Wolves can live without Kevin Doyle
Tuesday 29th March 2011, 9:10AM BST.
Wolves columnist John Lalley disagrees that the club’s Premier League future is doomed after a most-probably season ending injury to star striker Kevin Doyle.
International weekends are sent to try us and the latest one in Dublin certainly did, leaving the remainder of Kevin Doyle’s season in virtual tatters.
I have always been delighted to see Wolves players representing their various countries and Mick McCarthy, as a former international manager himself, has consistently offered his support for all of our selected players.
Mick will be exasperated no doubt, but he is spot-on in giving his blessing to any Wolves player receiving a call up and his attitude won’t change in the future despite what happened to Doyle playing for the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday.
The paranoia of the managers at the elite end of the Premier League goes into overdrive when any of their players link up with their countries. The overwhelming desire is that their star performers spend as little time in match action as is possible.
During friendly games, apoplexy takes over if any of their charges is forced to endure much more than forty five minutes on the field.
Last week, Tottenham blamed Wales and Wales blamed Tottenham over the absence of Gareth Bale for the game against England.
It’s understandable football is the ultimate in selfish vested interest and I don’t suppose too many fans in Ireland are much concerned about Doyle missing the season’s finale with Wolves.
Their only concern is that Doyle returns fit and firing for their next qualifying game in the European Championship.
Just the same, I’m chuffed that Matt Jarvis made the England squad, happy that Christophe Berra played against Brazil, pleased that Kevin Foley got a game for the Republic, glad that Wayne Hennessey took on England, heartened that young Johnny Gorman represented Northern Ireland against Nenad Milijas in Serbia and that Adam Hammill was called up for England under-21s.
Players get injured and this time it’s our turn for some ill luck but, when it comes to Wolves’ players in international football, the more the merrier I say.
I bow to not a soul in my admiration for Doyle, he is a superb professional and a credit to club and country.
I invited much ridicule on this site last season, by suggesting that Doyle was the best player seen in a Wolves shirt in thirty years and it remains an opinion I retreat from by not an iota.
But there is absolutely no point in bemoaning our misfortune, we are enjoying a spell of productive form and we have a couple of players fully capable of filling the void more than adequately.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher will doubtlessly vie for the privilege of replacing Doyle and what is certain is that both players will be busting at the seams to prove a point.
Both of them are excellent players and no doubt they passionately believe that they should already be regulars in our starting line up to begin with.
The intermittent nature of their appearances must be a serious cause for disenchantment for both players and they will be intent on visiting a suitable backlash given the chance.
With Doyle incapacitated on national service, it’s an irony that Fletcher at such a young age already seems to have wilfully severed his ties with Scotland.
To the average fan, his decision appears inexplicable, the chance to represent his country and follow the striking role in the wake of Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish would seem to be a rare privilege and a fundamental reason to play professional football.
Not so apparently and Fletcher must have his reasons which he considers valid but for an outsider, the impasse is puzzling to put it mildly.
Fletcher has endured much initial frustration at Molineux and it’s fair to surmise that his career has stalled for the time being at least.
The playing system Wolves employed successfully last season was always likely to be re-enacted this time around, with Doyle the indisputable selection as the solitary striker.
In consequence, Fletcher found himself chosen in a variety of withdrawn midfield roles often it seemed, as a means of finding a starting place for a player costing so much money.
It was a failed compromise, Fletcher is a striker and a capable one at that as his scoring ratio proves during restricted opportunities.
With Doyle blocking his path, his frustration inevitably increased and there was speculation that he would join Jelle van Damme as the second expensive summer recruit through the exit door.
But Fletcher has stayed the course and he will be hoping to benefit from Doyle’s misfortune.
So too Ebanks-Blake, last season he endured much dismissive comment regarding his abilities at this level of the game.
A paltry couple of goals saw him completely overshadowed by the magnificent Doyle and labelled as a Championship bully adroit at putting second rate cannon fodder to the sword, but lacking the skills and subtleties to succeed at the top level.
