Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Big-name casualties ahead at Wolves
Tuesday 8th June 2010, 11:30AM BST.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is prepared for a summer of major change at Molineux and concedes that striker Andy Keogh could be a big-name casualty.
The manager has confirmed that the club still have “a bit of business to do” following last week’s combined near £10million lay-out for Jelle Van Damme and new record signing Steve Fletcher.
McCarthy is off to the World Cup this week with no specific targets on his radar, but with significant room to manoeuvre still on his transfer budget.
He said: “There is a bit of business still to be done and there will have to be a few move on as well.
“Chris Iwelumo has gone to Burnley. He was terrific. ‘Lumes’ was one of the building blocks in the club’s progress. You get sad but you have to move on. Players do become surplus to requirements.
“As a bloke I would still want him around, but players want to play football.
“Andy Keogh started the season, then got injured and wasn’t in the team. He does not want to be third or fourth choice, none of them do but that’s how it can end up.
“Andrew Surman is a good player, he had a couple of games then didn’t get his chance. He doesn’t want to be third or fourth choice.
“If that’s going to be the case they might want to move on. There are players who have helped us, but it comes to a natural progression that they will move on
“You can’t just keep them here for back up.”
Next season sees the introduction of the 25-man squad cap – eight of whom must have spent three seasons at an English or Welsh club between the age of 16 and 21 – which will be another factor in Wolves’ calculations.
McCarthy added: “The lads will all come back with renewed enthusiasm wanting to play. But if it looks like they aren’t going to play it will be: ‘Eh gaffer, do you see me fitting in here?’
“It’s not an exact science. I want them all to come back and fight for a spot – Richard Stearman at right back or centre-back, George Elokobi and Steven Ward at left-back now we have signed Van Damme.
“I am all for 25 players kicking, scrapping and biting to get into the team and making them as good as they can be.”
The manager also confirmed his hunt for new players will not include Portsmouth’s South Africa defender Aaron Mokeona and insisted that, despite a delay in signing, he “could not see a problem” in midfielder Dave Jones’s agreeing his new deal.
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Hopefully if we do sell Keogh, we get at least what we payed for him, if not more. Hes had allot of championship experience as well as a bit of premier league experience, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash for him. Im suprised Mick mentioned surman, as i expected him to be loaned out and hopefully come back a better player. I think Edwards may be another player that moves on, considering we have a few other players who are ahead of him, and the possibilty of bringing in another central midfielder, would push him back even further.
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We have a lot of dead wood Championship players that we need to ship out. i hope to see more leaving soon.
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Keogh?
Good. get rid.
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The thing about a squad of 25 is that you need a no of players who are versatile and Keogh fits that bill.You have to get money in and perhaps a no of Championship clubs are in for him.I was surprised Laws didn’t want Keogh in the Fletcher deal.Perhaps Andy is paying the price for not running the ball into the corner in the last minute at Arsenal.He will not score enough goals but given his all round contribution I think we should keep him.
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best to get rid of keogh and co while we can get something for them, as they will never be up to the standard we want.
Their wages could be spent on better players.
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If Mick wants two good players for each position he should fill in the following gaps:
GK – Hanneman/Hennessey/Ikeme
RB – Zubar/Foley
LB – Van Damme/Elokobi
CB – _________/Craddock
CB – Berra/Stearman
RM – Kightly/Mujangi Bia
LM – Jarvis/_________
CM – Henry/_________
CM – Jones Milijas
CF – Doyle/SEB
CF – Fletcher/_________
Back ups:
Edwards, Guediourra, Ward etc.
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Keogh,Halford,Surman,Hill,Hoff.
Be lucky,to get back half what we paid for them.
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Thank the stars. Keogh was all kinds of useless last season, completely exposed at that level. Best of luck to the lad but not a Premier League player.
I will now await his vituperative defenders to descend.
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Keogh should stay!! Whos to say that new players wil transform the team….. We might have some “dead wood Championship players” still but they aint being played much in the first team, trainning is there for a reason, i mean look at Doyle Craddock at the momment, our longest serving player….. still the number one defender!!
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I think this is a sensible strategy from Mick – before swanning off to South Africa, chuck a couple of potentially surplus to requirement players into the media and see if anyone bites.
