Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Stefan Maierhofer may stay at Wolves
Monday 8th August 2011, 11:20AM BST.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy today revealed Stefan Maierhofer could have a future at Molineux – as interest surfaced in him from Germany.
The forgotten striker came in from the cold to produce an impressive performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza.
Maierhofer was widely expected to leave after being made available for £1.3million at the end of the season following his loan at Duisburg.
But the 6ft 7ins striker, who has 12 months left on his contract, gave a reminder of why McCarthy paid £1.8million for him two years ago in a lively 36 minutes after coming on for Kevin Doyle.
McCarthy said: “We made a lot of substitutions and Stefan was among the pick of them – he was excellent,.
“I bought him to do that and if he continues to do that then he will be in my squad.”
McCarthy’s praise comes as there is interest in the Austria international from Germany.
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Bruno Hubner, who had him on loan at Duisburg, is still a fan.
Hubner said: “A guy almost two metres tall can win you the odd game through his dynamism and heading ability.
“I can’t deny it, he’s an interesting player.”
There could also be interest from Bundesliga club Hannover 96, where Maierhofer’s best friend and former strike partner at Rapid Vienna Erwin Hoffer is playing.
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I am a bit suprised with this, the Hoff has been playing with the kids, then all of a sudden he comes in from the cold, a bit strange the whole thing..
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This player has been out in the cold for yonks and after 36 minutes Madcap McArthy wants to keep him.
No doubt Edinburgh Wolves will agree with everything Madcap says and does.
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I would keep him to complement Doyle, Fletcher and Ebanks-Blake.
Of the three available strikers Maierhofer is definately better than Vokes and Keogh.
Looking forward to Saturday, up the Wolves!
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Regarding the other story, Mick is so right in condemning the upcoming
international friendlies as a nonsense. It is plain daft to take players days before the season opens and subject them to unnecessary risks in fairly meaningless games that mean nothing to their clubs – apart from risk and interruption to their preparations. Regarding Stefan; it is good that he came out of the pre-season with credit but it is probably in his interests and those of the club, that he moves on.
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Hey, just think of Peter Crouch on steroids! Seriously, Mick, he could be useful and help diversify the attack. Great for a late game substitution, when we need a goal from an angled set-piece or corner. Keep the Hoff! UTMW!
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Keep him… I was there on Saturday and he was very very impressive he seems to have put a bit of muscle on and he won practically everything in the air that came his way…
Id keep him and id pair him with Doyle or Fletcher and get them on his flick ons… he is an interesting dilemma for Mick!
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I dont want to get flamed for saying this but he is not Premiership standard! He played half and hour against a team weeks behind us in pre season preparations, in the second half too when they were tiring……….. Bit different to the Prem.
Ill support whoever puts a Wolves shirt on, but I cannot really see this one working out well. Blake, Doyle and Fletcher are ahead in the order. Maybe we could play him the the Cup or something but to be honest thats unfair on the player. I hope he moves on where he can get regualr first team opportunities.
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If they guy is prepared to work hard and fit into the squad, he certainly has a place as he’s able to offer something none of our other strikers do.
The potential strike force of Maierhofer Hoffer amused me !
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Hes definately not our best striker, but he offers us something completely different to our other strikers which is obviously a good thing. I dont think he would be a loss if we sold him, but knowing you can completely change the way we play if tactics arent working cant be a bad thing. I would be interested to see him against Arsenal. I think he could cause some damage against their defence, against teams like Stoke, I would prefer to see our other strikers.
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“McCarthy’s praise comes as there is interest in the Austria international from Germany”
I think that is the pivotal line in this story………….
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They say a week’s a long time in politics. Apparently, 36 minutes is an even longer time in football.
The Hoff staying at Molineux? Talk about long odds. Whatever next, one of our old defenders driving the team bus? ;-)
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Like many players we have not given a run in the team he may prove useful, seems a surprising turn around, unless McCarthy is trying to talk his price up not really convinced about him.
Would like to see SEB restored in the team and given his opportunity again, we need a true goal scorer and he is one.
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Good news, I reckon. He did alright at Duisburg, by all accounts. He wouldn’t be the first person to struggle in his first season then come back reinvigorated. Benjani Mwaruwari did something similar and then did very well in his second season.
And then did naff all else, mind.
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rich5wolves
Whilst i would never shoot anyone down in flames for there opinion… i cant help thinking that none of us wolves fans can really judge him as he hasnt been given a fair crack of the whip… I honestly believe that he could be another dimension for this squad. he was really putting himself about on saturday and he looked good… it wasnt like a friendly it was a good old battle!
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Don’t think he’ll ever be a starter for us but he could still be an interesting come off the bench player when we need to throw everything forward for an equaliser.
