Joe Hodge M Huddersfield (loan from Wolves) b.2002

[Razors left peg]

Joe Hodge move to Derry on loan confirmed.

At his age I see this as a massively positive move. Citys U23 squad is extremely competitive to get into, especially for an 18 year old, and he's out grown their underage teams.

To get mens football at this stage of his development will hopefully help him physically too.

Kenny has talked in the past of fast tracking him so I wouldn't be at all surprised if he got a call up to the senior team if he does well at Derry.

[Razors left peg]

Hodge out for a month with a back injury picked up in training.

[Olé Olé]

Hodge has moved to Wolves: https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20210827-hodge-links-up-with-wolves-under-23s/

[liamoo11]

Involved for wolves 23s on bench tonight. He hasn't played in over a year .

[tetsujin1979]

Wolves are streaming the game on their website: https://academy.wolves.co.uk/live/
Lee Harkin is starting for wolves, Conor Carty on the bench with Hodge, and Kian Leavy is starting for Reading

[gally]

Came on 82nd minute

[liamoo11]

Watched the premier league under 23 final tonight against West brom. Hodge played all the game and extra time. He really is a fabulous prospect as a defensive midfielder. So composed ,, tidy on the ball , looks to pass forward and really keen to run with the ball into attacking areas. Scored his pen. Harkin scored for wolves in normal time

[ontheotherhand]

Watched the premier league under 23 final tonight against West brom. Hodge played all the game and extra time. He really is a fabulous prospect as a defensive midfielder. So composed ,, tidy on the ball , looks to pass forward and really keen to run with the ball into attacking areas. Scored his pen. Harkin scored for wolves in normal time

Great to hear. It was a shame he couldn't get going for Derry. Would have been nice to see him for a season.

[Eirambler]

Watched the premier league under 23 final tonight against West brom. Hodge played all the game and extra time. He really is a fabulous prospect as a defensive midfielder. So composed ,, tidy on the ball , looks to pass forward and really keen to run with the ball into attacking areas. Scored his pen. Harkin scored for wolves in normal time

Harkin makes Hodge look like a giant. He has a really good scoring record this season for Wolves Under 23, but you'd wonder if he's going to be good enough to compensate for his height to the extent that he can make it at a decent pro level. Hodge obviously not the tallest either, Wolves seem to have signed our small lads for some reason.

[tommy_c12000]

Let’s see how Hodge gets on if he gets a chance a senior football at a reasonable level. I’ve always been concerned with his size, even before his unfortunate injury. It will be interesting to see where he is at the start of next season when he turns 20

[liamoo11]

https://twitter.com/WolvesAcademy/status/1528824222495166466?t=g1ANRJKyMGjLrV_oQhh0Sw&s=19

https://twitter.com/WolvesAcademy/status/1528824222495166466?t=vWrNo23akaI8lj25bbzdew&s=19

https://twitter.com/WolvesAcademy/status/1528808653666525192?t=nszY3pl8t16VPC0Zy85brw&s=19

Some nice involvement for hodge in these clips tonight

[tetsujin1979]

The full game is on YouTube
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[CraftyToePoke]

On at HT for Wolves away to Chelsea today. Cap. Him. Now. :)

[third policeman]

On at HT for Wolves away to Chelsea today. Cap. Him. Now. :)

Got second highest rating on BBC match report, If he gets regular minutes why not promote him? Who else have we got coming through in midfield?

[liamoo11]

Certainly has all the tools. His upper body strength has really developed obviously he remains tiny.

Hopefully stays around first team until Jan and gets a loan then for some experience. He has lost 2 years of football between 16 and 20 with those injuries. On the other hand the injuries were fractures not muscular or ligament so reoccurrence less of a concern,

[nigel-harps1954]

Interesting that he'd come on ahead of Conor Ronan who seems to be the forgotten man in there.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Ronan will turn 25 before the season is over and is 4 and a half years older than Hodge. He'll never make it at Wolves and needs to move on.

[JR89]

Interesting that he'd come on ahead of Conor Ronan who seems to be the forgotten man in there.

U21s manager probably said **** it 45mins for Hodge is more beneficial for us long term than Ronan getting it. Ronan could do with getting out the phone book and finding himself a new club. He's 25 this season and if Wolves got relegated he'd probably still wouldn't get a game for them.

