Four points out of a possible eighteen, injuries galore and the possibility of civil war breaking out. It’s been a fun month to be a Wolves fan.
So what did we learn about the team that we love to hate in the second month of the year? Here are five of those learning lessons.
1. Civil War
With the recent spate of results and slight gaffes off the pitch, Wolves have been giving fans enough fuel to fire out their feelings towards the hierarchy at Molineux.
This fire was ignited at the recent fans parliament meeting where Jez Moxey, Kevin Thelwell and co discussed and answered fans burning questions (Don’t worry, Golbourne’s under shirt was not brought up again).
Jez and Kevin answered fan questions such as the Afobe sale, player recruitment and recent results. However, reading the live blog and subsequent pieces gave uncomfortable viewing of the nights discussion.
Jez’s honesty may have found fans finding it hard to digest the truth. Although you can throw in a bit of PR spin in there.
One casing point was highlighted in a recent blog from the chaps over at Wolves Blog, with Jez citing this point:
“If you say you will not renew (your season ticket) unless X, Y or Z, then that is not a relationship I would want with supporters.”
Now on one hand surely you need to listen to your supporters. Basic customer service logic here. If fans are going to renew on certain terms then give what the people want.
However on the other hand, is Jez simply saying here that giving into ‘demands’ isn’t always best for business? If Wolves were to always deliver the terms and conditions which fans sought, how far does that fan expectation go and how realistic can that be?
Perhaps by doing this there is a possibility of a counter productive relationship.
Results on the pitch don’t help but for me reaction to the fans parliament saw a real divide opening between fan and club relations. With fans bickering with each other on social media (acutally, that always happens) a Wolves style civil war seems to be brewing.
Yes, results will ultimately solve this but protocols need to be in place for when the times get tough in order to help keep that relationship healthy.
2. Time to empty the Batth?
Danny Batth. The academy home grown hero who was the face of the Kenny Jackett reboot in the summer of 2013.
‘Danny Batth’s from Brierley Hill’ would ring around Molineux. Ah, memories.
However, in the last few weeks the tide has started to turn. Fan opinions are becoming more vocal for their uncertainty of the captain. Whispers would swirl around Molineux at first, but those whispers have turned to loader moans and groans.
With Ebanks Landell continuing his good form since the new year and the arrival of Mike Williamson, don’t be surprised if Jackett makes his biggest call since dropping Sam Ricketts as captain to then drop Danny from the side and potentially the captaincy next season.
3. Time to get your Jackett?
Kenny Jackett hasn’t had the best months, has he?
After Wolves 3-0 defeat away to Brentford, the pitchforks were out for Jackett’s exit.
Kenny has been blighted by injuries. Losing the likes of Dicko, Edwards, Graham, Henry and Zyro over the season won’t have helped and Kenny’s ongoing conundrum of being unable to bring in a proven striker (or the fault of those above) is another topic for another time.
However, Jackett’s team selections and in game management has been very questionable. It may have been tactical at first but picking what is perhaps the best starting eleven every week seems to have gone over Kenny’s head.
This frustration boiled over with a late Tommy Rowe appearance in Wolves 2-1 home defeat to Preston. The boos that rung around Molineux late into that afternoon weren’t directed at the former Posh man (Poor Tommy) but at Jackett’s decision to throw on a midfielder rather than a proven Championship goalscorer from off the bench to try and salvage a late point.
Sadly it looks like it’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’ for Jackett’s exit at Wolves and I still believe he will leave by his own admission this summer rather than by the hands of the board.
Has Jackett been solely to blame for our sides performance this season? Muse that one for yourselves.
4. Bjorn again?
Lovely lovely Bjorn.
Since his return to first team action this year everyone at Fancast HQ has hoped that the Iceman can deliver on the talent which we believe he possesses.
Bjorn is still waiting for that first goal. After hitting the post in Wolves 2-1 victory against Derby we thought the time had finally arrived. The utter scenes that would have happened!
Opinions are still divided over the Icelandic striker and for all those naysayers, feel at comfort to know that even I think that Siggy will be gone this summer. In truth his arrival was there to help cover up the cracks of another unsuccessful striker search in January and his contract will be allowed to expire this summer.
To throw back at those naysayers, realise that Sigurdarson is not a lone striker. He has the physical attributes but rather than run onto long balls or hold the ball up, Siggy works best when running at defenders and getting behind the last man. Bjorn works best with a strike partner and in this writers eyes he is doing his best week in and week out to make this role work.
I hope the goal drought does end soon. The Iceman has been given a huge task to deliver and I hope that his efforts are rewarded.
5. The sigh of relief heard around Wolverhampton
If the tensions of civil war were at breaking point after Wolves defeat to Brentford, they were eased in our surprise home victory to Derby.
It might have just papered over cracks but what everyone needed on Saturday was a win. It didn’t need to emphatic, just a win.
What was a pleasant surprise was the performance. Coady was tenacious and commanding, Saville was precise and Doherty continued his rising form. Finally, it all clicked into place.
The two combinations breathed a huge sigh of relief amongst everyone connected to the club. This season might have already come to a disappointing end but wins like these need to be embraced and help us to remember why we support our club.
Wolves will have a tough ask going to the Riverside Stadium to pull off a result against Boro but let’s hope that this performance and win can give Wolves the confidence to help make one very late push to a respectable finish in the table.
Did we learn anything else this month or do you agree/disagree with our choices? Comment below and share your thoughts.
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