Don’t count our chickens just yet
Friday 26th March 2010, 10:40AM GMT.
Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd is refusing to count his chickens before they hatch despite the giant stride towards Premier League safety this week.
Without doubt this has been my favourite week of our tumultuous season so far.
I have even enjoyed the numerous conversations with non-Wolves fans that usually go something like, “Yow’m safe” with the obvious reply from me that “not yet we ay.”
Remember when we all counted our chickens in March 2002? Eight years ago we were all looking upwards at our first crack of Premier League football when we held that 11 point lead over Albion.
Those chickens stayed unhatched and we all had to lick our wounds, watching our Baggie brethren get to the promised land before us.
Now it’s difficult not to feel the same excitement that we are as good as safe from the drop. After all, there is now a seven point gap between ourselves and Burnley in 18th, which given our superior goal difference is more like eight points.
Surely with a point a game average so far, it’s improbable that we could still be caught. But I don’t think we should start the party just yet.
I’ve tried to avoid the subject of relegation in my Friday blogs, always looking for other subjects to talk about. But now there is that bit of breathing space and the team are finally getting some recognition for playing decent football, I feel I can finally lie on the blogging couch and broach the subject of staying up.
I don’t see myself as a prognosticator in the Mystic Meg mould, but a quick scant over the respective games left for Hull and Burnley makes for some happy reading.
The bookmakers have Burnley 1/10 on to go down and when you look at their remaining fixtures it’s easy to see why. Although four of their remaining seven games are at Turf Moor, which was a fortress for the first half of this season, three of those four visitors are Man City, Liverpool and Spurs.
Hull are 1/2 on by the bookies to fall into the fizzy-pop league and their run-in is arguably a tad easier, but their crucial game is when they face Burnley at home in a couple of weeks. The loser of that game will almost certainly be doomed.
I think the bottom three as it is now of Burnley, Hull and Pompey are almost set in stone. See? Just how easy it is to count those chickens?
For me, the hammering of West Ham just pips our White Hart Lane victory as our best showing this season and quite rightly earned Mick and his men their first League Managers Association performance of the week award in the Premier League.
And eight of the 14 Wolves players who played so magnificently on Tuesday night at Upton Park actually featured in the league game at Old Trafford when manager Mick McCarthy supposedly played the reserves.
We all know about the unmerited slap on the wrist the league handed Wolves after that game.
Now the same hypocritical Premier League have deemed this week that it’s apparently perfectly acceptable for Portsmouth to sell players outside of the transfer window.
The recent January transfer market was flatter than the Netherlands, so I can’t imagine clubs will be clamoring over themselves to join in the fire sale at Pompey.
By the time they play Wolves on the penultimate weekend of the season, it may well be that Pompey have the tea-lady up front, with the groundsman in goal, who will probably be an improvement on Calamity James between the sticks anyway!
There are a lot of games between now and our visit to Fratton Park and I haven’t looked forward to a game more all season than the visit of Everton this weekend.
Both teams are in great form and the Toffees, who were in the relegation mire themselves at the beginning of the season, are now unbelievably in with an outside shot at fourth place and Champions League football.
I remember the corresponding fixture back in May 2004 when only a miracle could have saved us from relegation.
That season, the Manchester United victory may have been our biggest scalp and the Leicester comeback akin to a Hollywood blockbuster, but I think Wolves saved their best football for the visit of Everton.
We all knew that day that Championship football was just over the horizon, but this relaxed atmosphere seemed to rub-off on the players and gave them the ability to play with the shackles off and they put in a terrific performance.
We saw Wayne Rooney for the Toffees, still a teenage and developing into the world beater he is today, who was lucky not to get sent off after his slide in cut goalkeeper Paul Jones on the noggin.
When Wolves came back from a goal down to win 2-1, I left the game confident we would bounce straight back into the top-flight.
It took a while longer than I anticipated getting back up here, but this time around we have made a much better fist of not just making up the numbers.
Mick has so far proved his doubters wrong, and yes I was one of those before you all give me a pasting. Whether you’re for or against McCarthy, we are all pro-Wolves and that’s all that really matters.
We love the club and we all crave success. But I stand by what I said a couple of weeks ago that we shouldn’t just see the Premier League as the beginning and the end of football in this country.
But the thought of seeing Scunthorpe visit Molineux on a cold Tuesday evening next season doesn’t exactly fill me with trepidation.
