Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Wolves boss pleased with left-back
Wednesday 2nd March 2011, 11:19AM GMT.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has hinted that the form of George Elokobi could yet save the club from a plunge into the transfer market.
Elokobi’s vast improvement has seen him oust Stephen Ward, shortly after Jelle Van Damme left for the £2.5million the club paid for him in the summer.
Left-back was a position McCarthy targeted over a year ago with the scouting of Van Damme and Wolves fans never got to see the tall Belgium international play in the position he was bought for in the Premier League, after his move to Standard Liege.
But his loss has proved to be Elokobi’s gain as the 25-year-old has confounded his critics with some sterling performances, notably in the 2-1 win against Manchester United when he scored his first league goal for the club.
McCarthy said: “We are alright there at the minute – George is playing well. And we’ve got Stephen Ward, who got moved up front and scored the winner at Liverpool. But Wardy has still been brilliant.
“George has been great and he’s defended really well. He’s a presence in the back four and he’s got really good pace.
“He cost us £300,000 from Colchester and now after three years, he’s playing well in the Premier League.
“A lot of our players have all improved together.”
McCarthy revealed hard work and determination on the training ground has improved Elokobi – who was playing parks football seven years ago – particularly his use of the ball.
The Wolves boss said: “George has worked at it and we’ve worked with him. We’ve encouraged him to get on the ball and pass it. Now he’s getting better and better.
“He really works at his game, trying to better his deliveries and trying to improve his right foot. He’s really good at trying to improve himself.
“He’s also a real presence physically too – he’s strong and powerful and he defends well.
“So I feel you’ve got to love them for what they do well rather than anything else.”
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Oh Dear
It looks like we are stuck with George and Wardy FOREVER………………..
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He is getting better. Keep it up George!!!
But think we should always be looking to improve squad in all positions
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I like Big George and think he can go on and improve and be a top class player, but I think more likely as a centre half as he’s so big and powerful.
We do need to strengthen our defence and invest some hefty money in it next year, if we are still in this prem.
I certainly don’t want to see Ward back at left back, he was an unmitigated disaster in that role. It was becomming embarassing.
Wardy looked much more at home in his natural position, which wasn’t that suprising really.
The reality is, however ‘Superb’ or ‘Brilliant’ our players have been, for two years in a row we’ve been fighting a relegation battle, so it’s time to invest in the team and shore up our defence in the summer.
I have to say though, even the defence has been looking half decent of late.
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Defensively he does not do a lot wrong and has improved this season. However he still seems to have a problem with his distribution at times, but he is getting better.
To me there is not a great deal of difference between Ward and Elokobi, although I think Ward supports the winger better when he plays at left back.
Elokobi, along with Stearman, are the two most improved players this season.
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Still has to get in how “brilliant” Ward is.. Getting ridiculous how the kid has to get on the pitch for every game, regardless of who else can do a better job. Im not blaming Ward, the bloke tries and gives his all. Well done George, I have been a critic but have been very impressed the last few fames.
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Ever heard of man management guys !!
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i love big goerge i really do but we do need a better option there imo. elokobi has held his own since he cam back into the team which is good and shows hes improving but surely we must be looking at all of our defence in terms of needing new players.
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The players we brought up with us may be playing well but we have been in the relegation pretty much all season. Yet look at the players we got
There always seems to be interest in Doyle and Jarvis and a number of clubs went for Hunt and Fletcher in the summer Plus a number of clubs have been sniffing around Jones.
Guedioura and Milijas are decent midfielders who fit well in the premiership. Henry is getting eyed up by Cappello and Mancienne and O’hara were already highly rated Premiership players plus I’m sure most clubs around us would jump at the chance for SEB and Kightly if he was fit. Our forward set up looks like an established premiership squad all of those players would walk into other premiership teams and its not like they haven’t been scoring any goals and we can’t do much better without spending 10′s of millions now so why are we still in the relegation zone ?????????????????
Because we concede too many goals and who’s fault is that our championship quality defence. I’m sorry Mick but even if Elokobi is playing well and Stearman and Berra may be playing well and Craddock had a good season last year but it’s time to wake up. You need to start replacing these players if we do stay up because otherwise it’s going to be the same next season again.
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As I’ve always said, he may not be the fastest, he may not be the most skilful, but wingers have still got to get around him!
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I certainly don’t recognize the improvement MM
describes.
There is some,but,nothing like George being a PL defender.
The position still requires improving imo.
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RichWolf64; Yes, the reality is that we’ve been fighting relegation for two years. But its also a reality that 2 years ago we were trying to get out of the Championship.
