Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Defiant McCarthy hits back
Saturday 6th February 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has taken a pre-derby swipe at his critics who have rounded on his team selections before the clash at Birmingham City.
McCarthy has come under fire after the midweek FA Cup defeat at Crystal Palace for his team that included five career centre backs, with two – Ronald Zubar and Richard Stearman – at full back and right back Kevin Foley in midfield.
The latest wave of criticism heaped on the manager comes after fans jumped on his back for the lack of permanent signings during the transfer window.
But defiant McCarthy feels he went with the best selection at Selhurst Park, certainly at left back given Stephen Ward is struggling with a knee injury and George Elokobi was ill.
“If you form a committee to design a horse, you get a camel,” fumed McCarthy.
“People must think I throw all the magnetic numbers at the board and say ‘right, that’s what we’ll go with’?
“For those who thought Richard Stearman was playing out of position, well, find me another left back when George Elokobi was poorly and Stephen Ward was injured.
“Zubar has been our best right back and Kevin Foley has been one of our outstanding players, he really has been terrific.
“It really didn’t help having Michael Kightly, Dave Edwards and Andy Keogh injured.
“But Stephen Ward has become the best left back in the club from supposedly playing out of position.
“I wonder if anyone at Crystal Palace is complaining that Danny Butterfield played up front?
“People have opinions but it really hacks me off – Butterfield played up front and scored three goals.
“If we’d done the same, would we have heard people saying ‘how can you play the right back up front?’”
In contrast to McCarthy’s regular changes, Blues counterpart Alex McLeish has played the same team for the last 11 games ahead of tomorrow’s game.
But McCarthy doesn’t envy the Blues boss.
“I don’t begrudge or envy any other manager – I have my own set of players and my own way of how I choose to do it,” he said.
“They’ve played the same 11 for the last 11 games but that will take its toll as well because the game are intense.”
Sponsored Links
UK Sport
Latest Blog — Derby humiliation – but is it really time for change?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word, so the song goes, but Mick McCarthy had no hesitation in using it after one of the most embarrassing defeats seen at Molineux in many a year, writes Wolve blogger Tim Spiers.
Black Country Derby
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
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.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
“For those who thought Richard Stearman was playing out of position, well, find me another left back when George Elokobi was poorly and Stephen Ward was injured.”
Er… George Friend?
Report abuse
Err…Matt Hill? Another of your signings!!!
Errr…Zubar, isn’t he left footed?
Errrr…Mancienne, he’s played there for CHELSEA!!!
unfortunatley mick your team selection was not justified as you got hammered 3-0! Idiot.
Report abuse
3-1 actually. But i agree with the rest.
Report abuse
err matt hill has left the cub on loan
Report abuse
Err…Hill left in the January transfer window, and it was 3-1, other than that I agree. Why didn’t we play with 2 strikers instead of a target man and noboby else? That straight away sent a message to Palace saying we have come to defend! He has played Jones in the previous 2 matches why not against Palace? (though I must concede he may be unavailable for some reason or other)Methinks the only real injury is to McCarthys pride and he knows that we know it!!! After todays results (Hull and Burnley winning) we are really up against it. If MM plays another negative side against the Blues then I’m sorry but as far as I’m concerned he should go and the sooner the better.
Report abuse
to true paperchase if mad mick goes with a defensive side today knowing we need a win after hull/burnley wins,then thats further proof that he hasn’t got a clue or just dosn’t care anymore,whatever happens get rid of him he might get it right for the odd game but thats more by luck than judgement get keegan in or someone like him for the rest of the season and lets fight to stay in the prem,,,WE ARE WOLVES,,,in mad mick we dont trust,,,ilk
Report abuse
Mick you had the january window……31 days to sort this out but, typically u dont want to pay the wages n u want it on the cheap, didn’t do anythin about it, so dont have a go at us for ur failings if we have our say. After all its us the fans, that put the bloody bread on the wolves table. I think that the team track record says it all for you concerning selection. Can’t score regulary, outplayed, post match drivvel from u and the players.
I dont think you will be there if we go down!
Love the club but not the powers that be!
Up the wolves.
Report abuse
Spot on Big Steve!
Report abuse
Er…Matt Hill…oh, you’ve sent him out on loan.
Anyway, who is really to blame when you are prepared to tackle the whole second half of a Premiership season with your only 2 left backs, one being an ex-centre forward and one having been plucked from Colchesters’ bench ?
Don’t blame injuries, blame your woeful preparation !!
Report abuse
Wolves have the worst scoring record ibn the division and he plays one up front.That’s courting disaster!
Report abuse
I’d expect these comments from Mick. Fair play, you have to stand by your decisions as a manager and whether you disagree with his choices, I respect a man who trusts his judgement.
What fans don’t like is when they are given flanel. Such as when a camel is designed and they tell you it’s a horse. That’s when it hacks most fans off.
I think the first thing to learn as a manager is that the punters do, in general, know what they are talking about. We can all see that Stearman isn’t a left back (Oh and Mick made the decision not to keep Hill or Friend or use Surman in that position the other night).
