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Bully Bites Back with Steve Bull
Thursday 4th February 2010, 9:30AM GMT.
Wolves legend Steve Bull gives it to you straight in his weekly column and wonders what team will turn up to face Birmingham at St Andrew’s on Sunday.
Which Wolves side will we see at Blues on Sunday? If it’s the never-say-die team of battlers that won a well-deserved point at Hull last Saturday, then it will be a draw and maybe even a win. If it’s the one that turned up at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, then it will be another defeat.
But it may be worth bearing in mind that every footballer’s response to a bad defeat is a renewed desire to put matters right in their next match. So I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if Wolves turn it on come Sunday. It will be what manager Mick McCarthy’s hoping for.
I don’t think that I’ve ever seen our boss looking as embarrassed and hurt as on the touch-line at Selhurst Park. There was no exploding with rage in front of the TV cameras, but I’m sure that he would have done in the dressing-room, both at half and full-time.
Mick also seemed mystified to me – as if the team had ignored his instructions, played dreadfully and he really couldn’t work out why.
Perhaps it takes an ex-pro to know that sometimes, with no explanation, these things just happen – with absolutely no reasoning behind them whatsoever. I’ve been a part of squads which have trained brilliantly all week, looked like world-beaters…and then turned in a collective ‘stinker’ on a Saturday. Nobody ever truly knows why.
But one of the beauties of football – both for a player and spectator – is that precisely the opposite can sometimes happen too. That, in the aftermath of an appalling performance on a Tuesday, a team can then turn in the display of their lives at the weekend – and that’s what every Wolves fan has got to pray for this time around.
Perhaps a fresh face or two might have offered us a new impetus, but transfer deadline day came and went without Stephen Hunt or James Beattie arriving at Molineux. To me, that just offers further proof that some players just don’t want to arrive somewhere new and get themselves stuck into a relegation dog-fight.
The tie-up with Belgian club Charleroi for our two new additions who did arrive during January is intriguing. Many of you will know that Manchester United have a specific arrangement with Royal Antwerp as an official ‘feeder club’, so perhaps Wolves hope to repeat the Red Devils’ success.
But the trouble with any continental player arriving in England is that it always seems to take them several months to adjust to the pace of our game. Only now, for instance, would I say that Nenad Milijas is fully up to speed on that score. Maybe, then, we shouldn’t expect too much too soon from our new arrivals.
BULLY’S BETTING TIP OF THE WEEK: -
If Wolves play like they did at Crystal Palace this Sunday, they’ll lose. But I’m expecting some form of positive reaction, so will predict a 1-1 draw at 6/1, with Jody Craddock scoring the first goal from a set-piece at 22/1.
For more Wolves bets than anyone else and a whole host of special offers go to www.sportingbet.com/wolves
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Bully you say that “the trouble with any continental player arriving in England is that it always seems to take them several months to adjust to the pace of our game.”
Might it not be important to recognise the specific qualities that “continental” players have and also adjust to what they have to offer?
Making Nenad Milijas run around all over the place might not be the best way of getting the most out of what he has to offer.
Similarly with Kevin Doyle, not a “continental player” whatever that is supposed to mean, getting the best out of Kevin Doyle shouldn’t mean having to run back and put in a shift and then as a result not be in the positions we need him to be in for him to be most effective.
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Agreed – I have said thsi all along – and bringing in 2 Belgian lads with zero experience is suicide – Imv the Jan window should have been our chance to bring in a couple of experienced
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Sorry Steve but i feel as though Mick has lost the dressing room completely.
There is absolutely ZERO confidence in our team now.
Look at the way we’re playing. Hoof Hoof Hoof up to our lone striker.
Why arn’t we playing the way that got us great results at Everton, Tottenham and Villa at home? 4-4-2 using wingers and playing football.
This needs to be addressed. You can’t just change to a 4-5-1 and play five centre halves on the pitch with a lone striker, a right-back playing attacking midfield, and expect a result. It doesn’t work like that!
