Halford revived by heart-to-heart
Two-goal Wolves hero Greg Halford has revealed how a heart-to-heart with boss Mick McCarthy has got him firing again after admitting being disappointed with his impact so far.
Two-goal Wolves hero Greg Halford has revealed how a heart-to-heart with boss Mick McCarthy has got him firing again after admitting being disappointed with his impact so far.
Halford scored twice as Wolves beat Scunthorpe 4-2 in a pre-season friendly last night. And his brace brightened his mood after revealing his pre-season form was starting to get him down.
"I feel I've been very average and I've been disappointed," said Halford. "I've had a chat with the manager during the week to put over my concerns over how well I'm playing.
"I was a bit down to be honest so this game was exactly what I needed. It was great to score a couple of goals to ease my way back into it. Apart from the performances against North Queensland, MK Dons and Scunthorpe as a right-back, I haven't played particularly well.
"The manager gave me a vote of confidence – but only after saying I wouldn't be involved last night!
"I was due to stay on the bench like a few of the other lads, so when I got the shout to come on half-time it took me by surprise.
"But that was good because when I don't think about a game, I feel better about it.
"It just takes my mind away from everything. I have a laugh with the other lads and I try to relax and it worked well. Hopefully I can kick on and start the season well."
Halford's renowned versatility came to the fore as the 24-year-old, who came on for Academy midfielder Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, played three different positions as Wolves switched to 4-3-3 again.
"I started off as a right midfielder, then played as a right-sided forward in a three and then I played right-back – all in the space of five minutes!" he said.
"Everyone knew when I came here I was a versatile player and that was just a little sneak preview of what I can offer.
"I haven't played as well further forward on the right but the two games I've played at right-back I've felt quite comfortable.
"I think I played once there last season but, apart from that, I haven't played there for a couple of years so I'm just easing my way in."
Halford was delighted to get on the scoresheet. Of the first goal, he said: "It was a great ball in from Matt Jarvis – I didn't have to do much on the ball apart from a little glancing header.
"As for the free-kick, I was practising them on Monday and I was hitting them quite well. Luckily enough, it dipped just in time and went into the top corner."
* Mark Little could make his comeback tonight after being named in an 18-man Wolves squad largely made up of fringe players at Wrexham (7.30pm).
Little, who has recovered from a clean-up operation on his left knee following surgery to repair a cartilage, is included with Carl Ikeme, trialist Bobo Balde, Matt Hill, David Jones, Darren Ward and Jason Shackell.
Squad: Ikeme, D Ward, Balde, Batth, Hill, Malone, David Jones, Shackell, Daniel Jones, Hemmings, Spray, E Bennnett, Little, Davis, Rooney, East, Metcalfe, Ebanks-Landell.