Greater Expectations?

[Bill McCai]

Have we started 'too' well? Has the two points per game return ( so far ) raised expectation levels worryingly? Will the fans be unhappy should our form 'level out' a bit in the next ten games?

Or is there no reason we cannot finish in the Play-Offs? With a couple of new additions and players ( Davies, McNamara ) to return – surely the present side can only grow in confidence and ability?

A month ago, I would have been happy with a 7th-18th place finish this season but the first five games have got me thinking. Maybe we could make the play offs this season. Is this unjustified? The home defeat against Preston was awful, but we have fought back since then to joint 2nd in the division. I think I would still be happy with a mid table finish as long as the present 're-structuring' of the squad ( and the board ) continues apace.

Where do you stand on this?

[Winelord]

We've started very well. No doubt we'll see more dire matches throughout autumn and winter. Play-offs are a possibility, but I'll be happy, given the team rebuilding, with mid-table this season.

[QB Wolf]

My view is lets not get too carried away, we've scraped 3 1-0s if we can keep that up then great but I won't be too surprised if we don't.

The key is keeping Breen (our young and hungry dynasty building centre half) and Murray fit and keeping the clean sheets, if we can do that who knows.

I'd be chuffed with top 6 but expect about 8th!

[Bumbamuffin]

I don't think we've started too well from the point of proving that this team has ability.The early signs are that the majority of the new signings will be value for money and similarly the improved performance of the players who have been here longer is encouraging.

However,it will be bad news if the fans start to get carried away.If possible,they need to keep their ambitions at a mid table finish.Then,they won't be disappointed if we miss the play offs.If expectation starts to re-emerge,the postive energy seen at Molineux this season could soon fade with a few poor results.It's one thing believing/hoping we could reach the play offs,it's another thing expecting it(again).

[Sozzled Wolf]

I'd still be happy with a mid-table finish. Though we're flying high at the moment, our first 5 games (Preston aside) haven't been too taxing.

Whilst defensively we're much improved, up front we're not quite there yet in the creativity department and this needs some work if we're to mount a promotion bid.

That said, a good start can sometimes help teams to over achieve, as Watford did last season. Additionally the fact that we're underdogs will certainly help our cause.

To conclude, IMO we'll be 9th or 10th come the end of the season, however I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to get in the top six. I'm just grateful for the fact that we have something to hope & cheer for, when things seemed so bleak 6 weeks ago.

[I.D.]

Judging by the reaction to the Preston defeat, most people's expectations are still really high when it comes to Wolves. Moxey's dream of big crowds roaring on Wolves young, hungry side, no matter what the results, were as unrealistic as those high expectations.

Personally, I've been pleasantly surprised by our results so far (obviously not the Preston one), I can also see that there will be more games like the Preston one to come. Any team that is well organised and has pace up front will cause us problems and we have players who can punish other teams with similar failings to our own.

[ashfordwolf]

Lets enjoy the three points as they happen and not start finding negatives already! Surely they will come as we start to fall from our higher than expected position

[Bill McCai]

There's no doubt this team will have more poor performances this year. That is only to be expected considering how many new/young players make up our first eleven. I think you have to give McCarthy credit, he seems to be targeting ( and signing ) the 'young and hungry' type of player we have all hankered after in the past whilst seemingly spending peanuts – and getting results at the same time. He has also brought in some 'solid' professionals such as Breen and Clapham. It’s a shame the Carsley thing didn’t come off, but maybe there will be another addition or two in the before the deadline.

The quality of play hasn’t been ( particularly )great as yet, but hopefully that will come with a) the team gelling and b) the return of talented individuals including Rosa, Davies and Bothroyd.

[PabloWolfo]

I'm delighted with the way things have gone so far, but I'm not going to kid myself that we're a nailed-on certainty for the play-offs. We've got a young, small squad that definitely needs additions making to it and right now, I'm thinking that 10th or above is still going to be a good return, based on how things were a week before the season started.

It's going to be difficult to judge where we're likely to end up until after the January transfer market, because it's a safe bet we'll be making a few permie or loan signing then, when Prem teams are settled and the managers know which of their squad players can spend the rest of the season elsewhere.

I'm just happy to go with the flow, results wise....

