Ambition

[Bumbamuffin]

I've read a few posts this morning asking whether the club and manager really has the ambition to push on this season.Presumably this is based on our summer recruitment that,whilst looking decent,has hardly set the pulse racing.After Morgan's end of season speech,I looked forward to the club recruiting some of the better talent in the CCC and below.Whilst Stearman and Vokes fit into this category,for me the jury's out on the signings of Jones and Iwelumo.More importantly,there still are several quality gaps(CB,Winger,defensive CM) in the squad.There is,of course,time to address this but I'm not so sure we will.

So is it fair to point at a lack of ambition? Has McCarthy got a free hand(within reason) this summer but not identified the real top players? Is the budget - for whatever reason- more limited than we think? Have we made moves for the likes of Ben Watson,Marvin Elliott,Danny $$$$tu,Adam Johnson(loan) but been rebuffed?

For my money,we have an above average squad that may see us scrape into the play offs.I think that the top 2 is beyond us as it stands.With the importance of the season in terms of keeping our best players,I just don't think that we've pushed the boat out enough and may be 2 or 3 quality players short.

Btw,this is not a "where's the money gone" question as I don't doubt for a minute that the resources are there.I'm just a little surprised at how we've used them to date.

[jbarnettuk1984]

* We have made more signings then 90% of Championship clubs
* We have brought in 3 new players who can be classed as 'young and hungry', who so far, have looked like good signings
* We have brought in an experienced Centre Forward who was top scorer at his previous club last season, often playing upfront by himself
* We have held onto our best players when all the talk at the start of the summer was about losing them all
* We have plenty of cash in the bank
* We get linked with 4/5 players on a daily basis
* We have cover in every position

How can you say the club/manager is 'lacking ambition'?
I agree we are still possibly 2 signings short, but lets be realistic here.

[Welsh Y'am Y'am]

We

good post

[leedswolf]

Good thread.

[Del Woppio]

I actually think that Mick is *relatively* happy with the strength of his squad, barring centre half – and injuries permitting he’s got every reason to be. With two proper wingers, his sides average 1.86 PPG, and that is largely without SEB. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Hennessey will be a better keeper for a full season’s experience, and the same can be said of Foley and Elokobi. Stearman adds pace to the back line, and Jones is an improvement on Olofinjana. Davies being fit is the new midfielder we’ve been asking for. We’ve got rid of the divisive presence of Eastwood, and got in the young Alan Shearer, and Iwelumo. Each unit, GK, DF, MF and FW is stronger now than it was last season, whether than be through personnel change, or young players with more experience.

That aside, our squad is inworkably large at the moment, and I’d imagine further recruitment will be hampered until that is thinned – the constraint may or may not be financial; there are only so many pros you can have before the coaching staff are spreading themselves too thin and morale is e(a?)ffected. I don’t think we’re going to get that ‘marquee’ signing,because of the way football is these days, more than because of any budgetary restrictions.

[trybalwolf]

I actually think that Mick is *relatively* happy with the strength of his squad, barring centre half – and injuries permitting he’s got every reason to be. With two proper wingers, his sides average 1.86 PPG, and that is largely without SEB. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Hennessey will be a better keeper for a full season’s experience, and the same can be said of Foley and Elokobi. Stearman adds pace to the back line, and Jones is an improvement on Olofinjana. Davies being fit is the new midfielder we’ve been asking for. We’ve got rid of the divisive presence of Eastwood, and got in the young Alan Shearer, and Iwelumo. Each unit, GK, DF, MF and FW is stronger now than it was last season, whether than be through personnel change, or young players with more experience.

That aside, our squad is inworkably large at the moment, and I’d imagine further recruitment will be hampered until that is thinned – the constraint may or may not be financial; there are only so many pros you can have before the coaching staff are spreading themselves too thin and morale is e(a?)ffected. I don’t think we’re going to get that ‘marquee’ signing,because of the way football is these days, more than because of any budgetary restrictions.


Really cant see how anybody can disagree with this summary or the one given by Bumbamuffin On balance we are stronger and potentially one of the best sids in the division. It seems to me the key issue is not ambition/ability but tactics/motivation by manager - and on that score the jury is still out

[Welsh Y'am Y'am]

in answering the thread-starter's questions.. I think that the ambition IS there. I think we have an above-average squad with genuine competition for most positions. I worry about what happens if we lose a winger because I don't overly rate Daniel Jones on the left and I don't think any of us want to see Ward over there again either. I worry about what happens if one of Craddock or Stearman gets injured because Collins and D. Ward leave a lot to be desired, particularly as a partnership (Stearman with D. Ward wouldn't be the end of the world - our problem is we have too many similar centre halves i.e. slow men who can win headers).

