From TC to 'Gaffer'

Made a good impression so far

Here's an excellent article written by Phill Chell, giving his views on new boss Terry Connor.


Having been away in Scotland with one of the bands I play in this weekend, I've kind of been out of contact with the world. This was partly due to Jack Daniels and mainly because of the lack of 3G signal in Musselburgh and Gretna.

I was kind of glad in all honesty because of the calamity surrounding the recent managerial issues with my beloved Wolves.

Upon till recently I've always had huge respect for the manner in which Wolves have conducted their business dealings; never revealing transfer fees in or out, never spending money frivolously, having a sensible wage bill (at least in the context of football). We live in a world when material and financial cock-strutting in the norm as is loud-mouthing and bravado. Not for Wolves.

However the manner in which, if what has been written is to be believed, they have conducted the recent managerial hunt and the preamble leading to Mick McCarthy's sacking has been nothing short of an embarrassment.

The alarm bells started ringing for me when Football Focus was broadcast live from Molineux and Jez Moxey said we weren't a hiring and firing club.

Then there was the Liverpool game and the Morgan dressing room incident.

The final nail was the Albion game. Although we lost to them that didn't bother me as much as the manner of the defeat. The rivalry in any part of the country has always been a little lost on me but I'm straying from the pack there so perhaps that will be for another time.

Anyway, Mick was fired, tears were shed, etc. I will be eternally grateful to him for bringing the most success to my 25 years of supporting them. However he had taken the team as far as he could and this is a business were talking about, whether you like it or not and therefor, a decision was made.

Which brings me to the race to replace him and why I think this time, the board got it spectacularly wrong.

It seemed to me a rash decision to get rid of Mick but I naturally assumed they had a replacement ready. We now know this want true. That wasn't the worst thing though; telling the press of the criteria, mentioning a specific person and also asking permission to talk to someone already in a job was a major faux pas. If the candidates then didn't want the job on the terms being offered (which is what happened) we would end up looking stupid (which we did). Where was our usual dignified silence?

Which brings me on to Terry Connor. When I first heard they'd appointed him I almost broke the hotel room door I was in. It was so out of left field I just never saw it coming. I didn't have anything again him but I also didn't know much either.

Once I had digested it somewhat though I began to see the positives. Yes I know that there is a Long line of dead careers of ex Assistant Managers that tried and failed to step up.

However, we support one of the oldest, most passionate and well-respected clubs in the history of Association Football so I believe we have a duty to get behind Terry Connor.

After the game on Saturday I was smiling for the first time in a while. The point wasn't why more so the fact we were 2 nil down and we came back fighting. Yes we got a spot of luck with both goals but I think you'll agree we deserved some luck after the season we've had. Not just that though, it was the interview Terry gave after the match. He had almost lost his voice which I thought was fantastic; he'd given so much from the side lines. The final think that made me smile was the players at the end of the game, how they all thanked him and each other; they had a spring in their step again.

So I for one will be singing Terry's name at the next match I go to. Let's hope a few more do too.

There is one example of an Assistant Manager who has go on to what you could call a fairy successful career. He started life as an interpreter then became coach then AM to a guy called Sir Bobby Robson. The club they were at? Barcelona. His name? Anyone heard of Jose Mourinho? 

Gutsy: Newcastle 2 Wolves 2

Not for the first time (or second, third, fourth etc) this season Wolves were the comeback kings.

It was an all to similar feeling to find ourselves two nil down inside the first twenty minutes. Fortunately though, that was the only real similarity to our season under Mick, as we played some pleasing stuff.

We kept possession, moved it around with a tempo and a purpose, something we have lacked all season as performances have drained fans and our players have lost confidence. We looked fresh, committed and ready to fight for our new manager.

I was impressed with the team selection too. Zubar, Stearman and Berra came into the defence and added some much needed pace at the back, dealing with Ba and Cisse well. Zubar in particular was superb, giving us much needed energy going forward but also defensive stability.

I was just glad to see us play 4-5-1 too, and Kevin Doyle playing up front. He'd obviously been instructed to play more central and be more of a goal threat, and that he was as he got into some great positions and probably should have had more than just the one goal. Too often we've seen him out wide, playing for throw ins but yesterday he looked confident.

With Karl Henry back, and Roger Johnson dropped (correctly, in my opinion) it was a real surprise to see Stephen Ward named as captain. I thought the likes of Kevin Foley and Christophe Berra might be ahead of him but there isn't a player who deserves it more. He put in a good performance, winning some great tackles and making one important block. He almost got a goal too, but his snatched at it a bit with his right foot.

