Matt Hobbs interview

[Bill McCai]

Hobbs | On his first window, new arrivals and Lopetegui's impact

Sitting down to reflect on a hectic, but hugely fruitful first transfer window as sporting director, Matt Hobbs heaped praise on Julen Lopetegui and his staff, the recruitment department and the club, who all came together to bring in six signings they hope will transform Wolves’ season.

www.wolves.co.uk

 

[Oh When the Wolves]

Nunes off in the summer imo

 

[Wolf316]

Good interview that.

 

[Ned]

He seems to be a good fit for this role. He’s young so understands the importance of relaying certain information to fans, this will of course come back to bite him if certain things don’t come off however.

 

[MattWolf]

Really good interview. Reminds me a bit of when Laurie was in the role and really tried to connect with the fans. Definitely feel like there is a changing of the guard and that the project is well and truly back on!

 

[JOSWolf]

Watched the interview. Far prefer him to Sellars.

 

[Bill McCai]

 

[Monketron]

Great for the club to put this out. Also much more open about things than you'd expect about how players will come and go, definitely laying the groundwork for a few off in the summer but also trying to calm us by saying the replacements will come too. Trust the process!

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Nunes off in the summer imo

I think he’d like to be but he’s not shown anywhere near the consistency for a big move and I can’t see anyone taking a gamble. I expect unfortunately Neves will go in the summer and Nunes will be “number one” to fill those boots (which are massive massive boots to fill). He’s full of talent but I’m not sure if it’s a mix of consistency or desire but he’s not hitting the levels at the moment. He doesn’t have the ethic or professionalism/desire of Neves of that I’m sure.

 

[O Lobo do Parque Leste]

I'm afraid it's a 'no' from me... Can't believe he didn't share any holiday snaps from his South America jolly!

... Also, he looks like a poundshop Jonah Hill... Boo... Hobbs out!

 

[Norman Bell]

Excellent interview.

I am impressed with what he said about planning two or more windows in advance as that was not happening under the Sellars regime.

From what I have read and heard from him so far and as others on the thread have already pointed out he seems keen to keep fans in the loop.

Does not shy away from the simple fact that if a player does well for Wolves and we get an offer that is too good to turn down then more than likely that player will leave.

 

[Rowzed]

Excellent appointment
multiple references to having the capacity to do things in house ( scouting and recruitment ) but without necessarily having had support from the previous coaching set up
the relationship and trust between Hobbs and Lopetegui is critical to harmony in the dressing room through a shared authority and aligned vision. It’s a really difficult thing to get right, manager and sporting director on the same page. We had it with Thelwell and Jackett. Then with Nuno it almost became Nuno and Jorge which was ok until it wasn’t ok. Sellars and Lage never really clicked. These two do and that’s great news.

 

[koplex]

He's an excellent communicator, which helps greatly - especially in modern era of 24/7 media.

He also has a great pedigree for the role, unlike Sellars who was over-promoted - ruining both his career and the progress of the club.

Good times.

 

[Werewolf of Wombourne]

Sporting director is a poisoned chalice. You’ll never get the credit for things going right on the pitch or for new signings but you’ll always get the blame for ones we missed out on or when things go wrong on the pitch

 

[sillytuna]

Felt hints there that all was not well previously with our approach to transfers. It certainly looks like Sellars was well out of his depth.

 

[wolfslair]

Excellent interview.

I am impressed with what he said about planning two or more windows in advance as that was not happening under the Sellars regime.

From what I have read and heard from him so far and as others on the thread have already pointed out he seems keen to keep fans in the loop.

Does not shy away from the simple fact that if a player does well for Wolves and we get an offer that is too good to turn down then more than likely that player will leave.

So he is a guy who believes in planning in advance and is realistic about our status in the ladder of footy that there are bids that could be too good to turn down…..

Sorry, but how has this guy been kept behind Scott sellers?????

