Fletcher didn’t want to leave Wolves
Tuesday 26th April 2011, 11:33AM BST.
Steven Fletcher has insisted he never considered leaving Wolves after being told he has earned a place for keeps.
Reports had suggested the £7million club-record signing was set to quit the club because of a lack of games.
Fletcher has made just 10 Premier League starts since joining from Burnley, although he has made a further 14 substitute appearances, scoring six goals.
But the 24-year-old striker told the Express & Star he has never wanted to leave Molineux.
In a rare interview, he said: “I’ve never ever thought about leaving here. All I want to do is just prove myself with Wolves.
“The club bought me for a lot of money so I want to repay that by doing what I was bought here to do, which is score goals.
“I’ve done that so far and if I get a bit more game-time, I will score more.”
Manager Mick McCarthy has told the former Hibernian forward he has won a regular starting spot.
Fletcher excelled in the lone role up front for the first time in gold and black in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Fulham in the absence of Kevin Doyle, who is set to be joined on the sidelines at Stoke tonight by hamstring injury victim Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
The Wolves boss said: “Steven was great on Saturday, scored his goal and has got the slot now – it’s his position to keep.”
McCarthy took Fletcher off with 13 minutes left on Saturday.
The manager explained: “He’d got a kick on the calf so there was no point risking him by finishing the game.”
Fletcher is now hoping to gun down Stoke again tonight to secure Wolves their first double of the season.
His Wolves debut turned out to be a bitter-sweet moment, after his opening day goal helped beat the Potters 2-1 before he was forced off with an ankle injury.
He said: “I felt back to full sharpness, but I picked up the knock which put me back a bit.
“I’m getting to start games now and I’m back in the goals, so hopefully I’ll keep going and deliver the goods against them again.”
Fletcher insisted Wolves’ players are relishing the prospect of a battle against Stoke.
He said: “We’re a full-hearted team who go in for tackles – we’re in a relegation fight so we’re not going to back out of anything.
“We’re going to give everything and hopefully that will see us safe.”
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thats it then he’s off
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Why would anyone want to leave the city that has the Newhampton in it? It’s the very definition of paradise!
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Good luck lads. Just do your very best.
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I just hope as a team we keep posesseion better than we did on saturday. This would surely allow us a better foothold of the game. Im woried about our defence as against Everton they struggled with every cross they put in, and we all know, Stoke will just bombard our box with crosses throughout the match. I think O’hara needs to get back to the form he was in a few games ago, and so does Jarvis. Now is the time for all these things to come together and get us a win. I just hope that these players realise that were running out of games.
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Both Fletcher and SEB’s goals per game ratio – based on starts – stacks up to nearly every striker in the Premiership. Our obvious problem is that our defence or midfield are not good enough for a 4-4-2 formation. Doyle is brilliant in a 4-5-1 but he is not as prolific as the other two.
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Get in there son!
Awesome against Fulham and a great goal.
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On Saturday i think Fletch confirmed to everybody that he is the best Striker we have at the club, but I won’t knock MM for sticking with Doyle.
By the same token I’d like to think that even if Doyle does make it back that Fletch can’t be dislodged as it will mean, Fletch has been doing the business.
Doyle has grabbed the plaudits with his tremendous performances upfront on his own, but Fletch has proved he can do it – dont forget he did it for Burnley last year!! the bonus with Fletch is he scores regularly.
I remember some fans claiming they thought Fletch was lazy, but we saw Saturday that certainly isnt the case, I also remember at Man City we played 4-4-2 with Doyle and Fletch up Front and in the first half they ran ‘Citeh’ ragged – if only we could have a defence capable of playing 4-4-2.
SEB I feel must accept he will always be third choice, particularly in a 4-5-1 as he just isnt fit enough to do it.
I feel a draw is on the cards tonight, but all the noise coming out of Stoke is about them being fatigued if this is true WE MUST take advantage. UTW!!
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All will be forgiven Steven if you score the winner against the clayheads.
We have to play 4-5-1 tonight with two wingers – I would drop Milijas, put Guedioura into the midfield engine room and bring Championship Man (Hammill) into the team. This will allow us to attack both of Stoke’s poor full backs and provide cover to our own two limited full backs.
