Mick McCarthy Stars in New Carlsberg Video
By: Matt |
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Mick McCarthy, probably the best actor in the world (not). You know you haven’t got a career in television when you’ve just been out acted by Jack Charlton…
Category: VideoReady, Freddy….Go!
By: Matt | 1 Comment
Picture the scene. Its very tense at Molineux, five minutes before half-time, Wolves are level, pushing for a breakthrough goal. Twenty two year old striker Andy Keogh has been giving everything, he receives the ball just inside the box, turns sharply and hits a shot that goes narrowly past the wrong side of the post, hitting the side netting. He looks towards the sky briefly, before running back into position, hoping another chance will come soon. He hears the crowd behind the goal chanting “Freddy, Freddy, Freddy”. He looks to the ground in disappointment, his confidence takes a knock. The fans want him off and Freddy Eastwood on.
Who is this Freddy Eastwood you ask? Goal scoring legend? The star striker who has been out with injury but now back on the bench, waiting for his chance? A player who works tirelessly for the team who always changes games? No. Unfortunately, Freddy Eastwood is none of these. He is the Freddy Eastwood who has scored 3 goals all season, the Freddy Eastwood who complained to the press about lack of opportunities, and the Freddy Eastwood who often goes missing for long periods when he does play. He is the Freddy Eastwood of formerly relegated Southend.
Of course the chants are not Eastwood’s fault. They have probably hindered him more than helped him, albeit indirectly. The truth is that Eastwood is probably a very decent striker. Given a run in most Championship teams he will score goals when played with a complimentary partner. Is he better than Ebanks-Blake? No. Would he make a better partner up front with Ebanks-Blake than Andy Keogh? Probably not. However, we’ll never find out because he is now on the transfer list and likely to move on in the summer. Why has he become a cult hero amongst certain sections of fans at Molineux? I really don’t know. Maybe he is a tool to use against Mick McCarthy, for those who are desperate to see the manager out. I was excited at the prospect of seeing Eastwood upfront for Wolves. I thought he could be the 20 goal a season striker we had been looking for.
In this video Mick says its nothing personal. I believe Mick. I also believe Mick could have handled the situation better earlier in the season when he openly criticised Eastwood in the press but I also believe that Eastwood could have handled himself better. I think McCarthy was trying to develop a talented player by putting a stronger work ethic and determination into his game. I don’t think Freddy was up to it. McCarthy made a mistake when he signed him, he is not his type of player. He thought he may have been. Freddy is what he is, a reasonably gifted footballer who will never have the determination, passion, commitment or desire to rise to the very top. Sure he’ll score goals, and probably in the Championship next season but he won’t score more than Ebanks-Blake, even if he played twice as many games. He would have been great squad player, particularly as back up for SEB. Freddy doesn’t do squad member though, so its best he moves on.
I genuinely wish Eastwood all the best. Maybe he will prove McCarthy wrong but I suspect that he won’t.
Category: Team NewsClear Out at Molineux
By: Matt | Add Comments
Today Wolves released a list of players not retained or transfer listed. Most are to be expected but there are a few surprises in there.
Outs - Gary Breen, now out of contract will not be offered a new one, whilst Jay Bothroyd, Stephen Elliott, Rob Edwards, Darren Potter and Darren Ward have all been placed on the transfer list. This follows yesterday’s news that Freddy Eastwood has also been placed on the transfer list. I’m currently writing a piece on the whole Freddy Eastwood saga which I hope to put online tomorrow. Kevin Kyle, Darron Gibson and Graham Stack, all currently on loan at Molineux will return to their parent clubs.
Staying - Jody Craddock is staying, the club deciding to take up their option on a one year contract. Another player who also maybe staying at Molineux is left winger turned full back turned left winger (again), Michael Gray.
That makes the full list of all players that could possibly be leaving Molineux quite large:
Gary Breen
Jay Bothroyd
Freddy Eastwood
Rob Edwards
Stephen Elliott
Darron Gibson
Kevin Kyle
Keith Lowe
Kevin O’Connor
Darren Potter
Denes Rosa
Graham Stack
Darren Ward
The list shows that Mick McCarthy is certainly not afraid to move on players that he has signed, however recent. It seems that he is really looking to reshape the side next season, around a solid, established nucleus. I think many will see this list as a positive move that gives hope for next season.