Hope we can bring in possibly a LB, CB and defensive midfielder this week but more realistically before the transfer window slams shut. To be fair, cant see us getting anything at Blackburn.
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Mybe Mick is making sure we dont have to give him away.
But he would be better to keep than volkes or keogh.
top 12 for wolves!
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Ehh, as a Wolves fan who is living in Hannover for the short term, This friend of the Hoff doesn’t play for Hannover!!
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We all saw it,when The Hoff played last season he was found wanting. He was bought to do a job and simply did not do it. Whatever the reason, if he has shown the manager in preseason training and friendlies that he could still be useful to the squad, then keep him. The comments by 2)BOC just do not make sense. 36 mins ? The squad has been back training for a few weeks and he’s been involved in 3 games to my knowledge.
This nonsense about playing Internationals three or four days before the first Premiership games just cannot be justified. At some Club or Clubs in the Premiership it’s gonna end in tears and injured players. I just hope it’s not us. You can understand why Karl-Heinz Rummenigger is wanting the suits that run FIFA and UEFA out !
PS Not that I’m particularly bothered, but why did the SPL kick off so early and then have a week playing friendlies ? Crazy !
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Keep him hes a gd player who was never really given a chance
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I would say that it is quite unlikely to happen as there are barely any spaces within the squad – we certainly should not be even considering the likes of Keogh or Vokes in the 25. Here are the players that I believe will make it and the only spaces we have available:-
1)Hennessey 2)De Vries 3)Ikeme 4)Foley 5)Stearman 6)Zubar 7)Johnson 8)Berra 9)Craddock 10)Elokobi 11)Ward 12)Henry 13)Edwards 14)O’Hara 15)Milijas 16)Guedioura 17)Jarvis 18)Hunt 19)Hammill 20)Kightly 21)Doyle 22)Fletcher 23)SEB 24)Left Back? 25)Forward/Central Midfielder
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Reasons for Mick’s sudden SM ‘love in’??:-
10% chance of him making the squad even as sub
90% chance of reigniting interest in him in the loan market, so its another wage off the books (and maybe more room for 1 new player in)
This Guy was hugely critical of Mick in his 1st season with us ..Mick will remember that and he will be on his way.
A similar thing happened at the start of last season with Halford… cue sudden interest in the player in the loan market
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can the hoff play lb or cb hes 6ft7 lol
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Do you not think he might just be playing for a move, he probably knew there were scouts in the stand watching & that’s probably also why he had some game time.
By all accounts he seem to have an ever so slight attitude problem, I bet he tweets & then there’s his own website but hey he is a legend in his own living room.
Does he remind anyone else of Greg Halford???
Apart from being tall & useless
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Re post 6
Bojangles Wolf………He is 6′ 7” !!!!! and you were impressed he won only ‘practically’ everything in the air!!!
I agree with everything else you said though, he deserves one last try, but if that fails we risk losing him for nothing and thats 1.8 million squandered then. Tough call
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20
You can take out Hammill as hes under 21
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His obviously going to be pretty useful in helping to put the new roof on the North Bank!
We could save a fortune on crainage.
To be serious he would offer something different, but I have never known Mick to change his mind on a player – remember the nice words he spoke about Halford in last pre season.
Mick is quite a good salesman!!
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Long balls into the box, never done Stoke and Blackburn any harm. And its always an option for Mick when Dole gets tired of being kicked around by errr Stoke and Blackburn.
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Oooops meant Doyle!
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Well, well, well, suddenly Mick will give the Hoff a chance? Nah, it’s more like he’s talking the guy up so he can get a sale going. Another one of Micks brill I haven’t seen him but we’ll throw Steve Morgans money at him and see if it sticks signings. Guy scored on his debut if my memory serves me and then no more starts after that. Shades of Freddy Eastwood?? Fall out with Mick and adios amigo, ergo Dave Jones too. We still need another striker for sure and I for one hope it isn’t Keogh. Why does everyone have a down on Sam Vokes? Like Stephen Ward, he’s a trier, just isn’t Irish enough, to be sure.
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Was impressed with maierhofer on Saturday he won every header as you’d expect someone that size to do, flicking them on for fletcher, it wasn’t til Mick brought Keogh on that maierhofer stopped the flick ons and headed them back into midfield knowing Keogh isn’t in the same league as fletcher, well done Stefan, did yourself no harm at all, having never been given a chance, starting a league game at old Trafford but then having George friend and halford as our wingers supplying him!
With players like chris samba and nelson for Blackburn maybe maierhofer could feature at some point to counter their superior height and power, probably not though as Mick will probably go with Keogh up front on his own as his decisions are often bemusing!