I am not too worried about our strikers. We have the 20-goal a season man and we have a choice of supporting strikers.

I no longer worry about our creativity in midfield. I think between them Davies, Jones and Edwards have the spark that was lacking so often last year. I think Henry needs to step up a bit this season and play a more complete midfielder's game, but I do not believe we need any more central midfielders. If i see the word 'snotter' on this thread anywhere I think I might vomit. I hate that word.

So, i do not believe we have lacked ambition with our signings. I think we have the makings of a very good team. Signing some cover, particularly left wing, would go down a storm.

I think the main improvement I'm looking for this season is not in terms of personnel but more in terms of approach. I want to see the ball played on the deck, yet played forward. No more hoof ball. No more dithering sideways passes. I want to see our midfielders run at defences and I want to see both our starting strikers look threatening on goal with the ball at their feet as opposed to chasing hopeful hoofs played into the channels.

I think things look promising, provided Mick doesn't become blinkered to any problems that might occur. I don't want to see people 'doing a job' out of position.

Overall, I think the ambition is prevalent. Execution is the key.

[jbarnettuk1984]

in answering the thread-starter's questions.. I think that the ambition IS there. I think we have an above-average squad with genuine competition for most positions. I worry about what happens if we lose a winger because I don't overly rate Daniel Jones on the left and I don't think any of us want to see Ward over there again either. I worry about what happens if one of Craddock or Stearman gets injured because Collins and D. Ward leave a lot to be desired, particularly as a partnership (Stearman with D. Ward wouldn't be the end of the world - our problem is we have too many similar centre halves i.e. slow men who can win headers).

I am not too worried about our strikers. We have the 20-goal a season man and we have a choice of supporting strikers.

I no longer worry about our creativity in midfield. I think between them Davies, Jones and Edwards have the spark that was lacking so often last year. I think Henry needs to step up a bit this season and play a more complete midfielder's game, but I do not believe we need any more central midfielders. If i see the word 'snotter' on this thread anywhere I think I might vomit. I hate that word.

So, i do not believe we have lacked ambition with our signings. I think we have the makings of a very good team. Signing some cover, particularly left wing, would go down a storm.

I think the main improvement I'm looking for this season is not in terms of personnel but more in terms of approach. I want to see the ball played on the deck, yet played forward. No more hoof ball. No more dithering sideways passes. I want to see our midfielders run at defences and I want to see both our starting strikers look threatening on goal with the ball at their feet as opposed to chasing hopeful hoofs played into the channels.

I think things look promising, provided Mick doesn't become blinkered to any problems that might occur. I don't want to see people 'doing a job' out of position.

Overall, I think the ambition is prevalent. Execution is the key.

Good post mate, I'll second that.

[Welsh Y'am Y'am]

That aside, our squad is inworkably large at the moment, and I’d imagine further recruitment will be hampered until that is thinned – the constraint may or may not be financial; there are only so many pros you can have before the coaching staff are spreading themselves too thin and morale is e(a?)ffected. I don’t think we’re going to get that ‘marquee’ signing,because of the way football is these days, more than because of any budgetary restrictions.

Effect = noun
Affect = verb

Morale is affected by the effect of having so many pros on the books.

(There is, confusingly, a verb 'to effect' also, but it is not used very often except by us lawyers who like to confuse people wherever possible to keep the law as baffling as possible to lay-folk).

[goldeneyed]

I've read a few posts this morning asking whether the club and manager really has the ambition to push on this season.Presumably this is based on our summer recruitment that,whilst looking decent,has hardly set the pulse racing.After Morgan's end of season speech,I looked forward to the club recruiting some of the better talent in the CCC and below.Whilst Stearman and Vokes fit into this category,for me the jury's out on the signings of Jones and Iwelumo.More importantly,there still are several quality gaps(CB,Winger,defensive CM) in the squad.There is,of course,time to address this but I'm not so sure we will.

So is it fair to point at a lack of ambition? Has McCarthy got a free hand(within reason) this summer but not identified the real top players? Is the budget - for whatever reason- more limited than we think? Have we made moves for the likes of Ben Watson,Marvin Elliott,Danny $$$,Adam Johnson(loan) but been rebuffed?

