Irish Wolves and Opposition Irish

[youngirish]

I reckon the Wolves board and the large group of constant moaners in the Wolves crowd are getting what they deserve. Think they all treated McCarthy very shabily. The championship beckons. And who is the best man available for getting teams promoted?
Neil Warnock?

[Charlie Darwin]

If the Wolves board had any sense or humility they'd beg Mick to come back.

[Sullivinho]

Terry Connor seems like a real gent but also a graduate from the Avram Grant school of motivation. Looked bewildered at that first press conference and not much better since.


"Mick McCarthy has done a fantastic job but if we continued in this way we were definitely going to be relegated"

I wonder has 'Jez' checked whether Mick and Terry are still conferring on the sly? Surely the only explanation for their continued circular motion around the premier league drain..

[theworm2345]

Well today must've been the first real nail in the coffin with QPR and Blackburn having won in the week and Bolton and Wigan both winning today

[elroy]

Second nail and I feel fatal one at the wkd. Will be sad to see them go down but they are nothing short of abysmal now. To think they had such a good start and were even top!!

[Carrigaline]

Wolves are finished. They're now 7 points off safety, although it's effectively 8 points given their horrific goal difference. Assuming all the teams above them get no points whatsoever in their last 7 matches, Wolves need 3 wins in their remaining 7 games. I can't see Wolves winning 3 games out of 7, let alone the realistic 5 victories that they will need to stay up.

Who will leave Wolves? Well, Stephen Fletcher almost certainly will leave I'd say. A few clubs will be in for Matt Jarvis, he has easily been Wolves' best winger. Wayne Hennessy has usually impressed in goal, think he could get a Premier League club. The likes of Roger Johnson, Kevin Doyle and Jamie O'Hara will probably feel like they deserve Premier League football, although their performances this season haven't merited it. Can't see any Premier League club coming in for Stephen Hunt or Kevin Foley. Hunt because he will be 31 next season and Foley because he hasn't showed enough in the top flight. Stephen Ward has played regular football and had a few decent games at the start of the season. Can't see him leaving as he hasn't showed enough (especially in 2012) and Wolves will probably be keen to hold onto a proven Championship player and team captain.

[Olé Olé]

It'd surely be a good career move to Doyle to avoid a season in the championship, even if it may serve to improve his confidence at a level at which he has shown to be easily comfortable in terms of goalscoring. He'll be 29 shortly after the new season kicks off and at 30 he'll be even less appealing.

Doyle's shown a strong degree of loyalty to Wolves, and even initially when he signed for them. Interest has surrounded Doyle from bigger clubs than Wolves before he signed for them and also last summer, even if they were just rumours. At this stage, with McCarthy gone, it's in his best interests to maintain his Premier League status. Presumably, Wolves will have Leigh Griffiths, Sam Vokes and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake for next season, three strikers who have or could be enough at championship level. Any promoted side would cherish his strong work ethic and I'm sure some mid to low tier premiership teams would snap up a cut-price Doyle.

It's a pity to think that his goalscoring form for Ireland and club hasn't really shone quite like his debut premiership season in 2006-2007, even if other aspects of his game have been excellent in times of good form.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that Doyle could end up back in the Premier League with Reading next year.

Doyle, Ward and possibly Hunt will all have an opportunity to stake their claim for a new club at the Euros this summer. Doyle will almost certainly get a move, Ward maybe, Hunt maybe.

[drummerboy]

I've always been a big fan of Kevin Doyle, but the lad looks burnt out at the moment. Hopefully its only a temporary condition.

[Carrigaline]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that Doyle could end up back in the Premier League with Reading next year.
Current manager Brian McDermott was chief scout at Reading when he was signed from Cork City.

[theworm2345]

It's a pity to think that his goalscoring form for Ireland and club hasn't really shone quite like his debut premiership season in 2006-2007, even if other aspects of his game have been excellent in times of good form.
I disagree, the other aspects of his game have been poor as well for the majority of this season and that includes for Ireland. Doyle and Jason Roberts are very similar players so I'm not sure Doyle would be a priority unless they could get him back cheap.

[tetsujin1979]

Roberts is only there on loan, although he's unlikely to get first team football when he goes back to Blackburn

[theworm2345]

Roberts is only there on loan, although he's unlikely to get first team football when he goes back to Blackburn
Nope, signed full time there in January

[Olé Olé]

I disagree, the other aspects of his game have been poor as well for the majority of this season and that includes for Ireland.

Hence why I said "in times of good form" and not "this season."

[Colbert Report]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility that Doyle could end up back in the Premier League with Reading next year.

Doyle, Ward and possibly Hunt will all have an opportunity to stake their claim for a new club at the Euros this summer. Doyle will almost certainly get a move, Ward maybe, Hunt maybe.