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All this is just about putting the Hoff in the shop window.
Why Vokes keeps getting badmouthed here is beyond me. He is young and needs a good run. His international experience means that he is not so green, either. If Fletcher or Doyle gets injured we will need him.
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Wolfhound – Hammill is 23, born Jan 1988
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Good news for the Blackburn match.
Chris Samba,very,very doubtful with groin injury.
Makes the task a little bit easier.
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God there are some idiots on these pages! the Hoff is a contracted player, and will remain so until sold or he proves that he should be in the first team, has for seb (flying winger)he has “never” left the squad he is out injured – but you would know that being a Wolves “fan” wouldn’t you?
Wolfhound – Hammill is 23 – DOB:25/01/1988.
Tonto – Second word is …
We are Wolves…….Onwards and Upwards.
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Hoff as not been given a chance.To be given a chance the player has to have the firm backing and trust of his Manager.So the question is does “mm” have the trust? In my opinion the answer is a very resounding “NO”.
Is he good enough no one knows and probably wont,unless some other premiership team comes in for him and gives him the chance.Physically he has the attributes and has scored were ever he as been.
Take for instance “doyler” one of the worst wolves strikers in terms of scoring yet he is and will continue to be first choice,as MM favours him.Fletcher was also in the “HOFF” category until “DOYLE” got injured resulting in him getting a run and with each game you could see the progression and beleif in the player.One of the reasons I always ask for MM to be excused his duties with the club is,he has a tendency to favour some players over others and it does not boil down to their superior ability.We have a number of players that play due to this Mr.Ward being a hugh example of this (LB).If I or anyone else was to just focus on his contribution in this position you would come away with the beleif that he is an extremely lucky boy,has he as cost us more games and points then he as gained.Some NUMPTIES on here think he is great,they now who they are,it just shows some fans are just “happy clappers” and dont have the know how required to judge players.You can any pundit the likes of shearer,hansen etc and they can review his games he has played at left back and come up with the obvious that he is a weak link.Other Managers are all fully aware of this.I am in no way blaming or taking it out on Mr.Ward has he does his best,which in my opinion is not good enough!Fortunately for me the statistics back me up very strongly.The major point to take out of this is that MM still plays him!Milijias is embroiled in the exact opposite to Mr.Ward,has his position is always under threat,no matter how positive a contribution he makes!So please dont come on here and say “MM” Is a fair Manager he is not.
He does not like new players and giving them a fair chance,Hamill is exciting but “MM” will use him as a sub!We have some up and coming players in the reserves who never get the chance or oppurtunities to play.SEB is one of the higher profile players that in recent seasons has not had the backing required yet I still beleive he could out score both Fletcher and certainly Doyler!
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32
Sorry then my mistake I thought he was nineteen when we bought him.
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Thought Hoff was gonna be a huge success when we brought him in, but didnt happen. Dont know but he didnt get many chances.
Mick has seen him in training a lot and makes the decisions but wouldnt it be a powerful weapon to be able to throw him in at the end of matches we need to score and cause some panic to the opposition??!
Maybe he is not the best ballplayer but could offer us something different.
UTW
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wanderer in eire – Please provide these statistics of yours. While were at it, can you explain that been as your such a good judge of footballer, why are you not a manager or scout? I have never seen any pundit describe Ward as the weak link, Ward has also been called up to the international team, so there are obviously professional managers that get paid to know how to judge a player, that seem to disagree with you.
Im not saying Ward is a great player. Im just saying, hes all we have at the moment, and who are you to say that he wont improve with better players around him.
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Tonto – Shades of Freddy Eastwood? Hmmmmm, mick got that spectaculary wrong didnt he. He got rid of Eastwood who is now scorng 20 a season in the premier league. Oh no, wait a minute….
Mcarthy doesnt know half as much as us lot on here eh? Mick out Mick Out Mick Out. Shut up.
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24 Cheshire
I only recall him losing one header out of probably 13 or 14 and that was when the centre half had a run on him…
he got the flick on for georges goal…
I would keep him and give him a chance because he is a different dimension when plan a goes astray!
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Keep him he’s our shining beacon We got a new shiny yellow costume, a new shining stand, And micks already got an amazing shiny nose, out of darkness come shiny lights .
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do you think the hoff would make a super goalie?
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34, John Wolf, Thanks for pointing out the obvious! My comment if you read again is he should be restored to the team ie, Play in each match from the start of the season.
He is and has will be our best goalscorer, if he can become injury free of course.
yes I know he has been injured.
Yes have always been a Wolves Fan, sorry to disappoint you.
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25) I thought that at first but he is now 23!