For my money,we have an above average squad that may see us scrape into the play offs.I think that the top 2 is beyond us as it stands.With the importance of the season in terms of keeping our best players,I just don't think that we've pushed the boat out enough and may be 2 or 3 quality players short.

Btw,this is not a "where's the money gone" question as I don't doubt for a minute that the resources are there.I'm just a little surprised at how we've used them to date.


I tend to agree with you. I'm surprised more than anything else at the lack of more ambitious signings although I appreciate how hard it is to sign good players as a Championship team, especially taking into account the greed factor among players/agents and some of the ridiculous prices being quoted for many players.

Its such an important season for the club and we all know that another failure means goodbye to Kightly, Hennessey and SEB and possibly others. That would be a disaster and put the club back several years. The players you mention are good examples of players who really would add some quality to the squad. The question is are they available, how much would they cost and would they come to Wolves? It does seem that our bids tend to stall at around £1.5m (with Lafferty being the exception) and am not all sure what our wage policy is for the best players.

I don't want the club to pay exhorbitant transfer fees or wages and yet I can't help think at this moment that the club are going to fall short this summer in the transfer market after a promising start. Injuries to one or two key players and we have basically a mid table Championship squad left to scramble for sixth/seventh place. Is all this down to a lack of vision from McCarthy or a tighter budget than we are aware of? Certainly it would be nice to see three or four of our transfer listed players out in the next couple of weeks to open up the possibility of further new signings. But the sense you get is that apart from the possibility of a a fairly cut price CB that is it. So considering the likelihood of £3m or so from the sale of Olo and £1.2m from the Eastwood sale not very ambitious imv and at the moment 5th/6th/7th/8th seems about our level barring a miraculous lack of injuries/suspension and loss of form.

[wolf of sedgley]

I don't think anyone can really moan too much with regards to the players that we have recruited. The problem is we seem to have stopped when we are so close to assembling a squad strong enough for automatic promotion. In my mind we are still one commanding central mid, winger, and centre back away from a team capable of challenging Bham city, Reading and Derby. As it stands we will really have to ride our luck with injuries to mount a sustained challenge, but it just seems a real shame we haven't gone the extra yard. Of course there is still time for Mick to surprise us all, but that looks unlikely.

[PREM.L.L]

I think the main improvement I'm looking for this season is not in terms of personnel but more in terms of approach. I want to see the ball played on the deck, yet played forward. No more hoof ball. No more dithering sideways passes. I want to see our midfielders run at defences and I want to see both our starting strikers look threatening on goal with the ball at their feet as opposed to chasing hopeful hoofs played into the channels.


I'm aboard with that mate.

I think we've done alright this closed season. Yes we could have thrown more cash at it but, come on we've been there. Lets get players in and evaluate the quality they bring to the team rather than buying shed loads of pricey ones and letting them go for a pittance in January. Building carefully is what we seem to be doing and I support that.

What i'm after this season is improvement on last, and by a good chunk. We have the players to easily attain a play off spot and even top 2. Comfortably in the top 6 is a must.

[UNCLE REMUS]

in answering the thread-starter's questions.. I think that the ambition IS there. I think we have an above-average squad with genuine competition for most positions. I worry about what happens if we lose a winger because I don't overly rate Daniel Jones on the left and I don't think any of us want to see Ward over there again either. I worry about what happens if one of Craddock or Stearman gets injured because Collins and D. Ward leave a lot to be desired, particularly as a partnership (Stearman with D. Ward wouldn't be the end of the world - our problem is we have too many similar centre halves i.e. slow men who can win headers).

I am not too worried about our strikers. We have the 20-goal a season man and we have a choice of supporting strikers.

I no longer worry about our creativity in midfield. I think between them Davies, Jones and Edwards have the spark that was lacking so often last year. I think Henry needs to step up a bit this season and play a more complete midfielder's game, but I do not believe we need any more central midfielders. If i see the word 'snotter' on this thread anywhere I think I might vomit. I hate that word.

So, i do not believe we have lacked ambition with our signings. I think we have the makings of a very good team. Signing some cover, particularly left wing, would go down a storm.

