no pushovers as they aim to play the role of party poopers.
They are having a rotten end to the season and have even bizarrely allowed their top goal scorer, Dexter Blackstock, to join Forest on loan for the rest of the season, which seems like a really perspicacious thing to do when you could still make the top six!
Paulo Sousa suffered at the hands of the over expectant billionaire club owners and was dismissed as manager after a measly 26 games, as QPR look set for another season of championship football.
They outplayed us and beat us 1-0 at Loftus Road back in December when Wolves were in a rich vein of form. The mitigating circumstances were that the game was live on TV, and how often do Wolves perform well on the box?
Before I finish up, I just wanted to send out a heartfelt plea to help save the Wolves fanzine, ‘A load of Bull’. Currently short listed in the top ten for football league fanzine of the year, my match day wouldn’t be the same without a copy of the excellent ALOB to read at half-time.
Unfortunately due to evening kick-offs and the increase in online forums, the fanzine has seen a decline in sales and it faces an uncertain future.
I think it would be a crying shame for a top flight club – ahem – not to have their own fanzine.
So please, buy a copy at the QPR game from one of the many vendors that editor Charles Ross, strategically places around Molineux. It’s the final ALOB of the season and it only costs two quid, don’t let it be the last one ever!
These next two weeks could be amongst the happiest and proudest times in my lifetime so far to be a Wolves fan.
If Wolves deliver the impossible dream with a win against QPR and are crowned champions, I’ll be posting a special blog on the day to mark the occasion.
With a full house at Molineux on Saturday and with Sylvan likely to be back to lead the front line, this could be a very special weekend.
Enjoy the game and hands up, who’s starting the conga?
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Excellent stuff. The Keogh haters are idiots who know nothing about the game. The experts who have played at the highest level compare his role in the team to that of Kuyt at Liverpool.
I would give anything for Andy to score the winning goal tomorrow.
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CONGA ON THE PITCH!!!!
And all the people jumping on the promotion bandwagon???? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN WE WAS PANTS!!!
Loyal supporter
SL5
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Great performance by AK, after I have been one of his biggest critics all season. He does work hard but mostly with no end product, but, t=you chave to give credit for doing it in style against Derby. If AK could do it consistantly, we would have won the division a week or so ago! Long may you reign AK!!!!
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Good blog Nathan, I was one of many who stood by Keogh all season, granted he’s not going to bang in 20+ goals a season but you cannot fault the lad for his work ethic and commitment to the cause, so I think it would be fitting if Keogh bagged the winner that sends us to the promised land!
As for goal of the season I think Iwelumo’s goal at preston wins it for me, superb bicycle kick from a tight angle wa a joy to behold, kightly’ has weighed in with his usual couple of sreamers and Iwelumo’s goal against forest was awesome as a team goal with Matty Jarvis flying down the wing to set the lad up!
3 points tomorrow I think and lets all have a disco!
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You know success is in the air when the ‘blogger’ starts using words like perspicacious
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Nathan, to be fair to the bloke JIWAL, has actually prooved his true colurs recently on another web site, he bleeds gold and black like the rest of us! i just think as a long suffering wolves fan he takes the half empty approach like most of us, but i can say based on what i read from him, he is loving the fact were almost in the promised land!
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Excellent blog Nathan, wish i’d got a ticket for Saturdays game! I think it will possibly be a stressful game for the wolves fan but end in conga formation. I’m going for a tight 1 – 0 win with a craddock header to seal it.
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My nerves are frazzled, I don’t think I can even think about tomorrows game.
Andy Keogh has worked his socks off, running down the flanks, terrorising centre-backs & full-backs alike, and for what? so the idiot minority can boo him off the pitch!
Well, we don’t need muppets like them at Molineux, we’re a massive club with a, largely, loyal support. Let the anti-McCarthy lot bog off down “The Hawthorns” if they want to continue watching Championship football next season.
UP THE WOLVES!!!
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Dare we start believing?? I think we can in all fairness…
Isn’t it a lovely feeling to know we are the brink of something very very special!
Young hungry players willing to fight to the death for their shirt…an owner and chairman who amidst a recession can pull a million pound shirt sponsor out of the air and while supporters lost their heads at the end of last season stuck by the manager who with a bit of luck will bring our first bit of silverware since the Sherpa van Trophy! (I dont count the trophy for the wonderful play off win!)
BAGZIE I start the conga..in the upper tier of the Steve Bull ….now wheres my bongo’s!( They probably wont let me in with bongo’s so my moobs will have to do!)
lets enjoy it people because next season is going to be a hard slog right to the bitter end!
E I E I EI EI O up the football league we go
when we get promoted this is what we sing
we are wanderers we are wanderers
Sylvan is the king!