There’s no easy way / an instant way to Premier league safety these days.
Im not saying we dont need a better left back, and Im not saying George is the best thing since sliced bread, but should McCarthy come out and say “George will do for now until we find someone better” ?
Hardly motivating, is it ?
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Big G has gone from strength to strength. You have to love his passion and would rather the tea lady play at left back than ward ( the worse player I’ve EVER seen )….
However another left back is a must
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3. could’nt agree more, some interesting news coming out of the spurs camp, gareth bale, defoe to miss wolves clash, and possibly rested for ac milan game will be-modric/crouch/dawson/lennon, so it could be our best shot to beat em o sunday. utw
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Big George has improved tremendously and when in form – as he is right now – he does a good job both going forward and in defence.
I think Wardy finally found his right place in the game against Blackpool – at the inner midfield. But we have many who can play in that position so he will probably continue as a very versatile utility player coming on from the bench when needed.
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“We are alright there at the minute – George is playing well. And we’ve got Stephen Ward, who got moved up front and scored the winner at Liverpool. But Wardy has still been brilliant.”
Mick, if you want to play Ward then go ahead if he is what takes to win games, but please dont make justifications for playing him as only gives numpties more to have a go at.
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I almost wet myself when I read that.
In what world is george elokobi even a championship footballer?
Mick loves the line “but he only cost us a few hundred grand…”
That may be so mick, but that doesn’t mean he’s any bleedin’ good! George is shocking – possibly the worst footballer i’ve seen in a Wolves shirt over the past 30 years – and i’ve seen a few.
Isn’t it amazing when we actually spend a bit of cash. We get the likes of O’Hara, milijas, Doyle and to a degree Fletcher. W pay peanuts and we’re left with Elokobi, Ward, Mr Average (Foley), Henry… blah blah blah.
All very average players. Technically questionable and “worth a punt”. We have 3 top quality players and that’s it. Milijas, O’Hara and Doyle.
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Worse than Ward and that is staying something. He may be a nice guy and puts a shift in but he is never a good left back. I don’t think he would get into any other Prem team. But if Mick thinks he is then you can call be Dick Van Moss from now on………….
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Big George ,George elokobi
Watch out for your knee!
Gotta Love the guy,always gives 110% for the old gold shirt! Having said that we really do need to sure up the defense in the summer !
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16) You don’t go to many games then mate. I have been to them all and there is no doubt that our defence is both settled and improving! There are five worse defences than us – Villa being one and Blackburn are the same. Goals conceded have been down to stupid mistakes but also our midfield have not done their job.
Elokobi and Stearman have had some cracking games. Now most of our squad is back and with our two good January recruits, we have strength in depth in midfield and upfront and have a very good chance of survival. We certainly have winnable home games and we need at least one more victory away this season please. Villa, Blues or Stoke would be nice!
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Ive always liked George Elokobi, we must remember were he’s come from, and the step up in football he’s made? We must also remember he had a career threatening injury,which set his progress right back, then he come straight into the PL. All this takes time, and know i believe we are seeing the best out of him. Why i prefer him over Ward at left back is he’s a natural defender, he thinks like a defender, he knows when and how to close his winger down, what distance he should be off the player and he’s a bigger threat at set plays, and scores more goals than Ward does,unlike Ward who forever stands off his winger far to much, which leaves him to much to do when the winger as already got the ball at his feet? But having said that, i think its ‘false economy’ to say to we dont need another LB, what if GE gets injured or loses form? Does that mean we revert to Ward playing LB again, which IMO only is a backward step. A lot depends on which league we find ourselves in next season, if its the PL which is what we all want, then im sorry but i think we need to invest in another top LB to fight it out with George Elokobi.UTW:
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And we’ve got Stephen Ward, who got moved up front and scored the winner at Liverpool. But Wardy has still been brilliant
He still had to get that in there about ward being so ”ace” didnt he hahaha
13, defoe has been on the bench for them last 4 games so its not like hes a starter, lets not think about them and just think about us
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Mr Smug u must b an Albion fan, either that or ur just stupid and dont watch many games.
to say elokobi is the worst player to ever put on a wolves shirt is just pathetic, and as for foley being just average then u really are one of those numpties that Mr McCarthy as refferd to on a few occasions.How about if u r a wolves fan that stop ur negetive dribble and get behind the boys and support them till the end.
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No 16, if Elokobi is the worst player youve ever seen in a Wolves shirt over the last 30 years you either a) dont go very often or b) no little about football. Probably both.