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Well its took you long enough for the penny to drop Mick, how good Fletcher really is,or is it because you’ve got no other choice than to play him? Lets face it you spent the ‘bulk’ of our transfer kitty on him. Moxey said ‘you was desperate to sign him’,as he was the player to score you 15+ goals this season, yet for reasons only known to you he’s barely featured. Yes he’s had a few injury problems, but he’s spent far to much time on the bench,so if he’s been fit enough to sit on the bench,he’s surely fit enough to play? I accept Doyle is excellent in the lone striker role, but i think SF as also proved he can play the same role too, but i think he’s a more ‘natural’ goalscorer. I think there as been a falling out between the two,and we all know Mick dont like players who have a different opinion to his,or dare to speak up against him. thats why since he’s been manager he’s only ever bought ‘young kids’ who hang on to his every word? Im not saying some of those kids havent turned out to be ‘excellent signings’ but they ALL do what their told,when their told? Unlike players of Fletcher’s ilk?. GOOD LUCK TONIGHT LADS: AND YOU WILL HAVE YOUR USUAL FANTASTIC ‘AWAY’ SUPPORTERS BACKING YOU ON FOR 95mins UTW:’
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So Mick has told Fletcher he has “won a starting place” – just after Doyle and SEB are out injured….. I bet he’s delighted.
Maybe if Freddie Eastwood had waited he might have “won a place” now too…
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I still don’t understand how Kites – all due respect – gets on before Hammill. Hammill was doing really well, and suddenly he’s not in the picture. Don’t get it. Kites has little Prem experience and I haven’t seen him setting the place alight so far when he’s bn on.
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Why all the bickering??? Does it matter whats happened in the past, who is injured,who wants to leave and so on and so on? All that matters is we all get behind the team tonight and for the rest of the season. We all know if Wolves play to anywhere near their capabilites they will stay in this league and finish 15-16. So instead of being sarcastic “won a starting place” No.10. And “Bobwolf” whats all this about “all will be forgiven” What does he have to forgive you moron. Get behind the team instead of constantly berating them.
Rant over… Come on me babbies…
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Can we have Kevin Foley back in the team Mick.Odds on Stearman giving away a penalty if Etherington is in the Stoke team.
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Fletcher did an excellant job on Saturday. My concern tonight are the midfield. Milijas has got to pull his weight and O’Hara needs to stop acting like a spoilt child at free kicks and start playing like he was a few weeks ago. I hope MM finds a place for Hammill we need his pace out on the right flank.Vokes ability in the air will definately be needed if we’re winning with 20 mins to go….and probably not upfront.
Performance against Fulham was a slight improvement on Newcastle/Everton but we need to take it up another level if we are to bring anything home tonight.
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Grab yourself another 2nite Steve me old mucker. Get em goin mad mick because I for one will be singing my heart out up at the brit 2nite come on u wolves!
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Until Saturdays match against Fulham, I doubted Fletcher’s ability to play the lone striker role. However he certainly showed that he can lead the line as good as Doyle.
The problem now seems to be who should play on the right side of midfield/wing. Guediuera was not that convincing in that position, although he did supply the pass to Henry which lead to the goal.
To me we need to drop Milijas and play either Hammill or Foley on the right wing. I’ve seen Kightly come on in the last three games and has not contributed anything. He clearly is not match fit and as such should not be considered in the starting line-up.
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5 brummierobwolves
Exactly.
If you do not have quality in depth then you are found out in the premier.
Morgan and McCarthy did not address this situation pre season although probably unfortunate with Van Damme.
The talk about Sam Volkes and Kiteley being Saviours is poor as they have very Limited Premier experience between them.
Should relegation be avoided look forward to more of the same next year as the building of Morgans Empire continues, whilst the team is run on a shoestring.
I will not be party to this and will not be renewing my season ticket next season.
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Thats it then, Stoke will have about 10 more points than us tonight thats it then, we have left it too late now, thats it then we should have tried to win a few matches months ago its too late now to play catch-up thats it then we are a joke .
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FINALLY Mick has realised what I have been saying all season. Fletcher is the best striker we have at the club, I wonder if we would of been in this mess had Mick played fletcher more often?
I have also been saying all season that with mcclueless the only way is down, I hope, I hope SO much for once I’m proven wrong!
Please please please PLEASE god be with us tonight and COME ON me babbies!!!!
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Three points tonight is my prediction with us safe by the final whistle against the Baggies.
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17 & 18 Goodbye you are our weakest links (alongside the rest of the Numpties).