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just proves how fickell some fans are i think most dont know much about football or are arm chair fans who dont even go to games or are boggie fans
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Let,s roar the lads to victory on saturday whoever play,s in the gold and black. Was at the molineux 7hours yesterday tapeing poster,s on to the seat,s. HOLD THEM UP AND SING OUR NEW ANTHEM WITH PRIDE.
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6.wolvesfcno1fan
I know JIWAL is a true fan, I’ve spoken to Charles Ross (ALOB) about him and the guy is a legend.
I also know that most of what Jiwal writes is tongue in cheek and said with some irony, however sometimes you just get sick of reading the same negative nonsense all the time.
Deep down, I know that Jiwal loves the fact we are in touching distance of the Billionaires playground, he just doesn’t know how to express it! My ‘Pah!’ reference, was in tribute to his excellent columns in ALOB which always make me smile.
So, Jiwal, if you are reading this, I was also trying my best to write with some irony when I talked about planet Jiwal!
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Love it. I bet the Mick and Andy haters are not man enough to admit there wrong.
Mick bought this team togehter, Mick has them playing an English style game with wingers, our history is all about wingers, Mick is GOD.
Micks Management of Keogh has been superb, he has stuck be him, risking a barracking from some morons, to be proved right yet again.
The knockers keep asking the questions and he keeps answering the questions.
I quote, “Mad Mick will be sacked by Xmas” “Mad Mick will not get us up”, “Mad Mick will trhow it away with his stubborn attitude”. Will you listen to the answer to your aquisations., I doubt it.
The latest question is, “Mick is not good enough to keep us in the prmeier”? We will see on that one. But my god he has the best cahnce of any manager at WOlves ever.
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Not an AK fan and always wanted ANY player that wears the Old N Black to do it on the pitch not in the media
Dont agree with boo boys (small minority) BUT players have to expect fans to not be pleased if they dont deliver (as MM said that the fans expect more from the likes of AK – which is why on one hand you get the boo boys (small minority) and also the AK appreciation society
AK played a blinder at Derby and rightfully deserves the praise BUT if he can be more consistant he will realise his potential BUT that is really down to AK to push on from his performance at Derby and not go backwards
It is absolutely fantastic to be in the position we are in now – with promotion on the horizon – and we all should enjoy the moment
BUT as a Wolves fan – we all have one eye on promotion celebrations and the other on the day after the party
Nathan mentioned MM having “half a football team” for the Championship – Guess what? MM again has about half a team now – but this time for the Premiership
As I have said before; We need about 6 min to 7 Prem Proven Players who can cope at that level/ standard – not “project players” that look good at a lesser level – A Premier spine of the team to “bolster/ strengthen” the team
This needs to be done BEFORE pre season starts – not during or after or even a “promisary note” from Moxey/ Morgan that come Jan window we will “go again” and bring in some fresh faces
The “Mol-nificent 7″ have to be brought in and allowed to gel with our “young and hungry” lads including the likes of Big Chris in time for the start of pre season and no later
Project players can be added – either loanees or good Championship players aswell
Very excited about promotion as every Wolves fan should be – with one eye on what we will do after the promotion party is over
Going Up in stylee at the Golden Palace – Ooooh Im sooo excited! ;-)
PS Nice touch Nathan re; ALOB – Well said!
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I have been a regular critic of Keogh all season and fair play he has come up with the goods when needed. One swallow will certainly make a good summer. Let’s all enjoy the last few games but let’s also not get carried away, we need a serious rebuild before next season. PS – can people please stop coming on here and calling fellow fans who express different opinions from their own ‘morons’ – it’s moronic.
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good blog nath as usual. it fills me with great pride as we enter my 38th consecutive year following the wolves but i must say the last 6 weeks have been the most exciting perhaps thats a memory thing cant wait for saturday and hopefully a party to end all parties,i just hope the stewards dont get over zealous and stop the party getting on to the pitch where can salute our heroes c-mon you wolves
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this is ridiculous. Wolves fans who support a player who is poor week in, week out, suddenly feel their blind support is vindicated by one match and two goals.. He is not good enough and one game doesn’t change a thing.
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oh sandwell town!!! are u listenin….. keep the trophy glistenin…..we’re coming in may….to take it away! walking in a wanderers wonderland!!!
the anthem for molineux on saturday! sing it loud and proud lads!!!
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Andy deserves praise for not just proving his doubters wrong, but not hiding when criticism of him reached breaking point. Well done and keep it going! Even if SEB is fit, I would keep Keogh & Vokesey in!
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a nice 1-0 win with a goal from KING KEOGH at molineux!!! PERFECT
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good honest blog … player of the season …the unsung kevin foley .
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I was at the 1949 cup final, I can’t afford to go to all matches nowadays, does that make me a armchair supporter? ONCE A WOLF ALWAYS A WOLF. Stop turning fan against fan. 2 & 10.
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Cheers Wolverhampton Wanderers!
Bring us to the promised land lads!
Up the WOLVES!!!!!!!!