He seems far more articulate and knowledgable than that absolute charlatan before him

 

[Norman Bell]

Wolves are already getting the benefit of only signing players that Julen wants. You only have to look at Spurs when Conte threw a strop because he did want the young full back Spence from Boro and let it be known in the press he was not what he wanted.

 

[Munich_Wolf]

Really good listen and encouraging to know how well things are being run once again after a period where it wasn't happening at all.

 

[WeAreTheWolvesII]

Speaks pretty well but would rather we save the patting ourselves on the back until we're actually safe.

 

[Bostin]

Interviews like this really strengthen the bond between the club and the fans.

It feels much more open - and like someone else said, we’ve not had that since Laurie left.

 

[Stourwolf]

Sounds like a very decent guy who actually cares.
Much better the sellars !

 

[WalsallWolf]

I think he’d like to be but he’s not shown anywhere near the consistency for a big move and I can’t see anyone taking a gamble. I expect unfortunately Neves will go in the summer and Nunes will be “number one” to fill those boots (which are massive massive boots to fill). He’s full of talent but I’m not sure if it’s a mix of consistency or desire but he’s not hitting the levels at the moment. He doesn’t have the ethic or professionalism/desire of Neves of that I’m sure.

Unless there is a Mendes gentleman agreement of some kind that he was always going to move on for pretty much what we paid for him to Liverpool back when we signed him (which I hope/think is not the case) then I agree with that.

 

[SteveBullsKnee]

Unless there is a Mendes gentleman agreement of some kind that he was always going to move on for pretty much what we paid for him to Liverpool back when we signed him (which I hope/think is not the case) then I agree with that.

Yeah I don’t think that would be the case as there’s zero benefit to us. Even with Jota there was a risk v reward situation. The risk was paying a lot for him in relative terms in the championship the reward was a 300% plus profit (regardless of whether folk think he went too cheap) a situation whereby we pay £40 million is a risk as he (Nunes) might not work out to then sell him for the same price is no reward to us. Even with the much talked about Fabio deal there is/was a risk v reward situation

 

[tonto]

Felt hints there that all was not well previously with our approach to transfers. It certainly looks like Sellars was well out of his depth.

When anyone says Sellars I can’t help but think of the Pink Panther, what with him and Lage (Inspector Cluesau)

 

[Black Country Wanderer]

I think he’d like to be but he’s not shown anywhere near the consistency for a big move and I can’t see anyone taking a gamble. I expect unfortunately Neves will go in the summer and Nunes will be “number one” to fill those boots (which are massive massive boots to fill). He’s full of talent but I’m not sure if it’s a mix of consistency or desire but he’s not hitting the levels at the moment. He doesn’t have the ethic or professionalism/desire of Neves of that I’m sure.

I think hes shown in patches the talent and he always celebrates goals with passion,but your right not consistent enough and goes missing in some games so far

I think Hobbs is laying down the pathway for Neves and Nunes to be gone in the summer,something i think we all really think will happen
If we get a couple of decent replacements i dont think there will be any outcry as we have been fortunate to have Neves for as long as we have

Players like Traore,Lemina,Gomes hopefully will help fill the gap but we need more, Ugarte is an obvious target if we can get him
Im sure the homework is being done, as Hobbs says they scout for months and years ahead,its just getting them over the line something that isnt as easy in some cases

At least Hobbs seems more open than Sellars and talks sense that fans can understand and get on board with

 

[S G Wolves]

"We" spoke to Hobbs last week. Very approachable. Chance meeting. Some points.

Went to South America and spoke to Enzo (Chelsea chap) 3 times. Couldn't agree when signing/start and Benfica came in. Also at the time had spare time and a chance to scout Gomes. Every cloud has a silver lining...

Could have got Lemina for the fraction of the fee we paid him in the prior season but Lage said no.

Expect a few leavers in the summer.

 

[SuperGran]

"We" spoke to Hobbs last week. Very approachable. Chance meeting. Some points.

Went to South America and spoke to Enzo (Chelsea chap) 3 times. Couldn't agree when signing/start and Benfica came in. Also at the time had spare time and a chance to scout Gomes. Every cloud has a silver lining...