I think the main improvement I'm looking for this season is not in terms of personnel but more in terms of approach. I want to see the ball played on the deck, yet played forward. No more hoof ball. No more dithering sideways passes. I want to see our midfielders run at defences and I want to see both our starting strikers look threatening on goal with the ball at their feet as opposed to chasing hopeful hoofs played into the channels.

I think things look promising, provided Mick doesn't become blinkered to any problems that might occur. I don't want to see people 'doing a job' out of position.

Overall, I think the ambition is prevalent. Execution is the key.

Excellent post.

[Bumbamuffin]

I don't think anyone can really moan too much with regards to the players that we have recruited. The problem is we seem to have stopped when we are so close to assembling a squad strong enough for automatic promotion. In my mind we are still one commanding central mid, winger, and centre back away from a team capable of challenging Bham city, Reading and Derby. As it stands we will really have to ride our luck with injuries to mount a sustained challenge, but it just seems a real shame we haven't gone the extra yard. Of course there is still time for Mick to surprise us all, but that looks unlikely.

I think that's what I was getting at.Under McCarthy,we have become a 'nearly' team.

With an ambitious and shrewd owner,I believed that we would assemble a squad this summer that - as far as you possibly can - would see us go into the season with all angles covered,ready for an automatic promotion challenge.

I just don't see that.I see a squad which has been improved to a degree but with several important defficiences remaining.After what happened last season,it is so obvious that we require extra quality on the wings for example.

Maybe it's just simply a case of a limited manager who cannot see the damage that injuries to certain players could have on our chances?

I'd say our chances are still very,very precarious and I didn't think that that would be the case at the start of the summer.

[Law's Bus]

Thinking about it, how far away were we last season? If you get rid of the stupid $$$$-ups like v Ipswich, we'd have been right in the thick of the automatic promotion places - as surprising as that might be given how rubbish we were for vast swathes of the season.

Whilst one part of me is sorry to see Eastwood go, another part is glad to be rid of the divisive nature of his tenure at Wolves - and both Iwelumo and Vokes are potentially good signings. Jones is a good player, and if he "turns up" more often than Seyi, then there's an improvement too. Add to that the improvements that playing regularly will have made to Mark Little and Dan Jones, the extra experience for Hennessey, and a full season with the likes of SEB, Elokobi, Edwards plus hopefully more of the season being played by Kightly and Jarvis, Collins being played at centre-half (where he's a decent player) and things are looking more positive.

I'd like to see extra cover at right wing, as I don't think Gobern will ever be fit for more than a month or so, and an extra centre-half - though if Darren Ward can continue to impress, then we might just get away without one.

Now, if only we can cut out the stupid errors, and get that bit of luck that everyone needs...

[Carlos#5]

I don't think Morgans or McCarthy's ambition can be questioned, they certainly both want to get to the premier league and have to get there on the constraints set by the board/Morgan, which should, if balancing the requirements with the constraints effectively, give us as much realistic chance as we can hope for.

Someone mentioned McCarthys tactics/motivation. Tactically yes, the jury is out and an improvement on last season is required; we will find out over the next 10 months. In terms of motivation, from an outside perspective, the players all seem fully motivated to achieve what is required of them and have done since day one. The all seem to want to play for McCarthy and to stay at this club. At least for now. A good team spirit, despite past alleged altercations, does seem to be one of McCarthys strengths. Taking aside lazy arses Eastwood and Bothroyd. Everyone wanting to play, to play for each other, McCarthy and the fans is essential to build any kind of campaign.

Finally on to the new signings that are craved for. A centre half, centre mid and winger. I think we would all like 3m splashed on the best value for money we can get in each position. And the money may arguably be there. But other than obvious things like upsetting the existing wage structure McCarthy has to consider the existing team spirit, which seems very healthy. If McCarthy feels Henry/Jones/Edwards/Davies is adequate cover, although a 3m alternative option would appease the fans, what signal does it send out to Davies, fighting his way back from injury, and Jones and Edwards, who are effectively recent signings. All these players would be bought in (or motivated to get fit) by promises of how important they will be to our coming season. A promise that is fairly meaningless if they are all pushed down the pecking order before the season starts.

Then for wing cover, who do you buy for 2-3m and 'encourage' with 'promises' of bench warming behind Kightly and Jarvis.

I'm not saying we shouldnt buy anyone, or pamper to any existing players, but all such things are considerations that need to be taken into account on top of market difficulties/selling clubs reluctance/players reluctance any other financial governing factor.