I sometimes feel that Mick’s comments appear to show a disrespect for the fans when they are in print. Yet when you hear him talk, he’s a modest, sincere and respectful bloke. But articles like this don’t indorse that view.
Report abuse
GB – I think you are on here enough to know that most punters (at least the ones who bother to post) don’t have a clue what they are talking about. For example people keep on about how we played 4 centre halves across the back when both the full backs have considerable experience playing there. I know that Foley is not a winger but he was actually excellent at Hull and got forward well, but that has hardly been acknowledged, becuase it does not fit the casen against the manager, CEO, Chairman, Assistant manager, groundsman, kitman etc etc.
Report abuse
“Foley was excellent at Hull”
What last weeks ‘feast of football’ at Hull???
He was awful!!!
Could you define excellent for me please??
Report abuse
In my opinion (and I was there sat on that side) he linked well with Zubar and it was work down the right wing that lead to both out goals (however fortuitous). He also got forward well when we were behind and in the last 10 mins when we looked like winning the game. Who do all these people want playing on the right wing?? I know some will say we should have bought someone, but from the squad we have the options are Halford and Mujangi – are these better players?
Report abuse
Noisy, I agree with your Foley comments. He is a continuity player in midfield.
He is more suited to playing centrally and kncking the ball about if deployed in midfield.
Out wide, he is never going to beat a man or out pace anyone and unfortunately Wolves do not play enough passing football to develop attacking situations for our wide men (they have to make their own).
The Manu Utd away league game was a match where Foley did ever so well in the centre of the park (but for reasons we all know, this went a bit unnoticed after the event). The other player who had a stormer in that game was Mancienne, who marked Rooney better than anyone I have seen this season. He also did a cracking job on gerrard and I think this shows his class. Maybe Mancienne should be used as a man marker?
Report abuse
Foley can’t play there. he couldn’t hit a donkeys backside with a banjo, everyone of his shots manages to reach row Z. I know that a few goals have come from his crosses but i’m sure we would have had plenty more if MM went with a winger. doesn’t suprise me thought i’m sure a couple of seasons ago he played micheal gray right mid aswell.
Report abuse
Is the way he comes across in print down to selective reporting on the part of the journalist?
Report abuse
Yes definately, I am sure the press do it to get the fans going and they suceed dont they.
Report abuse
Agreed Imv its arrogant and typical of the man
It shows MM’s contempt for the fans!!!
If you form a committee to design a horse, you get a camel,” fumed McCarthy.
Yes MM; Actually in hot desert countries they actually use camels just like horses!
And as for Butterfield being played upfront – The difference is Palace have’nt got the funds to go out buying additional strikers and have to use a ‘makeshift striker’ unlike a certain Wolves manager who will buy a left back (Matt Hill/ George Friend) send them on loan and play a right footed centre half???
Logical reasons MM – Do you actually have any???
Report abuse
whats happened to that other fantastic signing castillo?
Report abuse
Spot on mate! Think he needs to learn from Dr. Spock! we lose on sunday i cant see how he can stand there n waffle his way out of it!
UTW.
Report abuse
A fair and reasonable summary Mr Yead.
MM brought in Elokobi, Ward, Hill and Friend.
Fans will of course accept that Elokobi is ill (but has potential) and that Ward is injured (but can play very well at LB). What they don’t understand is why Hill and Friend who MM brought in are not better left-backs than a centre back playing out of position on the left.
Zubar for all his occasional brilliance is a rash player who makes mistakes – quite normal for a young player who is adapting, but not something we can afford in the PL. 2 penalties and another 3-4 goals have come directly from Zubar’s mistakes. Why risk that when we have a fantastic RB in Foley?
Why play Foley at right wing, where, despite being an excellent player who limits our attack. He doesn’t take players on, he doesn’t get to the by-line, he doesn’t whip in dangerous balls, he doesn’t shoot. That makes him a RB, not a RW.
Why play two DMs in a game we need to win? Again, Mancienne and Henry – both excellent players, track back, hold the ball, cover the defence, tackle well and cleanly.
Neither offer an attacking threat. They don’t surge forward, take on players, slot through-balls or shoot. Karl Henry got his 1st goal in what 2 years?
Why not use attacking players in attacking positions and defensive players in defensive positions?
Mick’s done great things for this club over 4 years, but we’re miles away from playing to our potential.
Playing the right system and the right personnel would go a long way to fixing that.
Report abuse
29000 fans agree with you but not mick,he does everything right.wolves fans would be more forgiving if he played the correct players in the positions he brought them to play in,this must really frustrate the players to be shuffled around and played in positions which they are not familiar with.i really do think that a new manager is now needed as mm has lost the plot.for me the players and mm all looked lost and confused and i think he may of now lost the dressing room, to play so many players out of position then lock them in the dressing room rollicking them for an hour is a bad move,we’ll see sunday i won’t hope for too much though draw probably best result we can get 0-0
Report abuse
….Endorse (er indorse was Arthur Daily’s missus)
Report abuse
A short answer Mick is that Kevin Foley is a good player but better at right back for the team and himself.