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Izzy – What i have heard the anthem wont catch on. Its too long, people dont know the tune or the words!
Im not going to church to read off a hymn sheet, I will be at a football match!
Those was the days should be the anthem, watch out for a lot of paper airplanes!
Sorry just what I have have been told by friends! The principal and ideas are good but it needs to be something people already know
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Good blog fellow name sake!
Keogh has always been a tryer but lacks true quality. I did like when celebrating at derby his passion and you could see how much it meant to him and indeed big harewood who seemed very pumped up at the final whistle, hope we sign him.
Have you or any other wolves fans heard about a new song to be sung on the terraces, the ‘impossible dream’ to the theme of the honda advert with a few choice words changed? Or are my mates pulling my leg?
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Well done Andy, but one swallow does not make a summer !A little more consistancy is needed, and being played wide does not always help you.
Next season, will be interesting, yes we are better placed than we have ever been to cement a permament place in the premiership, but MM has shown this season, his lack of tactical nous and his reliance on a shift. The premiership will be a ‘ whole new ball game ‘ and while MM deserves his chance again – he must adapt to a completely different league and teams who have a lot of tactical savvy.
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Must admit I have been left with some egg on my face with regards to Andy Keogh but what a pleasant surprise. Do we risk SEB tomorrow especially as the stand in boys have done such a great job in his absence? I don’t know. I am still optimistic that the title will be ours but QPR are potentially dangerous all over the pitch as they proved against us in December although they don’t usually travel as well.
Still like to see Zele Ismail in a cameo against Doncaster with the title ours and if Doncaster are safe wouldn’t you peeps?
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Not sure about this new anthem. Isn’t an anthem supposed to be like Deliah at Stoke, short and memorable? The impossible dream takes about 3 minutes to sing! I’d like to be proven wrong but I can’t see it myself.
Loved reading another great blog. If you fancy a change for the prem, I’m available for a decent fee. I don’t know what Nathen charges, but I’ll undercut him!
I’m going 4-0 to Wolves with a Sylven hat trick, c’mon me babys!
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Regarding pre match anthems I always thought Spandau Ballet’s Gold would have been a good choice. It is a rousing track, and has fitting lyrics, your’e indestructible, always believing etc.
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Hi All
As you may be aware a group of WOlves fans have come up with a Terrace Anthem that will be played at Molineux tomorrow before QPR. THe lyrics will be available but here they are in advance for anyone attending the game.
The Impossible Dream – Andy Williams
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow,
To run where the brave dare not go,
To right the unrightable wrong,
To love pure and chaste from afar,
To try when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest,
To follow the Wolves,
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far,
To fight for the Wolves,
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into Hell,
For the Molineux cause!
And I know, if I’ll only be true,
To this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one team, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with their last ounce of courage
To reach our unreachable goal
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Guys,
Andy works his nuts off for the cause and as I have said before scoring goals has not been our problem this season. If some others played with the commitment and passion of Andy the title would have been in the bag weeks ago.
I for one will be taking the 3,600km trip to Perth to see my boys when they come to the land of sea, sand and shrimp and will willingly throw an extra shrimp on the barby and stand them all a cold one when they get here. To the morons who bag Andy week in week out you should think yourselves lucky you can go watch this great team perform week in week out. Where were you in the sad days of the Bhatti brothers and the dire Chorley affair?
Welcome back Wolves to the place they belong………the promised land!!!
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21 got to agree foley my player of the year by a mile
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Gutted I couldnt get tickets. Anybody reckon the party will carry on in town if we make it?
And if so, where?
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As a few of the posters have started to give their assessment of what will happen next season, I’ll share with you my thoughts on the current players and management staff.
1) Although Mick’s done a decent job to get us where we are and almost into the Premier league, I don’t think he will be good enough to keep us there. I think he’ll be comprehensively out thought by more astute managers. It pains me to say it because he’s a decent bloke and because I hope I’ll be proved wrong, but he’ll be gone by Christmas, sacked by a ruthless owner who will want to bring in a manager in time for the January transfer window.
2) Out of our current squad, the only players who are well equipped for the Prem and will comfortably make the step-up are SEB and Foley. Kightly has gone missing too many times this season and I don’t think will have quite the same impact against much better, world-class opposition. Ditto Jarvo, whose injuries have blighted an otherwise promising season. I just can’t see him keeping injury free for next season. As for the rest of them, squad players at best and many will go at the end of the season.
3) I can’t see Mick taking many foreign players, as I don’t think they would be able to understand his cliche-ridden instructions. He knows only one way to play, and it’s not conducive to the European-style of football plied by most.
4) I think we have a really decent set up with the training facilities and stadium (and plans to expand the ground too), so believe that we can attract some really good players either currently in the Prem or doing really well in the Championship. I think we’ll need almost an entirely new team and hope that all of the positive noises recently from Jez about spending big and admitting that we won’t do another season like 2003-4 will bring in fresh recruits from the beginning of pre-season. I’m not going to speculate on who they might be though, as I have too many players to list who I think would be good enough.
