Now is the time for action at Wolves
Tuesday 24th May 2011, 9:10AM BST.
Wolves columnist John Lalley believes the joy of Survival Sunday must be tempered by a willingness to solve the problems that led to a season of struggle.
In the final analysis, which ultimately is the only one that matters, and after living on our nerves, we survive to fight another day.
The incongruous images of a delighted Wolves dressing room with players dousing each other with bubbly and singing wildly at the top of their voices, belied the fact that we had just lost a game that, from the outset, we gave ourselves no chance of winning.
Nobody seemed to have prepared our players to guard against the substantial airborne threat that Blackburn would inevitably pose and the outcome was the most harrowing 45 minutes that we have endured all season.
Had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey not bailed out Kevin Foley to prevent Jason Roberts from planting us four goals in arrears, the final outcome may have been absolutely gruesome.
It was truly alarming to see how inept Wolves contrived to be in a match of such seminal importance and, had that horrendous opening half cost us our Premier League place, the wound would have been entirely self-inflicted.
Mercifully, fate decreed that it would conspire not against us but against Blackpool and Birmingham sparing us to prepare for a third consecutive year of Premier football.
And regardless of our weaknesses and shortcomings, so glaringly exposed on Sunday, for a club sustained on such a limited budget as Wolves, this is a considerable achievement.
Having floundered in the bottom three for week after soul-destroying week, it was a considerable show of character to extricate ourselves at such a late stage of the season.
The April debacle at Stoke gave every indication of a malfunctioning outfit, devoid of direction and ready to chuck the towel in.
Quite how the manager and players managed to fashion such a defiant response against a confident and slick Albion intent on sending us towards oblivion, I still can’t fathom, but under the severest pressure, Wolves at the critical moment delivered big time. It was a remarkable effort.
Albion’s season had been revitalised by the appointment of boss Roy Hodgson and many believed that, in retaining manager Mick McCarthy at Molineux, Wolves by postponing the grasping of the nettle were likely to end up being worst stung by it.
Come last Sunday evening, the perception that the Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey axis had been guilty of manifest cowardice was expunged by virtue of a single point.
Close it certainly was but, ultimately, the right call was seen to have been made. The three top men at the helm at Molineux have all stressed the sense of unity and purpose that permeates through the club, at times the message became a touch repetitive and just a little too self-satisfied for my liking.
Their ringing endorsement of themselves seemed to strongly suggest that, whatever our fate this season, their mode of operation was sacrosanct and like a certain political lady of years gone by, they were not for turning.
Avoiding relegation has certainly saved them a whole lot of grief and they deserve a heck of a lot of credit, but now is the time to seriously address our weaknesses.
The stated policy of securing on extended contracts a group of young and ambitious players is not only laudable, but sensible.
Having the likes of Hennessey and Matt Jarvis tied to the club protects our interests and ensures a proper return for the club in the transfer market, should a parting of the ways become a reality.
But the evidence of this campaign has been abundantly clear – without some significant reinforcement this close season, the nucleus of our willing but limited squad will again struggle to survive next season.
Spirited resistance only has a restricted shelf life and Wolves have all but exhausted this option.
Any sensible retrospectives of this year would do well in avoiding the warming reassurance gleaned from the adrenaline pumping wins against Chelsea, City and United and instead focus on the limitations exposed by the likes of Wigan, Everton, Fulham and Blackburn.
The ease with which such run of the mill Premier clubs could raise their tempo and leave us floundering in their wake was frightening.
The long standing deficiencies in our defensive unit were hideously exposed by Blackburn during that catastrophic first-half, to have allowed such frailties to drift on for so long without remedial action does not strike me as proactive management.
This area of absolute priority simply cannot be allowed to continue operating on a wing and a prayer policy any longer.
To move forward and justify the magnificent redevelopment plans instigated by the owner, Wolves must face head-on the failings that restrict us.
Survival was achieved in dramatic circumstances but this season has been a genuine disappointment. The euphoria of relief should be consigned to the past immediately, let’s plan for our future on the pitch as positively as we are off it as a new Molineux takes shape.
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Could our abysmal end of season form be a blessing in disguise. Last season, Birmingham finnished 9th on 50 points, im sure theyre fans and players allike were confident of another mid table finnish having kept the same players. This season hasnt been so kind. Last season we defended ok, but couldnt score to save our lives, now we have an attacking line up most mid table sides would be proud of, with Jarvis, Hunt, Hammil, Kightly, Blake, Doyle and Fletcher all ready to add theyre attacking game to the team.