Hennessey - 8

Zubar -8
Stearman - 7
Berra - 7
Ward - 7

Foley - 7
Henry - 7
Edwards - 7
O'Hara - 6
Jarvis - 7

Doyle - 8


That is six games unbeaten away from Molineux, an impressive feat to say the least. We have an away trip to Craven Cottage before a HUGE home game against Blackburn, and who's to say we can't get something from both of those games?

This is where things get interesting...

"Mick's got his way and I've got mine."

Those were the words that filled me with intrigue after an impressive press conference by Terry Connor.

The question is, what is Terry's way? 

As he said himself, there are things him and Mick agreed on and things they didn't, so to see what changes he brings will be fascinating.

Formation
 
I hope to god that one of the things he disagreed on was 4-4-effin'-2. If he tries to play this consistently I think it will result in relegation. Hopefully he sees that our best form and results since we have been back in the top flight have come with 4-5-1.

Personnel

We'll see now who he thought maybe should have been in the team, or who shouldn't have. Who will he play at right back, in the middle of midfield or on the wing? I get the feeling he may make one or two changes, but nothing too drastic.

Style
  
I don't know what he was like as a player, or what his teams played like for the reserves but I'm just hoping we play positively. We need to make sure there is no hangover period so we need the players lifted and raring to go.

The captaincy

This is the most interesting thing for me. Did TC agree with giving Johnson the captaincy? And even if he does, has he done well enough as skipper? His performances suggest he hasn't, and I'd like the captaincy to go to Karl Henry, or Kevin Foley. Two consistent performers, who the other players look up to and seem to react too. If selected, Jody Craddock wouldn't be a bad choice either. 

I certainly look forward to hearing the team news before the game, it will certainly gives us an indication of what is to come.

It's Connor

Well, this is certainly underwhelming.

Terry Connor has been given the manager's job until the end of the season. Madness if you ask me.

We've appointed the man who was assistant to who we sacked for not doing well enough. Granted, Terry has been here for a long time but this was the time to freshen things up.

"Really, that what Jez told you?", "Yes gaffer"

It makes the sacking of  Mick pointless now.

However, now we now who the manager is we have to get behind him and give him our support. The next month or so is going to be vital and we HAVE to pick up points.  Games against Blackburn, Bolton, Fulham are chances to pick up some points and get ourselves out of this mess.

It will be quite interesting to see what line up, and formation he goes with.Will he go 442, or 451? I suppose we don't really know who he rates higher. A positive was that it was his decision to play three forwards at half time against QPR, maybe he likes to go all out attacking? We'll just have to wait and see.

I can't imagine Adam Hammill is happy anyway.

Be bold

With Curbishley apparently rejecting us twice, Steve Bruce being an old lady, Brian McDermott signing a new deal with Reading and Brighton wanting more compensation for Gus Poyet than we would stump up, the search goes on.

And what I'd like us to do now, is be bold.

Take a chance.

With no stand out candidate now (not that there was really one before), I'd much prefer we went for a young 'up and coming' manager, with fresh ideas than someone who may have been there and done it, but seems to have gone stale.

And I do think there are some good young managers out there who if we wanted, we would get.

First on my list, Karl Robinson.

I've watched MK Dons a few times and they are great to watch. Almost Swansea like, but a bit more progressive. He's respected as a coach, something I think we need more than ever, and as he's worked under Sam Allardyce at Blackburn, which will have given him some very good experience of this league.

Robinson - Could teach our players a move or two.

Secondly, Eddie Howe.

Another very young manager, his team play attractive but quite effective football. Doesn't just stick to one formation and has got the best out of Jay Rodriguez, a Steven Fletcher style poacher. The job he did at Bournemouth was also nothing short of remarkable either.

And my third and final choice, Chris Powell.

Not only has he got his Charlton side playing great attacking football (the main theme behind my preferred candidates), but he is also an infectious character and all round nice guy. I think that would fit in well with our culture and may help to ease the bad feeling of Mick going. He also showed that bringing a whole new squad doesn't set you back a few months (cough, cough, Steve Bruce).

I think any of these three, and there are more, would bring a better approach than bringing in someone like Walter Smith, Ray Wilkins or Graeme Souness. It is very unlikely that Wolves will go down this route but even if the worst were to happen and we were relegated, it would give them three months Premier League experience and would hold them in good standing if we were to have a quick return to the top flight. 

Thank you and goodbye Mick.

It's official, Mick McCarthy has been sacked.

It was coming.I think every Wolves fan would agree about that but it really is very sad. This is the man who took over in 2006 with a paper thin squad and gave us a team to be proud of. This is the man who gave us Premier League football and famous results against some of the top teams in world football. I will always, always be grateful for that.

 The killer match for me wasn't just yesterday, it was a couple of weeks before against Villa. We finally looked like we might be turning things round, with Kightly finally fit, Frimpong looking like a star and O'Hara still to come back. It was all fitting. Frimpong got injured, Henry sent off and we fell apart. Did we ever really recover?