5) We will need to spend more than £50m wisely to stay up, so I hope the scouting system is as good as Mick tells us it is.
Finally, before you all jump up and slate me for my comments, I have always been positive and supportive in my posts this season and will always get behind the team and manager. Sometimes in business (and this is a business after all), you need to make some difficult decisions and I don’t think Morgan will shy away from any of them.
I remain committed and loyal and like all true fans crave the days of European football under floodlights at the Mol. But we’re a long way from that – hopefully Morgan has a 5 year plan that involves continued investment in the club as a whole – facilities, stadium, players, infrastructure, the lot.
Here’s dreaming!
Up the Wolves!
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about time people started being nice about keogh. its taken some a while to realise that while he may not always get the goals he works hard for the team & most importantly he is 1 OF OURS!!!!!
come on boys tomorrow – cant wait!!!
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qpr home = promotion
barnsly away = title
doncaster home = party + confirming wba gone from prem
any1 up 4 a conga saterday??????
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i stopped buying ALOB like many others when Charles started laying into the Haywards.
Absolute idiot in my view.
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Andy “Dec” Keogh has been worth his weight in Gold all season, I have never doubted him. Just hope it’s he who scores the goals that take us up and as Champions” Comon Wolves (& Ireland)
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Andy Keogh is a quality footballer who will probably do better in the Prem league than the frantic 100 mile an hour, kick and rush of the Championship. It will be interesting to see how we step it up in the top flight as the quality of passing and on touch football is of a different class. I am sure a lot of our players will adapt well prove their worth. We just need a few more experienced heads for some leadership. WELL DONE LADS.
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36. I would join you in the conga mate but the club have moved me to the steve bull lower tier!
Well I think Watford will get a draw tomorrow and we will win and expect a very passionate pitch invasion!
I am sorry lads but got to talk about possible transfers it is a great topic if we sign 5 players I would go for (bearing in mind we have players to come back from injurys):
Jason Scotland (swansea)
Joe Ledley (cardiff)
Roger Johnson (cardiff)
Sol Campbell (free)
Matt Derbyshire (Blackburn)
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21 – lwl – Agree, I ‘Penned’ Kevin onto my voting slip earlier this week.
34 – Vim Fuego – a lot of what you say makes sense.Steve Morgan is a business man and will make the difficult decisions, but I think he will give Mick a reasonable crack at it – the last twelve months have proved that.
One thing that does come through strongly, is that Mick has the respect and loyalty of the dressing room – that may not be enough in the Prem, but its a good start and something to build on.
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No 7 if you get on the wolves ticket website a few more tickets were put on sale this morning. After being relocated to the steve bull lower, i have now managed to get tickets back in the south bank row c, prime pitch invaision position!!
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Don’t invade the pitch.
Conga = yes
Pitch Invasion = no
Could lead to all sorts of problems!
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JUST CHECKED AGAIN ONLINE THERE ARE TICKETS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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whats this new anthem then???? looks a bit long winded to expect fans to keep all that going till the end!!! lets bring the liquidator back – at least it gets the blood flowing – can’t see this andy williams doing anything but sending everuone to sleep
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Hats off to number 22 for being at the 49 cup final and yes once a wolves fan always a wolves fan. I live and work abroad and sometimes can manage if lucky to get to maybe 3 games a season. But the cost of those 3 games far outweigh the cost of a season ticket so Dudley wolf me and you both Know what being a real fan means it comes from within.
As for the AK issue. I have not changed my opinion on him all season. He is still a real grafter and gets about the pitch causing problems for defenders. But in front of goal 9 times out of 10 he is like Bambi on Ice and goes to pieces, plain and simple. I would always have him in the side or at least on the bench but playing him would depend on how many goals he is going to supply because he will never be a top scorer
Champions here we come
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Some of the stuff on here is truly pathetic and childish at times. Must be the Easter holiday that’s responsible.
We have smug, self-appointed “we know best” Keogh lovers in the one corner and the equally passionate, so-called “Keogh haters” in the other. Come on, girls, stop fighting over your dollies, will ya? Everyone has an opinon and is entitled to express it, whether you lot like it or not. So, GROW UP.
Keogh’s excellent performance at Derby had nothing to do with wanting to ‘ram all that criticism’ down the throats of his detractors -it was simply about a young man finally taking his chance in fine style after MANY previous opportunities. It’s his job, and the best of luck to him. However, one swallow does NOT a summer make, so don’t get too carried away with gushing praise just yet. It’s consistency that counts, nothing else, but let’s hope we see it because Andy certainly has the potential. But that’s all it is at the moment: potential. He hasn’t deserved the flak he’s taken, but he doesn’t merit the God-like status some of you lot afford him, either. According to some, he’s the one who virtually propelled us to the Premiership single handedly last weekend. I think Big Chris, Sylvan, Foley, Kights, Jarvo, Jody, Stears -and a good few others- would have plenty to say about that. So, a sense of perspective needs to be taken here, children.