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All the Keogh fans just see someone who runs around a lot. i cannot fault his enthusiasm and effort but hey, you need a bit more than that. For a striker he does not score! You all know that with a decent chance its odds on he wont even hit the target! Good luck Andy – my advice would be league one.
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I think Mick is right to want to get rid of these players, and free up some cash. However I don’t really get why the likes of surman and keogh have been virtually told they are surplus to requirements and yet Ward has signed a 3 year deal.
Does anyone know much about this serbian striker we are being linked with?
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Looks like I got this one right
we didnt score enough goals last season and MM knows we probably would go down next season if we dont particularly at home.
Iwelumo, SEB, Keogh have not been good enough. SEB will get one more chance this season but will be behind doyle and fletcher.
Others who could be squeezed out might be edwards, stearman,ward and kightly because hes been out so long.
I feel sorry for the hoff as he hasnt had a chance, and has looked more of a premiership forward that iwelumo,keogh in the short time he’s been on the field
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Although a little shot shy Keogh’s a very talented player and can hold possession whilst creating chances for others. I think he is still a valuable asset to us in the prem. Should we be fortunate enough to be a goal or two in front he is a perfect sub for Flecther or Doyle.
Agree with the rest tho, Surman, Hill, Hoofmeyer et al should all be on their way.
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must admit Keogh as a striker couldnt hit a cows backside with a banjo. but attacking midfielder maybe?? dont think we seen the best of Hoff to be honest dont think hes been given much of a chance,
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6) PeteNuts. I ain’t gonna be abusive, that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it, but,IMO I think you’re being a tad unfair. Keogh never really had chance to get to grips with the Premiership because of injuries and then his role was as a bit part player. I was at Wigan in August and he was immense, and I mean immense! Okay Wigan have not got one of the best defences, but, if he’d been allowed to carry on in that role with KD it might have been a different story.
From what MM is saying it’ll be Keogh’s choice to move on, through frustration, rather than not being Premiership standard.
This “natural progression of moving players on” our manager speaks of may well include the likes of Surman, Stearman, Kightly even Foley. These are players I like and would prefer to keep and develop, but, I suppose a lot will depend upon how many non “homegrown” players we finish up with as the window starts to close.
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12 Chazadawolf
Mick has not said they are surplus to requirements, he quite clearly says THEY might want to move on.
Stephen Ward was given a three year contract so he doesn’t move on for a Bosman free. It’s right for the Club to protect their assets in this way. (Think Collins !)
Not sure what’s left on Keogh and Surman’s contracts but, they will no doubt be worth something particularly the latter only signed 12 months ago.
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Still require a goalkeeper, Hanneman is fine but Hennessey is poor.
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Good natural evolution of the squad
Even better that we are doing it with 2 key signings already in the bag
Next stage will be increased interest in our key players from bigger Clubs eg Doyle / Arsenal link
I think in the past, Teams who have had a good initial season in the Prem have not been brave and ruthless enough in the next close season.
Really liking our progress as a Club
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There was always going to be some casualties but it is likely that there will be 2 or 3 new faces still to come. Some players may be loaned and some sold.
Definite for the chop – Hill and the Hoff.
Possibles – Keogh, Surman, Edwards and Ikeme/Hennessey
Anyway it is a good position to be in. The Premier might be stronger next season but so will our team and squad be. Those buffoons down the road think they have a better squad than us??? Only two of their players would get into our squad – Dorrans and Brunt!
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Agree with Admant..14…Keogh is very talanted and is a flexable player, and played well along side Kevin Doyle when given the chance. He is a goal creater not finisher, hence, he is not popular with the crowd, but we need players like him in support of Doyle & Fletcher.
One player that should follow ‘big Chris’ is Ebanks Blake, who will struggle to get a game next season I believe with Doyle & Fletcher leading the charge….Or, does Mad Mick know something yet to be announced?????
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Surman, Halford, Keogh, Hill, Hennessey, Ward, Hoff – should all be shown the door if we want to add some more quality to our team. Like these:
Mokena/Wheater
O’Hara
Eagles
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Cant understand MM signing Fletcher just a couple of weeks after the close of the season, and naming likely departures from the side for next season.
My take on this is that Wolves will not see Kevin Doyle starting next season,and that Management is well aware of this.