Hope we can get a result tomorrow.
Happy birthday.
Jamie
Report abuse
If the likes of Foley,Stearman and all the others who play out of position scored 3 goals,then it would be fine.But that will never happen.
The horse commitee was formed at kick off time at Selhurst Park-It produced Donkeys…
Report abuse
If we managed to get a goal it would be a major achievement!!!
Butterfield got the better on your defence MM – 3 times in 6 mins!
Where is your apology to the fans???
Report abuse
Well done Ivor. This is the same point I was going to make in response to MM’s comment. I used to respect what MM had to say but now he’s trying to put down fans who know better and can see through this tosh.
Report abuse
Typical arrogance by MM if you ask me, i have been one of his admirers until now, he should of put geoffrey on the right mid with jarvis on the left, foley in his right position.
Surely its time MM started to be a man and take the critism that is rightly given him, as he is quick to dish it out, if he refuses to start to play players in the right positions and we keep the negative football up, i think he should go at the end of the season even if we stay up.
Rant over
Report abuse
nice rant
Report abuse
Should have played Elokobi…He’s always poorly.
Report abuse
Get behind mick & the lads!
It aint his fault we cant get good players in, if anyones to blame its moxey for penny pinching, scott dann for example.
hannemann
zubar craddock berra ward
foley jones henry miljas jarvis
doyle
Blues 0 – 1 Wolves
Report abuse
MM doesn’t attract players. if i was a footballer and MM made a bid i wouldn’t really want to go because he would play me out of position and his style of football is simply kick it forward and really high everytime.
Report abuse
If McCarthy played to our strengths and allowed a more positive movement of the ball amongst the players, instead of what i still consider the defensive 4,5,1 approach; possibly churning out some results, maybe we could attract players.Ofcourse it is McCarthy to blame…along with Moxey (don’t get me wrong).
If we have no better players in the youth team than some of our current players…god help the future of the club
Report abuse
This unpleasant arrogant man just doesn’t get it and never will. It’s not just the bad signings, poor tactics, team selection etc it’s the appalling attitude to the people who pay your wages.
Report abuse
Spot on fella!!!
Report abuse
Ther is a saying about people from Yorkshire and it goes.
Yorkshire man born and bred.
Strong int arm but weak int head.
Sums him up really.
Report abuse
Having admitted that “the Cup game was the worst performance since I came to the Club” and then trying to defend team selection speaks volumes dosen’t it? Everyone except him has got it wrong and mainly having yes another go at the loyal fans. I left my house in Buckinghamshire at 06.30 for the trip to Hull and got home at 23.20. I spent £145 which included an hotel stay to visit Man U. I know very well what I am seeing thank you Mick and it leaves much to be desired.
This is the man who gave us ” Steven Ward is probable the best player I have ever signed in my time as a Manager” Then a new 4 year contract for Neil Collins!! Then signing of Jason Shackel, Darren Ward, the Hoff(never seen or given a chance) Castillo, Greg Halford etc. Remember the cry at the begining of his second season that Elliott and Keogh were the best up front duo and would do the business….sorry had you all forgoten Elliot?
I,m certainly no expert but having supported Wolves since 1954 I can at least compare players abilities and the success or failure of Managers tactical awareness.
Honest guy speaks as he sees it but is of the old school,lock them in the dressing room and shout for an hour. Times have moved on Mick and sad to say almost ever week you expose your weaknesses at this level in the modern game.
Final thought ….. please stop blaming 20,000 season ticket holders for your short comings or next season you may be trying to explain to Mr Moxey why that number has been halved and remember everyone is entitled to a view.
Report abuse
Well said Ted.
Report abuse
Find you another left back????? Apart from george Friend who did Mick play at left back last season in his 11 games with Wolves????? Ermmmm that would be Mancienne.
There you go mick you have 2 players who have played there before.
As for Jumanji i dont think he actually liked putting his foot in a tackle all night that night. Lets just hope he doesnt get a Neil Collins style contract at the end of the season
Report abuse
More rubbish from McCarthy I see.
What about Daniel Jones and George Friend Mick?!
Do me a favour, Foley one of our outstanding players?!
He’s a very good right back but a very poor right winger as will be proven on Sunday when you pick him again.
I take it you still haven’t explained why Castillo cant get a game and you would rather play Mancienne, a centre back in midfield, instead of him!
I also thought Zubar was a centre back or defensive midfielder. Foley is the best right back at the club as was proven last season.
Sorry Mick you’re talking rubbish! We’ll see on Sunday how well your formation and tactics work!
Report abuse
If we get stuffed by Birmingham, will the Mighty Muppet and Clipboard Connor resign? Incidentally, what are Connor’s qualifications to train a Premiership club? He seems to have been around for ever and I’ve never known where he came from or what qualified him for such a position. Any answers?
Report abuse
It’s not just players playing out of position, it is also the tactics. Foley is not an attacking right sided midfielder. He plays well but not in the way he should to support a lone striker. I still think we have the players who can perform at this level, Doyle, Catillas, Milijas, Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Craddock, Jarvis, Mancienne etc… but they need to be moulded into a team, not a team of misfits.