As for suggesting that it would be appropriate if Keogh were to score the winning goal(s) against QPR tomorrow, well, don’t make me laugh! Nobody but Sylvan Ebanks-Blake deserves that honour because he’s led the assault all season with distinction AND scored a netful of goals yet again.
Finally, Post 22 hit the nail on the head: not every fan can get to games for a variety of reasons. It could be the sheer cost involved (we’re in recession, remember?) or it could simply be age or infirmity. This doesn’t make them lesser fans than many of you smug lot. Furthermore, many attended games and kept this club alive while some of you were still wetting your nappies, so quit the patronising attitude, children. And I say that as a Season Ticket holder, before anyone asks. As The Real Dudley Wolf said, once a Wolf always a Wolf, and don’t forget it, children.
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Vim Fuego
Who died? Miserable beyond belief. Believe in the club or choose another to support.
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Once promotion is confirmed on Saturday we can sack Muppet Mick and get a proper manager in to sort us in the Prem.
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48 – I do believe in the club – I just don’t think our current manager and most of our players are good enough to prosper in the best league in the world.
It won’t stop me from supporting them though.
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Feel I must endorse the comments about ALOB. As an avid reader of almost anything, I have to say that ALOB is the best £2 read you are ever likely to come across. My only criticism is the size of the print; tempus fugit and all that. However, I do understand that there may be cost implications in using a larger font so I’ll just keep jiggering the varifocals.
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Bob Wolf…
I hope you don’t go to the games. Yes, sack Mick after his has succeeded with a 3 year plan which has resulted in promotion.
I thought we had irradicated the juvenile bile that some fans like you spout on here. Bob Wolf is more than likely Bob, the Man Utd fan who has never been to a football ground in his life.
Who would you bring in as manager? Zico, Pele, Maradona?
Is that what we need, a faceless manager to come in and rebuild the team? How long do you think it would take to gel a Premiership team?
Look at Man City who have spent £141 million on a new bunch of players.
What success has that brought them?
At least if you are going to come out with a ridiculous comment like that, explain yourself a little bit.
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Older readers will remember players running out to “i love to go a wandering along a mountain track and as i go ilove to sing a knapsack on my back up the wolves etc.Not untill this ditty is restored, will we be the force we were in the fifties.
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34 -awesome couple of programmes to pick your name from there ;) much better than spinal tap.
ANYWAY onto tranfers personally id like to see
sol campbell
a coouple from any number of man city players depending on who they clear out (micheal johnson, elano, ball ect.)
vela(loan)
nolan (if and when newcastle get relegated)
along with ryan taylor (aiming high i know but if you dont try you dont get)
i do think we should snap up harewood, a good squad player with the eperience we desperatly need to stay up.
id also like to see us sign a goal keeper, i like our current 3 but murray will probaly be injured, ikeme just laccks experience at any level and hennessey has had a pretty much hit and miss season adn if his confidence drops again we could be done for, what we need is an old goal keeper with 1 maybe 2 seasons left in him in which time we can blead through hennessey and ikeme, some one of the david james ilk. at a team going backwards and with no money.
i dont want us to sign ledley i dont see what he adds to our squad, on his day id argue jarvis is far better all he has to do is stay injury free. if we were an established side id say ok take the risk but at this stage we need proven performers not gambles.
that being said id pay 3m for kris boyd all day long. like seb if we keep up the supply he’l always score goals.
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“The three year plan that McCarthy and chief executive Jez Moxey set out in the summer of 2006 is ready to come to fruition”
Thank god we didn’t sack Mick like you said we should’ve done half way through last season eh, Nathan ?!?
Us so called “happy clappers” were the ones saying that chopping and changing doesn’t work. The boo boys just kept on moaning.
BOooooooooooooo to the boo boys.
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
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Trust someone to bring out a so-called theme song which is slow and much too long, it just won’t catch on, will it? -
But how about this one which you must all know as it was adapted for England’s 2006 World
Cup but I have changed the words, so sing aloud and see what you think! -
Tune = That’s Living Alright by Joe Fagin.- Original theme tune for tv programme ‘Auf Wiedersehen Pet’.
We’re heading back to the Prem
Not coming back down again
We’re the Wolves alright
(We’re the Wolves alright)
We’re the girls and the boys
And we’ll make plenty of noise
We’re the Wolves alright
(We’re the Wolves alright)
We wear gold and black
And we will always attack
We will not give up the fight
When we will the game
Then it’s Auf Wiedersehen
We’re the Wolves alright
And when we will the game
Then it’s Auf Wiedersehen
We’re the Wolves alright!!!