Ward won't get a move to a Premiership club, Hunt is going to be pensioned off up in Scotland with Celtic, and Doyle is class - he'll get a move no problem. Liverpool would be a great fit.

[Murfinator]

Doyles had a torrid season, I don't see anyone coming in for him. Wouldn't be surprised if Trap dropped him and he had no impact at the Euros, Walters and Long have made much more convincing cases this season.

[TrapAPony]

Ward won't get a move to a Premiership club, Hunt is going to be pensioned off up in Scotland with Celtic, and Doyle is class - he'll get a move no problem. Liverpool would be a great fit.

A return to Reading would be my guess, when they get promoted

[The Legend]

Ward won't get a move to a Premiership club, Hunt is going to be pensioned off up in Scotland with Celtic, and Doyle is class - he'll get a move no problem. Liverpool would be a great fit.

MAybe about 4 years ago, not now. Unless Dogleash decides to continue his usual transfer policy and buy him for 20m

[the bear]

what a stupid decision to sack mick, they deserve to go down

[Murfinator]

what a stupid decision to sack mick, they deserve to go down

Yep, hard to feel sympathy for them. In retrospect people will appreciate that getting them promoted, keeping them in the division for 2 years and having them in contention for a 3rd was operating at the ceiling of Wolves ability. Wigan realised this years ago.

[ifk101]

14 points from 22 games, last game being a 5-1 defeat to a local rival. I'd have sacked him.

[jbyrne]

14 points from 22 games, last game being a 5-1 defeat to a local rival. I'd have sacked him.

no doubt the run they were on was dreadful but to sack him without a decent alternative lined up to come in was criminal. surely the point in sacking mick was to put someone better in place and they failed miserably to do so.

[tricky_colour]

I heard (started) a rumour Mick is lined up for the Liverpool job,

[theworm2345]

14 points from 22 games, last game being a 5-1 defeat to a local rival. I'd have sacked him.
Maybe so, though I don't think its a reflection of his abilities as a manager so much as a complete lack of talent at Wolves (which is partially his fault though its not like he had an open checkbook). As I've said throughout the season, its basically a Championship calibre side with the exception of Fletcher, Johnson, and maybe Jarvis.

[CraftyToePoke]

Maybe so, though I don't think its a reflection of his abilities as a manager so much as a complete lack of talent at Wolves (which is partially his fault though its not like he had an open checkbook).

How much had he spent in comparison to Swansea and Norwich for example? Or Everton of late?

He had been in the job there a while, they were his players, his squad, his team, and they had done nothing but circle the plughole since promotion.

Didn't Stoke come up around the same time as Wolves, maybe a season or two later, and of late have thrown a few bob at the squad, certainly, but did they initially to a far greater extent than Wolves? Compare the progress, both comparably sized provincial clubs.

Now, the Wolves board in their 'appointment' of Mick's replacement have made a laughing stock of the club and will reap their reward with relegation, but they were probably going either way. They would have went down with their heads held high under Mick, but they would have gone.

[Charlie Darwin]

Maybe so, though I don't think its a reflection of his abilities as a manager so much as a complete lack of talent at Wolves (which is partially his fault though its not like he had an open checkbook). As I've said throughout the season, its basically a Championship calibre side with the exception of Fletcher, Johnson, and maybe Jarvis.
I don't know why you'd put a maybe beside Jarvis - he's easily their best player. Johnson has been their worst player all year. He'll probably still be bought by a Premier League club though.

[the bear]

mick isn't the best manager in the world but to sack him without having someone better to come in was a bit stupid. looking ahead for next year and trying to gain promotion mick is exactly who you want in there

[tricky_colour]

Worked out well for Mick in a way, they would probably have gone down anyway but he has the benefit of the doubt.

[Lenny82]

14 points from 22 games, last game being a 5-1 defeat to a local rival. I'd have sacked him.

What you are saying is technically true but they had accumulated 21 points from 25 games whereas Bolton and Wigan had less and Blackburn and QPR were level on points with them. Wolves have picked up 1 point since Mick was sacked, Bolton and Wigan have 9 and Blackburn and QPR have 7. It was a ridiculous decision to sack him considering his experience in a dog fight and I'm sure they regret it hugely!

[drummerboy]

Mick had very little to spend over his tenure there. However his biggest outlay was probably Kevin Doyle whose form this season has been absolutely dire. Not sure what the problem with him is but he is a shadow of his former self and probably the main reason for Wolves demise. The purchase of Johnson from Birmingham has turned out to be a disaster also, coupled with the injury to Craddock. Hennessy takes off some great saves but lets in some very soft goals. Not sure if they would halve avoided the drop if Mick had stayed but at least they would be 6 points better off than they are now.