So, I’ll keep sitting on those eggs and keep them warm for a few more weeks. When those chickens do hatch, maybe Mick will have that cup of tea with me and we can both laugh at the stick I’ve given him for three seasons.
That’s probably as likely as me winning the haircut of the year award!
Have a bostin weekend and enjoy what should be a scintillating game. Up the Wolves!
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Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
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good game on Tuesday – you can, after all, only beat what is in front of you. Brilliant interview with MM afterwards too (the sky one) – his usual pragmatic self and funny to boot!!
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Nathen, quite right too! We need to err on the side of caution, though I’m sure that the players being more relaxed will actually help them in their endeavours of staying in the promised land.
Glad to see you’ve been at the dictionary again (prognosticator!). As a yam yam in exile, I feel my vocab is being broadened week by week. Its like a repeat of Call My Bluff!
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No Nathan we are not safe yet and before the Hammers I said we needed 3 wins to be safe or 38 points should almost certainly see us home. Definitely don’t want the two Pompey rubbish i.e. Smith and Mokoena but God how I would love O’Hara. His presence alone could improve our standing greatly next season. On the subject of teams going down, Chris Eagles at Burnley would also be a great signing. Going for 1-1 draw against the Toffees with same team and formation even if we are at home.
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Wem Safe!
I’d be amazed if Hull or Burnley get enough points to catch our total as it is now!
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Stoke On Trent Wolf (3)
O’Hara is on loan from Spurs!
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AFTER BEATING WEST HAM, SAFETY IN NOW CERTAIN. AND WITH ALBION VIRTUALLY GUARENTEE’D PROMOTION NOW, LOOKS LIKE THE BLACK COUNTRY DERBIES WILL BE ON THE PREMIER STAGE AT LAST.
LET’S HOPE WE ARE THE BETTER TEAM NOW AND CAN BREAK THE HEX THEY’VE HAD OVER US FOR A GOOD FEW SEASONS.
HAD TO LAUGH YESTERDAY…CELTIC SACKING MOWBRAY HA HA HA.
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Miles better than Spurs. Best away game I have ever been too. Easily better than Derby!
You are correct that we shouldn’t count our chickens. I’d say Hull and Burnley need to win at least 3 games to catch us. So one more win and we are safe because I cannot see them winning 4 out of 7/8. The most points Hull can get is 45 points. So each week we can look to start reducing the points to survive.
I actually fancied us more against Everton than West Ham. But what do I know!
I’m glad to see you speaking the lingo. Ay it good! :D
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“not yet we ay.” Who you trying to kid Nathan. We all know you don’t talk like that, you’re clearly a posh nonce!
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5. Firework Face
Dear boy, I loathe it when the hired help get all opinionated. Know you’re place.
A posh nonce? Not sure which half of that description I dislike more.
I moved away dah I, lost the accent a bit and came back. It’s still their, bubbling under the surface and it comes out on the odd occasion.
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5. Nonce. Do you even know what that word refers to? I guess you dont or you wouldnt have used it.
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i was refering to 8 not 5. Apologies to 5.
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Tuesdays performance was outstanding, Westham starting with England players Robert Green, Matty Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole also players of the calibre of Benni Mc Carthy, Kovac and Behrami but we made them look like a lower league side. We were sharper, kept the ball better, hungrier, more comfortable on the ball, more clinical in front of goal and were denied a stonewall penalty and hit the bar. It was the complete performance.
I do believe that Hull or Burnley will catch us and I think we are better than Wigan and Westham although our budgets are rather different. Cant wait for the Everton game the two form sides in the league, should be a belter.
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What a load of tosh!
Of course we are safe. Why do we have to tread so carefully? I hate people like Nathan, so negative. We are now looking forward to another season in the Prem, and your talking twoddle about chickens and hatching?
Get a grip man. Newbridge Wolf, although a miserable begger, is right, you will find any opportunity to have a dig at Mick.
We need to sign O’Hara from Pompey and whilst we are at get David Jones in goal, what a coo that would be.
Wolves 3 Everton 1
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I was shocked to turn on the radio yesterday and the phone-in regarding Matt Jarvis for England. Fans from other clubs have backed him as the outsider. Glad that fans from other clubs are appreciating our players.
WE ARE WOLVES
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Firework Face aka Sandwell Slums
Keep on your own pages until you have something constructive to say.
Take a leaf out of Bomber and friends’ book.
Keep bloggin’ Nath “me mon”
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‘there’, not ‘their’ Nathan you berk!