When promotion is finally confirmed the first 2 lines can change to…
Now we’re back in the Prem
Not going back down again ….
Good singing everybody!
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54 – Den Dennis – love your pseudonym too!
Not sure about Calamity James, but I do agree we’ll need a decent keeper in reserve if Hennesey gets the jitters. You might be right in looking towards Glasgow for some players – after all lots of Old Firm players want to play in the Premier and Wolves might be the right club where expectation is not quite so high as maybe it would be at more established sides.
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Hi Nathan, I always read your blog, and your optimism always makes me smile too:) I want success,promotion and everything else that comes with it for all Wolves fans, and especially for the ones such as you and Charles who always express true feelings with such ease and elegance.The pen is indeed mightier than the sword.I will be logging on for commentary at midnight tomorrow night, and believe me , I will be going “terrace mental” on my Brisbane patio just like anyone else. I have just booked my flight to Perth to be able to see the lads on July 10th, that’s a 5 1/2 plane trip from here.They don;t deserve fans like me eh? Seriously, may God always bless the best fans, the best bloggers, the best whingers and the best team in the world.Whatever happens, thanks Mick for the ride in 09, you proved me wrong and I apologise unresrvedly for bad judgement.
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Keogh is not a bad footballer. His problem is that he shirks tackles and will never be prolific in front of goal. I have said before that his ideal position due to skill and vision is behind a front two. This is something that we can ill afford due to the other midfielders/wingers.
I agree with some on here that although Sylvan has been brilliant, in terms of matches played and overall consistency Foley is the man. He will not get it however as goalscorers get the limelight!
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Sorry for the error in no.56!
Obviously should read… when we WIN the game!
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God help us Max…. another song far too long winded.
Forget the anthems, they never work anyway.
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(2).., The reason for the demand for extra seats on Saturday is simple.
There are thousands of pseudo MU fans defacing our city every day with their obnoxious red shirts.
They want to indulge themselves in a spot of gloryhunting for a day.
Sad people.
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47, last paragraph – well said.
Id just like to say, and you all know this, i had no doubt we would go up all season.
Thank you Mick.
p.s. no more long boring songs.
We shall not be moved is fine!
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For those fans who keep saying that Mick is not Tactically aware, please not the 3 different formations on Saturday. 442 start, 451 when we were under the cosh, made great subs and went 433 and pushed the attacking Wing backs forward.
Tactical genius, any other pathetic little arguments to come up with before you admit that the Mick knockers have got it wrong.
SUPER SUPER Mick
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Hi JIWAL
Hopefully you understand that I get your irony and I wasn’t simply having a pop!
I’ll never get close to the great writing that Charles does in ALOB, but I’m glad you enjoy the positive nature of my blog.
Last season I got embroiled too easily in the negativity that was surrounding Mick and the team and I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to stay optimistic in this season’s blogs.
Not difficult to do really considering the team have never stayed out of the top two.
If you do ever get across from Oz, let me know and I’ll buy you a pint! Enjoy the game and hopefully you can join in the conga in spirit.
Conga? Pah!
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I think the ‘Impossible Dream’ deserves a chance. OK – it’s a little long right now, but give it 6 months and it will be great to hear ringing around the Mol. Fast forward 40 years and it will be as big as You’ll Never Walk Alone. An anthem has to be slow and plodding and lead to a crescendo. Spine tingling stuff with 40,000 wolfies (if we get our increased stadium) singing their hearts out.
It’s much better to have your own identity than sing songs sung by every other team.
Go on YouTube and listen to it – it’s great!!!
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One performance in 45… if that’s enough to convince comment number 1, then you have a long season ahead of you next year. clown
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I’ve never posted my opinions on individual players and don’t ever intend to whilst they play for us.
I will, however, make a comment about all the Keogh comments.
Amazing how the butt of all jokes all season long has become king for a day for all the ‘ we always new he would come good’ merchants.
He is even being described as god by some!
Come off it lads, there is only one god at the Mol. and that is St. Mick
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52. cpt_wolves. wants justification on why we should be the first club to sack a manager who has got us promoted… i’d use his laughable season with sunderland as a start when he too kthem up as champions, and the fact that trying to constantly accomodated Ward, Keogh and Henry in the big league has all the potential to be embarassing.
It’s hilarious how last seasons failure suddenly is now a ’3 year plan’ in the eyes of some. Thankyou mick, you have reached your peak now jog on :-)
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I gave up buying ALOB because all the humour, the anecdotes and the history that made it interesting at the start, slowly got replaced by tiresome rants and whining – not least by wannabe managers who were enraged that the club wouldn’t follow their ‘instructions’ to sack the manager, spend £100m etc.
There’s plenty of that on here, too – but at least I’m not paying £2 for the privilege of ignoring it.