This season our defence has been shocking in some games, hopefully we will improve the defence to a point where we can cut out the silly goals conceded and finnish more comfortably. I think a priority is a leader though. Someone of real quality, who will take charge during matches, and influence the team on the pitch, rather than relying on half time team talks.
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Still the same defence we come up from the Championship was playing on Sunday, enough said.
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“Had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey not bailed out Kevin Foley to prevent Jason Roberts from planting us four goals in arrears, the final outcome may have been absolutely gruesome.”
Yeah, but a) he did bail him out and b) it wouldn’t, we would have just stayed up by one goal less, although it would have been a much more unpleasant final few minutes.
Let’s not prolong the drama into hurried squad reconstruction – instead, let’s aim for a little sober reconstruction. We all know where it needs to be done, and where it doesn’t.
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Yes we need to address defensive issues and bring a few reinforcements in but we threw a lot of points away this season from silly mistakes… if we could cut those down things would be a lot better & this season wouldn’t have had panned out so dramatically…
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At the end of the day our survival and 40 million was the same as flicking a coin,does that say that the management had the situation under control of course not.
Job done Moxey thought he had been so clever back in August but the reality was he had gambled Wolves future wth his cut price deals.
Mouyokolo 2.5 million,Van Damme 2.5 million both intended to solve defensive problems how could we buy buy two players and get it 100% wrong.
The way forward is to buy good established Prem players because that is what we are a Premiership club we dont have to break the bank but we need to be flexible and buy wisely this time.
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Spot on John. B’burn tore us apart on Saturday and it’s only through the failings of others on the last day we stayed up! That took the gloss of it for me but no one can argue that over 38 games we didn’t deserve to stay up – the table doesn’t lie.
However, it was too close and we spent the majority of the season in the bottom three. Each time we looked doomed we pulled a result out of the bag but this article is right in highlighting we were well beaten in a lot of games by the lesser sides.
We have to address this by bringing in at least 4 players better then what we have who can go straight into the team. I’d like to think this team would keep us up for a third year but it’ll be in the same manner as this season, which is by the skin of our teeth.
For me defensively we were atrocious throughout the campaign and a complete overhaul is required in that area. With a strong and competent back four and a new midfielder to replace Henry, I feel we have sufficient attacking threat with Doyle, Flethcher, Hunt and Jarvis. Hopefully we can sign O’Hara too.
I don’t think another season where we just scrape by can be justified. As we enter our third season we have to be looking at 14th place and above. Last year we finished 15th, this season 17th (the points are insignificant) so we can’t say it’s progress in that sense.
I’d like to see at least a GK, 2 CB’s, a LB and a midfielder come in.
Given
Zubar
Johnson
Dunne
Warnock
Hunt
O’Hara
Guedioura/Milijas
Jarvis
Fletcher
Doyle
Something along those lines maybe?
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Great outcome on Sunday, but we have to learn our lessons, and there were plenty to learn from this season. This is not a negative post ,but recognition that tactics and some personnel have to change for next season !
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A lot of what you say is true, but I disagree with your comments that its been a genuine disappointment. We achieved 40 points in the premiership, we beat some tough opposition. So well done to the Owner, Chairman, CEO, Board, Mick & Staff and all of the players. Congratulations on remaining in the premiership. Mick & co know we need to improve on the squad we have to improve again next year. If we keep hold of our best players then additions with O’hara, another central midfielder, and some central defenders we will have a good starting 11, and good squad. You cant cry over what should have been, but we gave away winning postions too easily – we need to cut that out and if we do we can aim for top half of the league. It was a rollercoaster of a season, we did it, we stayed up – and I hope we pick up some out of contract players, and sign a couple others and improve again. Up the Wolves
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@6 JDW
I have a feeling that next season, keeping Dunne out of the Newhampton might be an issue.
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Agree with everything, could not have put it better! While we obviously do not know the quality of the promoted teams come August and how many points will be required to stay up next season, we will have another season in the lower region unless substantial improvements are made in defence and Karl Henry’s position. Surely, Steve Morgan does not want another close shave with relegation?
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In our last two PL seasons the 3Ms have always acted quickly in the market ensuring their MAIN targets are in the pack for July.