My main point I think is that if we do sign anyone, they have to be absolutely 100% right for Wolves and our current squad (of which there will not be many between now and end of 9 August) and the incoming players and McCarthys expectations of them have to match otherwise it will do more damage than good (ala Freddy). Otherwise, we go with what we have got, which on face value is going to have a realistic chance of challenging for the top six at the very least.

[crocos]

An outbreak of sanity and good sense on Mol Mix, some excellent points on here and FWIW I agree with the Barnett / Y'am Y'am / Carlos / Law's Bus posts.

It was buried in a larger piece, but I notice the new coach for the fringe players, appointed today, stressing his role as being all about implementing and seeing through the long-term planning behind the club.

This is what I'm loving seeing these days, at last, the sense of a long term bedrock being laid down to take this club forwards again, not just the efforts to take us forward as a team but as a CLUB.

I'd much prefer to see us steadily & resolutely going about getting the whole place in order & in tune as opposed to getting in that one extra player on slightly more wages etc.

It's been a long time since we've seen such a strong sense of spirit about the place and long may it continue. The players will thrive in it and that's what will take us forward, be it this season or next.

[welshwolf]

why is it that it is acceptable to have 4/5 strikers on the books with only two being guarenteed a starting slot yet we cannot have more than 2 decent wingers because they wouldn't like warming the bench.

I would like to see genuine competition for the wingers role not just an understudy for Jarvis or Kighty someone who can come an dchance there arm that they can break into the starting line up and hopefully push Jarvis and kighty.

if it can happen for strikers why not wingers

[Uncle Festa]

What sort of sign are you giving to the kids if you go and sign cover for every single position. We bang on about how good our academy is, and then bang on about needing two £1million pound signings for every position. If you havn't got a kid coming through the ranks in the right position such as centre half and centre forward then you make a signing. We have the cover in the kids at full back, wing, and centre midfield. You might as well close the academy if your going to make signings to sit on the bench all season.

[Del Woppio]

With strikers I think it's more about different options, rather than straight competition. SEB, Iwelumo and Keogh are all very different players, with different attributes and suited to different opposition. I think it's different for wingers. Sure, some will beat the man and cross it (Jarvis), or beat the man and cut inside (Kightly) or cross from deep (Jones), but the overall objective is the same - bring the ball in from wide to create an opportunity. Our strikers all over different options, whether that be holding the ball up and laying off, strength in the air, movement in channels. We haven't got 'like for like' competition/back up, and most teams don't.

[Bumbamuffin]

why is it that it is acceptable to have 4/5 strikers on the books with only two being guarenteed a starting slot yet we cannot have more than 2 decent wingers because they wouldn't like warming the bench.

I would like to see genuine competition for the wingers role not just an understudy for Jarvis or Kighty someone who can come an dchance there arm that they can break into the starting line up and hopefully push Jarvis and kighty.

if it can happen for strikers why not wingers

I agree with that.Good players will surely back their own ability? When he was deciding whether or not to join Wolves,surely Vokes looked at SEB and Keogh and realised he would have to fight for the shirt? The same goes for Iwelumo.They still signed.

You're not telling me the likes of Adam Johnson would refuse a move because of the 'threat' of Kightly and Jarvis? No chance.

If we don't sign a winger it will be based on a belief that we don't need one which would be a massive error of judgement.

[Carlos#5]

why is it that it is acceptable to have 4/5 strikers on the books with only two being guarenteed a starting slot yet we cannot have more than 2 decent wingers because they wouldn't like warming the bench.

I would like to see genuine competition for the wingers role not just an understudy for Jarvis or Kighty someone who can come an dchance there arm that they can break into the starting line up and hopefully push Jarvis and kighty.

if it can happen for strikers why not wingers


The strikers know their pecking order; SEB and one of Keogh and Iwelumo to partner with Vokes/Ward as 4th/5th choice.

Incidentally Keogh - 650K, Iwelumo - 400K, Vokes - 150K? Ward - 100K?

Most people would like to see a big name winger come in as cover/challenging for a place at 2-3m, that would be unlikely for the above mentioned points, too much money for cover and whether they would even come to us.

We could probably sign a cover winger for the above mentioned price range from a lower league club, who 'may' be an unearthed gem.

But for that kind of money there seems little point when we have Jones/Gray/Gobern/Bennett who fall into a similar category of 'may' be a gem (Gray aside) and a similar potential value of our back up strikers. We had no similar strikers coming through the ranks which meant we had to buy players at that value from lower league clubs.