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The players and management have quickly said after the West Ham demolition that we are not safe yet and rightly so. Hull have a game in hand for starters. The thing is West Ham, in my opinion, could be dragged in and the Stoke game is a must win. All 3 of their away games – Everton, Liverpool and Fulham – they will lose! Wigan are not safe either.
I reckon that one more win will be enough. Our next two games are against the form teams and I will be happy with a point tomorrow.
I would like to point out that Doyle, Jarvis and Jones are playing superbly. Keep it up!
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The facts are we have improved our situation, the boys still need to go out and get more points.
The objective now is to get as far up the table as possible, anyone looking at Hulls run in should be prepared for them to win a few.
We can get more points and the only one I am dreading is Everton, very good at the moment.
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I don’t see the need to randomly throw in that comment about James, did you see that bobble? It was ridiculous and hardly his fault, just bad luck.
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Hired help who know the difference between ‘You’re’ and ‘Your’, eh Nath?
;)
Your blogs aren’t bad when they’re not filled with doom and gloom.
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SOME PEOPLE NO NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL. STOP SAYING WE SHOULD SIGN O’HARA FROM POMPY!!!!!!
HE IS A SPURS PLAYER SO CANNOT SIGN HIM FROM POMPY. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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Quite right that our win at West Ham has been recognised by the LMA. I dare to suggest that it was our best top-flight performance since the early 80′s???
And Mick has been the absolute picture of dignity all season – unlike those squabbling pensioners Fergie, Wenger & Benitez. Role models, eh? Their antics are appalling, like elderly versions of Craig Bellamy. And shame on Roberto Mancini, barrelling into David ‘thousand yard stare’ Moyes like an idiot the other night. How these hooligans behave brings the game into disrepute far more than fielding a ‘weakened’ team.
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Your consistency of understanding is an asset in fraught times.
No hatching of eggs; no hatching of Chris Eagles please. True, he has talent but he is anything but consistent/90 minute man.
Neither of the two Portsmouth boys will do.
Season 2 {provisional]=think quality-reflect-act. Or is this ‘nuance’ talk, 60 miles south of the Stadium?
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I put on here the other day, that i would have settled for 5-9pts, we got 7 so i was more than happy with that total in the last 3 games. And i would be happy with 2pts out of the next two-games too,as Everton have only lost 2 out the last 16, then we’ve got Arsenal away, i know they’ve got Barcelona in the CL, but AW want give us anything not while the title is still possible for Arsenal, so like the last 3 games id settle for 2pts ,then pick up a couple more wins in our remaining fixtures. Even 1 win and a few draws as long as were picking up points here and there ithats all we need to do now to be safe, Ive been a Wolves supporter for many yrs now and learn’t not to take anything for granted, im still going to keep my ‘Fingers’ crossed a while longer yet. ‘One game at a time’that’s what Manager’s and Players keep telling us and its ‘Very True’. GOOD LUCK AGAIN TOMMOROW LADS. UTW FOREVER
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Should be 3 point’s on saturday cos think it’s about time we brought sum of this away form to molineux then if we do think we can start thinking about being safe.
………UP THE WOLVES………….
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Nathan, the Blackcountry accent was once voted as the second most unattractive twang in the country…….. dont worry about it too much lol The scousers came first.
Anyhow, up the Wolves and 3 points tomorrow would in my opinion almost certainly see us safe.
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No 18. Mark B. Yes ive seen Hull’s run-in they’ve got a good run-in and should pick up some points, in fact ive got the remaining-fixtures for Hull,WHU,Burnley,Wigan,Bolton. how desperate is that, i used to have a good set of ‘Finger Nails’ now ive got none lol, Bolton got a tough run-in their games are Man Utd,Aston Villa,Chelsea,Stoke City,Portsmouth,Tottenham,Birmingham ( except Coyle and Mcliesh are best mates ) At times wish my dad had ‘NEVER’ taken me to watch a ‘FOOTBALL MATCH’ i wouldn’t be such a nervous wreck. UTW
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Its Dictionary Corner for the pedant Laurence.
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Can anyone shed any light on this? A report in today’s Times that says Wolves are one of a number of Prem clubs to have their credit ratings suspended. WTF?
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I have a greater respect for our “grammatically correct” fans, who says Black Country folk are stupid.
Half decent blog this week Nathan. Yesterday was terrible; two “just write something to fill the space” articles and bully’s “state the obvious” blog.
