Let’s savour it while we can

Wednesday 25th November 2009, 8:12AM GMT.

In the aftermath of another classy Albion victory and another worrying reversal for our near neighbours from Staffordshire, I wonder how many Baggies fans would want our respective clubs to swap places with each other at the moment, writes Albion’s Sporting Star columnist Neil Whitehouse.

Now don’t get me wrong, I wish we were still plying our trade in the top flight but there comes a point when you want to see your team win some football matches and our 10 wins from 17 league games have been great to watch.

By contrast, we have never won more than the eight Premier League games that we won last season so let’s savour every one of our victories this term in the knowledge that we know more than any set of fans know how tough it is ‘up there.’

I say this because you sense that the novelty of being in the Premier League has already worn off for a good proportion of Wolves fans on the back of spending £48 to watch Chelsea’s millionaires enjoying themselves at your team’s expense.

With last night’s Express & Star already comparing how the bottom of the table looks with previous seasons, it brought back memories of our own struggle this time last year to accumulate points in the period before Christmas when despite putting in one or two decent performances, we found ourselves in a run of games where victories or even draws were so very hard to come by. So let’s enjoy the respite from that and hope we can see a continuation of our current form to take us into the festive period.

A few weeks back, I was amongst a good number of fans that were concerned that our strikers were not scoring enough goals and whilst I would still like to see us adding another forward to our squad between now and the end of January, you have to say that the current system and line up is proving to be so successful that perhaps we are going to see numerous players finish with a dozen goals each rather than relying on one or two players to reach the twenty mark.

Simon Cox is starting to show the benefit of an extended run in the side where his workrate has been impressive topped off by his goals in each of the last two home games. But for me and I never thought I would say this, in terms of workrate, I have been equally impressed with Luke Moore’s contribution.

He may not be scoring as many goals as he would have wished, but there are definite signs that he is coming to terms with what is expected from him in leading the line.

His first touch is good and his link up play is improving and maybe he is proving to be part of the reason why the likes of Jerome Thomas, Chris Brunt and Simon Cox are finding the space and time to score their goals.

I am sure there are those fans that are still to be convinced he is a long term solution but at the moment, let’s acknowledge his role in the side and hope that Robert Di Matteo continues to develop him to become the player his undoubted talent could allow.


  1. 1
    Fox in a Box

    On June 1st this year GB Yead, spouted these following quotes, he was not alone at the time and this was the typical Wolves fan view.

    “We are a bigger and more famous club, better equipped for the Prem (in every department)”

    “Our promoted side is better (and improving) than your promoted side before signings.”

    “Our style of play is more effective for a lower half premier side (set pieces, play on the break, speed, energy, athleticism).”

    “Your “romantic” style of play made you finish a “romantic” bottom of the league. A poor man’s Arsenal that will be muscled out of it in the Championship.”

    “We are New Wolves. The Sir Jack era left us with a ground and nothing else. Mick has taken this club from point zero to the Prem in 3 years under a new regime. We will be playing European football in another 3…MARK MY WORDS.”

    “I make no apologies for being arrogant. Arrogance is borne by success. Success is borne by ability and will. Ability and will are borne by planning and expertise. Planning and expertise underpin Mick McCarthy’s New Wolves and will continue to do so for the next decade and more.”

    The same people who were expressing these views are the same ones who are now clambering for Micks head, oh the irony, So in answer to the question would I want to swap places now, err, no thanks.

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  2. 2
    Nedball

    1 – Well, that’s that question answered right there and then I suppose?! :-)

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  3. 3
    Robin Brittain

    1 – Perfectly put . I am afraid that the Wolves didn’t learn from our mistakes. A lack of quality and experience for the Premier league. At least we’ve got the basis of a Premier side now with Jara and Dorrens looking the part but providing we go up JP will have to splash the cash to stay there.

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  4. 4
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    1. FIAB.
    Brilliant and what a memory you must have or are you working from notes.
    I couldn’t match this feat but looked up a more recent entry from GB’s Yead.

    ‘Last years side would muller this years side. Apart from Doyle we have not made a single significant signing.
    If Mick plays last years side for our big 3 home games coming up (but with Doyle for Iwelumo) we can win.
    But something tells me that Mick is a confused man now and has lost his confidence. Because of his managerial style this will/has spread through his team.
    Blues is the biggest game of the season bar none. Lose to Blues and I think there will be a quick sea change amongst the fans.’

    What a difference a few months makes. ‘We will be playing in Europe in three years mark my words.’ Presuming you beat Blues I’d guess.
    ‘Planning and expertise underpin Mick McCarthy’s new Wolves and will continue to do so for the next decade and more.’ Henceforth known as Confused of Molineaux. Arrogance is another word for pride and what’s the saying? Pride comes before a fall.

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  5. 5
    Cyril Randle

    I would suggest that GB Yead had a dad who watched The Wulfies back in the 50s under Stan Cullis, got told too many (true) stories about how they could beat anyone on their day and is thus stuck in a time warp. Their history was followed by crumbling terraces, the 4th Division, disillusioned support down to 4,000 and the Batty brothers. (No apology for that spelling). Then came Stevie Bull, the Molineux Messiah and new belief. I’ve seen no one to take his place as yet so they may have to do it the hard way, toil, sweat and tears as Churchill said. The ingratitude for Sir Jack shown by Big Yead is unbelievable. Jack built them an Ark, refloated them and kept at least 2 of everything for them to grow. Ungrateful sod!

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  6. 6
    Fox in a Box

    4) Oh most defiantly notes, like you said, pride comes before a fall, and after all the crowing we took at the end of last season I decided I could wait, oh yeah, I can wait.

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  7. 7
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    i wudent swop places if i was walking through the desert dying of thirst had the toothache a nail in my shoe and only had LW for company aye boing boing

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