[ashfordwolf]

MM still hasn't had all his options available to him, he has not been able to field what potentially is his first eleven. Lets look at the standard of performances then

[Bill McCai]

Norwich, Palace, Cardiff and Blues currently sit above us. Southampton and Coventry ( of whom many on here predicted great things for ) are worse off than us ( albeit after 5 games ). Is there anything REALLY to fear in this Division? As Carl Cort said the other night, this division is very 'simple'. Sure the season is a long one, but its better to lose 1 and win 1, than draw two. Hoddle ( undoubtedly ) had a stronger squad at his disposal, but I never felt we would 'grind out' a result under his management.

It would be nice to think McCarthy will be given a little spending power in January if indeed we do find ourselves in the play-off hunt.

[ROVERT47]

Will be happy to reach 50 points as soon as possible,after that anything is a bonus as far as i`m concerned.

[Wivey Wolf]

We've got a young, small squad

Yet have used more players (23) in our matches this season than any other Championship team...

[Jamboon]

My expectations haven't changed and I won't get too carried away with the start we have made. I expected the team to be more workmanlike under McCarthy and hoped that the club would aim to be in the playoffs.

That said I didn't and I still don't expect the club to finish in the top six. If they finish in a reasonable position (top 10) I'll be happy.

[Oldgoldwulf]

My view is lets not get too carried away, we've scraped 3 1-0s if we can keep that up then great but I won't be too surprised if we don't.

The key is keeping Breen (our young and hungry dynasty building centre half) and Murray fit and keeping the clean sheets, if we can do that who knows.


Have to agree with QB Wolf here... we have done just fine so far... admirable work ethic and battling qualities... plus three or four top drawer individual goals from Bothroyd & JJ...

However, we haven't created a great deal at times either and it's no coincidence that EVERYONE has sung Breen & Murray's praises after every game!

If Murray is forced to have a spell in the George N'dah Memorial Suite we will start to struggle... and if we lost Breen to injury it would (IMO) all come crashing down like a deck of cards.

I don't think Craddock & Edwards would cope too well for a long period so we would probably need to start scoring 2 or more goals per game in order to get any points.

OBVIOUSLY i'm talking 'worst case scenario' here but I just want to keep one foot on the ground and perhaps err on the side of 'very cautious optimism'. ;)

Hopefully McNamara, Mark Davies and Gyepes come back stronger and fingers crossed MM brings in a strong, pacey centre half and a decent winger...

Am I being too greedy asking for Billy Sharp as well?

[EddieClamp-tops]

Ikeme, MacNamara, Clyde, Gyepes, Mulgrew, Ricketts, Mark Davies, Finkler, Rosa, C. Davies, Bothroyd.

A team made up of players who did not start against Luton and there are 1 or 2 others as well.

Considering how we were wondering if we would have a team to put out for the opening league game while the squad were in Spain - without a permanent manager - MM (and Jez!) have done a marvellous job.

MM is almost certain to continue to improve the squad and the team performances as the season continues so although I am not expecting, or even hoping, for Premiership football next season, I think we can at least look forward to the possibility of some exciting times.

However, next season is my bet for a real probability and it will be very interesting to see how many of the present team are still first choice players -possibly 5/6?

[Oldgoldwulf]

Oh - I forgot to say...

I'd be happy with a mid-table finish after the doom & gloom of pre-season.

Maybe, just maybe we can do a little better though... we'll see.

[Florida Wolfey]

I just see it as 10 pts nearer safety. Also, I think keeping Matt Murray fit will have a big impact on our season. If he stays fit we could scramble to the play offs....without him....let's just say the sooner we get to 50 pts the better.

[Duffman]

Good start, one loss which was the third match in less than a week with a new set of players. Since that loss we've turned in solid if unspectacular displays and two 1-0 wins.

However, we haven't yet come across the so-called big-guns in this division. A****n, Blouz and now Sunderland will all be highly charged matches which could go either way. Then of course you've got the likes of Palace and Cardiff which again will be high intensity matches. Don't get me wrong, I think this season has the potential to be very exciting but we won't win half those matches. I think our strength this season is something we've been lacking for the last fifteen, the ability to consistently beat the poorer teams in this divison through hard work and some ability. That alone will take us into the play-offs, imo.