[Yard of Pace]

Got second highest rating on BBC match report, If he gets regular minutes why not promote him? Who else have we got coming through in midfield?

Talking Point number 9 in the Guardian's weekend re-cap of notable things.

9) Hodge impresses on Wolves debutAnother game, another defeat for Wolves and, all in all, it was a miserable afternoon for the visitors given how comprehensively they were beaten by Chelsea. If there was one positive for them it was the performance of Joe Hodge on what was the 20-year-old?s senior debut for the club. Hodge, who has been capped at under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland, was an industrious and combative presence in midfield having replaced Gon?alo Guedes at half-time, a block on 60 minutes that prevented Conor Gallagher having a relatively clear shot on goal from the edge of the area especially eye-catching. Hodge?s use of the ball was also neat and he looks like a player to whom Wolves?s next manager ? expected by most to be Julen Lopetegui ? should give more minutes in the coming weeks and months. Sachin Nakrani

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/10/premier-league-10-talking-points-from-the-weekends-action

[third policeman]

Given the paucity of options available, we need to be willing to promote genuine talent as soon as possible. It's an area where our options are mediocre at best. It's early to say but Hodge's career trajectory already looks like it might be more promising than Coventry or perhaps even Smallbone. The obvious way to find out whether he's up to international football would be to give him game time in the November friendlies. If we don't upgrade our midfield before the Euro Qualifiers I think we know what the outcome is likely to be.

[Diggs246]

I think everyone agrees those lads should be prompted for the November games. With parrott out as well

[TonyD]

I was impressed with Hodge in the recent U21 game. Might well be wroth a senior cap. We’re crying out for midfield talent. Not that convinced by Smallbone. Looks a bit casual to me. By which I mean a lot of fancy flicks where he ends up losing the ball.

[tommy_c12000]

Rumors afoot that he may start in crunch game vs Notts Forest at the weekend. Would be great. Let?s see how he does once new manager installed. Regular first team exposure in the coming months would be an unexpected boost. If he does begin to start games and get regular first team minutes then it?s a no brainer he should be brought into senior fold. But would need to get consistent game time prior to this.

[Diggs246]

Rumors afoot that he may start in crunch game vs Notts Forest at the weekend. Would be great. Let?s see how he does once new manager installed. Regular first team exposure in the coming months would be an unexpected boost. If he does begin to start games and get regular first team minutes then it?s a no brainer he should be brought into senior fold. But would need to get consistent game time prior to this.

Lets hope so that would be great, might make Stephen look more of a silly billy for his Commets

[JR89]

Unless they're going three in midfield and Neves is going to start at CB again I find it hard to see Hodge starting. It's a game that could see them go bottom if they lose and Leicester beat Palace in the half 12 game.

[tommy_c12000]

One last bold move by the care team before the new man comes in? Would be v bold for the reasons you raised. They like Hodge though

[JR89]

One last bold move by the care team before the new man comes in? Would be v bold for the reasons you raised. They like Hodge though

Think they might show preference towards him alright over Traor?, he missed the last game and obviously Ronan who he got on ahead of at the weekend. If it's 4-2-3-1 and Neves plays in midfield would be a ballsy move to start him in midfield.

Nuno Santo supposedly having talks with Wolves for the managers job, and they've interviewed Rob Edwards who was caretaker before and recently sacked by Watford. Could be another relegation battle season for Collins and possible back to back relegations.

[Trequartista20]

Another (brief) substitute appearance today.

[tommy_c12000]

Yep injury time. I suspect he will see very little senior game time once new manager installed and will be on loan in January. I hope I?m wrong though

[third policeman]

Still got the second highest rating according to BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63182451

[Colbert Report]

He made an absolutely outrageous tackle that earned him a yellow card. In fairness this was a huge win for Wolves and it was likely exactly what the manager would have wanted him to do.

[CraftyToePoke]

Is on again, on 58 minutes V Palace, three games running now from the bench, about an hour in all.

[Trequartista20]

Comes on in the 58th minute for another PL appearance.

[CraftyToePoke]

Comes on in the 58th minute for another PL appearance.

Too late & too little Trequarista. I beat you to it & I put it better too.

