Wolves Blog – Premier Priorities
Friday 28th August 2009, 9:10AM BST.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd ponders whether the League Cup is coming to a Big Brother-type end as focus shifts to the Premier League home game with Hull.
Big Brother, the reality TV show, is finally coming to an end next year because of plummeting viewing figures.
Hosted by Davina McCall, the show has foregone any pretence that it is a serious social experiment and in recent years has just become a glorious parody of itself.
Full of disillusioned cretins who find 15 minutes of fame by acting like morons, the one-time hit is now watched by less than two million viewers, which a quarter of the figure that watched the show back in 2000.
Nobody talks about Big Brother anymore. It has lost its appeal and relevancy with the general public.
The same could be said about the League Cup. Does anybody really give a monkey’s about this once fine competition?
Wolves have won the league cup twice, in 1974 and again in 1980. A year after our last triumph, the competition started attaching a succession of different sponsors to the name of the cup, from the Milk Marketing Board, Littlewoods, Rumbelows, Coca-Cola, Worthington and most recently Carling from 2003.
Along with France, we are the only country in Europe that offers a place into the Europa League through a second cup competition. So, if it is still a viable route into Europe, why do Premier League teams in particular treat the competition with so much distain and contempt?
To achieve a top four finish in the Premier League is now deemed much more important than winning a trophy that is seen by the league’s elite as ‘Mickey Mouse.’
Although Tuesday night’s woeful game gave Mick McCarthy the opportunity to give a run out to some fringe players, you could almost sense the apathy in which those players approached the game.
Apart from my namesake that is, debutant Nathaniel Mendez-Liang, who tackled the game with the right attitude which at least gave the half-empty Molineux crowd something to cheer about.
So, like Big Brother, the League Cup has dwindling viewers and is no longer taken seriously by the majority of its participants. Isn’t it time the competition was permanently evicted?
Three league and one cup game may not be enough to start accessing how Wolves will shape up the rest of the campaign, but it does give us an idea into where the potential weaknesses are in the team.
Tuesday night’s yawn-fest should have helped us understand if there is any potential beyond the players we have seen play against West Ham, Wigan and Manchester City so far in the Premier.
I have already mentioned rightful Man of the Match Nathaniel, who may one day turn out to be a first team star, but he will probably be soon going out on loan to continue his development.
Only the Guadeloupian giant, Ronald Zubar, offered any other real glimpses that he may soon be challenging Jody Craddock or even Michael Mancienne for a first team spot.
I mentioned in a previous blog that I watched Ronald at the MK Dons friendly and was impressed by his aerial and tackling abilities.
OK, the opposition may have only been the MK Dons, but you could tell that he has the potential to make it in the top-flight. He may turn out to be a wise investment for Mick, but I still doubt that the purchase of Christophe Berra will go the same way.
Berra looks like he could do with a stay at the ‘Andy Reid’ health club, to lose a couple of pounds and sharpen up.
So Tuesday’s game told us nothing we didn’t really already know. We desperately need the return of a fit and healthy Michael Kightly to give us some penetration down the right and we lack any real depth, when you look beyond the Premier League starting 11.
On a lighter note, my brother Ryan is getting married today and, because he is an understanding type of bloke, he isn’t having his big day on the usual August Saturday, so importantly I don’t miss the game at Molineux!
I don’t think my other-half was overly impressed that I wanted to race back from my best man duties for the sake of a football game, but I did try and explain that we are playing Hull and that it’s a six pointer. I emphasized that the Tigers are a team that are likely to be challenging Wolves in the end of season relegation battle, but this fell on dear ears!
Hull have some very gifted creative players in Geovanni and Kamel Ghilas, who looked very impressive against Bolton on Saturday. But in Phil Brown they have a narcissistic, orange-headed manager who believes in motivating his team with a post-match dressing down on the pitch!
Both teams have one win from their opening three games and even at this ridiculously early point of the season it’s probably a must win game for Wolves.