If these rumours are true and MM is after Johnson that would be great, just what we need. Speaking with head and not heart I think Craddock will not be offered a new contract and Mancienne will be returned to Chelsea (probably off to QPR). I think Sundays performance proved we can not rest our defensive assurances on these two, who were BOTH woeful in the first half. Although they did the job, just, in the last four matches, I think Berra would have been a lot more effective dealing with the aerial bombardment Blackburn gave us and the Samba Facto – but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
LB is another definate, Elokobi will be ideal in the ranks but should not be our first choice ALTHOUGH one thing I wil say I have seen Elokobi now play twice at Centre Half and he has been very good, Man of the Match at home to Sunderland I thought. That maybe another option??
Johnson and O’Hara in the next couple of weeks, Warnock by July plus a holding CM if the rumours are true.
UTW!!
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Telford Jag. The same defence that has brought us 3 consecutive seasons in the Premier League. Not a bad achievement in my book.
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John De Wolf,
Not a bad team, My only concern is your midfield very attcking no sign of a holding midfielder. Which would lead to hammering after hammering in the PL!
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In a funny kind of way, Sunday’s result was almost the best possible thing for us. Of course we all celebrated staying up like we’d finished top, but in the cold light of day, had we pulled it back to 3-3, I think it would have gone some way to paper over some the cracks we clearly have and that were exposed in the 1st half horribly again on Sunday.
After we conceded the first, we really seem to lack the leadership on the pitch to drag us through. We just sunk deeper & deeper until McCarthy got a grip of them at half time.
We seem to have mainly focused our summer spending in the last two years on our attacking players, I’m sure this year it won’t be lost on McCarthy that we need to reinforce the defence. Without the need to spend £6.5 million + on another striker, I’m sure that money will be invested at the back.
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Got the feeling on Sunday that i was the only one in Molineux who didn’t feel like celebrating a 2-3 defeat.Just relief that Man Utd and Spurs did the job for us. Yes we desperately need to strengthen in certain areas but my main priority would be central midfield. Karl Henry was a disgrace both as a captain and a player on Sunday. Thank you Howard Webb for keeping the red card in your pocket and this makes amends for Hutton staying on this pitch against Spurs. First half was identical to game at home to Bolton. We just dont learn. Mick will not last another season unless he brings in at least 3 new defenders in addition to midfield.
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One of our obvious problems is that Wolves are a very well run club – the only club in the Premiership without debt – and this is mainly down to the fact that our wage bill is the third lowest in the league and only accounts for 49% of our overall turnover. So if we sacked Mad Mick and had a Mourinho or Ferguson here, what could he do under these restrictions? Not a lot, I expect. Love him or hate him, McCarthy has done an excellent job here. Everyone was praising West Ham’s January transfer activity but it achieved nothing. Blues had their best season in years last time and won a major cup for only their second time and they went. Yes it is disappointing that Albion finished above us and that was mainly down to a very astute signing of Odewingie by RDM.
We know what we have to do and I believe that MM has identified the positions but it will be down to whether we can persuade players of the O’Hara ilk to join within both the wage and transfer fee restrictions? Get the right players and we will be a mid-table team!
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I have a just read an article about Bham finances and how precarious they are now because no one had planned for relegation.
According to the article Carson Yeuong had been relying on a share issue in Asia that has stalled and this now with relegation could force some kind of fire sale.
I am sorry for Bhams predicament but would urge Wolves now to try and seal a deal for both Johnson and Dann.
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We survived which was a tremendous result, however, we all know it was more by luck than skill.
As far as I am concerned the only way we will improve as a club is by getting in a manager who is tactically up to the standard. MM is most definately not…. Yes he may be a nice guy who tells it as it is and the players might like him but as a manager of a Premiership team he comes up woefully short.
The first half on Sunday was a prime example of his failings. Playing Mancienne against Roberts was a joke and even though Berra is not the long term answer he surely would have been a better choice on Sunday. Jarvis is another player who worries me slightly as he really needs to be more involved and be more confident. Since his cap he has lost it some what.
The spine of the team is where its at lets sort out the defence and I am sure we will be better for the season we have just had.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CONCERNED AT WOLVES!
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This article should be printed off and stuck up on Mister Morgan’s office wall.
