Kenny Jackett grilled by Wolves fans
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett fronted up to the club's supporters in a question and answer session last night.
Jackett took questions on a variety of subjects and gave some forthright answers during the latest Wolves Fans Parliament meeting. We picked out the highlights of the opinions of the Wolves chief, who spoke about Richard Stearman, Sammy Ameobi, James Wilson, Benik Afobe, supporter apathy and getting things right in the Championship this season.
JACKETT ON...SELLING STEARMAN
"We didn't have any clean sheets with Richard this year. And Danny Batth's been a big loss, there is no doubt about that.
"The ability level and the character of the players is good enough to overcome their lack of experience.
"Kortney Hause won't go under. He doesn't buckle, that lad, for a 20-year-old.
"We may not have got it right yet, but we have a lot of ability in the squad and the proof will be in the pudding.
"We've got a lot to prove to you, our supporters."
JACKETT ON...EMILIANO MARTINEZ
"There's no clause that he has to play. I believe in the player.
"He's had a shaky game or two, on Saturday we saw what he's capable of. I've got a lot of confidence in Emi Martinez, I think he's going to have a top season.
"He's very bubbly and I fully expect to build on Saturday and go from strength to strength.
"To be changing the goalkeeper as much as I have is not ideal. Having said that there have been several mistakes, which does force your hand.
"I also Carl has the ability to fight back."
JACKETT ON...EXPECTATIONS
"I think the expectation is right, we should go for promotion.
"Right now, six games in, 16th spot is not where we want to be.
"That expectation is there and rightly so, I don't think it's anything we should be frightened of.
"It's my job now to pull this whole thing together and only performances on the pitch will encourage people or settle people down.
"Who's responsible ultimately? Myself.
"Nobody's in more of a rush (to get to the Premier League) than me.
"It's certainly not, yes we'll be okay in 18 months. It's now."
JACKETT ON...SUPPORTER APATHY
"There was a little bit of a lull (in the Charlton game), and in a lull at a football club it's right that me and the players build it up again, it's our job to do that.
"I understand and I get it and I hear it.
"We've got to start performing and then there won't be a lull, you'll be expecting about the players out there that are doing it."
"I can feel it (the lull), I'm fully aware of it and I sense it.
"It's up to me now to have the courage of my convictions and push through, make sure I pull the whole thing together and put out a side there that does win consistently, lift morale, give out fantastic performances, play with energy and tempo, go from one end of the pitch very quickly and make sure we've a goalscoring force that can pull us out of the position we're in.
"And that's got to happen quickly.
"That's my responsibly. I've got a lot of faith in the players we have, I have a lot of players with a lot to prove, and I myself have got a lot to prove right now.
"Starting Saturday, we'll be committed towards doing that and I'm very confident in making sure those fears are allayed and we get over that."
JACKETT ON...TEAM SELECTION
"Have I got the left side of our team right yet? No I haven't. Have I found that Sako replacement and got the balance right down that particular side? No I haven't.
"There's been a lot of changes in personal and combinations while I'm looking for that (winning formula).
"I know if it does go wrong I'm susceptible to criticism.
"I'm definitely still searching for the right combination.
"It's been a transitional period and I have needed to change it to find a winning formula."
JACKETT ON...KEEPING AFOBE
At no time was a price mentioned, i.e. if the club hit this price he would be sold, that was never mention.
There's been no side deal for Benik, i.e. he can go at a certain time if things are not matched or we're not in the Premier League.
Ultimately during the term of his contract he'll hopefully take Wolves to the Premier League and stay there.
JACKETT ON...SAMMY AMEOBI
"Basically Jez wanted to sign him and I didn't. That's how it is."
"Are there some clubs that spend more than us? Yes. But we spend more than the majority.
"There are some unbelievable deals out there."
JACKETT ON...JORDAN GRAHAM
"I think he's a promising young player. Yes he's under consideration, right footed, played mainly down the left side, although he can play right as well, can beat a man.
"He'll either come under first team consideration very quickly now or he'll go out on loan and get some experience to be able to work his journey into our first team.
"He's one I'm looking at closely."
JACKETT ON...DAVID EDWARDS
"I do feel that we started off trying to get Dave to come inside behind the front two and get Scott Golbourne outside. I do agree after spells of games...it served its course.
"I think he brings a lot of very good qualities to the club, his work rate, his passion, his will to win in there.
"Used from the right role in midfield there are goals in him, he got eight goals last season.
"I like Dave Edwards, I'm a Dave Edwards fan, he's a very good player."
JACKETT ON...JAMES WILSON
"He has been a target and we've enquired just as much as everybody else.
"But if he's not available, he's not available to us.
"If that changes we'll be competing, but at the moment he's not available."
JACKETT ON...JACK PRICE
"McDonald and Coady, supplemented by Edwards, it's been those three ahead of Jack.
"I've been very pleased with him when he's played but this year I've brought Coady in and it's tough to play Price and Coady.
"I think a Price and Coady partnership could be very solid, but I do feel that one of those with somebody who can either score or create a goal (should be the partnership).