Without wanting to plagiarize Martin Swain’s views on Wolves’ Premier League task, league games can be split into three main categories.
There are those games against the power teams of the league – Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and probably Manchester City – where any points picked up home or away will be seen as a bonus.
Then there is the middle raft of teams like Fulham, Tottenham, Villa, Everton and West Ham who will hope to be challenging for a Europa League spot. We should expect to get a few points at home against this standard of team and hopefully pick up the odd draw or even an away win.
Finally there are the last group of teams – Sunderland, Burnley, Birmingham, Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Portsmouth, Hull and Stoke.
If we are to survive our first season back amongst the big boys, then it is imperative that we beat the majority of these teams at Molineux and, as we did with Wigan, pick up points away from home as well.
It’ll be nice to see Seyi Olofinjana back at Molineux for Hull and I hope he gets a warm welcome from the Wolves crowd. I know George was a fantastic bloke and a real gent, but I never thought he reached his true potential in a Wolves shirt.
But, as with Joleon Lescott’s move to Man City, Seyi has helped swell the Wolves coffers after the club made a healthy profit with his transfer to Stoke.
We have yet to score a league goal at Molineux this season, but I am sure that this will change on Saturday and we will win what will probably be a tight contest.
I would expect Kevin Doyle and George Elokobi to come into the team on Saturday and it will be interesting to see how Mick shuffles the pack.
With Greg Halford and Stephen Ward still carrying knocks, you would expect that they will be the obvious candidates to make way.
Have a great weekend. Up the Wolves!
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Would not put Sunderland in the same category as the others in that group. They have moved up a stage with all of their new signings
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‘Nobody talks about Big Brother anymore. It has lost its appeal and relevancy with the general public’.
So you talked about that tripe in a blog about the Wolves!
Sack the blogger.
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It’s our best chance of Europe in the next 5 years. Everyone goes on about what a great history we have and remembers those 2 League Cup triumphs with great fondness, just because not everyone takes it seriously doesn’t mean we have too. Aren’t we the team that pioneered floodlit games against European opposition? Doesn’t anybody want that again?
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I disagree about the carling Cup being irrelevant. Its important for football as a whole as it gives more chances for clubs like Swindon, Rotherham etc to take a scalp; it also gives fringe/ young players the chance to take part in a game that’s more competitive than a friendly or reserve team fixture; it does give a route to Europe; it’s a chance for spectators that can’t get tickets for the prem games to get a look in; it’s more money in the bank for the club from spectators; as teams progress they will come up against better class opposition and will get to feel the greater stress of a cup game, they may even get to feel the Wembley stress. Mick will have learnt something from Tuesday – he will definately know now that very few of his squad outside the first 13 or 14 can step up and any quality; he weill use that performance to argue for a couple of last minute signings before tuesdays deadline.
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Whilst I agree that the emphasis on the ‘League Cup’ as it’s still known as in pubs and around the place, has shifted, I think it’s a tad disparaging to clubs like Swindon or any team from the lower leagues. These guys put their best teams out, play their hearts out because for many of them it’s one of the best opportunities for them to make a few bob, make a name for themselves and boost their reputation and a bit of what football is all about…. taste a bit of glory.
I remember when Wolves were in the ‘lower’ divisions and we saw all of those games as real opportunities to be a giant killer, and get the turnstiles ticking, to host a ‘big’ club. It was rare that we saw and indeed I’ll bet Swindon or any of the Div 1 &2 teams think, that the Carling Cup is a waste of time.
I agree that the press and media in general have helped in lowering the tone of this competetion and sure attendances are low, but I’m not sure that the 11 Wolves players who got a good opportunity to show what they’re about, thought it was a waste of time either.
Indeed, Merlin stated before hand that it was a great opportunity for these guys to force their way into the 1st team. Playing in front of 11,500 people in the Molineux Stadium under floodlights, has got to be better than playing in front of 500 people at Compton or wherever the Reserves happen to be turning out.