No one played better along side Doyle than Keogh on the few occasions they were together,
neither ‘Chris or Ebanks’ could run with him.
I would suggest that Ebanks will be a better partner to Fletcher and the style he plays, and that Doyle will be sold to one of the several Premiership clubs known to be interested in him.
Remember, you heard it first here, Doyle will be on his way during the Summer, and McCarthy is well aware of this.
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i agree with mm on this one,its just natural that some of our squad players should be move on,i will be sorry if keogh does go but if he get regular football at another team then good luck to him and any other players that goes.
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It’s obvious that some players will be moved, hopefully it will be players that won’t be missed.
Hill should go, Stef the chef (awful signing), Keogh, who we might get a few quid for, Hennessey who for a long time I’ve thought was over rated – good shop stopper but a liability on crosses and the other one should be Kightly – simply doesn’t have the quality to play in the prem despite his huff n puff.
Just hope Fletcher isn’t a replacement for Doyle – fingers crossed!!
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No way would i sell Andy Keogh, he’s got great skill / vision he can see and make very good passes , and runs off the ball well makes and creates ‘Space’. He can also play anywhere upfront, plus he’s a good age about 24/25yrs old so he’s a player to keep. Id also like to see Surman kept maybe loaned out to a top Championship team for a season, he too is a decent young player, and the right age group. Their are others we could release without missing any of them , Halford, Hill,Hoff, just to name three. We still need a ‘Top Winger’ UTW
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Typical Wolves fans. All singing a very different song after the Wigan game. Keogh’s got a lot to offer wolves as a 3rd/4th choice striker and I’ll miss him if he goes.
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Keep Keogh,he is still our third best forward,even though he does not score many goals.Need left sided player who can mark winger out of game.
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Keogh moving on definitely increases the strength of the squad. Happy days.
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We have some dross to lose but Keogh and Edwards are very versatile and useful squad players. I would not sell them.
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SEB was top scorer in the championship 2 seansons, he was injured last season. I reckon he’s our BEST striker.
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@ 16) Cuddly Dudley
Firstly, thanks for the measured response, a lot of people on here could learn from you.
I wasn’t there, but it seems to me that the Wigan game was the exception that proves the rule with Keogh – I saw him in three games and in each of them he seemed to be terrified of getting his head down and running in, you know, the general direction of the goal – instead of making forward progress, he’d look up, freak out, panic and pass the ball backwards. At home against West Ham he did practically nothing else BUT do this. There is an argument for letting him settle at the top level, as we granted the same courtesy to Zubar, Jarvis, Elokobi… But I think that’s a luxury too far for a team where goals are hard to come by.
And on a more fundamental level, he really needs to sort that hair out, it’s a shocker.
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If you want 2 striker on the bench I would definetely prefer seb and keogh to either the hoff or vokes. I can see stearman coming right back into the picture next season as well as kightly who im sure will be as good as kevin doyle was this season. Also I think Milijas will really push on next season. He’s had his settling in season and i think he will be our driving force from midfield next season. Team ATM:
Hahneman stearman zubar craddock van damme jarvis Henry Milijas Kightly Doyle Fletcher
Subs:
SEB, Keogh, Foley, Edwards, Jones, Goudiohre, Henessey.
Would like 1 final class central midfield signing out of O’Hara, Noble or Sidwell plus Mokoena who i’m sure is on his way after the world cup.
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Well Wigan then,certainly was not the Emerates.Came on for Doyle,last 15 mins.
Might just has well stayed in the dressing room.Not interested,not bothered.
Wonder why,after that game he never again even kept the bench warm.
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Keogh’s got a lot to offer wolves as a striker and I’ll miss him if he goes.feel mick should keep him . always puts in 100% will ok up front with doyler
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What’s happening to Matt Murray? Surely he’s finished now? Another wage we could save on.
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To the couple of earlier posters who mentioned Stearman in the same breath as some of the others who will be leaving – why not read what Mick said more carefully.
He wants Stears to stay and fight for his place either as LB or CB so hands off one of our brightest hopes for the future.