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George is the type of player that supports love because he may not be the best footballer and is prone to make mistakes but he give 100% effort and is capable of playing a blinder. Saying that if we are to step up to the next level next season George would make for a good squad player. As for Foley (Mr Average) he is a quality player who hasn’t had the number of starts he deserved this season. If we are to spend money next season lets get some real quality like O’Hara who can get the ball forward, pass and keep the ball. Then may be we wouldn’t have to worry so much about our defence. UTW.
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We, as a club, are giving young players the chance to improve and make their careers with us. This in turn firstly, creates loyalty from the players here because they appreciate the opportunity Wolves have given them & secondly, it means other good, young players will want to come to us knowing they’ve a good chance at improving their game.
This is a good sustainable model for the club to follow.
Quite frankly, the number of people on these pages only a couple of months ago that were writing off Stearman as “Championship at best” was embarrassing. He is a young man learning his trade and gaining experience and improving all the time. The same now with Elokobi. It’s a credit to McCarthy & Wolves that we have the courage to develop these players and think longer term in what is now a very short sighted industry.
I’m just glad that come match day, all the people here slating the likes of Stearman, Zubes & Elokobi earlier this season either don’t turn up, or don’t have the bottle to voice their opinions in the real world because the support at the Molineux has been excellent.
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mr smug. 3 top quality players, your right, all the others are average championship players, so is’nt it even more astonishing that this season , blackpool,wolves and wba at arsenal have once and for all put to bed the idea that the premier league is the best in the world quality wise and technically.
this season especially some of the league matches have been like f.a.cup games, also im sure if kightly had been fit and adlene gaurdiera would have added to the quality 3.
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I LOVE BIG GEORGE! HES MY FAVOURITE!!!!!
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Bargain basement buying = basement league positions. Now we´re fine with Elokobi as a Prem left back and Wrady for goodness sake as back up. Managerial limitation in imagination will = relegation, if not this season, then next.
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Steady on No.12 – I no ward is no maradona but surely not the worst!!! Hindmarch ring any bells……
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Awful.
“WORKING ON HIS RIGHT FOOT” – he’s a Premier League footballer – he shouldn’t need to work on his right foot!
The kid can’t play – no changing that – feel sorry for Jarvis at times – can’t be easy.
If we survive then we need a new eft back – simples.
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I am sadened at the ‘numpties’ who after berating Players of wolverhampton Wanderers then go on to use the words ‘we’ or ‘our’ when discribing what they think is ‘there’ club!!! How dare they.
We are in a desparate fight for survival and Mick is doing his upmost to ‘big up the players’ to inspire them to go on and play with the confidence of their managers backing.
The last thing anybody needs is for ‘total numpties’ to pour what can only be discribed as offensive over the top scorn on anyone connected with the club.
If you have nothing good to say then at least show some class and SAY NOTHING then ‘OUR’ club has a chance of surviving this battle. goodness knows its hard enough without adding to the pressure these young lads are under some of which are thousands of miles from home.
“Come On Be Babbies”
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what tools,no george aint the best left back in the prem,but hes certainly in the top 6 or 7,whole hearted and commited.rather have him in there than wardy,who can do a job at the top of the park.the guys an international,has this happened by fluke,noooo.stop being so fickle,and mr smug as for him being the worst player to have ever graced a wolves shirt,your chattin shirt.i can reel of a lot to ya,but im not gonna waste my time talking to someone that believes their own hype.why haven’t you been snapped up by arsenal as chief scout,ohh thats right you cant spot a talent when its right in front of your eyes.did you get snapped up when you were playin park football,nooo.so go away with your negative bile and stick to playing football manager,trying to get the tescos outta the chumpionship.
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Ward fantastic utility player. and big george improving all the time !!!
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25, spot on.
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While I dont rate Elokobi, very highly, its obvious to all, that he’s improved greatly during the past weeks.
Its great to see players, without a lot of talent, putting in hours on the training ground, making them improve to a level, where they’re actually better than those who had the talent in the first place.
So, well done to Big George.
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George is without doubt improving , he was my man of the match at The Albion , still not convinced about Wardy, workrate , heart etc…is admirable although most of us on this page could offer Mick that.
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I have genuinely felt all along that Elokobi is a class act. He has improved all season and will benefit if Wolves replace Craddock and Berra. Its looking like Stearman can fill the CH role so a decent CH purchase in the summer and we should have a good back line (for a change).
You can never fault his commitment and effort and that goes a long way in the bottom half of the EPL.
1-0 Win against Spurs.