Nathan, at your suggestion, I’ll give it another go on Saturday. I just hope it has reverted since the last time. Cheers.
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wow even on the verge of our greatest hour still time for nathan (and others) to hurl abuse… tut tut
remember that 99% of posters on here vent cos they love the Wolves. It is no crime and we’ve had to endure a helluva lot.
fingers crossed, in 24 hours time we’ll all be singing in union
We are Wolves, We are Wolves, We are Wolves..
We are Wolves, We are Wolves, We are Wolves..
We are Wolves, We are Wolves, WE ARE WOLVES..
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67.Grey Wolf
Good on you. I think you’ll be surprised at just how well written it still is. Charles Ross editorial at the start is always a joy!
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71. Ad Mant
Who did I abuse again?
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46, NORSK WOLF. Thanks for that Norsk, Those were the days we had 55.000 at every match, NO seats in the South bank,7d to get in. (about 3.5p today)As a young lad we would be passed down to the front over everybody’s heads. including away fans, No segregation needed then,Everyone could afford to go,Real Fans No Moaners, Those days will never come back in todays climate on the terraces.Too much bitterness amongst our fans today, Still I’m sure that will change on Saturday, and yes, I will be there,But not for the last two games unfortunately. C’mon you WOLVES DO IT FOR BILLY!!
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Grey Wolf-
Could not agree more even in the offer of three copies for one the same old ramting-Like one or two on these bloggs.
“Now is the time for unity a full house manana will give the team that extra man-The new anthem I am not so sure but will give it a go ”
What happened to the “Liquidator” why have we not got it back ?.Really nothing wrong with it- some old fuddet duddy Police ChieF banned it, is that right ? Why ?. It was our call-sign now used by CHELSEA.
Tomorrow promises a big party- want all the players to do well and lets save our comments for when we know we are up.
Good Luck to all–Dream Looks near Complete-Crazey Dave
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jiwal good man for admitting your mistake ,vim fuego good article, 2-0 wwfc champions 2009
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JIWAL ?
anyways, apologies, honestly wasnt trying to stir – find it difficult to be anything but jovial at the minute… we’re all on the same side, everything to lok forward to and i was just a little shocked to still see bickering.
Roll on Saturday !!
COME ON YOU WOLVES !!
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No 65, Nathan. Do your comments suggest you are NOT going to Perth. Shame, I was looking forward to congratulate you personally for your thoughtful and articulate blogs this year. I’ll share a tinny with JIWAL for you.
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Keogh is actually a good finisher, when he has a shot.
Lately he’s been taking more of a risk and the fans can only applaud him when he has shots so whats he got to lose?
I hope he gets a hattrick against QPR tomorrow and fires us to the Prem!
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I’ll be getting my copy of ALOB before the game, thanks Nathan for reminding me it is still on sale!
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78.Gudja Wolf
If the Express and Star need someone to go out and cover the game, I would be more than happy to pop across for the games!
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congratulations to andy keogh on his two goals, unfortunately he is still well below the standards required, still he was brought for peanuts and we should make a few bob on him in the summer. come on you wolves!
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I’ve never wavered in my belief that we would do it – my only surprise is that we wern’t promoted weeks ago!
I bought my first season tickct this year, on the strength of our fire-power. Also had bet at 13:1 (£200 each way for auto) My only sadness is that when we were doing badly after Christmas, that I hadn’t got the dosh to do it again with auto and a stop up in the prem!!!
Mark my words, we are not going to fail to invest in a GK and Centre back like we did with Murray’s and Lescott’s injuries. Sort the spine again and we stay!!!
Another top Striker, Midfielder and Mancienne and we’re are done!
Yes – the anthem is too long but I’m sure we can find a verse or two to stick?
Dudley – can’t beat 1949 but I did got to my first mnatch in 1956 at the age of 10:-)
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I wonder who will score the most profitable goal in the history of Championship football? No pressure – just worth £60m!
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EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE JUMPING ON THE KEOGH BANDWAGGON!!!
