Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves tipped to be bigger than Villa
Friday 10th July 2009, 11:29AM BST.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has been described as the man to lead Wolves back into Europe and make them “bigger than Villa.”
The source of the bold statement believes the Molineux chief is so good his team can do it at a fraction of the cost of the big boys.
Manager Dave Mitchell, whose Perth Glory outfit were Wolves’ opening friendly opponents today, believes his opposite number is a first class manager.
The former striker knows first hand, he was signed by McCarthy at Millwall in the 1990′s.
He said: “Mick is a very ambitious manager, he and the club can both ride on the crest of a wave.
“Whether they could ever break into the top four of the Premier League I’m not sure, but if you take the top eight, I think Wolves are in there in their own right.
“People talk about Aston Villa being a massive club and they’re bigger than Wolves at the minute, but I think Wolves have the potential to be bigger.
“First and foremost, they’ve got to establish themselves in the Premier League, then become the biggest club in the Midlands by challenging in that top eight – where you can be involved in Europe.
“It’s possible because Fulham have done it and that’s where you want to go.”
Mitchell believes McCarthy’s superb scouting network and his ability to get the best out of his signings will continue to enable Wolves to pick up future stars at bargain prices.
The Perth Glory boss said: “There’s an enormous amount of money in the game, but Mick has a great network of invaluable people he relies on and trusts.
“That is so important for the club. If they were to challenge, I don’t think the club would have to spend the millions the bigger clubs do.
“You can’t do on a shoestring, but you can do it at a reasonable cost. Mick’s forte is probably getting the best out of players that other people can’t.
“What was great about him and Ian Evans was the way they taught you. They got on the training ground and really tried to make better players.”
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
Anyone know what time the friendly kicks off? in our time?
Report abuse
but surely we will never be as big as the mighty Albion.lol
Report abuse
Get a grip, i don’t think we’ll be bigger than Villa. Villa sell 40,000 a week. Are in Europe. And should of qualified for the Champs League. We struggle to make 22,000 season tickets? Not having a pop, just stating the truth……
The potential is there, yes. But under Mick n his Premiership track record? I don’t know?
Report abuse
positive comments but in all reality I think we will finish 15th, which would be a remarkable achievement. I think the 3 M’s have the right idea buying young talented players who will improve and I think Mick has improved every player he has brought in. I do think if all goes accordingly we could be as big as Villa. I feel Villa will finish mid-table next season and hopefully we can start to plug the gap this season.
Report abuse
Bigger than Villa?
Apart from the European Cup win,I thought they already were.
Wolves were the pioneers of European football & if the European Cup was around when they were playing the likes of Honved,then surely that would have been on the long list of Honours!
Report abuse
1 – 12:30 our time
Report abuse
12.30pm
Report abuse
You do realise we’ve been the biggest team in the midlands for the last 135 years?
I like wolves and all, but this is the funniest thing I’ve read all day.
Report abuse
1. 12:30 i.e. about 15 minutes time, teams are on the official site. Wolvesmod why are you always so negative? The article doesn’t state that Wolves are bigger than Villa just that we have the potential to BECOME bigger. These things are cyclical, were Villa bigger than Wolves when they were in the 3rd division in the late sixties? We all know that Villa are bigger than us at the moment, but it is something to aspire to and achievable, unlike being able to break into the top 4 which clearly is not at the moment.
Report abuse
Villa fans are too cocky and shoot themselves in the foot too often, Wolves will one again be the biggest team in the midlands.
Report abuse
are you lot having a laugh ??? Mick Mcarthy has already had numerous tries at the premiership and he cant hack it. I like Wolves and do believe you belong in the top flight (I remember the 70′s / 80′s) but I doubt you will ever be as big as villa, just like i doubt villa can ever win the league again, unless new rules about finance / wages etc come into play.
Report abuse
5. Kent Wolf….
I think he means in todays modern day football….
That’s the trouble with a lot of wolves fans… They are still living in the past, unfortunately.
Report abuse
Tarj, Villa? for the last 135 yrs? Don’t think so mate. Only ever since out decline were you the bigger club, keeping the seat warm so to speak.
Report abuse
8) Tarj get in the real world. Most of your honours were pre 1900′s. We were miles bigger than you or any other team in the 50′s. Early 70′s we were top 6 every season and losing UEFA cup winners – you were 3rd division.
Yes you have been the bigger team for the last 20 years but be very concerned with what is going on at Vile Park. Last year’s Moscow debacle and this year’s form … shocking.
The gap is closing. Up the Wolves!
Report abuse
“Those were the days,my friend…..
I’ve been on the “Old Mol” with crowds of 40,000+
I was also @Webley for the Sherpa van when Wolves took over 50,000
The fanbase for Wolves is also not shared with Brum & the Bogies.
But what you also have to remember when spending money willy nilly,what happened to Leeds…lol
European football in the near future?
A dream,but a possibility,given the quality of the current squad!
Report abuse
Well said Dave Mitchell. Wolves were bigger than Aston Villa in the 50s, 60s and 70s, when Villa spent a fair amount of time in the third division. Villa’s capitulation last season was laughable after supposedly going to take Arsenal’s champions league place. Then their best player joined Man City to further his career. They’re going backwards and we have every chance.
Report abuse
Wolves 1-0 SEB 2 mins..my mate there he just texted me.. :-)
Report abuse
1 – 0
Ebanks-Blake!
Report abuse
I have always liked and respected Wolves, however this bloke is living on another planet! Obviously Wolves are bigger than West Brom and Small Heath Alliance, but you are about as close to us as we are to Man United!
You should concentrate on survival next season and then hopefully consolidating in the Premiership rather than being pre-occupied with Villa.
Report abuse
Wolves 1-0 up against Perth Glory, after a minute.
Sylvan Ebanks-BLAKE.
Report abuse
Wolvesmod
What makes you an authority on the modern game.
It seems to me that you want to forget about our great history because you’re probabley too young to have an informed opinion about it.
I.E. You would’nt know what you’d be talking about, a bit like you don’t when you talk about ‘the modern game’
Report abuse
1-0 Wolves Super SEB!
Report abuse
Proof of the Pudding and all that!!
We still need a decent striker to back up the two up front. We still need another quality midfielder and another quality winger (Duff would be good). Then the job is done. Until I think we are some way off and becoming too arrogant possibly.. :-)
Report abuse