His response has been superb, clearly he spent pre-season at Compton relishing some serious hard work. Leaner, fitter, but just as strong as before, he has become not only an impressive physical specimen but a startlingly improved front runner with a surety of touch few thought him capable of unveiling.
His control, positional sense and awareness have all improved out of recognition, allowing his confidence to return and to again prove himself to be the best and most brutal finisher we have at the club.
Like Fletcher, he has found his opportunities restricted, yet he was mature enough to express his satisfaction with his cameo-roles as an impact substitute if it benefitted the team.
Deep inside, he no doubt feels differently and he will be straining at the leash to prove his point. Ebanks-Blake is twice the player he was last season and if he takes Doyle’s place, back him to hit the target if the opportunities are provided.
Doyle’s departure is a body blow, of course it is and to suggest otherwise would be to turn basic logic on its head, but our season does not fall to bits as a consequence.
No Wolves player will give his absence a moment’s thought at Newcastle on Saturday or during the subsequent seven games.
Good professionals attend to their own responsibilities and expectations and concentrate on what they have to achieve. The admirable work ethic installed into the team is not going to evaporate with so much still to play for.
A crop of our players are currently playing at the top of their form and their application will not waver due to the absence of a team-mate.
The extent of the challenge facing us remains exactly the same as it was before Doyle took the plane to Ireland and our guys should relish it.
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Sylvan will see us over the finishing line with a little bundle of goals. I feel it in my bones. And let’s face it, when am I ever wrong?
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I’d love to see us be brave and play 2 up top. Fletcher & SEB could be great….
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I was gutted about Doyle. He’d just started to score and we looked a far better team again playing 4-5-1.
My main concern is that neither Ebanks or Fletcher hold the ball up as well as Doyle. However, based on what I’ve seen this season, I’d still stick with this formation and give Ebanks a chance as he started the season firing.
I also think in the same way Doyle can play on the right in a 4-3-3, Fletcher can do so on the left and by moving another winger to the right, we can play this attacking system during the latter stages, as we have been doing.
All is certainly not lost and with Hunt, Kites and Guedioura back fit, we have some good attacking options. Hopefully Ebanks or Fletcher will grasp this opportunity and prove they are Doyle’s equals.
Just don’t play Ward up front on his own!
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The countdown starts for all the negative comments to begin…….
SEB was fine playing in the Doyle role earlier in the season and that was before Jamie O’Hara was here I honestly believe we will be staying up…
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We only need to make one change from Villa for the game against Newcastle. Fletcher in for Doyle & we will win this game. If we’re drawing after 65 or 70 mins bring on Ebanks-Blake for Fletcher & Blakey will win us the game!!!
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Doyler has been brilliant for us and he has lived upto his 6.5mil price tag. He is not a natural goalscorer like SEB or Fletcher and all three are pretty different types of player.
I think we should stick with the 4-5-1 formation with Fletcher simply replacing Doyle in the side. If we need a goal we can switch to 4-4-2 and bring on SEB.
With Zubar and Doyle out for the season it has dampened what has been a great run of form since we finally had the majority of our squad to pick from and every cloud has a silver lining with Kightly, Mancienne, Guedoira, Hunt and Edwards close to fitness.
There is a great buzz around Molineux with the new stadium, our recent form, return of key players etc and what has been a difficult season blighted by injuries could end on a fantastic note with a win over the Baggies and survival. This will mean O’Haras deal will be finalised and we can get rid of the deadwood and begin to build for next season.
WE ARE WOLVES.
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Doyle is a loss , but SEB and FLETCH can fill the void. I would love to see SEB play the lone strikers role as I think the service he will get is going to be much better than at the beginning of the season when I saw him run his guts out to no avail at Fulham.
BOTH ARE QUALITY STIKERS AND WILL KEEP US UP -mark my words!
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Great to see Milijas and O’Hara shooting from distance and testing GK’S, I can see SEB scoring a few poachers goals before the seasons end.