I JUST THINK IT HAS BEEN A SQUAD EFFORT TO GET US WHERE WE ARE NOW NOT JUST TWO KEOGH GOALS AT DERBY,,WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 72 GOALS THAT HAVE BEEN SCORED??…WHAT IS NEEDED IN A TEAM IS “CONSISTENCY AND QUALITY”..IF WE HAVE THIS IN THE PREMIERSHIP THERE IS NO DOUBT WE WILL STAY UP.ITS THE KEY THING THAT IS NEEDED IN A SQUAD,,…THAT IS THE ONE THING KEOGH LACKS,,I DONT THINK ANY WOLVES FAN CAN HONESTLY SAY THEY KNOW WHAT KEOGH WILL DO IN A GAME OR WHAT HE WLL PRODUCE,,MICK MCCARTHY ALSO KNOWS THIS,,HE HAS REGULARLY PLAYED KEOGH UP FRONT,ON THE LEFT WING ON THE RIGHT WING ETC,,,
WHERE WITH THE LIKES OF SEB,IWELUMO,KIGHTLY,JARVO,JONAH,VOKES,FOLEY……ETC,,,YOU KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DO AND WHERE THEY PLAY AS THEY ALL HAVE NATURALL POSITIONS AND ARE CONSISTENT..THEN YOU HAVE UTILITY PLAYERS WHICH ARE LESS CONSISTENT AND HAVE LESS QUALITY,USED WHEN YOU HAVE FOR INJURYS,SUSPENTIONS ETC,,,WHICH KEOGH,WARDY,EDWARDS,FRIEND…ARE,,,,OBVIOUSLY IN THE PREMIERSHIP MORE QUALITY IS NEEDED FOR EXAMPLE BARCELONA HAVE SAMUEL ETOO AS THERE CONSITENT STRIKER AND GUD JOHSON AS A UTILITY PLAYER…
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57 – problem is most old firm players arent good enough, thats why theyre accross the border, infact apart from boyd theres not a player that springs to mind that id especially want. no doubt theres a couple if i actually stop to think about it but thinking bout scottish football is deperessing.
anyone else see the article in the daily mail today? said henry would e one to watch next season…..and maybe he’ prove me wrong, no doubtign his effort but alot like keogh most of the time its just not quite there.
i do think though that we stadn the best chance of staying up any team has had for years, signings permitting i can easily find 3 teams we should be better then, the other two promoted teams for a start, then theres west ham with a financial footing more than a lil wobbly they might be forced to sell HARD. then theres pompey, who are also skint and hull who personally i think will be the cannon fodder of the division. so for once the promoted teams really are in with a shout.
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i cant belive it
in 24 hours we could be a premier league team
3-0 to wolves seb,jarvo,AK
and we will be singing together
wolverhampton, wolverhampton wanderers
we’re by far the best team the world has ever seen
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46,74 Have to agree entirely gave up my season ticket after 25 years 3 years ago when i came to live in Malta.Been back to see two game this season at a cost that far outweighs that of a season ticket.Still miss and love the WOLVES listen to every game(Where possible on wolvesworld).Will be celebrating tonite with the MaltaWolves supporters club.So in responce to those people who call me an armchair supporter.ONCE A WOLVES FAN ALWAYS A WOLVES FAN,and u being there every game does not make you a better supporter than me.Come back to me when you have missed your brothers wedding reception to Fly to Sunderland,Or have hitchhiked to Fulham on new years day,I could go on but again all we crave for is a Wolves in the prem and winning trophies again.
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AGAIN Nath decent blog.
If slightly hypocritical where Keogh is concerned!!!
But well done to him for his 2 class finishes last week. personally I think he struggles when he has time to think about what he has to do.
For me goal of the the season was Illewemo’s 2nd at Sheff Utd, the volley, which was stunning after great work from Karl Henry.
Which for me was our best away perforance of the season.
SEB’s against Derby at home springs to mind when he beat half their team in the penalty box then slotted it also his finish against Blues was sublime.
Anyway here’s to a great day.
KTF
Wolves forever
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86. Grace
Where I said hypercritical in the 4th paragraph, I actually meant hypocritical. I’ve never been Keogh’s biggest fan, but hats off to him for the Derby game.
Enjoy the game today.
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player of the season any1
its got to be seb to b honest , but im voting 4 craddock becuse i know seb will win , but i would like 2 think jody could get in the top 3 hw much e cares about the teeem is amazing and he’s consistancy at the back is a magger reson y we r getting promoted.
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WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!! GET IN ME BABBIES!!!!
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I have been a Wolves fan since the very early 50′s. We have had good years and very bad years. So what does next season hold in store.
The thrill of a season in the Premiership. Definately !! However, whilst the current squad has a few players clearly capable of holding their own we really need a few more quality players.
The keepers are excelent, but we badly need players that can both create and take chances as well as players that can seal up the defence.
It’s being said that we have ~ 20 million available. That would undoubtably do the job, provided we can choose/attract the right players. However, this is the job of the management team. If they can get it right then we stand a chance of staying up. If not, well enough said.
I am sorry if this goes against the euphoriah of promotion. But in reality next season starts now. It is difficult to know precisely where to look for the right player. Certainly Stephen Hunt would be worthwhile considering, if Reading fail to clinch promotion. So too would Scotland from Swansea.
Well let’s hope that our management team gets it right and that this is the beginning of a new era for Wolves.
Remember that in the 50′s Wolves were the unquestionably the leading world team and that, as a result, Wolves were responsible for the creation of the Champions League (then the Eurpean Cup).
There is an old saying that every thing happens in cycles. If they can attract 3 class players then maybe this will be the start of a new cycle.
Promotion, bloody marvellous !!!!!!!!
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