Charlie
ATLANTA WOLVES
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16) Mr Smug
Bet you regret posting that piece of garbage
Made yourself look very silly
Keep it up George, most people recognise the effort you’ve put in to improve the way you have.
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Many people post on here are either:-
i) Clueless about football.
ii) Never go and watch Wolves.
iii) Support the doomed club with the horrible striped kit and sing hymns.
Why? Because they cite players like Ward, Henry, Edwards, Berra and Elokobi as worst ever category. Please…. did any of you go to Burnden Park and see us lose 3-0 to Chorley. Players like Eli, Zelem, Herbert were most definitely dire. Please no more rubbish!
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16) Seen as you obviously never go up the Wolves here’s a couple of names you may never have seen in a Wolves Shirt.
1) Tomasz Frankowski.
2) Robert Taylor.
I think you will find that George is somewhat better than either of these ever were should you decided to watch.
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Well done to big George, he is improving every match. He deserves credit for his passion, effort and commitment to the Wolves. Also credit must go to the coaching staff.
Great to see him score against Man Utd. George causes panic at set pieces in the oppositions half!
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Can I add Campbell and Cavan Chapman – truly awful, but then they were the managers sons!
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ridiculous, george is crap and ward is even worse.
‘a presence’ and ‘defended well’????!!!!!
Give me a break mccarthy! he is fat, slow and an easy target for the other side and any decent winger would skin him easily. Rubbish. Mick Out
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40 – Spot on!
I would also like to add Claridge to that list..
Ward is an Andy Thompson type jack of all trades player (only considerably taller!). Very useful in a 25 man squad.
I would like to point out to no one in particular that the transfer window is now in fact shut. This means that we can’t sign anyone until the end of the season. It seems to me that some of you are having difficulty in grasping this.
This means that we have to go with what we’ve got, and what we’ve got aint bad. It could be better – even Manchester United could say that, though!
But it could also be a lot worse. Like having demotivated players reading that they are the worst Wolves players in living memory, or that they are going to be out on their posterior in the summer and be replaced..
We may not stay up, we may stay up and struggle again next year. But we will do this with an honesty and integrity uncommon in this league. I for one am PROUD to be a Wolves fan and PROUD of our players.
This is a SPORT and in sport you have winners and losers – teams that stay up (just) and teams that go down (just) with not more than a fag paper between them. So even if we go down, IT DOESN’T MAKE US A BAD TEAM, full of bad players! This premier league is a very strong league this year and 3 good, quality teams are going down!!
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sorry steaman is good and will be top quality defender, but the rest of back 4 not up to the
premanship. george tries but will never be more
than average like 75% of team.
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The damage was done earlier in the season, the last ten games we have performed quite well and with a couple of bad games excepted are the form team , This has been due to the steady improvement of a number of our players who are gaining experience in this League.It will be tight and I think we will need 41 points to stay up.But the green shoots are now showing and with some better team selection and not playing young inexperienced players out of position,we will succeed UTW!!
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According to today’s Independent, we are going to finish 16th on 41 points.The Baggies are going down on 39pts.So that’s it then,no worries and Pete Nuts can collect his bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape.
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Mr SMUG,
think the guys are right, you must be a ticket holder at the Poorthorns beause none of what you stated makes sense….true, George is not the finished article as far as the Prem goes but hes getting better & better every game…some fantsatic challenges against the tesco lot the other week….& hes getting further n further forward giving Jarvo chance to cut in & deliver even more killer balls.
Will agree his distribution out of defence needs to be much, much better…but didnt see you moan about Henry who recently seems to have lost his passing boots…..
Get a grip mate…or a new pair of specticles……….
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Whoop Whoop Cuddley from Dugley!! There really are some unappreciative people out there,and seeing as we’re naming games(which I wasn’t gonna do,but now can’t resist)I’ll inform 16 of a few players a little less blessed than OUR BIG GEORGE.Kevin Ashley,Ray Hankin,Steve Corica,Mo Camara(LEFT BACK LIKE BIG GEORGE DOES,BUT A TAD WORSE),Darren Ferguson.I could go on but I’m bored now,plus I don’t associate with T T T Tesco’s ;) There spat it out.
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No16 Mr Smug.John Richards and Dave Wagstaffe were far worse players than Big George!! Well, you started it!!!!
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It was soon obvious that van Damme did not have the pace to play left back in Premier League, which is why Mick used him to reasonable effect in midfield.
Well done, George..it’s great to see players progressing. I believe he will grow into a real Molineux favourite !
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Do any of you numpties that come on here and whine like a bunch of old women outside Gregg’s actually go the games?!