Could have got Lemina for the fraction of the fee we paid him in the prior season but Lage said no.

Expect a few leavers in the summer.

Stirrer

 

[SA Wolf]

Good interview - enjoyed watching it.

 

[Krispy Kreme]

Sounds more to me like Neves is off in the Summer, as others have said I can't see Nunes having enough interest at a fee that will force us with his current contract length.

This is however all part of the process and if it enable us to get other talent and improve the sustainability of the club then it's the way to go.

The whole Caicedo saga with Brighton is the wrong way to go in my eyes and doesn't encourage other players who want to join, he will be wondering why Cucurella and Bissouma got their moves but he couldn't, although I'm sure there's far more to it.

We have to accept we are a stepping stone and a place to develop, as long as we can keep unearthing talents it's a brilliant model.

What we can't do is afford to many Fabio Silva's (not knocking him but we still need people to come straight in and can't afford to nurture players for that period of time.

Hopefully Gomes is ready by summer when we lose Joao and maybe Neves but if not it's nice to know we have safe signings like Lemina who will be here providing continuity.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

He comes across better than Vinny

 

[Ironfistedmonk]

"We" spoke to Hobbs last week. Very approachable. Chance meeting. Some points.

Went to South America and spoke to Enzo (Chelsea chap) 3 times. Couldn't agree when signing/start and Benfica came in. Also at the time had spare time and a chance to scout Gomes. Every cloud has a silver lining...

Could have got Lemina for the fraction of the fee we paid him in the prior season but Lage said no.

Expect a few leavers in the summer.

I think leavers is a given, Adama, Costa and Moutinho are out of contract and we will likely lose Neves and look to move Guedes on, maybe Raul as well, I think Nunes might still be here next season as he hasn't pulled up any trees here yet

 

[GateWolf]

Comes across as a decent guy, and has an understanding of football, Lopetegui and Hobbs are a massive upgrade on Lage and Sellars.

 

[FJRWolf]

He comes across better than Vinny

Gengis Khan came across better than Vinny.

 

[Mile End Wanderer]

I think leavers is a given, Adama, Costa and Moutinho are out of contract and we will likely lose Neves and look to move Guedes on, maybe Raul as well, I think Nunes might still be here next season as he hasn't pulled up any trees here yet

Maybe but perhaps Nunes is holding out for that bigger pre arrangement move if there is one?? Hence why he has some held back performances trying not to get injured?? He’s due a good game

 

[Sussex Wolf]

Good interview. Comes across as modest and honest, but knows what he wants to do given the chance. I’m very comfortable if that’s a fair reflection on him. Comes across as the complete antithesis of Sellars if I’m honest.

 

[Krispy Kreme]

Gengis Khan came across better than Vinny.

What's happened to Vinny btw?

 

[Dawnwolf]

Brilliant interview, first impression is 'humble', great trait to have.

I like how he didn't take credit that wasn't his to take (re Julen bringing teams together)

Came across sincere, hopefully continues to do well.

 

[Lisas Husband]

I watched the interview earlier.
I thought he came across well and as open as we've seen since the early days of FOSUN when Shi and Dalrymple were on the charm offensive.
He seems a decent person, friendly too with a good personality and a good work ethic too. Dare I say it, polar opposite to Sellars with regards to his confidence, as though he knows what he's doing and what he's talking about.
I know they say bull**** baffles brains, but I think he'll do well, so let's give him room to play.

 

[Wolf in Kenilworth]

I think he’d like to be but he’s not shown anywhere near the consistency for a big move and I can’t see anyone taking a gamble. I expect unfortunately Neves will go in the summer and Nunes will be “number one” to fill those boots (which are massive massive boots to fill). He’s full of talent but I’m not sure if it’s a mix of consistency or desire but he’s not hitting the levels at the moment. He doesn’t have the ethic or professionalism/desire of Neves of that I’m sure.

Absolutely this.

 

[WickedWolfie]

Gengis Khan came across better than Vinny.

Ah, but what about Jizz....