He is getting desperate. He’s lost the plot. End of.
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Agreed – Imv I cant see where our next points are coming from!!!
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Good old Steve, trying to help us look on the bright side after the Palace debacle. We certainly need something positive to grab hold of after that. Hope he is right.
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I always felt you gave it to us straight,Bully. How much did you tell us they needed to spend in the Prem.Was it £30million,in fact I think your column in the summer said they needed to spend £40m. We knew at the time that was a pipe dreamm .How much have they spent net; £16m.And all you can say is one or two new faces would have freshen things up a bit.Who’s side are you on Bully, the fans or the prawn sandwich brigade?
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Just wish we had the callibre of you upfront Bully !!
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STOP makeing excuses man,was evident to me even at the end of last season Wolves were a million miles away from a Prem team .top and bottom of it is team just not good enough ,been watching Wolves for 40 years this team ranks amungst the poores i have seen.what happend to the old adage never change a winning team,far to many team changes IMO.No continuety.
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Steve, This report is superb, everything you say is brilliant. I said this after the match that last time we didn’t play well was against B’ham (although I think Crystal Palace was the worst I have ever seen Wolves play) They came out fighting and lets hope thats what happens on Sun.
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I think tha you are having’ a laugh ‘
Wolves are the worst team in the Premiership, worse than the bottom three by a mile, Hull, Portsmouth and Burnley have all picked up their game and I believe that Hull will not be relegated.
We have no chance geting a point at Birmingham, remember what happened last time we met, and remember also we have also lost to Portsmouth.
I am desperate to have Keogh back in the side to run with Doyle and jarvis, and we must blood big Hoff one of these days.
Lets all pray for ‘Devine Intervention’ at Birmingham on the weekend
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At last somebody has mentioned the missing Andy Keogh. All those people who continually slagged of Andy must now wake up, because it is no coincidence since the injury to him Wolves have not just struggled upfront but have had no fizz. And as for help on Sunday I cannot see anything but a thrashing.
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Actually, you’re having a laugh.
Hull haven’t won since November, Burnley haven’t won since October, and Pompey have picked up 1 point in their last 5 games.
If we’re worse than the bottom 3 by a mile, how come we’re not bottom ‘by a mile’ ?
We’re bad, and the Palace game was dreadful – but you’re just making things up to support your defeatism.
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Well they have won now,Grey Wolf. Let us hope we win tomorrow as well.I am sure we can all agree on that one.
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Winning breeds confidence Steve not embarrising defeats, Blues are a very bold strong and agrresive side, the will sweep our defenders aside, I am black and Gold through and through but I hate to say that I predict a 2-0 win to Blues.
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McCarthy’s failures are his own doing and is not down to anyone else apart from that joker Clipboard Connor
The first golden rule in football is to play the players in their position of strength
I begining to feel sorry for some of the good players who are being played out of position and made to look bad through no fault of their own
Our suad is big enough and there is no need to play players out of position
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Gosh Bully a positive reaction is a must. Hull have another home game v Man City and then they are away for 4 on the bounce.
I expect to see us keep it tight but get a Ridgewell and Carr on the flanks,pace at centre half is important also, my team:
Hahnemann
Foley
Zubar
Craddock
Mancienne
Jarvis
Castillo
Henry
Jones or Bia
Milijas (behind)
Doyle
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I nearly agree with this team. I do not think we should play Mancienne left back, as he is a right footer – so Ward has to come in. He was about the only player that did well against Blues at Molineux. The other changes could be Vokes for Milijas and Surman for Castillo – moving Jones in the centre.
I have a horrible feeling he will stick with the 4-5-1. If he does the midfield needs proper wide players and creativeness in the centre. We cannot keep playing Henry, Mancienne and Foley in midfield. No wonder we never created much against Liverpool or Palace!