We will need your seats next season for loyal supporters so thanks for going……
Up or down always Gold and Black.
UTW
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Mick,Foley is a full back not Stearman or didn`t you know?The defence have got to cut out the schoolboy defending that`s been with us of late.Good luck lads, lets show Stoke what we are made of.UTW.
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17) Barnes 1959
There will be a shortage of seats next season so we need to get rid of a few like you.
Goodbye…you are the weakest link
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20) Foley played in midfield for Luton Town and Stearman was voted Young Player of the Year for Leicester City after playing Right back.
Doh !
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sorry 20 that was 22.
Doh !
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23 Fozzy Bear
Wasn’t Fozzy Bear a Muppet?
21 SBQ+23 FB
Noticed that there hase been a theme of television programmes croppingh up, and now the Weakest Link! to add to The Muppets and my previous postings of the Childrens favourite Rainbow.
Guess this season will therefore go down to “The Wire” followed by Morgans favourite Floggit.
Hope you get good seats and are watching West Browich and not Brighton and Hove Albion next year?
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No pressure tonight lad’s!!! just make sure u get the 3 point’s!!!
………..UP THE WOLVES…………………
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Farmer FRED..
Luton Town As In NON LEAGUE Luton Town? WOW How Great He Can Defo Play There In Prem Then….
Stearman is not a right back and has even stated in interviews he likes to play CB and not RB
He played there for the foxes for 11 games as their normal right back was injured, his normal position was CB…. Get your facts right
CHEERS, THANKS, BYE
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Fletcher will be looking for the net tonight I’m sure. But I hope he doesn’t put pressure on himself,plays his game and the goals come.
Wolves 2-1 Stoke.
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Survival will be down to the ability to defend.Our two central defenders have been poor all season with Berra alone costing us dearly in the last 10 minutes.I reckon he has cost us around 12 points on his own and is clearly not premiership quality.
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na na na na na na na na naaaaa sylvan ebanks blake… ebanks blake… sylvan ebanks blaaaake!
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I think the lads will get a draw tonight but they must keep the ball better.against fulham we hit the long ball to much and 6foot 7 hangeland nodded everything away just think at times the tactics are a liitle naive.stoke are a good side there a blueprint 4 us but they arent man utd are they so let’s get behind the lads 4 the 5 remaining games and give them the support they need.come on lads make us proud
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I would suggest that if a competition was held for the amount of yardage covered – by running backwards,when confronting the opposition,then we would win it every time. Another thought – why do we make so many backpasses. If our players could read the game then they could position themselves to receive the ball from a colleague.
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28) Get YOUR facts right.
Stearman won Young player of the year for Leicester playing Right Back. FACT
Luton Town were not Non League when Foley played in midfield. FACT
Farmer FRED ? Where’s your sense of Wolves history
Made yourself look a clown, who ever you are.
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THERE IS NO WAY HE IS 24!!!!!
HE LOOKS ABOUT 40!!!!!
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10–Really ? what are you on about , or do you mean the same freddie eastwwood who couldn’t even get in a poor coventry championship team.really you ain’t got a clue.
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26 Barnes 1959 What are you still doing here, thought you were a deserter ?
For those of us at Stoke tonight and St Andrews on Saturday, our flags are old gold and black….not white.
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Farmer Ted.
All he was trying say,was the obvious.
Foley,should never have been left out in the first place.
He was pulled apart at times when Moussa Dembele,made runs down the left.
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Beaconwolf that maybe the point he was making but Stearman naturally is a RB, and I expect to see Foley in midfield tonight in place of Milijas, and Hammill instead of Addy.
Dembele ran Berra in circles not Stearman, but Stearman was given a torrid time Saturday and the reason for that??? Guedioura kept going AWOL off the right side hence why he should start on bench tonight.
………………Hennessey……………….
Stears……..Craddock…Berra………Ward…………Foley………..Henry…………….Hammill…………………………..Jarvis…………….O’Hara……………………………………..Fletcher……………….
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The formation against Fulham was effectively 4-4-1-1 with O’Hara playing in front of Henry and Milijas and behind Fletcher. This didn’t work as O’Hara could not get on the ball enough to be effective and we ended up being outnumbered in midfield.
I think tonight we need to go out with our usual 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 depending on your point of view. Hammill to come back in on the right with Jarvis out left. My three in midfield would be Guedioura, Henry and O’Hara.