[fullmoon]

With Jay and JJ in form and with the rests of the squad in positives mood,we could be up there where we belong.The answer lies in their ability and mentality to hit the table.

[Big Saft Kid]

We're all pleasantly surprised only because Hoddle made such a dog's dinner of it. MM is down to earth and keeps things simple. It ain't rocket science. With a modicum of quality, motivation form the manager, bags of effort on the pitch and a simple playing system which suits the players and which they understand, you can go far in the Championship. I think that is the explanation. OK, it won't do in the Prem, but it's certainly good enough for where we are now. With a bit of luck we will finish in the top 6.

[wolf of sedgley]

I think performances will continue to improve and if Mick can make the signings he wants, and players come back from injury on time, there is no reason why we can't make the playoffs. I think we will.

[Birchwolf]

Very pleased with the start of the season. Obviously we have had a bit of luck, but then again its about time. Also shows that the mental part of football is important. If you start well, you grow in confidence and dare a little more and all of a sudden your'e up there. An upper half placing is realistic if the momentum can be kept up.

[meow mix]

I believe they will have a top 2 finish, as Sunderland did while playing unspectacular football and winning 1-0.

I expect to be aiming for a top six finish as I can't think of more than 2 or 3 squads on paper that are significantly better than ours. It's all much of a muchness.

[PabloWolfo]

I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how Finkler gets on, given a few matches (if he gets them). League table aside (if such a thing is possible!), there's plenty to look forward to this season!

[Essex Wolf]

I'm chuffed to pieces with the teams start so far and with injured players to return and hopefully a couple of new signings then the future is looking far better than it was just after GH left. But I'm not getting carried away at all. Having seen how dire we were V's PNE there is still a lot to be done to make the team promotion candidates even via the PO's.

Just happy for MM to carry on as he has and see how things develop.

[John]

I'm still expecting relegation. I'm very pleased we are getting some points on the board towards safety, nice and early in the season.

[Essex Wolf]

I'm still expecting relegation. I'm very pleased we are getting some points on the board towards safety, nice and early in the season.

Safety is the first objective so good point:D

[ooh la la]

I expect mid-table by the end of the season and happy with that while rebuilding. At the moment I'm excited to get to the computer and listen to the games, something by the end of last season was not the case.

[Del Woppio]

Let's not get carried away. Of the teams we have played, you would exect all of them to finish between 17-10; precisely where our expectation level should lie. We have 10 points from our 'mini-league', and that is great. We are not going to be promoted this year, just as we aren't going to get relegated. We have accumulated more points than I thought we would so early on, and it's a safe bet that that we will go through a patch where we rack up less points than expected. It will be a patchy season results wise, and probably performance wise too, but wouldn't it be great if the one consistant thing this season was the attitude, beliefs and atmosphere amongs us supporters?

[Black Suit]

Lets enjoy the three points as they happen and not start finding negatives already! Surely they will come as we start to fall from our higher than expected position

Chuffed to bits so far, just a little worried about the fragile confidence, as we witnessed after the Preston equaliser and when Murray left the field on Saturday.

[Bend It Like Dennison]

Top 6 for me.

Didnt really get all this doom n gloom "we'll be lucky to survive" b*ll*cks over the summer- we still have a decentish squad & a decentish manager, why not top 6?? We should be aspiring to finish as high as possible.

Too many people on here playing it safe, sitting on the fence saying we'll finish mid-table!! :confused: ;) Wolves?! How bold of you all!!

[Essex Wolf]

Chuffed to bits so far, just a little worried about the fragile confidence, as we witnessed after the Preston equaliser and when Murray left the field on Saturday.

Hopefully BS the fragile confidence will be an area McCarthy's attitude and approach will help sort.

[Exile Wolf]

We played Burnley away who were second and beat them. We played Luton who were above us and beat them. We lost to Preston who hadn't scored a goal until they played us. This is the Championship and once again proves that anything can happen, any one can beat anyone. All the Sh**e had to do was beat winless Sunderland to go second and aaaargh well there is a god.

I don't see why we can't stay in that play off position for the rest of the season.

[PREM.L.L]

Mick said the size of the club determines expectations, he did, he did, he did!

I expect top 6 and so should everyone.