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strange but i thought andy looked better in the prem than in the champ??? only let him go if we can bring a better player in, hes a good squad player and versitle
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Mixed feelings about Keogh,can`t make my mind up whether he`s an out and out striker or whether he`d be better just behind our TWO strikers as more of an attacking midfielder.The trouble is finding room for him.Why not let him out on loan to see how he developes?Next,Mick should be going for O`hara and possibly Piquionne and don`t forget Mancienne.I hope Milijas can come good what an asset he could be and also I don`t think The Hoff was given a chance.He`s played International football and scored goals and European Champions League football and scored goals.You don`t become a bad footballer overnight and with his hieght I would have thought he would be an asset to any forward line,look what Crouch does.
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If nothing else the article, gives a good insight into the down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach of Mick McCarthy. Sentimentality should not stand in the way of advancing the quality of the playing staff.
Keogh is a useful squad player to bring on as a late substitution.
It would seem pretty obvious that the starting partnership for next season will be Fletcher and Doyle. If it does’nt work out then Ebanks-Blake looks most likely to be the first choice option to partner one or the other.
I don’t believe that Doyle will be leaving the club this season coming season. The fact that Arsenal made an enquiry means nothing. Clubs do it all the time about many players whether they are available or not.
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This is a no brainer. The guys mentioned are all championship players, we are in the premiership and we need premiership players if we want to go forward. So the players mentioned should move on. How simple is that?
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Evolution of the squad and players aspirations and disapointments will certainly mean that faces will come and go.
I personally love the fact that at the end of the season it pretty much our championship winning side that were being picked week in and week out, alongside Han, Zub and Doyle.
I think that get two good strikers teamed up with two good wingers and Keogh would fit into the side.
I for one hope he stays even if its as a squad player.
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I have never been a massive fan of keogh myself so wouldnt miss him too much. I dont think kightly has had a fair crack at the prem yet and think he could cause some havoc. Would get rid of the hoff, surman, hill, edwards and murray! Would love to see a really strong midfield! Mancienne, O’Hara and ledley!
UTW
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About time i heard some good news. Ive never rated Keogh so it will be a good thing to get rid as he aint prem quality and never will be. CASH IN MORGAN!
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Looking at the squad and it´s size as it stands right now..there doesn´t seem to be any urgent need for someone to leave that doesn´t wants to himself.
Granted,I have not included Halford and Surman in my estimation regarding our squad for next season..with that in mind there are only 22 names on it at present that is named in the mandatory 25 man squad.Players like Vokes and Mujangi Bia and Malone comes for free so to speak..they are under 21 years of age.
What is badly needed looking at the squad is a new centrehalf.We only really got Craddock and Berra at present..with Stearman and Zubar as possible backups.Not deep enough and not good enough.I expect another transfer coming in here before season starts.
Midfield..given that it seems unlikely we will be getting Mancienne back..we need another defensive midfielder.At present only Henry and Guedioura at this position..not deep enough,not good enough.I expect another transfer in here before season starts.
Wingcover?One of the things we didn´t had last season.Looking at RW..we have Kites and I guess Fletcher as an alternative if(when)Kightly picks up another injury.LW we have Jarvis..and that´s it basically.We really need another winger for competition and backup.
All in all,three new transfers..and a squad of 25 fellas..including both Keogh and Edwards..providing they feel up for it that is.
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Come on guys, Keogh works tremendously hard. It makes up for his lack of talent. In the Championship he could get away with the deception, but in the Premiership he gets found out, quickly.
Better he goes to a Championship team, he will do well for them.
Surman also hasn’t shown much talent.
Kites has to be given a chance when he has fully recovered from his injuries.
Why did we sign Hill? Can someone remind me?
Personally, I can’t wait for Danny Batth and Nat Mendez-Laing to break into the first team. Great prospects.
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Keogh is much better than Mujangi Bia.
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I too would not like to see Keogh go. It’s already been mentioned before (a few times), but I reckon Andy would make a decent “play in the hole” link type midfielder. He is full of running and he can pass intelligently. Andy is unfortunate that we didn’t score many goals last season and that he didn’t score many either, add to that the fact he was injured and didn’t play much after he came back. A striker is judged mainly by goals really in this league and Andy doesn’t score enough to be called a striker it seems, that I can’t deny. You can’t fault his endevour and he’s still young, so if he went I think we could regret it in the long term (I did say could before anyone dives in on that one). He’s also versatile (again, as has already been mentioned) and can play midfield, wing and striker.