I was surprised but pleased to see the list included Potter (ok, but just not effective) and Elliott (can very very effective but too injury prone). A little disappointed but not surprised that Bothroyd and Edwards are moving on. Can be a great player on his day but often seems dis-interested, an opinion that has followed him throughout his career. Edwards always looked a very good centre half, and was a key player in our unbeaten run towards the end of last season. Unfortunately he has spent most of this season injured and on the sidelines. I was also a little surprised to see Breen on the list. His very close relationship with McCarthy seemed to take a wobble after the Southampton home game, when an argument broke out in the tunnel between them after the injury time equaliser. I still think he would have been a good squad player for next season, his form at the end of this season was pretty solid.
I’m happy that we will discussing a new contract with Michael Gray. His performances, versatility and overall attitude deserve at least another season. Similarly, Craddock’s form, particularly since his return from a spell on loan at Stoke City, means that his new contract is both welcome and not a surprise. As for Freddy Eastwood, we’ll discuss that over teh next few days…
Category: Team NewsEbanks-Blake: See all his Wolves goals here
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Enjoy this video of each and every one of SEB’s goals for Wolves, since joining in January. Watch out for his second against Charlton in particular, class is permanent.
Category: VideoFootballers in Unexpected Places
By: Matt | 3 Comments
Last summer, whilst walking to work in Newcastle, I turned a sharp corner by the city library and came face to face with a living, breathing, Premier League footballer. Truth be know, at the time I wasn’t sure if he was a Premier League or Football League superstar, but on checking the facts out later discovered he was indeed a member of the Greed League. Little did I know, that this said footballer would go on to sign for my beloved Wolves only a few weeks later.
The strange thing about this encounter was that even before I had recognised him there was something about the man that dazzled; made him stand out from the crowd. It may have been his designer label clobber, his bouncing blonde locks, his tanned skin and dazzling white minty fresh teeth, or his confident Premier League swagger. We made eye contact and within a second he gave me a ‘yes, I know that you know who I am, and yes it is really me’ look. It wasn’t arrogant, just a mutual understanding
Apologies for the build up, prepare to be under whelmed. It was none other than Michael Gray. At the time a Blackburn Rovers player, but had spent the end of the previous season on loan at Leeds (hence the status confusion). Having lived in the north east for a while I’d watched Gray play a number of times, for Sunderland, in their Premier League hey day under Peter Reid. He was a bit of a captain fantastic, strong in the tackle but with speed and a good passing ability. He even earned an England cap. He could play at left back or as a left winger. Although the club captain and ever present on the field for Sunderland, Reid suddenly dropped him before shipping him out to Celtic on loan. Local rumours insist it was allegedly something to do with ‘tv celebrity’ Melanie Sykes, fellow team mate Chris Maken, and a Travellodge.
After his loan finished at Celtic, he was sold to Blackburn Rovers, during his spell at Ewood Park he was loaned out to Leeds. He signed for Wolves in July 2007 and has been one of our most consistent performers this season, even rediscovering his goal scoring touch. Anyhow, I am waffling. I was reminded of this chance encounter this morning, when in roughly the same spot (there are a few designer clothes shops near) I almost bumped into Newcastle United’s Stephen Carr (Joey from Friends look-a-like), who is apparently moving on. Again, knowing glances were exchanged.
It got me thinking about all the other football players I’d seen ‘off duty’. Here’s my current list (I’m sure there are more - expect some edits).
- David Speedie (Chelsea, Coventry, Blackburn, Leicester) standing in the next urinal to me in Doncaster’s Co-op (I don’t know, I didn’t look). I’m sorry to report that he left the toilets without washing his hands. Saw him again outside later…holding hands with his mrs. Say no more.
- Nathan Blake (Cardiff, Blackburn, Wolves), Martin Keown (Arsenal), Ian Walker (Spurs), Joey Gudjonsson (Villa, Wolves) at Breakfast in the Hilton Hotel in Leicester. I staying there for a wedding, they had all just signed for Leicester City.
- Robbie Keane (Wolves, Spurs) at UCI Walsall Cinemas
…and that’s it, not very impressive I know. Anyone seen a REAL world superstar in an unexpected place? Outside a stadium, at training and book signings etc. do not count!
Category: Team NewsVideo Highlights: Wolves v Plymouth
By: Matt | 1 Comment
If you can bear to watch…here’s the match highlights. Please note the handshake at the final whistle!