I understand the Premier League has to be a priority but let’s not lose the run of ourselves when we have an opportunity to give young players a chance to progress, when we can make a few hundred thousand in turnstile receipts and TV money if we can win and keep winning and add more success to the club.
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I share your disliking for the self loving, perma- tanned Brown. But it was at half time that he decided to humiliate his team with a public dressing down on the pitch, not post match as you stated.
An act that many feel led to the dramatic loss of form, which so nearly led to his clubs relegation.
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The league cup has gone down hill because of the format of the competition. You have all the rubbish with seeded teams cant play other seeded teams. All the rubbish about north and south divide in the first round and Premiership teams in europe not playing until the 3rd round. As the draw arrives you know that your team is always going to get picked against a average team 2 leagues below.
BORING.
The FA cup on the other hand is much more exciting. All draws are completly random so anyone can play anyone home or away and then there is the 3rd round where all championship and premiership clubs are thrown in the mix regardless of there europe status.
You can get premiership clashes or the classic non league team full of bricklayers and postmen giving the Champions a run for there money.
The lack of interest in UEFA cup caused by channel 5′s poor coverage for the past few years haven’t helped either. No-one cares about the UEFA cup slot because no-one care about the UEFA cup and that is an undeniable fact Villa fans.
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2.sensible wolf its called an analogy you idiot. the blogger is comparing the demise of the league cup to that of big brother. wolves 2 hull 0.
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This has been the worst blog by you, ever!
Scrap the league cup??? Don’t talk rubbish. I am from an generation that never seen any cup wins, but I have seen them on my dad’s videos. They looked great days. Tuesday game was always going to contain non first team players to give them vital game time. Its a half fit team against fully fit and up for it lower league team. Wolves reserves with no match time are always going to look poor!
What I do not understand with these games is the amount of kids (not young children with their parents, teenagers out with thier mates) and local scum that come because its cheap. They moan all the time and BOO!! Sorry but booing a RESERVE team, just shows the IQ of these people.
Also the crowd always was 9,000. Where was everyone??? If we get the scum or a big 4 team at home next round all the season ticket holders will be there. If we got to a final everyone would want a day out!
On a random note to finish – The dream team star man according to another paper was wait for it……NEIL COLLINS!!! Obviously they wasn’t watching the same game as me!
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Anyone he ‘Arry Rednapps comment that if West Ham and Millwall get drawn in the cup again the draw should be void!!! What an idiot!! A draw is meant to be random and fair!!!
In my opinion I think Wolves should have a home every round against a non top half Prem team! That will be fair too! What a moron!
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I was at the 74 & 80 League Cup finals and I’d love to be at the 2010 one.
Winning is a good habit to have.
Who proof reads this stuff?
“Fell on dear ears” was that on the stag do?
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You can’t tell your side (whom most are fighting for a place in the first team) to go out there and not try on the morning of the 3rd or 4th round of the League Cup. Come on blogger, be more logical please and think of the fans who are paying money especially the families with kids (our future fans)
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Ahhhh i love the fact you love your brothers ears!!!
Pardon? what? sorry cant hear you.
League Cup?
Well i think its an individual opinion, maybe a change of format, i wouldnt be keen on ditching the competition. Its probably an easier competition to be involved in if you are in the prem but not involved in Europe. you only play 38 games so the Cups do become a viable means to success, so if i was a Wolves fan i would be looking at the cup competitions with a big smile and a little bit of expectation.
Nice blog. Although saying that, your blogs are so long after the E+S have edited yours, my blog goes on about lunch time!!!!
All the best for tomorrow, im off to Sheffield with big Pete. i think Hull will be better this season than many are predicting.
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MM @ Villa Park last night watching that donkey come off the bench for vienna.
Tuncay & Huth for stoke, campbell to notts county
Player we should have been in for.
MM Wants to copy stoke does he well we should have been in for tuncay.
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I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHY I AM EVEN GIVING YOU THE TIME OF DAY NATHAN PUT PLEASE PLEASE STOP YOUR RAMBLINGS YOU ARE TALKING WITH SUCH CONVICTION ABOUT THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.