He made a mistake near the death at the Emirates fair enough, giving the ball away (attempted 30 yd chip) instead of going into the corner with it. The 25 player rule is going to see us have to ship out some players we would rather keep, there’s no doubt about that. As much as I (and others) don’t like it, I believe Andy will probably move on due to limited first team chances. If he does I won’t really blame him but he will be a big miss for me, but that’s football I suppose.
Up The Wolves.
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I hope he stays. He played well in the early parts of last season before getting injured. He may not score many goals, but the other parts of his game make up for it. He’s useful cover for up front and on the wings – a position that we lack cover.
If he goes, I think he will do well and a lot of Keogh haters will realise what a good player he is.
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Feel the lad gave 100% but did not quite make the cut. Think with time thou he would have come good, but time is what you don’t have in the Prem. Mind you if he had have scored from the lob against arsenal he would have won and he would still be a hero today, but he did’nt and from that they scored. Nail in coffin i think, should have run it into the corner lad.
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We totally agree with micks decision, time waits for no one, Keogh ect had enough chances to impress in training/games ect if it’s not good enough in the managers eyes it’s time to move on, they are not going to play? especially at this level.
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Keogh isn’t good enough for the prem. He isnt confident on the ball and gives it away to easily and too often. 0-0 at arsenal, keogh is on and all he needs to do is head down and run to the corners to time waste – he gives the ball away and we lose. He scored a good goal against Wigan but he’ll never score a header like that again in his life. He has good qualities but is far too indecisive and has no confidence in himself and if we can get what we paid for him I think we’ll have done well.
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Gutted he is going. I feel he has a lot to bring us and everyone seems to have incredibly short memories of what he has done for us. Hope he stays but cannot see it. Doesnt score enough goals but brings a lot to the team!
Good luck Andy
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Keep Keogh, he is a great squad player and always gives 100%…Should play well up front with new striker Fletcher, because, make no mistake ‘Kevin Doyle will not be at Wolves next season’
Even ‘blind Freddie’ should be able to see that MM has secured Fletcher to replace Doyle who will move on to a mid-table Premiership outfit.
There is no way Fletcher & Doyle could work together and or accept the other as the main striker……Mark my words when its announced after the world Cup……..
If we are looking for a new Keeper as Hennersey will move on as well, Speroni of Palace would be a great backup for USA
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54 said:
Even ‘blind Freddie’ should be able to see that MM has secured Fletcher to replace Doyle who will move on to a mid-table Premiership outfit.
There is no way Fletcher & Doyle could work together and or accept the other as the main striker……Mark my words when its announced after the world Cup……..
Whilst I respect your opinions – What actual evidence/ proof do you have to back this up? Name your source or proof???
As for Keogh – way down the pecking order time to move him on imv for the club and players good – thanks for what you did and good luck wherever you go – hair styled like Torres (old style) but nowhere near the quality
We hope for far better
Up the Wolves!
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allot of people keep pointing out the aresnal game, where keogh decided to shoot instead of running it in the corner. At the end of the day, they still had to get past all of our players and put it in the back of our net. Maybe if he had took it into the corner, they wouldnt have scored, maybe if Henry hadnt have been sent off they wouldnt have scored, maybe if the defence hadnt of switched off for that final cross they wouldnt have scored, but thats alot of maybes, and thats what makes football so good to watch.
Anyway, my point is, its not fair to blame him, as that decision wasnt a direct result of them scoring, i could imagine if he gave the ball away in our own box. I like Keogh, i feel hes a similar player to Doyle, but not quite as good in every department. If we keep him, i feel he would be good backup in case of injuries, and if we sell him, i hope we get a decent price for him and wish him all the best, as hes run himself into the ground for this team.
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Come on people Keogh is not that bad really, He as shocked me last season the way he played as one up. So keogh as to stop. end of.
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Unless Keogh wants to move, Wolves should keep him. He’s a creative player who also looks for goals. He didn’t have much opportunity to play last season. I think if he is given the chance, say, a run of two or three games, he will be able to show what he can do. Remember his brilliant goal against Derby last season, which lifted our morale and set us on that final run to promotion?
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