Hennessey
Foley
Berra
Stearman
Elokobi
Hammill
Milijas
Henry
O’Hara
Jarvis
Fletcher
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2.Shelfield.
We are being brave,playing two out and out wingers.
No.We have to play the same formation for the rest of the season.
Think,Fletch is the best man to replace Doyle.
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Im sure we can do well without Doyler. SEB and Fletch are real goalscorers and will find positions in the box to score..
Would be shocking to me if MM played both SEB and Fletch, i dont think its gonna happen..but would be nice and i dont think newcastle will expect that.
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I have not seen so many Wolves players in international shirts for 30 years…
The dressing room must surely be buzzing.
Losing Doyle now is problematic, yet I agree the article SEB and Fletcher will do the job for us.
Wolves now have definite momentum, fixture list and the mental toughness to see us safe…
UTW
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To be perfectly honest, i really don’t see the big issue with this. Indeed, some good can come out of it;
Firstly, it will give some more game time to our tight-lipped, yet undoubtedly frustrated Strikers but also, i would imagine, it will slightly decrease the chances of Doyle leaving at the end of the year. Fletch and SEB will be absolutely straining at the leash.
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The loss of Doyle is a major blow because of the system we have deplored with him being the lone striker. However, as the article suggests it does not have to be a fatal blow. We have two top class strikers in Fletcher and Ebanks-Blake in reserve.
But I do think that they will have to play in tandem, as neither convinces me that they can do as well in that single striker role. Also I believe we should recall either Winnall or Vokes as cover in case we get further injuries.
Let’s hope that Doyles recovery is nearer the 4 weeks rather than the 8 weeks that has been quoted.
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Sheffield Wolf
Mick aint going to change the system in which we look far more likely to win matches than in a 442 formation.
Whoever gets the nod, will be expected to play the role Doyle has so well for the past 2 years.
Don’t forget, we do have Wardiniho who might get the nod from Mick !!!
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Although Doyle is an important member of our team, collectively over the past couple of months we have shown enough character to stay up. SEB and Fletch have both got goals in them and will not let us down.
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We don’t have to sacrifice the midfield to play 2 strikers – we just have to leave one of the wingers out – that way we keep 3 central midfielders and give ‘licence to roam’ to the likes of jarvo, who can go left & right. So – this would be my team:
Hennessey
Foley,Stearman,Berra,Elokobi
Henry, O’Hara, Milijas
Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher, Jarvis.
With Hammill or Kightly to come off the bench there are plenty of options going forward.
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The reason Doyle is so effective playing up front on his own, is his ability to hold the ball up. He plays most of the game with his back to goal and the ball seems to stick to him, unfortunately Ebanks-blake struggles to do the same. With Blake playing up front we need to change our tactics and look to have him running on to through balls. He is without doubt our best goal scorer. Hope to see him let loose for the remaining games. UTW.
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Regretable thought it is to see Doyle sidelined at this time of the season, I cannot but think it just may be a blessing in disguise.
As you so rightly point out young Mr. Lalley, the players in line to slip into the side as replacements will be so keen to impress they will be dribbling at the mouth in anticipation.
We are blessed with three wide players who given the service can feed either of Fletcher, or SEB with enough ball to sink most of the clubs we have left to face.
Worry not, we will be safe long before the final game.
Up The Wolves
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2
There’s brave and then there’s stupid. You’ve been playing well with one up top with the midfielders supporting and defending solidly, changing to 442 will see a return to you conceeding goals. I’d love all 4 of us to stop up but if you change your fomation now I’d fear for you
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my personal choice would be flecther as i think, quality wise, hes probably our best striker, but i also believe that blake deserves an opportunity as he scored two good goals against blackpool. Therefore it doesnt really bother me either way. Now for a more disturbing matter…. i cant help but think that mic may opt to line up his love child (ward) as our only striker against newcastle. We cant afford for mic to give ward a chance… because if he does he will most probably give him a few games to get into it…. we have not got a few games left for him to do this!!!! I know you love him but leave ward on the bench please mic… hes an average championship player at best!!!