As for Ward, he works hard but his positional sense is poor and as such destabilises the left side of our team.
Report abuse
Is Geoge Friend that bad that you couldn`t call him in Mick?Play Foley at right back where he is best.You said that McLiesh is probably the only manager you know who is not under pressure.Mick,during the summer he bought in the right players for hi side,the same players you could have bought,but no,you have to go for cheap and inexperienced players.You still haven`t learnt the lesson that cheap is no good in the top flight.Don`t tell us that the right players were not available Mick.It`s your competence thatis not available Mick,you will always be a lower division manager,you will always be useless as you have proved in the past.GO NOW YOU THICK PLANK.
Report abuse
Even if playing the same team for eleven successive matches does take its toll on Blues, at least they already have one heck of a cushion towards staying up. Hope their run comes to an end tomorrow. UTW.
Report abuse
this sort of comment makes me laugh. it did look like he chucked magnets at a board. kevin foley does give his all but he ain’t no winger. we may as well played with 6 at the back with the two holding defenders (midfieldes?.Because we have not one player who can link defence to attack we just lump the ball upfront to a forward playing on his own. i remember an ipwich team playing this sort of system when they got to the premiership and they went straight down. where as all the good young players we had in mick’s first season in control gone. we have a team capable of competing but will find it difficult to win unless we get an early set piece goal and then defending it for 80 minutes.when jes claimed it was going to be different to last time and we were going to better players and spending premiership money, people paid for their tickets on the back of this! it seems if mick does get asked these sort of questions you are critic.mick as to realise he is manager of wolverhampton wanderers and the supporters are part of that. Then what do i know, i’ve only supported wolves over 20 years
Report abuse
You have to stand by your decisions as manager, be you Warnock or McCarthy. Problem is that Butterfield scored a hat trick and Wolves produced one of the worst performances in MMs tenure.
Left back ? Hill & Friend on loan what happened to Daniel Jones ?
Very sad to hear about Gil Merrick passing away, PLEASE Wolves fans show some respect tomorrow, you’ll be in the Gil merrick stand. He was a great keeper, it would be exactly like us losing Bert Williams. They were the Shilton & Clemence of their day.
I’ll be there. Let’s hope we end Blues home run.
Report abuse
Hear Hear – Totally agree Bertie
RIP Gill Merrick – Maybe the old keepers could show the modern day ones a thing or two
Good Luck Boys against the Blouse
Report abuse
Isn’t Daniel Jones a Left back?????
Report abuse
Zubar our best right back-2 penalties needlessly given away in not many starts, Foley outstanding this season (from midfield).
Do you watch a different game than the rest of us. How can our player of last season at right back (in spite of SEB winning golden boot and championship player of season) Kevin Foley go to being third choice right back. Pick the best players in defence and why can’t his new midfielders this season play there instead of a defender hopelessly out of position-Answer because the players he has bought into the midfield are not good enough except foe Milijas (sometimes).
Mark Hughes to keep us up
Report abuse
Mick McCarthy, Butterfield playing up front was a one-off but your selections are not one offs are they, you do it almost every game!
Being hacked off by opinions from the fans may get YOUR back up but how do YOU think WE feel at your player selections, tactics, substitutions etc.? – We are hacked off too!
Get a grip on the job in hand Mick and the fans will get off your back BUT continue as you are doing and you will become even more hacked off!
Report abuse
It’s all down to opinions Mick. You have yours and we have ours and at the moment those opinions disagree and for many, greatly.
Ultimately it could be your job on the line and failure will see you gone. Meanwhile our job is to offer our support to both team and club which many do without question but at times that support is tested and now is one of those times.
Still an away win tomorrow will gain you some respite – that is until the next time you cock-up!
Report abuse
We can all pick our particular team to play matches, but only the manager will take the plaudits or critisism. McCarthy should be judged at the end of the season not half way through it.
The players that played on Tuesday night were all professionals irrespective of the positions they were playing in the team. All players have a responsibility to perform on the day.
Hopefully, this will be different tomorrow.
Report abuse
judging him at the end of the season would be too late.
Report abuse
NICE ON MICKEY, NICE ONE SON, NICE ONE MICKEY LET’S HAVE ANOTHER ONE -That told them.
We are Wolves…………….
Report abuse
Clap Clap Clap
Said the Blind Man…….
NB* You are singing by yourself
Report abuse
“They’ve played the same 11 for the last 11 games but that will take its toll as well because the game are intense.”
For God’s sake. It doesn’t matter that it’ll take its toll because they’re safe already.
Report abuse
Tell them Willie Boy is here.I think he means they might be a bit jaded tomorrow ,and so we might win.Talk about throwing the kitchen sink at it.EH! We didn’t even throw a couple of Smarties.
Report abuse
Yes Butterfield played out of position and scored but perhaps he scored because our team was poorly organised and played players in wrong positions?
Back to basics I think!Start with high tempo 442 against blues and 541 against your top 6.
Report abuse
Well said.