We were damn lucky to survive. The defence has been a shambles all season and Mick has not fixed it. That has to be first priority. Send Mancienne back to Chelsea straight away as he is a massive liability. I’d stick Zubes and Foley in that category too.
Craddock’s past it and Berra/Stearman are Championship. It won’t happen, but the entire back four needs replacing.
Even Hennessey is 100%, but hopefully with better players in front of him his confidence will improve. Great shot stopper.
I’d cash in on Henry if another club comes in for him, as he’s far too reckless. Replace him with someone who thinks first and goes in later. Bring in someone with a lot of PL experience and make him captain. Or give it to O’Hara.
Looking good on the wings, but need a really great passer in midfield and one more striker.
We certainly need to spend. Without serious money, and a complete refit, we won’t survive again.
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Have to agree with 11.
Elokobi is not a Premier League left back, however looks very comfortable at centre back if playing against a team that is going for the aerial bombardment.
Likewise, I don’t think Mancienne is a centre half or defensive midfielder, but has the attributes to be a good full back.
Henry had a shocker on Sunday, but I still rate him and don’t want him to go anywhere. He needs more solidity behind him.
In Mick we trust!!
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17) Blues and the board have serious financial concerns, as you have rightly pointed out. However, they do have some players worth a bit. The two centre halves definitely, Foster, Gardner and I would also say Zigic!
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2009-10 38 points.
2010-11 40 points, in what most people think was a much more competitive Premier League.
Progress? I’d say definitely.
In Mick we trust!!
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17 – Gold and Sullivan have done as much to keep us up as anyone! Ran Blues into the ground and then flogged it to the first bloke daft enough to take it and then went to turn West Ham from a poorly run club into a complete basket case. Players on £90,000 a week playing in the Champ and moving to a ground that will be 3x too big and in the wrong part of London. They have my heartfelt thanks.
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no 6 im sorry but yor off your rocker if you think we’d ever pay givens wages, or dunne’s and tbh i think hes no better than what we have, this past season hes had a mare, and with his outbursts would not be what mick wants in a team.
fact is we’ll buy a back up keeper, hopefully johnson and ohara, a left back from somewhere, and that, for me will be enough, you bring in too many players and you loose all continuity and squad togetherness, evolution not revolution!
and tbh i dont think 442 works in the prem anymore. far too many bodies in midfeild from the other clubs for that to work effectively, i think what we’ll actually line up like will be a very forward rushing 451 looing somethign like
hennessey
zubar johnson berra incoming signing
henry milijas
hammil ohara jarvis
doyle/fletcher
tbh i do think we can afford to cash in on either jarvis or doyle if we need to, but definatly not both. as either hunt or fletcher respectivly would step in with minimal fuss infact id be tempted to put hunt in over jarvis in games like derbies and against more physical sides such as blackburn anyway, as his more nasty side (which is why we all hated him before he signed, be honest) would be better suited.
i wouldnt want anyone else from the relegated teams anyway tbh as theyre either past it or over rated, johnsons good, and maybe dann, but lets not forget if we played as negatively as birmingham we might not have conceeded as many either! this season reminds me alot of micks 1st and second year in charge, first year we didnt have much of a squad, so we played deep, saw games out and make ourselves look better than we are, last year we were freshm, inexperienced and lacking killer quality, so we did the same, and it worked. in the second year we invested in forwards, so our defenders became exposed and shipped in goals, same as this year. now the 3rd year he fixed it and we came up.
so i trust him to do the same this year, sort our defense out and establish us well and truelly in this league.
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The article is fair assessment of the situation. Like other postings on here I totally agree that the main priority will be strenthening the defence. I’m assuming we will sign O’Hara and would expect any further signings in that area.
The two Birmingham central defenders Johnson and Dann would be ideal addressing the defence problem. However, I dare say other clubs will be looking at these players. It will be interesting to see what happens to Mouyokolo. He missed most of the season with niggling injuries so it’s hard to judge whether he’s good enough or not.
As for a left back, I’m not sure that Warnock is the answer. Perhaps a young up and coming player (if we can find one) to compete with Elokobi. Right back should remain as either Foley or Zubar.
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No 6 John De Wolf. Yes Wolves stayed much of the season in the bottom three and on Sunday Blackburn tore us apart. Do you know that championships, relegations and cups are won in many occasions through the failings of others. Look at United, they won the League but it was more on Chelsea’s failings that they did so.