COME ON YOU WOLVES
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6
Or the inevitable painful defeat and relegation XD
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Doyle has indeed missed five prem games this season – the victories over Stoke, Blues and Liverpool and defeats to Wigan (home) and West Ham.
In all those games Mick opted to play two ‘forwards’; SEB/Ward in every game but Stoke which saw SEB/Fletcher picked.
Thus, I am hoping that the statistics continue in respect to the win ratio without Doyle but that the personnel changes – Fletcher as a lone striker is my preference, although I think SEB and Fletcher together can do the job.
P.S. PeteNuts: A return to form with your ‘Ghana’ comment on the Jarvis article – please focus your efforts on such witticisms rather than cursing our players with your awful (but occasionally accurate) predictions!!!
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This is what managers get paid for. Mick must be thinking it over, and over.
I am going to be seriously pleased if we beat
Newcastle. They looked good here at the Molineux earlier on, they seemed super-fit.
Maybe everyone has caught them up on that score, maybe they are losing confidence.
Who cares as long as we get the points.
COME ON YOU WOLVES
p.s. two more things for my wishlist, Jarvo to start for England, i am thinking of going. And Kights to get on for Wolves.
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Fletcher or SEB are not as good as Doyle at hold up play but are better finishers. I believe though that they are best employed as a partnership. Let’s be honest, with the fixture list we have left, we should not be scared of playing a 4-4-2. For example, Blues and Fulham are two of the lowest scorers in the division and Albion and Blackburn have two of the worst defences. There would therefore be an argument to go with that formation, in any case, against these four teams. I am not saying that we should be gung-ho and that the sides we have left are easy fixtures but I would much prefer this lot to the rest. We have took 12 points from them already and can do that again!
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@22
And they closed the thread before I got to receive the acclaim for such a horrific pun!
Now then: did someone mention predictions…?
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The one point that John Lalley has assumed is that Mick will play either Fletcher or SEB or both, Mick might not be able to help himself and may replace Doyle with Ward as a one for one swop,I just hope that that is not the case and Flecther gets his chance.
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will we all calm down and chillout!!! just stick with same formation 4-5-1 or if some people see it as 4-3-3 and we will be fine.. in fact we will be safe after the wba game :-) we look more solid playing 4-5-1, keep the ball million times better, and create more chances. soon as we ever go 4-4-2, we suddenly go long ball!!! not fussed who plays personally up front, they both will wanna prove a point!! oh and if ANYONE thinks mm will play ward up front on his own, ur living on different planet….. when has ward played up front on his own this season?????? think answer ur looking for is never!!!!! ill be a st james park sat afternoon, and ill be expecting to leave without defeat.. wolves ay we :-)
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Can I add my name to the welcome positivity on this thread? We can do this. UTW.
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On the assumption that Jarvis arrives back fit and well, the only change MM will make is Doyle’s replacement. My money is on Fletcher with SEB coming on to ring the changes in the second half. Why on earth would he disrupt the team to play two up front ? Especially away from home.
Interesting to see if Nolan and Barton remember the rough stuff we gave them at Molineux.
19)TheLordsmyShepherd. Nice to have a bit of old time religion on the show. I see they’ve brought your defeat at the Mol forward so everyone can watch it on Sky.
Now touch the screen and say Jesus !
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Doyle’s injury is a massive blow for us he is instrumental to the way we play, holding up the ball and moving defenders out wide, which then creates the space for the likes of Milijas and O’Hara in the middle, he is going to be missed massively in our last 8 games.
Whose numpty idea was it to have internationals with just 8 games of the season left?!!! There are 8 teams battling it out in a relegation fight, 5 teams fighting for champions league football and even mid-table teams like Bolton and Stoke have got important semi finals coming up, this needs to be looked at because us losing our best player at this stage of the season whilst he isn’t even playing for us is unacceptable. Club before country every time.
I really hope Fletcher and SEB can step up and fill the huge void left by Doyle, all our strikers have scored good goals this season and it’s because of this that I think (and hope) we will survive, personally I’d start Fletcher up top as a straight swop for Doyle then bring SEB on after about 65 mins, depending on how the game is going.