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Nathan whoever gave you the stage to be a “blogger” should take a long hard look at themselves and their ability to make measured judgements. To be quite frank your self indulgent,narrow minded diatribe,is most unwelcome do us all a favour and unplug your PC.
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Doyle and Elokobi in for the weekend please Mick, with Ward on the left if fit and Jarvis on the right, Henry and Edwards in the middle.
We need to get into Hull early and put the game to bed before our leaky defence can mess it up.
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Good blog Nathan. Enjoyed reading it, as I always do.
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Tommorow’s game is a MUST win! We have to beat teams like Hull at home, which is why I fear we’ll bottle it. I hope I’m proved wrong.
I think the result tommorow will give us a true idea of where we are, with respect to how good a team we have. I’m expecting Milijas to deliver as so far he’s been ‘over hyped’.
I think we should have signed Hunt from Reading. We need a couple of quality additions. Not Maerhoffer or whatever he’s called.
3 points on sat please Mick!
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HI NATH…LMAO I SEE YOU GOT SOME OF YOUR FAN CLUB WITH YOU TODAY..TAKE NO NOTICE MATE, MUPPETS!.
CARLING CUP..WASTE OF TIME, SHOULD PUT IT OUT OF IT’S MISERY AT THE END OF THIS SEASON.
I THINK WOLVES ARE DOING OK SO FAR, BUT WE DO NEED TO IMPROVE THE SQUAD. I’M SORRY BUT I MUST ADMIT, I DON’T THINK OUR CURRENT SQUAD IS GOOD ENOUGH TO KEEP US UP. I’LL SAY NO MORE ABOUT THAT, AS THAT’S JUST MY OPINION.
I EXPECT TOMORROWS GAME TO BE A VERY CLOSE AFFAIR, DON’T FOR ONE SECOND THINK HULL WILL BE EASY. THEY PROBABLY THINK WE’RE ONE OF THE EASIER TEAMS TO GET 3 POINTS OFF. YES WE NEED A WIN TOMORROW DESPERATELY, AND I’M PRAYING THE BOYS CAN PULL IT OFF.
ENJOY THE GAME FOLKS…BARMY ARMY!!
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Good to hear someone say Chris Berra isn’t going to cut the mustard. After a protracted affair of will he, won’t he come to Wolves I was expecting a smidgeon of talent, but from what I’ve seen even the hoofing dep’t is beyond him. We can unearth some gems, but who decided he was worth 2.5 mill. He needs to lose weight & get fit (remember Paul Butler astonished us with his trim physique in the premiership). The lad frankly can go on the transfer list, I’d rather keep Collins. Here’s hoping we our other centre halves stay fit.
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17, Bob
We’ve conceded 3 goals in 3 Prem and 1 Cup game. That’s not bad at all.
The worry is at the other end where our best strike force is (almost literally) only just limping back.
For me, we need to persist with Milijas in the middle. He’s got shooting boots.
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Sides like us need this competition for two reasons:-
i) The only trophy that we have a chance of winning. The Portsmouth one aside, the FA Cup will be won by one of the big four.
ii) The second string players have to play in a proper match rather than reserve fixtures – where clubs through in youth team players.
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Criticism is a bit harsh today. I know I normally disagree with Nathan (and I do even with today’s blog) but it has opened up debate as to whether the league cup should remain, maybe it needs a change in image??
Also Nathan, the Scottish League cup carries a European place, so you do have 1 fact wrong there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway……….
Unfortunatly the league cup has lost its appeal to most clubs, I do disagree with Nathan that it shouldn’t be axed, but I do know of people who would argue that it should, its opinion.
As we all know, it won’t be axed and we will have this debate in many more years to come I suspect.
As for the team tomorrow, we need to get into them from the word go, do what we did to Wigan and in some parts to West Ham and be up and at them from the 1st second. Can’t believe it but I even agree with Bob Wolf that we know we tire towards the end of the first half doing this, so we must make possession and chances count before we see the normal slump of the first half.