I expect that Mick will keep Stearmann in at right back to boost our defence against the normal Stoke aerial bombardment. I also think that Foley has been very poor of late and needs a rest anyway.
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1 Farmer Ted,
57 league games,44 goals.All top flight.If only we had a fit Ted Farmer playing for us tonight.
2 Bob Wolf, Paul Ince didn’t do so well at Notts County,did he ?
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37 Fozzy Bear
Bet you thought the white dot was interesting when programmes ended?
Wolves need to retain supporters not lose them. 10000 season tickets next year you watch.
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Good luck at Stoke tonight Wolves – you need to stay up and keep all the West Midlands sides in the EPL – makes for way more interesting games and banter.
For once in my life I will say UTW
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37- Fozzy. You are setting off early for the game at Blues, I am not intending to get there until the Sunday!
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Fletcher was top quality on saturday easily the best on view, although i thought Dembele was also top draw. I look forward to seeing Fletch get an extended run in the team cus he is gonna be a major player for us in the run in. I was also delighted with the south bank giving him a great send off when subbed.
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At 5.15 p.m. probably too late to make the board before kick-off, but anyway, all the best for tonight , lads. UTW
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Want to see 2 wingers tonight, not 4 centre mids. Let not be to negative. However i would definately take a point tonight.
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Still think you lot were taken to the cleaners over Fletcher.
Fletcher (Wolves) £7m
Hernandez (Man Utd) £7m
I know who I’d rather have bought!!
I think Wolves have too much history of buying wrong players for inflated prices – Jarvis and Kightly excluded.
£1.5m for Silas
£1.5m for Frankowski
£3m (?) for Van Damme
Not a flattering history it must be said. Saying that though, don’t want to see you go down.
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WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP THINKING ITS ALLWAYS THE DEFENCE !!! WE FOUND OUT LAST SEASON WE COULDNT PLAY 442 BECUASE THE MIDFIELD WASNT GOOD ENOUGH !! SO WHATS CHANGED.
WE HAD A GOOD SPELL WHEN HENRY WAS OUT BUT WHEN HE CAME BACK LOOK WHAT HAPPENED ?
SORRY BUT WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING 460 TO MAKE UP FOR A CRAP MIDFIELD, AND THATS WHY DOYLE HASNT SCORED THE GOALS.
JUST SEAN MANCIENNE IN THE TEAM TONIGHT (GREAT) NOT
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2-0 dowm playin crap they aint worthy of the shirt
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Fletcher was excellent on Saturday, closely followed by Henry. Point not really deserved against Fulham as thought they were very good. Any way, back to tonight – need Fletcher and the rest of the lads to come up trumps majorly now – 2 nil down at Stoke…….not good……a point and I would be happy………..can’t see it happening now.
Oh dear.
WE ARE WOLVES!!!
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Get rid of Mick,Sir.Billy quiet and fozza!!!And the other happy clappers..
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don…48. cracking points made there. just finished watching a VERY dire 1st half at the brittannia, really cant see us getting 1 point let alone the 7 we’ll need to stay up.unfortunately i am resigned to the championship next year and i’m usually an optimist!
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If I was you Fletch I’d leave us and go to a decent club with some fight in them. The only thing our lot are good at is gobbing off in the E & S. Henry – don’t you look a mug. Giving it this and that when you can’t back it up. Muppets and dont deserve the continued support. We are pretty much doooomed!! Why spend money on the stadium. We hardly can fill ours now
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Let’s put this Van Damme story to be once and for all.
Van Damme, Like Fletcher, and Like Milijas in his first year, never got a chance in the team. He was bought as a left back and played right mid, left mid, everywhere but left back.
He was hacked off with the manager, not the club. McCarthy does this with virtually every player he buys.
Milijas was the same, and this year, Fletcher, despite being the top scorer, hasnt had a chance until Doyle gets injured.
Secondly, Both Morgan and Moxey on Saturday weren’t at the match. They were on holiday.
That sums up their committment to this club. In the middle of a crisis, facing almost certain relegation, the owner and CEO are on their hols!
That leaves us fans to suffer this fool and his team of championship players.
Going down, the McCarthy way eh.
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please leave my message on
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Gutted! Is there any hope?
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That performance was a joke .if I did my job as poorly as Mick and o Connor I would have been sacked by now.who would we want as manager if he did go any views on this? Curbishley with ray Wilkins as coach would be my choice.
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