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35 – just want to pick up a couple of things you mentioned:
1. Who would you drop for Hammill ? Would it be our England international or our Irish International ?
2. Mick doesn’t like new players ?….. what, you mean apart from putting Milijas straight into the team when he first joined, as he did with Doyle, Fletcher, O’Hara, Berra, SEB and many many others. Not to mention that the new player Johnson has been named captain.
3. When everybody is fit, Ward hardly ever starts.
4. The reason the likes of Ward have done so much better at Wolves than the likes of Eastwood or Halford is because Mcarthy rewards players who will give 110% every game. Is this not good ? Would you prefer to go back the days of Mark McGhee and the likes of Simon Osborn loafing around the pitch ?! Rewarding hard work also helps produce the great team spirit we have within our club at present, a team spirit that has, in my opinion, won us more points than any individual player has on their own. Although i do appreciate it is impossible to quantify that opinion as a fact.
5. You think Shearer is a credible pundit ?!
6. He may not score too many, but you can’t bring into doubt the contribution Doyle has made to our 2 Premier League seasons. Just look beyond the most basic of stats and see the games.
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If we`re going to offload deadwood strikers then offload them all- hoff,keough and vokes and free up loads of cash for a quality 3rd striker behind Fletcher and Doyle. That way we won`t have last seasons collapse when 1 gets injured.
Shane Long`s going to cost 6m if Reading sell him, sounds a lot but he`s only 24 and I think he`ll easily make the step up as he has the skill, pace and trickery to succeed. Also love him to link up with Doyle again.
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The Hoff question is neither here or there. What concerns me most is that we are 5 days from the start of the season and we are still a couple of players short. Surely it makes sense to get them in now instead of waiting for the second transfer window. If they can give us an extra 6 or 8 points by Xmas then it will make life a lot easier for the run-in instead of having to play catch-up. Dann wasn’t in the Brum team at the weekend and with Johnson not only at Wolves but also team captain surely he could talk to his mate about coming to Molineux and then it would be down to Moxley to get a deal done for 6 or 6.5 million.
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31) I was not bad mouthing Vokes at all. He did brilliantly to help us out of the Championship. The problem is that when he was sent out on loan he was constantly injured and if he is above 21, can we afford to have him in our squad?
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As I did not go to the match on Saturday, I can’t comment on his performance but, unless he has changed dramatically from the last time I saw him, I think he will be shipped out of Molineux at the first opportunity.
Playing against a half fit spanish side is one thing, playing against fully fit Premiership sides is another.
I can only assume that as others have implied, that he probably played simply for the benefit of any scouts who may have been watching.
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35 Wanderer in Eire. Sorry I lost the will to live halfway through that lot, but, I got the gist. It’s the same old regurgitated claptrap.
One question. Who is the hugh about halfway through (“Mr Ward being a hugh example”) Is it Hugh Laurie ? Hugh Dennis ? or maybe Hugh McIlmoyle ?
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46 – Wolfhedd – Cant beleive somebody is posting using my name. I will have to change my name on this site to something else, which im gutted about as ive been posting for a good few years now. From now on i will be the real wolfhedd, which is no desrespect to you 46, but our oppinions seem to differ a fair bit, which may be a bit confusing.
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Apparently he has played well in all the pre season games he has been involved in. This shows he has some character, the fact he hasn’t spat his dummy out or given up on winning a first team place. I agree with No 3, having the tallest striker in the prem on the bench is a much better option then Vokes or Keogh. UTW.
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Steph is very similar to Halford. They both have their heads in the clouds!
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As we are only allowed to name 5 subs this season one being a goalkeeper, who would Hoff replace on the bench – SEB, Hammil, Kites … Hoff wont even make the bench to show us this extra dimension people are talking about so lets get rid and use the money on other areas that need quality replacements and/or strengthening. Seems the only way we are going to get them as Morgan cant find the pockets in his suit to put his hands in.
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After Johnson and Henry both confirmed a couple of weeks ago that MM is working hard to bring in another one or two names, I am a little concerned that McCarthy today said that any further signings are ‘unlikely’ before the transfer window ends.
Hope this is a smoke-screen (as has been the case before), but I am not optimisitic this time around.
I am guessing that the higher quality of player MM is (hopefully) wanting to bring in do not see us an attractive move. Either that, or they’re move hinges on other players coming into their current club before they can move on.
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Maierhofer is a top player and just needs a decent chance in the team…
Hope he stays…..
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I am a man to give a chance to people.
But i could tell from the way he warmed up he was never a footballer! :-)
I am depressed about the level of intelligence of people on here.
DEPRESSED.
Now, sign a lb and lets look forward to a good season.
UP THE WOLVES
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