Unless the player is 100% the right player for Wolves there is little point in signing someone for the sake of it.

[Del Woppio]

You're not telling me the likes of Adam Johnson would refuse a move because of the 'threat' of Kightly and Jarvis? No chance.

No, but Boro might reject the offer unless he's guaranteed football, ala Chelsea with Sinclair and Mancienne.

[UNCLE REMUS]

Effect = noun
Affect = verb

Morale is affected by the effect of having so many pros on the books.

(There is, confusingly, a verb 'to effect' also, but it is not used very often except by us lawyers who like to confuse people wherever possible to keep the law as baffling as possible to lay-folk).

Thought the word "Effect" was in common usage as a verb, meaning to cause to happen or accomplish. But I'm just an old codger that went to school, when Tom Brown was there.

[welshwolf]

What sort of sign are you giving to the kids if you go and sign cover for every single position. We bang on about how good our academy is, and then bang on about needing two £1million pound signings for every position. If you havn't got a kid coming through the ranks in the right position such as centre half and centre forward then you make a signing. We have the cover in the kids at full back, wing, and centre midfield. You might as well close the academy if your going to make signings to sit on the bench all season.

I agree but that is not what happened last season, we ended up playing players out of position and it cost us points

I would love to see Dan Jones step up to the role and actually believe he can, grey is good cover but as been mentioned cannot last 90 mins any more

other than that I do not believe Elliott or ward are the answer

[crocos]

Many changes have been effected since the likes of us was at skule Uncle

[Langdale Wolf]

If we don't sign a winger it will be based on a belief that we don't need one which would be a massive error of judgement.

Not so sure about that. Our transfer policy is that nothing is ever discussed publicly and as such, many of our signings can surprise us and come out of the blue (e.g. Jarvis, Stearman).

As a result, there are probably many occasions when we just do not know who the club speak to, who McCarthy's targets actually are or how close we came to signing players.

We could have been chasing a number of wingers since the season ended but because of these policies the club adhere to, we would never know. No point in getting a player in unless it's a player the management feel could strengthen the squad, and who would also be willing to talk to the club, accept personal terms etc, etc. These things take time and there are many stumbling blocks.

It is also still only July, with a couple of vital weeks to go before the Plymouth game, then a further 3 weeks after that until the transfer window closes. A lot can happen in that time, both coming in and going out of Molineux.

I agree 100% that we do need another winger, but as Carlos says, only if it's right for the club.

[EasternWolf]

I agree with Carlos about the signals sent to the current midfield if someone else comes in. You may as well not have signed Jones or waited for Davies to get fit. I think that between them Edwards, Jones and Davies may prove to be more than adequate. Personally, I very much want to see Davies back fully fit and playing.

I am delighted with the strikers. I am worried why Mick has now said he has 4 strikers when, in fact, he has 5. Iwelumo seems to be very much the missing link up front with SEB. Someone with a bit of pace and strength is perfect. Vokes and Keogh on the bench and Ward in the wings (not on the wings)

To be fair Mick has tried to get a centre half and may well do so. He is not lacking in ambition. Until he gets the right person for that dressing room, I am happy with Craddock and Stearman with Collins on the bench. Collins is better than his critics would try to tell us.

I am happy about the full backs: Foley/Little, Elokobi/Harte/Gray.

This is not a toy shop or football manager. We have a decent squad in size and quality. We need the right people in when the come available and are willing to play for Wolves at the right price.

[Bumbamuffin]

Langdale - fair points but how long have we needed another winger? It's not just been this summer.Indeed,with the injuries to both Kightly and Jarvis last season(starting last pre-season),it was genuinely amazing that we didn't sign one then.

Adam Johnson(loan)
Andrew Surman
Adam Hammill(loan)
Paul Anderson(loan)
Rudi Skacel

There's 5 very attainable targets off the top off my head.2 have already moved on loan with one more due to move soon.All to clubs in our division with less resources than us.

I am convinced that Mick is happy with the wing cover he has and am dreading S.Ward lumbering up and down the wing next season.

This poor judgement could have cost him his job last season and it may do this if not addressed.It's a position that's that important to the team.

[jbarnettuk1984]

Langdale - fair points but how long have we needed another winger? It's not just been this summer.Indeed,with the injuries to both Kightly and Jarvis last season(starting last pre-season),it was genuinely amazing that we didn't sign one then.