Also, with regards to tactics. Blues are good organized, and have a lot of pace up front, so playing a high line, with Craddock would kill us. I wouldnt mind playing a deep 442, because that would enable Craddock and Berra to handle the high balls towards Jerome and Benitez. Then, hit them on the break, with Jarvo and Mujangi(dont think he is good, but we dont have anyone else with pace).
However this is what we will see:
451, with Mancienne and Henry as defensive midfielders and Milijas on his own in central midfield, leaving him to chase and play on his own. On the wings we’ll see Jarvis and Foley meaning that all our attackin play will go through the left side, and up front Doyle is left on his own, chasing hopeless long balls.
Report abuse
My main problem with the game was the lack of strike force, I think Vokes is a good player but not enough game time to be left up there on his own, Blake who needs to get his sharpness back left on the bench.
Where was Surman shoud have given Foley the night off.
But we know little and want too much, I suppose the chance of staying up is still there.
Report abuse
blues have played the same 11 for the last 11 games and lost 1 in 15 and are 8th in the league but mick doesnt envy em,whereas we are running away with league obviously. cheers mick we love you
Report abuse
Tactically inept was one of the many derogatory quotes seen over the past week or so on several of the active Wolves forums. Whereas I do not necessarily subscribe to that theory I am, as others appear to be, confused at the regularity of players playing out of their recognised positions with the resultant below par performances. I feel that it is very unfair to have a pop at the players particularly when they are asked to play in unfamiliar surroundings! It’s extremely difficult to play in this division and indeed at any level of professional football so if you are asked to play out of position it is not surprising that the performances tend to be below par!
Five centre halves on the pitch at the same time i.e. Jody Craddock, Christophe Berra, Richard Stearman, Michael Mancienne, & Ronald Zubar, surely cannot be right. Of those centre halves Stearman, a natural right sided player is played at left back and Wolves player of the year at right back last season, Kevin Foley, is played on the right wing!!!!! – what is going on.
I do not want to kick MM when he appears to be down, but it is felt that he is in this position by his own making. What we want more than anything is to do what Morgan said that we were going to do, and that is to compete against the best and not only be in the premiership to make up the numbers ~ unfortunately we see our plight as being dire and if something is not done shortly we fear for the worst. Come on MM, put your best team out, play then in their preferred positions and if we still lose then so be it. But don’t give us (the supporters) the opportunity to slate you by this inexplicable team selection.
MB
Report abuse
So we’ve found a plan B 4141 great against the better teams in the prem. Keep a clean sheet and we’ve got a point nick a goal and its three. Makes sense, but why are we using it against Crystal palace? The one thing about playing that system on Tuesday night is that it shows who fits into it and who doesn’t. For one Mancienne looks lost in midfield. He gives the ball away too often, gets knocked of the ball too easily and keeps falling back too deep into hes natural position. How many times did he challenge for the same header with Craddock or Berra? Plus he looks like he’s just going through the motions until his loan is up. Says he doesn’t want to make it a permanent move anyway. So why does he care where we end up. Should have been dropped after that comment. Also Zubar is a liability in defence. Foley, our player of the season last year, should be at right back. Also when we do get our injures back, Please Mick pick your best team, players playing in their best positions, and stick to it. It worked for you in the second half of last season.
Report abuse
Well said Mick….its really taken its toll on Blues has’nt it…so much so that there all but SAFE!!!
Mick also wonders why we couldnt sign anybody…would you sign for him??He plays people out of position,is stubborn and this year the football and results are aweful!!!
I feel sorry for the players,if there were played in the correct postions and given the correct guidence i think we could stay up and then build a team over the summer…But that wont happen under this idoit.
Report abuse
GO NOW YOU TATAL CLULESS EXCUSE FOR A MANAGER.
half the average players you have brought in do
not even get a game, if the do you play them out of position 52 years and you have to 1 of
the most cluless managers we have had.
Report abuse
POSTED HERE IN LEIU OF THE ARTICLE WITH NO SPACE TO COMMENT
I WISHED HE WASNT CAPTAIN
I WISHED HE WOULD PASS FORWARD
I WISHED HE’D KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT
CAUSE WHEN HE OPENS IT WE GET SLAUGHTERED AND HE PLAYS LIKE A PRAT
HENRY IF ONLY YOU COULD PLAY AS WELL AS YOU SPOUT YOUD BE A WORLD BEATER
Report abuse
play your better players in there best positions e.g Foley. and then work the rest of the team around them. you can’t just bodge the team up putting players wherever.
Report abuse
Well when Foley scores a hat trick or provides three crosses for goals we may shut up……but he hasn’t has he? Stearman has played full back before but it was right full back, there is a difference! What exactly has Surman done wrong that he couldn’t have played at Palace in midfield and given us more balance both in terms of attack/defence and right/left balance? Wouldn’t starting Iwelumo or Ebanks-blake have given them a chance to score and get some confidence back for the league?