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Kevin Foley – Mr Average?
He’s the closet thing ive seen to Denis Irwin, you need to start watching the games properly mate or have a lesson in football.
CLOWN!
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As I have said before, George deserves credit for getting over his very bad injury, and yes he has some way to go, it is up to the coaching at the club to make him a better player.
McCarthy is at fault for not giving him a consistant run in the team early on, as he has done with so many players, he has to keep meddling with the side. Whilst I haven’t knocked and will not knock Wards effort, brilliant is not what I would descibe him as, he has been at fault for so many of the goals from the LB position. That is not his fault it is McCarthy’s
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39 brummierobwolves-
‘many people who post on here are…’
1) Clueless about football…..
Well said,I couldn’t have put it better myself.It’s good of you to lead by example…….
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south_bank_wolf – Your an idiot. Hes fat, and slow, what are you talking about. Hes huge but that aint fat mate. Hes slow? Hes kept up with a fair few wingers so far this season. Oh and wingers are meant to be fast, How many defenders has jarvis skinned this season, does that mean all those are too slow for the prem?
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After the Blackpool win clearly McCarthy must tinker with the formation. We can’t have people like Ebanks scoring goals so he must go to the bench. Fortunately O’Hara can’t play because he shoots and scores goals from outside the box.
We need to go back to our hoof and hope play as passing it along the ground means that we are looking like a Premiership team which will never do
We also need to play our £6.5 million super striker as we can always guarantee no goals from those boots.
Yes, some judicious tinkering from our manager should ensure normal service for the Spurs match.
Watch this space
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@47 Chris Hoggard
Chateau Neuf Du Pape now? My God, I had no idea we were calling in the good stuff!
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George deserves great credit for keeping his head down and working hard to get back to fitness after his bad injury. His effort and attitude is faultless. He learns from every game, never gives up, and I hope George goes from strength to strength.
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57) Mission Accomplished. Are you competing with Mr Smug for the most ridiculous post on this thread. I know you’ve accomplished it before (more than once), but, not quite this time. Second though.
Now go and get some help
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55) Cantello
Offside….but I suppose we’ll have to allow it.
Now go back to your own site, there’s a laugh a minute on there.
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55) What’s that I here? Oh it’s boing boing. Down you go again. You are aiming for the record at the weekend of biggest run of games without a clean sheet. Come on Blues.
Now jog on!
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Attention Mr Smug(No. 16)
I hear big George has invited you to meet him before the next match to discuss your comments in more detail. Sleep well Mr Smug!
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It is funny, the fans last year calling for ESB’s blood and head, and now that he is scoring they are full of praise
Go Mick and to heck with the knockers
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60 Lord Molineux
I was 9 years old when Wolves last won the FA cup. I can remember Wolves playing Barcelona. Yes, Lord Molineux, Barcelona. My comments are sarcasm on the shameful situation we have at Molineux. The following irritates me:
A management which will not invest the money needed to bring some quality players to the club
A management which gives a manager full backing despite his obvious failings
A manager who, despite spending money on players he doesn’t use and using players who are obviously not Premiership quality, still retains his job. If he was managing any other Premiership club he would be sitting at home now with his P45 and living off benefits.
Before I leave this world I would like to see Wolves win a cup, play in Europe and comfortably reside in the top half of the Premiership. Don’t forget, Wolves who had had years to get things right have still not managed to rise above Blackpool once this season. A team with less money and fewer supporters. How do they do it?
They do it by having a good manager which we patently do not.
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65. so you were 9 when wwfc last won the f.a.cup and you watched em play barcelona!! and what has all that got to do with wwfc in 2011??, i know you want morgan to appoint a manager to achieve the aim of comfortable premier status and regular european football and invest in premier quality players, but…. we have only just come up from the championship and are a big improvement from the days of glenn hoddle and if you cant be patient with the current regime there is’nt much you can do, unless you win the eurolotto and decide to buy the club yourself. and as for blackpool they lost 2 players to suspension and injury and lost 4-0 to 2nd bottom wwfc last week, so they have’nt got the squad in depth to stay up they along with west ham,hopefully wba will get relegated. utw
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66 Hughie
In the 1960′s Wolves were up there with Man Utd, and Arsenal Before the ill-fated flight of the Busby Babes from Munich, Matt Busby said “get some sleep lads, we are playing Wolves on Saturday” such was the respect this club had. So how come they stayed in the top flight and we ended up in the old 3rd division. Can only be due to poor management which this proud club has suffered from for decades.
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