Adam Johnson(loan)
Andrew Surman
Adam Hammill(loan)
Paul Anderson(loan)
Rudi Skacel

There's 5 very attainable targets off the top off my head.2 have already moved on loan with one more due to move soon.All to clubs in our division with less resources than us.

I am convinced that Mick is happy with the wing cover he has and am dreading S.Ward lumbering up and down the wing next season.

This poor judgement could have cost him his job last season and it may do this if not addressed.It's a position that's that important to the team.
Its important. But how do we know he hasn't tried? Furthermore, how do we know he didn't try last season?

[HICKO]

What a refreshing thread. Sensibly put and sensibly responded to. A real pleasure to read .

[Del Woppio]

Precisely trybal, how could anybody disagree that Vokes is the "young Alan Shearer"

$$$$ me, I've heard it all now.

Jesus Highlander, I didn't think I'd need to put a pathetic little smiley to a comment as obviously tongue in cheek.

[Langdale Wolf]

Langdale - fair points but how long have we needed another winger? It's not just been this summer.Indeed,with the injuries to both Kightly and Jarvis last season(starting last pre-season),it was genuinely amazing that we didn't sign one then.

Adam Johnson(loan)
Andrew Surman
Adam Hammill(loan)
Paul Anderson(loan)
Rudi Skacel

There's 5 very attainable targets off the top off my head.2 have already moved on loan with one more due to move soon.All to clubs in our division with less resources than us.

I am convinced that Mick is happy with the wing cover he has and am dreading S.Ward lumbering up and down the wing next season.

This poor judgement could have cost him his job last season and it may do this if not addressed.It's a position that's that important to the team.

Oh you're absolutely right - we were crying out for adequate cover last season - I'm just hoping that we don't need it this season.

In MM's defence, last season we had awful luck with losing Jarvis in pre-season for several months, Kightly for the majority of the season, and Gobern (who I thought looked more than adequate to challenge for a place) for the whole season - meaning our 2 first choice wide men only had a handful of appearences together. That is bad luck.

BUT, I wholeheartedly agree that you need a contingency plan. I don't think S Ward was as bad as most people make out but there's no way he should have carried on in that position for as long as he did. We didn't use the loan market as effectively as we should have done.

My point was purely that we just don't know who MM looked at (or - I accept - IF he looked at all) for cover.

We now have Davies, Jones (both of 'em), D Edwards who can fill in on the flanks who I feel would do better in such a role than Ward. But merely 'filling in' really isn't what we're after.

Let's just hope that Kites and Jarvis actually manage to hit the form we know they're both capable of and start as many games as possible.

[Mr Wolf]

There is still around 6 weeks left and I think the one position we certainly need is a centre half (the club already know this hence the bids for Berra and Shackel).

The other positions people would like to fill I beleive Mick will wait to asess the other players he has and wait until the listed players leave. There's no point trying to sign a left winger if Dan Jones is looking class in pre season.

As for ambition regarding the Elliott, Watson, Howard midfielder I think we have saved ourself £2m because Mark Davies is better than all of them.

So lets just wait and see how we get on, as long as were in touch we have the January window to show our true ambition because by then we will know for certain how all the players are doing and what we need.

Great thead, Come On the Wolves!!!

[trybalwolf]

Jesus Highlander, I didn't think I'd need to put a pathetic little smiley to a comment as obviously tongue in cheek.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[ProudWolf]

We were linked to Adam Hammill on loan from Liverpool a fair few times over the past few months but it's no co-incidence he's gone to a team where he will play every week.
It's not as easy as saying we should get him, him and him.

[trybalwolf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2008/07/the_attraction_of_the_champion.html

makes for interesting reading in light of the currently sensible dicussion polluting this thread ;)

[Mugwump]

Its obvious to everyone we at least need a quality center half brought in, and if the management of this club fail to get him in then they need shooting.

[goldeneyed]

Some good points above. A lot depends on how good the likes of Dan Jones, Davies,Little and Gobern turn out to be. I'm all for giving them a chance but as we know there are injury concerns over two of them and their chances are likely to be minimal barring a major injury epidemic.