On the last day Wolves stayed up because it was a big task for Birmingham and Blackpool to get the three points at Spurs and Unired.
On the subject we didn’t deserve to stay up as the table doesn’t lie what about the 13 points won against the Top 6 and to be specific beat the Top 3 at home while not forgetting the 11 points won against the fellow West Midlands teams to also top the Mini League of the area.
Wolves realy went down because of the failure to beat the teams around them in the table when on many occasions they raised their game against us.
It was incredible seeing Wigan beating West Ham the other week and think how many points Wolves got off them. Only one from 12 points something that must be addressed next season. UTW.
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Great to get another season in the top flight and to savour the wonderful wins that we have achieved this season. Although we were fortunate that outside help was needed and delivered in order for us to stay up we should still be thankful that on the face of it we have a very healthy club and I would imagine that O’Hara will be signed and the defence and midfield strengthened.
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There is no doubt what part of the team needs strengthening in the summer, I firmly believe that all funds available should be spent on our defence. Elokobi, Berra, Stearman, Mancienne, Moylokolo, and sadly Craddock are not up to Premier League standard.
Keepers – Henners, USA, Ikeme
Full backs – Foley, Zubar, Elokobi, New LB
Centre backs – Stearman, Berra, New CB, New CB
Centre midfielders – O’ Hara, Henry, Guedioura, Milijas, Edwards, New DCM
Wingers – Hunt, Jarvis, Hamill, Kightly
Strikers – Doyle, Fletcher, SEB, Ward
I believe that would take us to the magic 25 squad man mark.
Hopefully we can add some quality defenders to our team, we have been strongly linked with Johnson at Blues he is the kind of player we need… big presence, hard worker, gets stuck and proven in the Prem.
Anyone fancy Warnock at LB?? He is only rotting in Villa reserves and could be available on the cheap, got a few mates who are Villa fans and say he is a steady, calm player which again is what we need.
Hummm and another CB……… Upson? Yobo? Bassong? Whoever we bring in needs to be reliable and proven that’s for sure.
I’m hoping for a defensive midfielder too as Henry has no real competition at the min, although may have to get someone on loan if all our money has been invested in our back line.
Looking forward to the summer and then a 3rd (yes 3rd Sandwell fans) consecutive season in the Prem!!!
UTW!
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What is all this talk about outside help and luck? Did we not have to play against the likes of man utd and tottenham at old trafford and white heart lane? Does that mean when we were beaten by those 2 teams that our relegation rivals also had outside help? Of course not, Its a season of 38 games, and if at the end of the 38 games you have enough points to survive, that is simply because you have picked up more points over 38 games than your rivals. We already got our matches against those teams out the way earlier in the season, on paper blackpool and birmingham didnt stand a chance, just like we didnt when we played them.
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Yes it’s time to move up a gear now boys…
Can i just thank West Brom also for the 3 points that kept us up especially after they thought they would send us down..Priceless!!
I know it still hurts but thanks again..
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Brilliant article! I thought I was alone in thinking there was an exclusive club of 3 who self congratulate each other so quickly. Whilst the togetherness is admirable there should be someone to offer a differing opinion for the sake of balance. One example, the signing of Van Damme.
This was a catastrophe from beginning to end and might not have happened had an opposing voice been heard. Anyway onwards and upwards we hope.
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I cant believe some of the stuff i read here.
Yes there are issues to be dealt with thats part of management but We must remember how lucky we are.We are one of the few clubs (if not the only one) who are debt free.Thats because of two things 1—Jack Hayward & 2—That we have a board who is determined not to waste JH’S legacy and ensure we dont go the way of Portsmouth or Leeds.
We are not reliant on a single benefactor as are Chelsea and Man.City and i for one would rather be us than them any day.
We have a stadium Capacity of less than 30,000 ( although our so called crap board is trying to fix that) so for now we have to stay within our means.We just cannot afford to pay the wages of players such as Lescott / Keane ( both of whom some were clamouring the board to get in January).
So we are what we are, a club with limited means punching above our weight and trying to establish ourselves in the Prem. I hope to god we do it but if gambling with the future of the club is the price, then bring on the Championship.
I am ambitious for Wolves as the next man but as they say…..be careful what you wish for.
We have an excellent manager and management team, so lets all stop carping and get behind them, as they try to build a stable and successful club long into the future.