Trying to use Butterfield as an excuse for our team selection is pathetic and unworthy of you Mr McCarthy, you got it badly wrong and admitting it would not be a sign of weakness. After all by saying it is the worst performance since you have been here kind of suggests you didn’t get it right doesn’t it? Fans having opinions should not hack you off either Mr McCarthy, we are all entitled to them especially those who pay to watch. Of course you have the decision on who plays and where, that is what you are paid a lot of money to do but at least pay us the respect of realing
Report abuse
I dont know what games he has been watching but it can’t be the same ones I have seen!!
“Zubar has been our best right back and Kevin Foley has been one of our outstanding players, he really has been terrific.
Report abuse
To finish what I was writing, at least show us the respect of realising that however long your tenure at Wolves we will still be here when you are gone because with us it is love not employment.
Report abuse
Says it all for me as well!
Report abuse
GB no 2 you have it SPOT ON!
Surman who is left fotted would have been the best option in my opinion. Yet the manager who sees these guys day in day out chooses a right footed player and only a right footed player at that. Don’t get me wrong I rate Stearman but left back is not his position.
McCARTHY OUT!
Report abuse
Yep deflecting blame. MM is losing it. I can see us to be fair beating Brum, but Mick is one of these managers who will not accept he is in the wrong. Foley has been awful in midfield, Zubar,,, COST US A PENALTY AT HULL,
MICK JUST LEAVE OR MORGAN SACK THIS BLANK CD!
Report abuse
McCathy’s comments are another sign that he is losing the plot. The only way he can shock me know is by playing players in their rightful positions – he’s tried everything else!
Report abuse
Your words Mick no one elses,square pegs in round holes,i rest my case.Yes blues have played the same 11 week in week out,your words that will take its toll,well they will be safe by then wont they.
Your doomed Mick
Report abuse
Clueless.
Foley is our best right back, it’s only the last few games that Zubar has played at all.
I do think Zubar would make a good attcking centre back, if he had a good Centre Half with him, who didn’t have to pull shirts. As for Henry his article is pointless, he is not good enough although he looks as though he has woken up at last!
Good luck to the team for tomorrow who ever they may be.
Report abuse
Ive never been a Muppet Mick fan and he has passed his sell by date at wolves along time ago but the thing thats starting to really make me angry is McCarthy absolute disrepect and terrible attitude.
We Want McCarthy out!!!
Report abuse
Karl Henry: Watching it again refreshed our minds, Time as come to put points above performances,Hopefully we have put our finger on what went wrong. Providing we cut out those errors we will be fine! Sums up what is wrong with the team when the Captain talks so much drivel. (Give me Strength)
Stop conceding stupid goals within 3 mins of the start of the game!!
Report abuse
i dont really think MM has any sensible points to argue when you get well beaten 3 -1 by a championship side. He got it horribly wrong with his team selection and formation end of story and to be fair the team didnt turn up.!
In a cup game you say you were desperate to win, you play 4-5-1 with Vokes upfront on his own? when have you played him in this role before?.You could have played with 2 upfront or was SEB, and Iwelumo also struggling.
You know that Foley was our player of the year as a full back so you didnt have to look to far for a replacement you also had mancienne. You also played 3-5-2 in one game this season where you didnt use Full backs remember?
As for signings, if you amd moxley think saying something over and over people will beleive you, you are sadly wrong. In all honesty you went for several players out of our league at this stage, and should not be dissapointed you didnt get any of them.Hull bid for Michael owen in the summer but had no chance either as he is out their league.Our chances of staying up may well have lessened now because of the choices you have made here, and I hope you prove me wrong, but if we go down, you will do the honourable thing with Moxley and just walk away.
Report abuse
Just read this from wolves site and this story:
“It would be interesting to know who people think are out of position, but I’m not interested to be honest,” said Mick.
“Zubar has been our best right back and Kevin Foley has been one of our outstanding players, he really has been terrific.
Who is out of position? Lol try:
zubar, (centre back) stearman (centre back or right back) mancienne (centre back or right back) foley(right back only) and that was just on tues!
Zubar has been our best right back??? When? The bloke is a liability! The best right back is foley (remember player of the season there lst season?) yet to play there yet!!! Sooo you have got right backs of top quality in your opinion have you? Zubar, stearman, foley, mancienne! So its just shows your clueless when on transfer deadline day you try and sign … Wait for it! A right back from palace (you couldnt write it could you)! Try finding you another left back cos elokobi n ward were out? No! Change your system! 3 centre backs? We have enough of em! Stearman looked so uncomfortable it was untrue!
Oh i almost forgot your not interested in any of the fans opinions because your arrogance has stood you in good stead so far in your career!
The team is at a low point but imo itsnot because were getting beat its because they are sick of being made to look even more average than wat they really are due to this mans ridiculus tactics!! It must be sole destroying! If we lose tom MMi hope u have thick skin because you are going to get hammered!
Report abuse
wot eva way you put it.we aent good enough fact.afta todays results! mm is a dead man walking fact..
Report abuse
MICK OUT!! Im just fed up of this rubbish. Selections make no sense and the transfer window was a complete joke. Well done Moxey, job done.
Report abuse
Thanks Man City for putting us in the bottom three.
Report abuse
MICKO is what he as always been a mickey-mouse.