[joey B]

Wolves fans on Twitter a bit bemused hes getting minutes,but they were losing/lost so we'll take it with a pinch of salt.......

[paul_oshea]

Did he fall over in front of goal from a good position?

[samhaydenjr]

Four EPL games and an EFL Cup tie against Leeds before the World Cup break - how much action would Hodge have to see in that time to justify a call-up for our November friendlies?

[CraftyToePoke]

how much action would Hodge have to see in that time to justify a call-up for our November friendlies?

A steady pulse, remain conscious and a willingness to be Irish & I'd be inclined to have a peep.

[tommy_c12000]

Four EPL games and an EFL Cup tie against Leeds before the World Cup break - how much action would Hodge have to see in that time to justify a call-up for our November friendlies?

Let?s see what happens once the new manager is finally installed. Would be surprised if a new manager gave him opportunities from the get go. For me, he would have to see consistent game time in those 4 games, and start EFL Cup game. Doubt it will happen, but hope burns eternal for an irish supporter these days.

[JR89]

Good news for Hodge with Wolves announcing that the current interims will remain in charge till 2023. Fact they're looking for coaches to help support the current interims and the wording "till 2023" could very well mean the rest of the season.

You'd think they'd look to get someone in while the leagues break for the WC or they're waiting to see whose available after the WC. That, or Jorge Mendes is too busy dealing with Ronaldo's issues to pick someone for them.

[Kingdom]

I was impressed with Hodge in the recent U21 game. Might well be wroth a senior cap. We’re crying out for midfield talent. Not that convinced by Smallbone. Looks a bit casual to me. By which I mean a lot of fancy flicks where he ends up losing the ball.

Me too. Only surprise was that he could only last 60 mins, and we deteriorated in terms of concentrated play when he went off. Thought there might have been fitness issues, but that would seem to be unfounded seeing as how Wolves have started to play him.
Now that he's getting game time, he's a certainty to be called up and so he should.

He was THE superb midfield possibility when he first came to prominence underage. He had so much to offer, but the injuries looked to be a killer for him. glad to see that's not the case.

[elatedscum]

Nice to see Joe come over to watch Derry play the FAI Cup final. Shame he’s not training with the seniors tomorrow

[third policeman]

Playing toight, but guilt of a bad miss



Posted at 20:3120:31

Post updateWolves 0-0 Gillingham

Wolves nearly find the breakthrough two minutes before half-time. A cross comes in from Goncalo Guedes and Joe Hodge is there with a header...
He's only four yards out, in the middle of the goal, but it's a poor header and he nods off target.
Should've scored.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Subbed at h/t was disappointing.

[samhaydenjr]

Subbed at h/t was disappointing.

Watched the game and really liked what I saw from Hodge (glaring miss notwithstanding) - showed for the ball a lot and when he got it, moved it along quickly and accurately - just the type of player we need in midfield.

[irishfan86]

Watched the game and really liked what I saw from Hodge (glaring miss notwithstanding) - showed for the ball a lot and when he got it, moved it along quickly and accurately - just the type of player we need in midfield.

Excuse my ignorance but why was he swapped out at half-time then? Didn’t watch and have no context for that decision.

[tommy_c12000]

Appeared tactical. Adama replaced him. Hodge was playing pretty advanced with Neves sitting. Moutinho was close to Hodge. Didn’t realize Moutinho is 36 now, he was poor. Looks to be passed it from a top level standpoint. Hodge and him seemed pretty similar players.

Hodge did ok. Tidy and showed for ball. Gave ball away a couple of times and had a glaring miss from 6 yards out with a header, that could have changed things a bit for him if he scored. He’s 20, small but tenacious with an eye for a pass. He just needs a full 5 months of first team football come January to see where he lands. Would like to see him go on loan. I think that would be more beneficial than the odd minute here and there for wolves, he’s certainly not ready for top level football yet

[tommy_c12000]

Gets another start today, hopefully he can do well

[tommy_c12000]

1-0 down, a few tidy passes so far not much else. Wolves not looking threatening so he will likely be sacrificed early. Cannon on everton bench may see some time

[tommy_c12000]

Just as I say that, nice set piece from Wolves to equalize. Hopefully Hodge gets a good chance in second half too now