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#31 Desborough Wolf – How can someone who was signed for 2.5m then got home sick and was sold back to his homeland for 2.5m be described as a catastrophe? It was unfortunate I’ll give you that but this happens in life and its not like we lost millions on him is it?
It could have been worse, we could have signed a proven striker for 50m in January for him to only score 1 goal in 18 starts………
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John, go back to the garbage you wrote after the Wigan game at home. I would give it neck for next season mate, save us all from your constant bleating.
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Well, we have stared into the abyss, teetered on the brink and fell backward, knocking Birmingham on the way! Having to Yo-Yo between divisions in order to try to establish yourself is extremely problematic. Now we will have 3 consecutive seasons to push on into midtable. We avoided the second season drop (by the skin of our teeth)!
And yet, we took nine points from the top three, won against Villa, Stoke, Blues and Albion, the latter two failing to beat us. Won away at Anfield and the Stadium of Light. A Wolves player won a full England cap. Our capacity is being increased, making us the 11th biggest ground currently in the Prem (with just the 1st phase alone). We are the only premiership club not in debt. We had the most exciting finish to a season in our history and secured a 3rd season in the greed league with 40 points.
I would have settled for that in August!
But at 86 minutes played last Sunday, we were relegated. It was a damned close run thing and Morgan has to realize you can only do this on the cheap up to a point. If you spend 2-3 million on a player, chances are unless he’s coming into a very good side he will not be good enough at this level. That said you could pay double and not get any better! There are exceptions – that’s the gamble.
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While I would go with much of what you say John, I am surprised to see you describe the season as a “genuine disappointment”. To be fair it’s probably been more a of Chumbawamba in that we got knocked down by say Wigan but got up again vs United, down by Stoke but well up for the Albion.
I wouldn’t have thought that we would have got much more than 42 – 44 points when the fixtures came out last year, so to finsih on 40 and remain in the Prem is job done – for the season, in case you’re reading this Mr Moxey.
The signs look positive that we will improve the squad for next season. But even if we secure O’Hara and Johnson (?) and another two, we will still need to battle to keep our place in this League.
No matter who comes or goes the team will have to keep its fighting spirit alive to see us through next time. That much we have learned from W Ham and B’ham – it’s not just about names. Your point however, about drawing from the well of courage once too often is not lost either.
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First, regarding that fourth ‘certain’ goal that Hennessey saved.
3)PeteNuts You are way out. When Steven Hunt scored our second, Blues immediately knew they had to score and McLeish signalled Roger Johnson to go forward and join the attack. This back fired on him ‘cos Pavlychenko took advantage of the space and scored the winner. If we had been 4 goals down that situation would not have arisen.
I just get the feeling that the 3Ms have learned their lesson. The whole back line has to be strengthened with the possible exception of RB. Stearman is the one central defender I’d keep with maybe Big George being used there for the right matches.
I’m not going to knock Craddock, Berra and Mancienne they’ve all played their part in getting Wolves to where they are over the last few years. Good luck to them all. I think we are well blessed with midfielders and Strikers, but, well though Karl Henry has played at times (not that crazy push in front of Howard Webb…unforgivable !) an experienced defensive midfielder is required to complete the job IMO.
Use the transfer kitty to get quality not quantity.
Finally let’s hope the kids Baath, Winnall, Malone, Gorman, Mendez-Laing and the rest start to break through in pre season
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31 Desborough Wolf
Nonsense.
How can the Van Damme signing be described as a catastrophe ? What happened AFTER was, but, nearly everyone at the time thought he was an astute addition to the team.
You are judging it from hindsight which you clearly find self satisfying.
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Mick McCarthy Premiership Manager.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Premiership Club.
Goals that kept us up scored by Fletcher, O’Hara and Hunt all McCarthy signings in the last 12 months.
Trust in Micks team building.
Happy Clapping kept us up!!
UTW
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I fail to see how surviving in the Premier in our second year is a failure or in any way disappointing. I for one was genuinely worried about “Second Season Syndrome”, which has been the down fall of so many clubs. If you want to know what disappointment and failure tastes like I suggest you ask the Blues fans. We now have the chance to build on the last seasons achievement and ease away from another relegation dogfight, a luxury that Blues,Blackpool and West Ham do not have. So in summary, be grateful for the opportunity no matter how it came about and onwards and upwards.
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We all know where our problems lie but does Mick ? As it was the same championship defence that he has had 2 years & 4 windows to sort out !