I seriously advice you MICKO to stay quiet and do your JOB.You are at WOLVES to the end of the season relegated and you are out.
In terms of defending your decisions you are as poor as the defenders you employ at my BELOVED club.
When players are bought it is for there respective positions,positions that they have played in for majority of there lives,positions they have specialised in,on the odd occassion when injuries etc dictate one can have no alternative but to play players out of position but you play players out of position constantly without any JUSTIFICATION.
Report abuse
Burnley won, Hull won……….Wolves 2nd from bottom. Must win at Birmingham now Mick……… 4-5-1????? 4-4-2???
Bet you wish you’d spent in January don’t you??? You may as well not bother sending me a renewal form.
Report abuse
thats loyalty
Report abuse
Well, we’ve heard the talking – from fans, from Mick and from Kaptain Karl.
I’ve also heard the talking of the bloke who reads out the full-time scores.
Lots of teams around us have picked up points today.
Let’s hope the lads’ have improvement enough t Brum tomorrow to match the never ending rhetoric.
We need a performance with feet rather than gobs now.
Report abuse
‘People must think I throw all the magnetic numbers at the board and say ‘right, that’s what we’ll go with’?’
Thank God Mick’s got a system then, I was beginning to wonder.
Report abuse
It is all about siege mentality.That is how he likes to work.Him and his players against the world.But it worked last year to get us out of that bad spell.Difficult to imagine the lack of decent signings in Jan will not come back to bite us.I see Fox one of Burnley’s Jan signings scored their winner today.
Report abuse
Yep Fox – isnt he a left back that can take pretty good free kicks and didnt he play alongside a certain Scott Dann at Walsall not that long ago – eh just down the road?
And if Im right; Walsall sold both (England U21′s) very cheaply???
Report abuse
Those of you that say we won’t go down because there are worse teams in the league, just remind me who they are please?
If Portsmouth don’t go bust I am looking to get a bet on us finishing BOTTOM again.
Report abuse
The Belgians in the Transfer Window.
Can someone tell me “what is that all about?”.
There will eventually be a famous Belgian apart from Enzo Sciffo (who was italian really), and Hercule Poirot and Tin Tin of course, but “Geoffrey” “Board Game” Bia, signed by Bungle, managed by George, owned by Zippy.
The opposition beware!!!
Come on!!
Report abuse
Oh great, Mad Mick has gone in to bunker mode! Apaprently, in January we were turned down by Robbie Keane (Jez, we really believe that one), Adam Johnson (tough call when he ended up at Man City), Stephen Hunt (pity we didn’t go for him in the summer) and a youngster from Palace!
Apart from Doyle, the only decent player we signed in the summer was Milijas and Mad Mick doesn’t know how to use him because he doesn’t run around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Almost forgot, we did manage to bring in two unknowns from Belgium. Phew, for a moment there I thought Mick had lost the premiership plot.
Report abuse
Think it might do the manager some good if he moved away from the dugout and sat in the stand.Looking down on the pitch he may well then have a better idea of what his players/team can and cannot do.You get a completely different perspective on things and tells you more than watching at ground level.
Report abuse
Well we are really in it now; 19th, only team below us is Pompey. If the team does not get something tomorrow we can get ready for the Championship next season! Really amazing how Burnley can beat West Ham and Hull can beat Man City, our team could not get anywhere near them. Sad day but I do believe our adventure is over, just like 2004. Also I think if we do lose tomorrow it will be the end of MM……….
Report abuse
everybody seems to be having a dig about Zubar,Stearman,Ward and has yet to comment on Craddock who by some misconception has the fans backing and Berra who is awful and was continually beaten in the air against Palace,,,a total overhaul of the team is required
Hanneman
Foley
Stearman
Zubar
Ward
Bia
Henry
Milijas
Jarvis
SEB
Doyle
Report abuse
mick has been a good manager u have to keep your best players for the blues game tomorrow dont be bothered about the cup worry more on the prem ebanks blake aint done much in the prem i dont think he is a premiership player mick done the right thing not playing him kevin doyle is way better then ebanks i think mick is only interrested in the prem at mow he tryed getting steven hunt he is a good player mike is trying to sign players but no one seems to want to come he tryed getting robbie keane back offered him 70 grand a week he daint want to come back to us i think ebanks will be gone soon if he dont start proving his self mike is a good manager lets keep singing super mike lets just stop keep putting pressure on him
Report abuse
It’s one thing to be disappointed with him as a manager when we are doing so badly, but it really gets my goat when he lashes out at the fans for questioning his tactics. I’m really starting to despise the man.
Report abuse
It was the 1990 World Cup and England were playing Eire.
Gary Lineker scored a good goal against Ireland and then we had one of those priceless moments in football when a player shows his total lack of understanding of the game! The clip will be played for as long as football is played!
What happened? Lineker scored and started celebrating, and appropriately enough it was Mick McCarthy who then tore in and kicked Lineker into the net, well after he’d scored.
No wonder he doesn’t understand football basics, he never needed to in his playing career, and they only get in the way when he’s managing!