Do they accept pounds sterling down at the Stade de France or will the fans have to get some Euros?
I’ll take a point against a resurgent toffees side.
UTW
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Thanks St. Louis Wolf, I only chuck in the bad grammar to test the readers, honest to god!
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Were so safe we could give Burnley a couple of points & still won’t get caught. Hull & Burnley simply won’t reach 31 points.
I think we’ll be comfortably above them, West Ham, Wigan, Bolton & might even catch Sunderland with 40 points.
I’m looking forward to the fixture list to plan my next trip back to Blighty to see Wolves v Albion.
Everyone assumes I’m Australian here in Oklahoma cause I don’t sound like Dick Van Dyke…err, the offical English accent.
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Hi Nath, ow bin ya?
Your STILL not convinced are you! I keep telling you to keep the faith and back Mick.
Look, I have an idea….after you have wiped the yolk of your face and replaced it with a beaming ‘staying in the Prem’ smile, why not write a pro-Mick, next season in the Prem, Sir Lupi was right, I was wrong, blog, it would be so refreshing for us happy clappers!
Anyway, looking to the future now, anybody think we should have a look at this Messi fella at Barca, just incase Jarvis picks up a knock??
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Last good season in the top flight (1979-80) our away record was better than our home one I think. Away victories I remember over Arsenal, Everton, Man U, to name but three. Main differnce then was we had TWO great forwards in King John and Andy Gray. We need a quality guy alongside Doyley for next season.
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There have been a number of occassions in the past where Wolves have got themselves in a good position only to crash.31 points is not a safe target though very handy at this stage of the season.Wolves cannot afford to rest on their laurels and must go out and get as many points that they can.
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Sir Lupi
Bostin ta, yow? I’m 36 and I’ve lived 30 years of my live in Wolvo and yet some question whether my authenticity because I’ve lost a bit of my Ashmore twang!
I’m not sure I can go an all out, hell for leather “I love Mick blog”. I think most people would see through it. Mick has made mistakes, but I’ll be the first to admit that he has got more things right than wrong.
Jarvo for England, Doyle the Irish Rooney, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Craddock – the 2nd best defending goal scorer in the Prem. And I think we can all forgive Mick for the square pegs and his blind loyalty to some players for what he has achieved.
I don’t think people can forgive me for callng for his head at the end of his 2nd season which was an awful campaign.
If we stay up I’d quite happily pop round and wash his car or mow his lawn!
So, Happy Clapping might be a bit far, but I’ll certainly give Mick credit where it is due. The West Ham win was the best I’ve seen a Wolves team play in years.
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Twoddle. We are Premier League! The Everton game should be a celebration of Premier League football next season not full of fret and fear.
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Jamie O’Hara, now there would be a signing from Pompey!
Just kidding.
We do need a huge clear out in the summer and some real quality coming in.
A left back, a left winger and a striker. Bare minimum. Chris Eagles will be here and so will Robbie Keane.
Oh how wonderful that Hull are going down. Stephen Hunt? Great decision son.
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Fair play mate, I know its like being on a roller-coaster supporting the Wolves, you should of heard my expletives when Vokes missed that last minute sitter against Man U!
With the right man leading the charge, its patience and support from the fans that cements the rebuilding and focus of a successful club. In my view, and from day one, MM has never hidden or shied away from his task ensuring that if the raw talent is not matched, then the hard work and endeavor will pay off. It has, it does, Tuesday was the best ive seen Wolves play since the Cardiff play off final, but as fans, we, along with the dressing room, have to except that we win together and lose together, it makes you stronger. Look at the West Ham fans Tuesday, it was embarrasing!
So, I know its not official, but it will be Nath, lets sit back this summer and enjoy watching the World Cup with a view to maybe one or two players signing for us next season.
And lets not forget the prospect of playing the Tescos next season. Bring it on!!
Enjoy the game tomorrow, 2-1 Wolves.
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Cheers Sir Lupi, enjoy the game tomorrow yourself.
The thought of Sandwell Town rolling up in the Premership is a mouth watering proposition. I cah wait!
I’d take a point tomorrow, but to win would be cowin’ awesome!
I’ll see you for a pint!
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No 29 Morden, The article says that a number of factors are involved including payment history.I should imagine we have been slow in paying our suppliers.Perhaps Moxey has not paid for all those pints and pies he gave to the South Bank.Good luck to Mick and the lads tomorrow.
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