If he is capable of rectifying it will he have the means ?
Its all well & good with our profit margins & ground expansion but will job done Jez allow the purse strings to stretch enough to pay the wages of the players we need to strengthen ? We already missed out on Scott Dann due to our low wage structure .
I believe the money is there without the need to gamble our future & with better players will bring better attendances , survival & more money into the club in future .
I’m no MM fan but if JM & SM say he is here to stay then at least back him with money for QUALITY new signings & not bargain bucket squad players .
WOLVES AY WE !
Enjoy the summer & I look forward to agreement or disagreement on these boards next season .
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We all know where our problems lie but does Mick ? As it was the same championship defence that he has had 2 years & 4 windows to sort out !
If he is capable of rectifying it will he have the means ?
Its all well & good with our profit margins & ground expansion but will job done Jez allow the purse strings to stretch enough to pay the wages of the players we need to strengthen ? We already missed out on Scott Dann due to our low wage structure .
I believe the money is there without the need to gamble our future & with better players will bring better attendances , survival & more money into the club in future .
I’m no MM fan but if JM & SM say he is here to stay then at least back him with money for QUALITY new signings & not bargain bucket squad players .
WOLVES AY WE !
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We all know where we need to strengthen. Let’s hope the three Ms agree and, within our budget, go all out to do just that. Another season like the one we’ve just had will be too much for my health. (OK, there were bright spots, but…..)
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We’ve survived two seasons in the Premiership despite a plethora of awful defenders recruited by the club in recent times. Veteran Jody Craddock was recruited in another era, but remains the only consistently adequate performer at centre back at this level. If these defensive shortcomings aren’t addressed by the management team before season 3, for sure it will be our last at this level.
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Wise words John, especially re that horror show that was the first 45 minutes against Blackburn on Sunday. THE biggest match of our season and we were sooooooooo poor it was shocking. Unbelievable.
Whether you want to ‘StickwithMick’ or believe instead that we’re ‘StuckwithMick’, I guess he’s earned the right to begin another season at the helm.
What isn’t in doubt is that we need to invest in better players and indeed make the defence THE priority this summer. Mick, over to you.
Here’s hoping…
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We don’t need a glut of signings this summer, just 3 or 4 quality ones.
Let’s get the O’Hara deal done as he wants to stay. If not get David Vaughan off Blackpool – free transfer and their best player this season.
Get Roger Johnson off Blues and buy either Ashley Williams or Matt Mills to partner him (dependant on who loses Play Off Final). Craddock has been immense but time to move on, let Berra go to Rangers as he hasn’t improved this season. This gives us centre-back options of Johnson, Williams/Mills, Stearman and Mouyokolo (both great young prospects), with Zubar and Elokobi who can come in too. Let Mancienne go back to Chelsea, he simply isn’t up to the physical challenge of the Premier League.
Another shout could be Wes Brown – can’t get a look-in at United at the moment and could be tempted by first team football. Could we tempt a Jermaine Jenas from Spurs? I guess wages would be the issue.
Try all possible to keep Hahnemann as a great influence on Hennessey and character in the dressing room.
Keep Doyle, Fletcher and Jarvis.
Let Jones, Halford and Keogh go.
Send Kightly and Vokes out on loan to a decent Championship team and let them get some football under their belts away from the spotlight.
All of a sudden we’ve got a decent squad on paper. Provisional 25 as per below?
Keepers:
Hennessey, Hahnemann, Ikeme.
Defenders:
Johnson, Williams or Mills, Stearman, Mouyokolo, Zubar, Foley, Elokobi, Brown.
Midfielders:
Henry, O’Hara, Edwards, Guedioura, Milijas.
Wingers:
Jarvis, Hunt, Hammill, Kightly.
Strikers:
Fletcher, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake, Ward, Vokes.
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The catastrophe I was referring to about the Van Damme signing was that we badly needed a left back/left sided defensive player and more should have been done regarding assessing his state of mind. I actually rated him as a player, Anyway I was just trying to give an example (perhaps a bad example) of the cosyness between the three M’s as stated in the original article.
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Well, that afterglow was short lived, and now seems over! Just wanted a few days to bask in the sweet satisfaction of “staying up!”. I must be dreaming to think we can survive – again – with the same scenario as last season but, unless Mick robs a few banks, and doesn’t get caught, I really don’t think he will have as much as last year, to buy the players we need; will have to sell a few, the surplus to requirements kind, and we all have our opinions on who those players are!