If we can beat Newcastle on Saturday I think we will stay up, draw I really don’t know, lose it’s not looking good.
Stick with 4-5-1 try and keep it tight at the back like against Villa, get the ball out wide to our wingers and down the centre to O’Hara and hope that SEB and Fletcher can bang a few in!!!
UTW!
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Lets just turn the clock back a few months here people. Doyle was out injured SEB and Fletch both performed excellently. That well fans were even questionong whether Doyle should be getting his place back.
Secondly, why will we go back to 4-4-2, we have a stable formation performing well. O’Hara is playing out of his skin off the striker, so there is no need to change the formation.
Finally, why do fans have to again use another subject to start criticising Ward, again while Doyle and Fletcher were injured and ill SEB and Ward played well, Liverpool and Blues matches spring to mind. Now I dont expect to see Ward utilised as the front man, because his role is now filled by the impressive O’Hara, as I said previously but for christ sake change the record.
So Saturday off to Newcastle we go, Fletch the only change unless MM has plans to dwell the ‘thuggery’ expected in midfield and replace Milijas with more strength?!!
Hunt/ Guedioura maybe??!
2-1 to the Wolves
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Im flabbergasted no one has mentioned Wardy. After all, he’s been our first choice back up to Doyle of late.
Sorry, to put a damper on things, but we can all get excited about whether its Seb or Fletch but Mad Mick may well have other ideas.
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30) South bank Dave. Agree with all you say except for the bit about not looking good if we lose. With 9 matches to go we needed to win away to take the pressure off the four home games. Then we beat the Villa. Anything we get at St James’ Park will be a bonus. Of course we don’t want to lose, but it won’t be the end of the world. That said I fancy another 1-1.
31)WolfyTor74. Again well said, but, you won’t get through to the nincompoops, they’re a lost cause.
….and lo and behold up pops Richwolf64, now all we need is Poorthorns and we’re well on the way to a full set.
All quiet on the western front RichWolf, been chokin’ on the humble pie ?
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Last Friday, when I watched Doyle go down and immediately ask to be subbed, my heart totally sank as I knew that would be it for the rest of the domestic season. He has been playing so well for the team and in turn the team have also been playing so well.
However, when I gave my chance to really think about it, this article only mirrors my conclusions. Although I like what the 4-5-1 has done for us, I expect MM will carefully look at every game and may alter between that and 4-4-2 – depending on who we play.
I am now pretty confident that we wil actually survive this season and can only see as going onto bigger and better things.
Away win at Newcastle – one-nil and Fletcher to score.
WE ARE WOLVES!!!
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32) Positive result at Villa and over the last few weeks and still negative? Jog on!
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You have been injury free all season and riding your luck,tough tackling newcastle is the last place you want to go,anything happens to Seb or Fletch you might as well throw the towel in.
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Farmer Ted
Why on earth would I be eating Humble Pie? For what reason, please tell me!!
OR maybe we have just qualified for the champions league, and I missed something..
Opps nope, just glanced at the table and I see we are heading for relegation!!
Your ignorance amuses me, I have to say :)
Just a final note though, irrespective of whether we are relegated or not, which incidentally, has never been a measure of my opinion of Mad Mick, he has to go.
All that money wasted on fringe players, two years battling relegation, the list goes on.
Oh, and for all those folk who say he’s been our best manager in 30 years, thats because we havent had a decent manager in all that time. Nearly all of them have left Molineux to continue on their downward spiral of poor management at other clubs, or have given up entirely trying to be football managers!
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To be honest the way I see the Fletcher/Scotland situation is that he would still like to play for Scotland. In my opinion he hasnt a problem with representing his country, it’s the manager. he’s not retired from International just said he didnt want to be selected for the time being. The problem is that having been selected by Levein he hasnt spent much time on the pitch, hardly surprising when he played 4-1-5-0 or something crazily similar away to Cz.REp, strikers arent going to get many opportunities.