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Vokes is not even close to being ready for the premiership yet. He needs to go on loan to get more experience. We need a tight compact midfield v Blues playing Henry and Castillo or we will get over-run Jarvis and Jones or Bia really need to attack Birminghams lack of pace in the full back areas. Craddock and Zubar have got to get extremely tight to Jerome and Chucho. I feel Milijas set pieces will cause problems and although Dann and Johnson are excellent in the air they do lack pace so Milijas pulling them around could be a problem.
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I like Milijas but if we require someone to graft he is not the answer. He was lost the other night but with 3 defensive midfielders and a novice what do you expect. I disagree about Vokes. He is a handful and has a few international caps and has gained pace since his spell at Leeds. Put it this way, he needs to be ahead of Ebanks and Iwelumo at present!
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Sorry mate have to disagree on this one Ward is not and never will be a left back.
Mendy tore him apart at Hull, similarly the Wigan winger,Liverpool winger did the same.
Jarvis has to backtrack to often to cover therefore nullifying his attacking play.
With the defence conceding 2 or more per game then surely why not try Zubar and Mancienne at centre back,Foley and Stearman as full backs and use a sweeper.
Three very big games coming up and realistically 5 points is the very least we are looking for.
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Steve as an ex pro, could you tell me the thinking behind Foley playing on the left wing? or playing one up front against a championship team, and no it wasnt 4-3-3.
Or why the window was a complete shambles…..
Yes we know we can play well at times but to be honest I am very downhearted with events at Wolves at the moment. Its even harder to support a team when the board havnt supported it in the transfer window. Still, ill be there till the end.
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Foley actually played, left wing, right wing, midfield………. anywhere but his position lol
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You’re forgetting as a suppport striker as well. I thought the camera shot of MacCarthy telling Foley to stay up and support Vokes was absolute evidence that MM has completely lost the plot!
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Yes Bully a draw would be a good result against Blues but we really need to nick a win if we can we have had too many draws lately and they are getting us nowhere. Having said that how will we score against one of the league’s best defences and us as the league’s lowest scorers? I just don’t know. Could do with Andy Keogh getting match fit ASAP, any news on him? Think he could form a good enough partnership with Kevin Doyle to ensure survival.
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DONT THINK YOU WAS WATCHING THE SAME MANAGER AS ME BULLY HE DIDNT LOOK HURT TO ME DIDNT EVEN LOOK INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON .
I THOUGHT THAT YOU BEING A CENTRE FORWARD WOULD MUST ADMIT THE THE TWO HE BOUGHT ON WHERE JUST CRAP AND DONT DESERVE TO WEAR A WOLVES SHIRT.
AND ACORDING TO THE MEDIA STEVE HUNT HAD A GREAT GAME FOR HULL AGAINST CHELSEA SO WHY COULD THEY HAVE HAVE OFFERED MORE TO GET HIM.
THINK THEY SHOULD GET RID OF THE CLOWNS. WHY DONT YOU OFFER THEM 10 QUID BULLY FOR THE CLUB?
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Bully, you say ‘I’ve been a part of squads which have trained brilliantly all week, looked like world-beaters…’ is that the problem with our players, they are asked to put too much effort into training and come Saturday/Sunday, they are knackered?
I always thought training was to run through tactics, learn how to defend free kicks, defend corners etc or am I being totally naive?
When McCarthy says the players have been great in training, I wish they were crap in training but great on a matchday – obviously
I live in a dreamworld!
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It dont matter which team turns up they will still be managed by THICK MICK,We did not sign any one becuse who would want to play in a team of his any be played out of position like everyone else.
SACK THICK MICK
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I have been one of Micks biggest critics in the past – maybe it is old age and i am getting soft but i am starting to feel a bit sorry for the bloke.
He may not be the greatest tactician but you cant question his honesty – and as bully said he looked hurt on the touchline at Palace.
I think he knew what he wanted in the transfer window just it wasnt facilitated – a’la Dave Jones – when he wasnt supported.
One consistent factor in all this -
a certain Mr Moxey !!!!!
As neil warnock openly states in a previous interview “I can’t blame Wolves for offering two and six for him – Jez Moxey is always after a bargain”.