The worst thing is that he will now be remembered for what was his last game, the disgraceful defeat to West Brom. I don't even want to go into that, but it's terrible that we won't remember him for the above and more, and that he leaves with bad taste but he deserves all the praise and thanks he gets for what really was, a fine job.

There is more to be said over the next few days but thank you Mick, and goodbye.

What was your first Black Country Derby?

Finally.

That's right, on Sunday I, Louie Silvani, will (weather permitting) be attending my first Black Country derby.

Sad right?

Of course, it's not going to be the first remember but today I was interested to know what everyone's first experience of a Wolves-Albion match. I expect it to be a great atmosphere, tense but hopefully enjoyable.

I asked some of the Wolves twitter army their first ever Wanderers v Albion game:

 

The two videos I was sent: 

 

What was the first match you attended? Feel free to share, whether it was a good or bad result!

Nice to have you back, Kevin

Phew. Funny feeling isn't it, this winning thing?

Hopefully we can start getting used to it after a much needed three points, lucky ones at that too, for me. Cisse's silly act of petulance cost his team dearly, thankfully.

In came Sebastien Bassong. Though he was at fault for the goal, I was impressed with him. Strong, quick, composed and comfortable on the ball. Christophe Berra can count himself rather unlucky, but it was always going to be the one who Bassong came in for.

On his return, Jamie O'Hara was my man of the match. Got about the pitch well, moved the ball quickly and when we created something, he was at the heart of it. He's a huge player for us and we really have missed him, we need to keep him fit for the rest of the season.

Stephen Ward put in an improved performance, he's been below his high standards recently but he hasn't let it affect him. He dealt with Wright-Phillips pretty well and as usual gave us something extra going forward.

He's back

And how good was it to see Kevin Doyle looking sharp and confident? He revelled in a free role, driving with the ball, pulling defenders apart and taking some shots(!). He probably had more shots in that second half than he had previously in the whole season! Created the first, scored the winner. Not bad and I expect him to be pushing for a start against Albion.

A final word on Wayne Hennessey's save. If you haven't seen it, FIND IT. It is one of the best saves I've seen all season, he's been superb all season and though he's made a few mistakes lately, deserves all the praise he gets.

Hennessey - 8

Stearman - 6
Johnson - 6
Bassong - 7
Ward - 7

Foley - 7
Edwards - 6
O'Hara - 8
Frimpong - 6
Jarvis - 7

Fletcher - 7

Subs: Ebanks-Blake - 7, Doyle - 8, Milijas n/a.

We desperately needed a win ahead of a huge game next week at home to West Brom. A win would take us two points behind them, and would really give us that winning feeling. I genuinely thought we were down and out on Tuesday, but this Wolves team have knack of hauling themselves back into it.

Late starters

I heard a terrible stat the other day.

The only team in the Premier League not to score in the opening fifteen minutes of a game are, you guessed it, Wolves.

Now that really is, pathetic.

We give ourselves an uphill task so often, by being asleep for the first fifteen to twenty minutes. We've concede a silly amount during that time, it's no wonder that generally this season we have played well in the second half, chasing the game.

90k a week, good lord

Tuesdsay was an exception to that rule. To put it simply, we fell apart. Heads went, players went missing and it was so bad Steve Morgan even went to the dressing room to tell the players how he felt. However right or wrong he was to do that, I agree with him and hopefully it will give the players a kick up the arse. They have it too easy for me, we haven't seen the spirit that has seen us through from recent seasons.

I'm hoping for two changes to our game for our game tomorrow at Loftus Road. Firstly, Christophe Berra out, and Sebastien Bassong in. Extremely harsh on Christophe, but for me Bassong is a step up in class and with the other central defending being right footed, and our captain I think it will be Berra who is dropped.

Secondly, Jamie O'Hara for Eggert Jonsson. I feel sorry for Eggy, he had a decent game but he had a lot of abuse directed his way, unfairly. It really is no use leaving O'Hara on the bench if he's going to be in the squad, we need him to make an impact from the start, not when we are chasing the game again.

If we are going to get something from this game we need a performance. Not for half an hour, forty five minutes or an hour but for the whole game. We need to be committed, keep the ball and use our wingers effectively. Players to watch our for are Cisse and Zamora, but let's hope it takes them a while for a partnership to form.

My team would be:

Hennessey

Foley
Johnson
Bassong
Ward

Frimpong
O'Hara

Kightly
Edwards
Jarvis

Fletcher

That is a full strength team, and I hope we persevere with something like that for the rest of the season.

I had a dream that we would thrash QPR, but I'm going to go for a close game, but ultimately we will lose. 2-1 QPR. I can't remember what winning feels like, we need to get that feeling back, quickly.