We shouldnt really miss Doyle too much, think SEB would be my choice. If he can play ”the Doyle role” like he did V BCFC between now and May on a regular basis we’ll be OK.
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I was v.disappointed initially, ’cause Doyle’s shown similar form to last season over the last couple of months, and we’ve looked a solid 4-5-1.
However, on reflection, I wonder if we may benefit from McCarthy having his hand forced into playing either SEB/Fletcher/both together.
The Fat’s in the Fire as regards what we need to do over the next 8 games; win at least 3 of them, possibly 4. Both SEB and Fletch are obviously more direct than Doyle, and their respective games will surely necessitate a suitably uncompromising approach.
Containment against the likes of Blues, Albion and Blackburn simply isn’t an option, and we might just as well be positive against the remaining opposition than risk muddling our way through to draws or suffering narrow defeats.
I’d personally like to see us go 2 ‘up top’, and adopt a ‘Death or Glory’ mentality.
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37)RichWolf64
Now how could I have ever thought that an self opinionated nincompoop like Richwolf64 could ever eat humble pie?
Hush my mouth !
I see you’ve rearranged the same old drivel into yet another tiresome post. Yes, tiresome…very tiresome.
If the only reason MM is best manager in thirty years because his predecessors were no good, why do you bother ?
I bet you’re a bundle of fun to sit near on match days. You do attend matches I suppose ?
Just a minute, you’re not that pie eater in the Steve Bull with the very big shoes and the bow tie that swivels and squirts water ?
No, couldn’t be, he makes us smile and has something positive to say about our club.
But then what do I know, I’m ignorant.
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brummierobwolves
One result doesn’t make a season. I realise you are completely and utterly retarded, but hopefully even you realise that.
Thankfully, the majority of Wolves fans have some common sense.
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my honest opinion is that doyle has struggled to recreate the form of last season especially earlier in the season. He has got back to his best over the last few games. He holds the balls better than SEB or Fletch but both of these get in the box better and look more likely to score.
Doyle is really effective when mick has taken Hamill off and switched him to the wings and put SEB upfront. I think we will miss him a lot in that position but if hammil,jarvis,hunt,bia can get good crosses in then we will be able to cover him.
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i hope big mick gives fletcher a chance to prove himself.i love ebanks but i think fletcher can get us the goals to keep us up.maybe this is the chance for fletcher to repay his transfer fee!
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Ohhh Matty Jarvis…Great 20 min tonight son… did us proud.
UTW
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The logical choice to replace Doyle is Fletcher with Ebanks coming on for the last 15 minutes or so.
Fletcher is far more reliable than Sylvan, and is a true striker, better I believe than Doyle.
It may be a god send that Doyle is out, while he is an excellent player and an asset in any team, a striker he is not, and we need goals in the run home.
Like someone else said the “muppet’ may well ignore them both and play Ward !!!!! The fat lady will be singing if he does that.
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41 Coaches “you have been injury free all season”. Well, apart from Sidwell breaking Guedioura’s leg, Fabregas trying to do the same to Ward, plus Edwards, Craddock, Henry, Hunt (recently)out for long spells and Zubar out for the rest of the season. Not to mention Kightly, of course, and some over-priced centre half who looks like being a real sick note of a signing!
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I see your back with your negativity..
Are you including yourself in the common sense bracket, dream on.
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41) Where have you been hiding ? See the Doyle injury as a chance to bring back all that negative tripe you spout?
So the majority of Wolves fans have common sense, do they ? Try mixing with a few, it might rub off.
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Bertie, Silly Sue and Farmer Muck…
You all make my day , keep throwing the insults, I love it, we doo all have a good smile at you :)
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RichWolf64..
What are the insults we throw telling you your negative that’s not an insult it’s a fact.
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Resilience, hard work and perseverience will pull us through if we keep the faith, and patience from our fans!!
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Just don’t play Ward up front on his own!
Says it all…….
In fact don`t play Ward ?
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Seems Steve Ward only has one admirer and thats me.
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