Seems Moxey has a reputation now, and will any clubs, agents or players want to deal with him and subsequently Wolves.
Where have Stoke gone since Mr Moxey left them? – overtaken wolves and established themselves.
There is no point in sacking Mick now, let him see the season out.
But as for Mr Moxey – your time is up – is there much to do for you before the summer – i think not !
———
Just as an aside where would you expect your Chief Executive at 10am on transfer deadline day ……. at his desk ?????
Not Mr Moxey, he was clearing ice for his partner off their drive — nice priorities !
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Warnock went on to say that other Premiership clubs had offered a lot less for Cline. One (from memory) offered £30k. The administrators are in at Palace FGS these clubs are running businesses. Get real !
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Sorry didnt reallise i had posted on the Financial Times’ website. The comment was on reputation – not on the intricasies of Palaces woes AS A BUSINESS.
Why was no other chief execs mentioned by name. – So not a one off occurance i guess.
thats real !!!!!!!
and seeing as from YOUR memory the offer was 30k – nice to meet you Mr administrator … can we quote you on that ? :)
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Why MM looked embarrassed Well steve here are a few i can tell you why.
1-playing players out of position.
2-not a settled team
3-tactics
4-no desire
5 what instructions
I have backed MM but i am sorry not anymore.
and even your pregictions you think we may come away with a drew and you say it would be Craddock who would score do you not have any faith in our strikers sorry stiker.
i think its time the Board got together and got some answers are we commited why cant we bring in players where are the so called pem players we was promised and if we get religated no bonuses to be paid out to anyone inc moxey they should donate it to our troops.
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More like Brum 5 Wolves 0.
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Ladbrokes has a 5 nil brum win at 81-1, if we all chip in a tenner and bet on brum we could probably buy someone decent for the wolves next year. This is the same as buying manure to get better roses…
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You boys better put in a performance on Sunday. I’m risking my boyish good looks going to Birmingham away.
We need to play 4 4 2 coz we aye good enough to play 1 up front. Brum’s defence will be much tighter than Hull’s.
Play players in their natural position as well.
Just remember that players and managers move on and us true supporters dow.
Northampton ex Parkfield’s Wolves
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The common denominator affecting Wolves progress is Jez Moxey who is obviously out of his depth.
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Bully, you had the odd stinker (not many mind) but you always gave 100% even on your off days.
I think too many of our players are probably so confused and unsetteled by the constant chopping and changing. How can they make partnerships if they play with a different fella each game?
That’s why Doyle and Jarvis are emerging as our best 2 players. They play more like individuals anyway relying on taking a man on and creating things for themselves, so they can get away with changes a bit more.
That said when Elokobi plays with Jarvis, then Jarvis just gets stranded on the wing as George lumps it. Have It
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Bully please say what you feel, say what you should say and to hell with it, because we will!! We have a so called team with little or no idea of passing a ball when we do have it passed to us it is not retained. Come on you Wolves fans when was the last time you were at Molenux and said to your mate I can see a goal coming from this passing move, no it’s just not happening anymore. Why are we talking of new forwards, midfield players, when you start with a good set of fullbacks and build from them, get your defence right and the rest will follow on with hopefully good signings, I am sorry we are so lost, can we ever get back to winning ways and field a side that can play football again. A sad time for all.
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McCarthy did the right thing after the Brum game he gave the fans a team they could relate to and then we started to climb. Up to a hour we held Liverpool at Anfield and then bang, the recovery was over. My own theory is that he took that much stick for the Man U fiasco (some from within the club and high up) that he thought to hell with it and became very defensive.
The only man who knows what tactics we’re currently playing is Mick McCarthy. All I know is we have five centre backs in the team and a right back totally out of position. I can’t relate to that as a fan. And if that doesn’t say a manager has lost the plot I don’t know what does.
It took me ages to relate to Ward at left back and still I’m not convinced. You cannot just convert a player overnight. He is going to make mistakes while he is adapting and Ward’s positioning has been a bit suspect at times, hence he got sent off at Liverpool. You need your best 11 players playing but only playing if in their strongest positions. The tactics being adopted are League 1 at best.