Category: VideoThe Poor Man’s Rumour Mill
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Let’s cut to the chase. Followed by reality checker marks out of 10
West Ham to bid £3.5m for Michael Kightly
Everton to make a double bid of £9.5m for Wayne Hennessey and Ebanks-Blake by the end of the week (Wolves forum: Wolves fan having lunch with a red wine-fuelled Everton director). 6
Everton to make lone £5.5m bid for Hennessey 8
A furious Steve Morgan refuses to shake hands with Mick McCarthy at full time versus Plymouth, purposely ignoring Mick’s outstretched arm by the players tunnel (my mate in the Billy Quiet stand) 4
Chairman Steve Morgan shakes hands warmly with Mick McCarthy by the players tunnel at full time versus Plymouth (my mate in the South Bank) 8
Sam Allardyce and wife spotted with Steve Morgan and wife at a Bridgenorth restaurant (Wolves forum) 6
Villa keeping tabs on Wayne Hennessey9
Villa keeping tabs on Wayne Hennessey AND Michael Kightly 7
Ebanks-Blake is not fat (he just has an arched back) 7
Category: Rumours
Tags: Rumours, Ebanks-Blake, Hennessey, Kightly, Aston Villa, Everton, Mick McCarthy, Steve Morgan, Tag IndexOlo Goal Not Enough as Big Sam Rumour Gathers Strength
By: Matt | 4 Comments
Mick McCarthy’s post match summary accurately summed up today’s match and the season as a whole. A game in which Wolves played extremely well for the majority, creating chance after chance, but only managing to put one away. The story of the season. Where does it leave us? Seventh. Relegation aside, the worst possible position to finish in. To rub salt into the wounds, we missed out on a playoff place by a goal difference of one.
Where do we go from here? It’s stick or twist time for Steve Morgan. Whether he decides to support McCarthy further or leave him go, he needs to makes the decision sooner rather than later. Wolves fans are divided, whilst some are sitting on the fence, most are very clear in their opinions . Whilst I was never in favour of the appointment of McCarthy I have since changed my mind and my feet are firmly in the keep McCarthy camp.
Two years ago, after probably the most tedious season at Molineux in decades, Hoddle left us with a team which limped across the line, scoring barely a goal a game. A summer clear out left a threadbare young and inexperienced squad which McCarthy took over less than two weeks before the beginning of the season. What did we expect? Some expected relegation, the more realistic of us would have been happy with mid-table mediocrity. McCarthy revamped the squad on a budget, changed the philosophy at Molineux and brought in a team of “young and hungry” over-achievers, which miraculously and heroically reached the playoffs.
The summer brought a new owner with money to spend and increase in expectations. As a result, a seventh placed position is not seen as progress by most. However, please keep in mind that we have had a whole season without Murray and most of it without Kightly. Add to that a whole host youngsters under the age of 25 in Hennessey, Folely, Elokobi, Kightly, Jarvis, Keogh, Edwards (Dave), Ebanks-Blake, Elliott and Eastwood. Then we have the experienced pros of Murray(26), Olo (27), and Henry (25). A sea change has happened at Molineux. Out with the tried, tested and ultimately unproductive policy of spending big on experienced ex-Premiership pros and in with a more considered plan of signing young, ambitious rough diamonds from lower leagues. Granted it’s been a bit hit and miss but it has given the club new heart.
Whilst Morgan has always insisted he wants to change Wolves’ historical hire and fire policy and bring some continuity to the club, always supporting McCarthy in public, the truth is that Mick wasn’t his appointment. We also don’t know the truth behind “Koreagate”. There are now a number of rumours, from various sources, that a deal was already agreed with Sam Allardyce in principle, depending on the season’s outcome, to take over at Wolves in the summer. Maybe not one for the football purists, but Newcastle apart, a strong and successful manager.
Personally, I would give McCarthy more time, what he is building could turn into something special. A team growing together, which could be one of the finest we’ve seen at Molineux for a long, long time. I think McCarthy deserves at least another season. However, if Morgan has decided McCarthy is not the man, he needs to take action sooner rather than later to give us the best possible chance to start the season running.
Category: ReportsPrediction: Playoff heartbreak for Wolves
By: Matt | 2 Comments
Will Wolves season be over on Sunday at 4pm, or will we be preparing ourselves for the playoff rollercoaster ride? Pride or pain? Hope renewed or stoic failure? Your guess is a good as mine. In fact the Championship has been so unpredictable this season that my grandmother’s guess is as good as mine (and just incase you’re wondering, no she’s not a football fan).