[Stuttgart88]

Hennessy takes off some great saves but lets in some very soft goals. Hennessy and central defence are to blame from what I can see. Hennessy has talent but is just not reliable enough. The goal he conceded against WBA at 1-1 was just awful. Last year Mick had experienced back up for Hennessy and used him to stabilise things. Doyle has struggled but no way can you pin a striker's poor form for a team being relegated.

[tricky_colour]

The Irish boys at Stoke could do Wolves a favour and throw Wolves a lifeline.
There is only Ward playing though.
3 points would give Wolves a chance.

[tricky_colour]

LOL Wolves just gone 1-0 up :)

[theworm2345]

The Irish boys at Stoke could do Wolves a favour and throw Wolves a lifeline.
There is only Ward playing though.
3 points would give Wolves a chance.
Yep, with Bolton, Wigan, and Blackburn all losing and QPR facing United tomorrow if Wolves can hold on to this lead (unlikely) you never know.

[tricky_colour]

Dam....1-1 Robert Huth

[tricky_colour]

Even a point would be useful to them, two wins puts the safe (provided all else goes well).
Actually just checked and a as Blackburn play Wigan they will still need more then 6 points
as a further 1 or 3 points will be awarded.

[theworm2345]

Even a point would be useful to them, two wins puts the safe (provided all else goes well).
Actually just checked and a as Blackburn play Wigan they will still need more then 6 points
as a further 1 or 3 points will be awarded.
Safe? Two wins doesn't even get them out of the relegation zone (unless you meant after a possible draw today).

[Carrigaline]

Watched Wolves play Stoke, thought Wolves were absolutely shíte, especially considering how poor the Stoke team that they were playing.

Stephen Ward played all of the game, he strikes me as a decent player who is firmly commited, but quite frankly, he is lost as a Premier League player. I really do fear for the Irish team when we play world class opposition like Spain and Italy with him in the team.

Looking at Stoke, Walters missed an absolute sitter, other than that, I thought he did well to hold up play. Wilson had a tidy enough game at left back, struggled with Kightly at times when defending. The real stand-out Irish player was Glen Whelan. He worked really hard, closed down space, made tackles and rendered a lot of Wolves counter-attacks neutral.

[tricky_colour]

Safe? Two wins doesn't even get them out of the relegation zone (unless you meant after a possible draw today).

Yea I mean after they got a point today (which they didn't), point I am making is that with Blackburn playing Wigan a least one will
make 29 points, which means due to goal difference Wolves need to make 30 points to have a chance, so they need 8 more points from
6 games plus whatever the best of the 3 above them get from 6 games. So 12+ points, doable for Man U or Man City but not Wolves.

[geysir]

Wilson had a tidy enough game at left back, struggled with Kightly at times when defending. The real stand-out Irish player was Glen Whelan. He worked really hard, closed down space, made tackles and rendered a lot of Wolves counter-attacks neutral.
Wilson struggles in vain most times when he's left alone to deal with an opponent.

[Carrigaline]

Wolves effectively relegated last night with QPR and Wigan both winning. Other than Jarvis setting Doyle up with a great chance, there was almost no threat whatsoever from Wolves. Ward struggled and Doyle worked tirelessly but saw almost none of the ball.

[tetsujin1979]

It was a fantastic save from Szczesny to deny Doyle a goal though

[shakermaker1982]

Sad to see so many Irish players getting relegated.

Hunt hasn't had much of a run this season. Could he be in danger of losing his spot for the Euro 2012 squad?

[paul_oshea]

Injuries throughout the season plus loss of form. Should definitely be considered that he does lose to the likes of Mclean who is in a completely different state both physically and mentally, even with 3 average recent past performances, but you would feel bad for him,his only chance to figure in a major Finals.

[Stuttgart88]

If these decisions were 100% rational, McClean would take Hunt's place.

These decisons aren't always cold-light-of-day-rational though, nor should they be. I think, kind of.

I'd pick McClean if it was my call, but I'd wait until the last minute before committing because a late injury might rescue me from having to make a hard call.

[Carrigaline]

Hunt will definitely be going. I think the choice that Trap has is whether to take Coleman or McClean.

[Stuttgart88]

good point

[Carrigaline]

Foley at right back and Ward at left back for Wolves today. Even thought they are relegated, it's important for their confidence to have a good performance against a team they can get a result against.

[theworm2345]

Foley at right back and Ward at left back for Wolves today. Even thought they are relegated, it's important for their confidence to have a good performance against a team they can get a result against.
Forde starting as well.

[Carrigaline]

Foley has done ok so far, hasn't paniced with the ball or given it away easily. Ward has tried to get forward as he does like to do, but that has left space in at left-back, he also conceded possession sloppily a few times. Would like to see Forde getting a bit more on the ball, could be an interesting prospect.