Agree with above post too, Sunderland are not in our group, they have a good squad of players and are a team we can beat, but would be no different to West Ham’s etc.
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If wolves can win the game on saturday which there is a good chance we will do with doyle and maybe ebanks blake fit.. who wouldnt be happy with 6 out of a possible 12 points and more importantly beating teams that will be around us come end of the season. stefan maierhofor could offer an alternative come twenty minutes from the end of a game, and an aerial threat with halfords long throws being chucked into the mix.
3 points needed on saturday!
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If you take away the League cup, we haven’t won a major competition for 50 YEARS! And you want to SCRAP IT?
The Leage Cup and the FA Cup are the only prizes we have a hope of ever winning again (unless you count the championship…).
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Talking of fame hungry morons, Jez has been very quiet of late. (Only joking! :) ) I’m sure he’ll be all over SSN, Talksport, 5live etc in the coming days with the window closing though!
Hoping for a win tomorrow, but it’s also so important not lose against the likes of Hull who will be down there with us. So Mick’s selection/formation etc will be interesting. Think we’ll see 4-4-2 with us flying out the traps and having a go at them for the first 10-15 mins, then it developing in to a bit of a game of chess and with mick having to tinker with the system if they go 4-5-1.
Team i’d go with tomorrow would be………
Hennessey
Stearman
Craddock
Mancienne
Elokobi
Halford
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis
Keogh
Doyle
The personnel there would give us the opportunity to tighten up and go 4-5-1 if the game situation made it necessary.
Come on me babbies!!!!
UTW
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I would like to win anything personally look at the celebrations after last year it’s about winning.
I’m with SOUTH BANK BARMY ARMY with the news Stoke City who seem to have moved onwards since Jez Moxey left have just purchased real experience and quality. I think we are going to give it a good effort but i can’t see us surviving. I’ll be there though tomorrow shouting and cheering hoping good luck boys
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League cup is important as it offers the hope of a final…my kids still talk about Cardiff (a final of sorts..!).
The next few days will shape our season, not particularly with who we may or not sign but the business completed by others. The likes of sunderland have bought well to place them way above us, now Stoke are flexing their muscles, off the pitch as well as on it. Injuries will cricify us this season if we don’t have half decent replacements…need a CMD soon.
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league cup is important…my kids love seeing the wolves win things..last year/cardiff, even the wolves kids abroad…just think of a win at Wembley?
The next few days may define our season, not who we buy but who other teams manage to acquire. Sunderlans have bought well to take them away from us and Stoke are flexing their muscles, this time off the pitch. Need a CMD soon of experience.
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lee post (27)
spot on with team selection (maybe zubair for crads?)
I can’t believe people on here are saying that Milijas hasn’t performed, he has been one of our best players so far! i will admit his match fitness needs to improve, but his shooting boots are spot one, and his dead ball delievery is good (note the only goal we have scored in league!)
2-0 to the wolves!
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I think the squad is very thin on the ground and we dont have the prem experience we were promised. Why were we not in for Tuncay, Stephen Hunt etc early on. I don’t rate Berra he is like a lump of wood and I haven’t thought much of Halford yet. We are basically relying on the squad that got us promoted.
Elokobi has to play as first choice left back and hopefully we can get some goals with Doyle and SEB. But if Steve Morgan intends to give the team a chance we must get more cover before the window shuts. So splash some cash before it is too late.
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As a fellow blogger i feel the need to put a few of you straight on a few points regarding nathan and his blogs.
Firstly the work he does is completely unpaid, yes he does it for nothing and has committed himself to spending his own time each week to give you guys something to discuss.
Secondly, writing the blog each week isnt always easy to do, especially after a particularly poor result when all you want ot do is bury your head in the sand for a couple of days.
I accept we all have different opinions and thats what this format of blog is all about, but to then slate the very person that provides the platform for your opinions is somewhat baffling.
Nathan is passionate about his football and Wolves through and through, i have found some of the comments today a little overboard.