Its been a surreal season in the Championship. Call me biased, but I think the Championship is the most exciting league in the world, played in front of the highest crowds of any other second tier league on the planet. Many fans claim that this season the quality has been lower than ever, pointing to the inability of any one or two teams to dominate the league as evidence.
My view is that the quality is as good as ever, if not better, but shared more equally across the league than ever before. West Brom, for example, can win the title with 78 points, while a team could be relegated with 53 points. In other words, 25 points over a 46 game season could be the difference between promotion as champions and relegation. In the last eleven seasons nobody has won the title without crashing through the 90 point barrier. Also during that period no team has gone down with 53 points. Up until only a few weeks ago anyone could have gone up or down. Literally anyone can beat anyone. Last week, for example, promotion chasing Watford lost at home to already relegated Scunthorpe.
This is the way football should be, not dominated by the few. Share the wealth, share the power, share the excitement. I wonder if Derby fans have really enjoyed their football more this season in the Premier League, than they would have if they they’d played the season out in the Championship. I enjoyed our last season in the Premier League but the journey there was better than the real thing. Maybe if we had maintained our Premier League status my view would be different.
So, on to tomorrow. The good news is that captain Karl Henry is fit again, and boy has he been missed in the engine room. So the first eleven should be quite straight forward:
Hennessey
Foley - Craddock - Breen - Elokobi
Jarvis - Olofinjana - Henry - Kightly
Keogh - SEB
Whether Eastwood will be on the bench, ready to bring on if were are chasing goals remains to be seen. As for the other games, having seen the team news for Burnley I can’t see Crystal Palace dropping any points, although Watford could come a cropper at Blackpool. However, my gut feeling is…
Blackpool 1 Watford 1
Crystal Palace 2 Burnley 0
Wolves 2 Plymouth 0
Wolves miss out on the playoffs, finishing on the same points and goal difference as Watford in sixth but losing out on goals scored. Heartbreaking I know. Dry your eyes mate, there’s always next season.
Category: Team NewsDeath of a Hero
By: Matt | 1 Comment
Former Wolves keeper Mark Kendall died last night at his home in South Wales, he was just 49. Mark was the Wolves ‘keeper in my formative years as a Wolves fan, guarding the goal as Wolves enjoyed successive promotions from the lower leagues in 1987/88 and 1988/89. He also played for Wolves against Burnley at Wembley in the victory over Burnley in Sherpa Van Trophy in 1988, played in front of a crowd close to 100,000. Mark was from the same area in South Wales as I grew up in, and my dad often took me to see Newport County play when Mark played in goal for them before joining Wolves. I always felt a close affinity to Mark because of this.
Despite playing in the old 3rd and 4th divisions, those seasons were my most enjoyable as a Wolves fan. Having just passed my driving test I drove up and down the country watching Wolves home and away as we romped upward through the leagues. Steve Bull scoring over fifty goals in two succesive seasons. Mark was a big part of that, a member of the last team of “normal” blokes to play for Wolves, before superpay and celebrity came along. When he retired from football he worked as a policeman in his native South Wales.
He had a great relationship with the fans, often joking around with us when the ball was at the opposite end of the pitch and sometimes closer to our goal. Close shaves were greeted with a “phew”, a wink and a big smile. I’ll always remember standing in the South Bank at Molineux, joining in with a chorus of “Kendall, Kendall show us your arse, Kendall show us your arse” at which he would often tuck his shirt into his shorts, and without acknowledging us give us a flash! I also remember, after conceding a penalty at Wrexham, a few Wolves fans threw their pies on the pitch, after the penalty was scored Mark picked up a pie and started eating it before taking his place back between the posts. I’m other Wolves fans have many other examples of Mark’s antics as a Wolves player.
However, he wasn’t just a joker. Mark was an excellent and reliable goalkeeper, unfortunate not to play for the senior Wales team, which at the time had the legendary Neville Southall between the posts. My favourite memory of Mark was a game against arch rivals West Brom at the Hawthorns. With the game level and into the last 5 minutes, Mark saved a penalty before Steve Bull scored a winner for us in the final minute to spark one of the most incredible celebrations I’ve ever been involved in as a Wolves fan.
He died of a suspected heart attack after a long walk and collapsed in the kitchen of his home late last night. Paramedics tried in vain to revive him. He is survived by a wife and two children. Rest in peace Mark, you will be sorely missed.
Category: History
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