This is the same man who was later managing Ireland, and forgot to make arrangements for any balls in one of their training sessions. No wonder Roy Keane told him where to get of, Keane had played for the best, and he thought McCarthy was a joke.
Many of us supporting Wolves agree with Keane.
This is the man who so many Happy Clappers treat as being a footballing guru!
Report abuse
A good Championship manager who has proven to be out of his depth in the Premiership… twice!
I don’t think that Mr Morgan will tolerate any more of this disgraceful charade if he has any footballing ambitions for Wolves, but if he’s only in it for the money then he’ll do whatever he wants. He owns the club, we are just consumers of the “entertainment?” the club provides.
Report abuse
WE ARE ALL DOOMED
THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE WE SURVIVE MM IS TO PUT FOLEY UP FRONT ON HIS OWN
Report abuse
The Palace match was jaw-droppingly bad. It was like watching a League 1 relegation struggle. By the last ten minutes – I’m embarrased to say – we and the people near us were just laughing. It was getting like the Southampton game: we really thought it was going to be a massacre.
It is difficult to recall a single decent Wolves move through the entire 90 minutes.
Hennessy was so pathetic it was gruesome and Steerman was just spectacularly bad. I am struggling to think of a worse Wolves performance in recent years. Oh, except for Foley in the same match.
The ball was just being hoofed around like 8 year olds on a park pitch…hoof and then scamper off in search of the ball and a chat with your mates. It was exasperating to watch.
By the end it got so bad that Clint Hill was shrugging his shoulders at the Wolves fan and implying he hadn’t had it so easy fior a while.
Worst of all, the following day a Palace fan at work said that we were one of the poorest teams to have been there all season.
MM says he hasn’t got a left back. Apart from the arguments that Manicenne and Friend can both play there, isn’t that what the transfer windows are all about, ffs? If he hadn’t spent the entire time on EasyGeoff, EasyGuedi and Hunt (what part of “there’s no way we’re selling Hunt” did MM mishear?) he might have snapped up any number of players floating around.
The good news? Well season tickets are going to be cheaper next season.
As as been said many times, Wolves lack ambition these days. It’s one thing to keep a healthy balance sheet, but you have to look at some real donkeys signed in the last year (Friend? Hill? Shackell? Elokobi? They all look like bit players in a decent non-league club’s decent cup run) Where’s the quality? The experience? The level heads?
Tuesday was shameful. Disgraceful. I can forgive Man Utd (total cost £350 for the two of us) but these shocking performances (Birmingham, Portsmouth, Wigan, Hull, Palace both games) suggest that there is endemic cluelessness at the club. Time for a change.
Report abuse
TAXI for the 3Ms
Report abuse
So that how he picks his team…throws magnetic numbers at a board. Freudian slip there MM!!!
Any Wolves Manager needs to resign if we lose to Birmingham … as we just did!!! Giving up two goals to a 37 year old forward!!!
Report abuse
I have just witnessed one of the worst displays of football from 2 Wolves players that I have ever seen.
1 Steven Ward. If as Mad Mick says he deserves his place in the Irish team then it proves that he is a non entity as a manager.
2 Mancienne.Another of Mad Micks blue eyed boys. Is it little wonder Chelsea palm him out all the while. Must save a fortune on wages. Premier player you have got to be joking.
Report abuse
Not happy, not clapping. Just depressed. When Phillips came on, was I the only one that felt the icy grip of fear. What dos he have against Wolves. Hard to be optimistic, the table has a look of grim reality about it.
Report abuse
just ot bak from blues game.aint even gonna wait 4 the excuses.sad 2 say.time 2 go mick
Report abuse
Once again, the Wolves owner and management lets the fans down!!!
We are now 2nd from the botrtom, and if Portsmourth weren’t a head case we would be bottom.
Fully deserved as we have been incompetentley managed throughout the season.
It has bewen an embarrasement watch the
Report abuse
It has been an embarrassment watching the McCarthy team try to operate in a world way beyond their comprehension. This is no longer high-class park football, but the epitome of football.
The looks of bemusement on McCarthy and Clipboards faces would have been amusing, if they weren’t carrying the expectations and ambitions of our City.
ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE BEEN BADLY LET DOWN. SHAME ON YOU MORGAN, I’LL NEVER BUY ONE OF YOUR HOUSES OR CARS!
Report abuse
I think you should make an exception with the cars.But will you continue to buy the Moxey hot dogs?
Report abuse
A thirty odd year old full back runs 50 yards down the wing without one challange and cross’s to a 30 odd year old centre forward to chest down and put in the back of the net unchallenged. Its a good job that Ward and (best left back in the club) and Craddock (one for the future)and Berra (is he the 10th centre half Mick has signed ) have been among our so called best players. Where would we be without them!!!!!
Report abuse
The new kid failed to track Carr and in fact stopped running.He also lost Fahey in the original build up for the first goal.Playing people in midfield who cannot track back despite being on the pich for less than 20 minutes,is not the way to win in the Premier League.
Report abuse
ebanks on for two minutes what is the point.why not play 5-5 with the keeper as a quarter back
Report abuse