We need a couple of players who can be confidently put straight into the first team to add that extra bit of class which is undoubtedly missing. We can't afford to fall off the pace of the leading clubs in the first few months of the season. S Ward is still first reserve for the left wing and ahead of Dan Jones as far as I can see. That's just not good enough. Collins is currently first reserve after Cradddock and Stearman presumably. Again not good enough. Little is at best first reserve for Foley. Gobern's injury record means imv he should be totally discounted for the moment. Davies is the only youngster who could really break through IF he can stay fit.

If we are serious about going up next season rather than having a longer two to three year plan then it would be wise to bring in a couple of class players and be prepared to pay the price for them imv. Team spirit is important but at the end of the day you need quality players. I think some here overrate the quality we have in the squad. Even Kightly is not the finished product by any means never mind some of the others.

[ProudWolf]

I think some here overrate the quality we have in the squad. Even Kightly is not the finished product by any means never mind some of the others.

He's not the finished product yet but is still the best winger in the division.

[ashfordwolf]

Better than Stephen Ward???

[Chiswick_Wolf]

Great thread to read. Lets hope the rest of the season is more like this!

My thoughts on this are that the best teams (promoted ones) generally have a solid base to which a sprinkling of real quality is added - perhaps a 25-30 goal a season striker, a Premiership quality midfielder, a great defensive partnership or a top class goal keeper. I think that we already have the players of real quality at the club (Hennessey, Murray, Kightly and Ebanks-Blake). Obviously last season we suffered from the fact that two were out nearly all season, one arrived half way through and one developed into one gradually. If they had all been here all season it might have been different. I think where we really suffered was the "average" strength of the side not being good enough. Too many 4 or 5 out of tens in other areas of the park. I believe that the new signings have been made to try and push these areas into 6 or 7 out of tens. A saying that is often used is that "you are only as strong as your weakest man." Now I feel that our "weakest man" is a big improvement on last year.

I do agree though that we are perhaps one "big" signing away from being a really good team, but I don't think we are too far off either. We will just require our current stars to shine this season.

I'm happy with the current signings - if we were to add one more quality player to our ranks before the end of the holidays, I'd be delighted.

[Essex Wolf]

Mick is moving out the dead wood and bringing in better players than those leaving, that for me has to be a positive.

With there still being best part of 3 weeks until the seasons KO there is more than enough time to see another signing or two and who is to say they won't be quality?

[John]

Alot of people on here convinced we will do well this season, but I'm sure they were as convinced last year. More blind hope than common sense.

[Grizzled Wolf]

This CB need is worrying me a lot...however, I am sure that we will get someone of quality in during the next 6 weeks...MM obviously realises this. But such a lot depends on it that I doubt the team will get settled until a class player with a steadying influence is anchoring the side.

Wolves have been such a "nearly" side over the last 5 years..and now we stand once more poised to do well if we can just get one more brilliant signing.

Come on Jez you can do it!!!!!!!

[trybalwolf]

Alot of people on here convinced we will do well this season, but I'm sure they were as convinced last year. More blind hope than common sense.

party pooper :D

[Bend It Like Dennison]

Alot of people on here convinced we will do well this season, but I'm sure they were as convinced last year. More blind hope than common sense.

I was hopeful last summer after a solid first season under McCarthy.

Then the football started.

Morgan knows deep down... he saw over £4m of his money spunked up the wall last summer, he isnt going to make the same mistake again.

[Deutsch Wolf]

I was hopeful last summer after a solid first season under McCarthy.


Shouldn't that be a "brilliant" first season?

http://www.molineuxmix.co.uk/vb/showpost.php?p=461891&postcount=70

Everyone's entitled to change their opinion of a manager, but you consistently underplay the achievements of 06/07, which you were clearly happy with at the time.

*NB - I'm well aware that you can find infinite stupid things that I've said in the past, so I wouldn't bother looking - this is about a very specific point.

[Uncle Festa]

I think we are all in agreement that we need a big dominant centrehalf to compliment Stearman, but I have a feeling that Harte is going to feature at left back and Elokobi get pushed in the middle if we suffer from injuries in the centrehalf department. The rest of the squad looks good to me, again barring injuries. - I think Iwelumo is going to surprise a few people, and Davies could be our star man this season going on comments from pre-season games. The kids should be given a chance to break into the first team to cover for minor injuries. Longer term injuries should be covered by loans if the kids arn't up to it, and this is where McCarthy failed last year when we got hit by injuries to our main three wingers.

[Edgmond Wolf]

Excellant thread, the best in a long while....