Good luck 3M’s and remember we are proud to be Wolves!
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For everyone getting down on Mick, remember the two goals Sunday were beautifully worked set pieces that came straight off of MM’s clipboard. I have generally been a supporter of Mick’s, with a few exceptions on individual players and his more defensive/conservative style. The set pieces have been fantastic this season, and with no steady free kick goal scorer, they have to be.
As far as transfers, I agree with 24 and 28, mostly, and that primarily defense will be key. I think we need 2 new CB’s with a left back as a lesser priority (shove ward or foley in there). Henry needs to be replaced as well imo. Thought that all season. Sloppy tackler and gives away possession constantly.
As far as interesting upside, would love to see some talk about Wayne Bridge again or Lescott assuming City heavily upgrades their defense this summer.
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39 Sir Billy Crackpot. You really are a joker. You make no mention of the defence, all bar one signed by the same manager. This also ignores all the bought and discarded players of substandard quality. He abandoned Mancienne as not a centre half a long time ago (quite rightly) We have finished the season with a defence that was not good enough two years ago! Add in championship ( at best) like Stearman and Berra.The downside of staying up is the retention of the triangle of incompetence in charge, all backed by happy clappers like yourself.More of the same dross next reason i am afraid.
By the way, why is everyone calling for Johnson? Nobody noticed his horrendous performances over the last couple of months?
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While McCarthy is in charge the problems will remain. He spends precious transfer money on rubbish, plays people out of position and is too arrogant to change direction. (he knows it all).
The comment has been made that we would be alright if we cut out the silly mistakes. Unfortunately they cannot cut out the mistakes because they are not good enough. That’s why they keep doing it.
I am sure most of us are thoroughly brassed off with the same old will we/wont we be relegated. For once, can’t we have a decent team which can comfortably sit in mid-table without all this angst every season?
We need a new manager who is capable of buying astutely and tactically competent. Over to you Morgan.
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Baggie in peace here.
Let’s be honest here-both WBA and Wolves need to build on what they have just to stay still.
We were lucky to find Peter O for a couple of quid and his goals kept us up ,when to buy a 15 goal a season striker like Bent at the Vile cost £25m plus wages which neither club will/can pay !!
Clubs like ours just cannot go out and splash £40m/£50m on players so we have to accept that it comes down to the ability of the respective managers to extract the maximum from the resources at their disposal.
Both clubs will be inreasingly dependant on their youth set-ups bringing through the stars of the future at an acceptable cost.
In the meantime it is for the fans of the respective clubs to be a little tolerant. After all Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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52 – baggie fan with sense. Hats off to you son, you’ve got more than many of the Wolves posters on here
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50 and 51, both of you make valid points, but your comments reek of humble pie as apart from the odd positive comment, since mcarthy was appointed your agenda has been to get him out and appoint someone of your choice.
1. morgan will get rid of mcarthy when he is ready and not if any internet poster says so.
2. the fact that wwfc survived,by the skin of thier teeth, only makes it harder for morgan to get rid.
and 3. and as we beat both manchester giants it is MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. UTW
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Well, what a good article this is – total fact and no messing about in making out that we have it easy. This season was so hard going on us fans, that I am really savouring a 3-month rest from football.
I have in the past not been MM’s biggest fan but he was successful again this season in keeping us up. I have never knocked Morgan and don’t think I ever will as in my opinion he has done absolute wonders for our club and this will only continue. Moxey – not so sure, but at the end of this season a big well done to the 3 of them….and not forgetting the team too for playing a little part!!!!
As far as players out goes, I think we will lose Henry and make a nice profit on him and after his return from injury, I hope Mancienne says farewell. He has never been a favouorite of mine, along with Berra. I also think Mujangi Bia should be released – for his benefit though as he just never gets the call. Same unfortunately goes for Jones.
Players in – I think Johnson would be an excellent buy, along with O’Hara. Samba would be another top choice but expect one of the Top 4 will get him. Scott Parker, again, same as Samba but it would be better for him to steer clear of the big boys.
Finally, I know he is getting on, but I would like to see Craddock get a final years contract – think he made a difference when he returned from injury.
There are so many others but realistically, many are out of our range…I also have finished my lunch!
WE ARE WOLVES!!!
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