Albion fans look on your pages and laugh at the way your fans treat each other. I have always put it down to passion, but today I actually feel even more proud than usual to be an Albion fan, and feel sorry for the decent Wolves fans being tarred with the same brush as some of the idiots on here.
Rant over.
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You must be joking about scrapping the League Cup! We have been in the final the last 2 seasons and its a great day out – even better when you win (Ha Ha Chelski!) I bet many Wolves fans would like a day out at Wembley in a major cup final.
Looking forward to when Spurs take 6 points off Wolves this season!!!
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Having written for ALOB for almost 150 issues now, and, having grown a very thick skin, I applaud, commend and enjoy everyone of your blogs. I think you are spot on, and like everyone else, you deserve to have your opinion aired. To be honest, to the majority who don;t agree with me, I don;t really give a damn. I’ll say what I think, and no-one, (apart from those pathetic charlatans on Molineux Mix), will ever stop me. Ban Molineux Mix and its inane rabble, but long live Nathan’s blog.
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Wbabomber.
Arrr sticking up for your fellow blogger, how considerate and honourable of you. My faith in humanity has been restored, opposing fans united by electronic bloggertry, touching.
Or maybe your both as sad as each other! Either way, im responding so i am definately sadder!
4-0 Wolves
Barmy Army
Ps, Is ther such a word as ‘bloggertry’ or am I the first??
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33. fair points well made but there are those on each site, including yours that are critical. It is called having an opinion.
34. School gates just being polished to welcome you back in…?
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Jiwal, no offence, I read ALOB and buy one every issue, but your blogs say the same dribble each month!
you complain always over the same things and never offer solutions to your points.
You say you don’t care, so why say it? I don’t care what Albion fans think of Wolves, but then I don’t go typing it on the Albion message boards or even mention it on our own to there comments, it defeats the point!
Jiwal, you are 1 person who has actually been criticized more than anyone on every Wolves message boards, fanzine etc that I know. Mol Mix was right to ban you, as should ALOB, you don’t ever make valid points, I can re-write your article in the last ALOB from last season if you like?? where we needed just 1 point and you still decided to say we would blow it and sack mick, and why did you come to this conclusion??? cause of 2001/02!! Nothing to do with the current squad, cause you wanted a moan instead of praise!
You were once very interesting and enlightening to read, but Jiwal your simply boring these days, you dont offer any difference to your ramblings or make any sense.
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When I was a kid I had to miss Wolves v Spurs FA Cup Semi final in 1981 because of a family wedding. I even had a ticket. I’m still upset about it so credit to your brother for doing the decent thing.
Simon :)
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Tomorrow is the second of about 14 cup finals we have to play this season.Like others I am concerned that we have not done enough in the transfer market, but would love to be proved wrong.Best of luck to Mick and the lads tomorrow.
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Always found JIWAL’s articles quite funny, never agreed with them or let them get me down, they are just entertaining.
Anyways, the League Cup isn’t the most attractive thing when you’re striving to get out of the division from hell and constantly playing Sat/Tue/Sat/Tue but take it away this year and our next mid-week game isn’t until December! I think we can afford a good cup run, even if we’re fielding a weaker side we can still make progress this season
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If you think the ‘big boys’ don’t care about the Carling Cup you might like to look at the list of recent winners!
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I read most blogs but dont comment, but on this occassion i’m thinking who else would do this! i think nathan does an extremely good job each week, he really has told his life story in the past and the way he feels about football in general,so why is it such a problem for some.
I’ll support a true supporter, well done Nathan up the wolves.
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Can I echo 43.Wednesbury1′s comments? At least Nathan has an opinion and isn’t just playing it safe by saying Mick is a god and Wolves are the greatest. Lad’s like Wolves Ay I want to get a grip.
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Dublin Wolves sound like a MOl Mix mod !! Whatever happened to democracy. I suppose you are part of teh clique that is that pathetic site.Long Live The Wolf , Teamtalk etc… down with Mol Mix…close it down !!!
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