We proved the other night (and remember this was a replay after we’d struggled at home) we can’t even beat a Championship side now. So even if we get relegated don’t expect it to be easy in the Championship to bounce straight back up. It is scary that our future in the Premiership rests in the hands of Mick McCarthy and his sidekick Terry Connor. I would have sacked him after the Brum game. He just hasn’t learned.
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Bully go and sign for us again pleeeeaaassseeeeeee??? we are desperate!
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i have been a supporter of the Wolves now for over 60 years, and I can say that game on Tuesday was the pits, nobody on that field had any pride it was Disgraceful these players were not interested in the game, they should be stopped there wages if they do not want to pull the old gold shirt on and play with passion and pride get rid of them. lets hope we soon get Kits and the rest back soon, so we can then hopefully stay in this league.
Mick look lost for words on Tuesday.
Good luck for Sunday lets hope they are up for this game.
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What you say Steve Is obviously coming from the heart with the best meaning in the world,but,you know as well as I know that McCarthy has lost the plot.He`s certainly lost most of the fans and from his non-reaction at Crystal Palace I am wondering how many of the players he has lost.Even after half-time there was no urgency in their play,and did you see any tactical awareness ? because I didn`t.What happened to all the promises Steve do you know?and what happened to the bulk of the money we were told we had to strengthen the side?The fans have been conned yet again and as long as this plank is in charge along with Moxey, we will always be also rans.
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One other problem is that over and above the poor league form that we are currently in, our performances in local derbies in the last decade leave alot to be desired as well.
We have won only 1 of our last 8 league games against WBA (including play off matches) and that was in March 2007 and we have only won 1 of our last 9 league games against Blues and that was in Dec 2001!
So i’m not getting too excited about the ‘Local Derby’ effect on Sunday’s match!
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I have to agree on this one. The statistics are very much against us, as is the team’s current form. So based on this, my expectations for the Blues match aren’t very high. But please, prove me wrong, guys!
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Sorry Steve, but you are way off the mark this time. Wolves have been dreadful for weeks now – we have no settled team, no creativity, no pattern of play and no finishing.
I do not think you are “giving it straight”- rather you are trying not to offend MM!!!
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Went up Wolverhampton today shopping, as I walked past the Wolves shop I saw a big sign saying “Biggest sale ever all stock must go” Cant’t believe the dissapointment when I went in and realised Mad Mick wasn’t sitting on a Wolves toilet seat with a for sale sign on his head. Oh never mind I bought meself a rubber to erase me memory of Tuesdays game and and a wolves mug…funnily enough he wasn’t on that either.
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Bully…… there is more chance of one of your tips winning than wolves at the blues the way the team is motivated these days!!!
I hope im wrong!
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bully one of my all time heroes would love to have his optimism.
but i have to agree with most of the other posts.
all we have now is hope and i have a terrible feeling we could end up bottom three at end of season. we urgently need to pick up points regularly and would love to start at brum.
mick does not seem to learn from his mistakes.
he still stubornly stick to what he thinks best, players out of position, playing players out of form, these things have been a problem since he arrived. does noone at molineux have the guts to say anything tohim.
here’s hoping
come on the wolves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The worst performance by a Wolves team I have ever seen (on telly).
Really hard to see MM turning this around. when played properly 4-5-1 is a very versatile formation but not when you start with 6 defenders (4 out of position) plus a defensive midfield.
I really feel for the players as surely they must realise that MM has no clue on tactics. Milijas is captain of a national team going to the world cup, they have built the success of that team around Milijas – take note MM. Doyle is a class player, Hahnemann is decent. Mancienne is never given a go in his proper position. Foley is a great RIGHT BACK not a midfielder/winger. Where’s Castillo and Guerdilo? Surely they are better than what we have in the first team (Henry) they can’t all be Halfords.
If we get wallopped at brum then MM should resign or be sacked – in reality he should have done so after the Palace game.
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