January Approaches
Should I stay or go?
By Tom Bason
December 12 2008
It’s that time of year again, only 12 shopping days left to Christmas, and I’m sure that I know every word of every Christmas song ever written. The economic downturn has meant that less is getting spent in the shops, but we all know that the real spending will be done in the January sales.
For me, I’m after a new television. I bought a PS3 earlier in the year, and my Asda own brand 14” TV does not do it justice. I can’t wait to see Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis flying down the wings for my newly created PES Wolves team in full HD.
Let’s pause for a moment to consider what might be on Mick McCarthy’s January shopping list. Being a proud Barnsley boy, I would have thought he would be after only the essentials- 160 Yorkshire Tea teabags, a new pipe & perhaps a VHS of Fred Trueman’s greatest moments, all to be enjoyed sat down in his favourite armchair, wearing his new Christmas slippers while complaining about the price of fish and those soft Southerners. Let’s hope that he will be a bit more frivolous with someone else’s cash.
While the likes of Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez appear to be reluctant to spend in the January sales, McCarthy thrives. Arguably the best Wolves signing since Steve Bull, Michael Kightly, arrived in January 2007, and he and fellow January signing, Michael McIndoe were instrumental in propelling Wolves to the playoffs. It was that January that allowed McCarthy to actually bring in the players that he wanted- Stephen Ward and Andy Keogh also arrived- and a young and fearless team just fell at the final hurdle. And after last summers’ transfer disappointment (only Kevin Foley can be regarded as a bona fide great signing, although if Matt Jarvis can stay injury free he will hit this ranking soon, while Freddy Eastwood, Stephen Elliot and Darren Ward have all come and gone), McCarthy partially redeemed himself with the signings of fans favourites Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, David Edwards and George Elokobi.
I think that most fans would be happy for Wolves to begin February with the squad that we have now, trading off not signing anyone with a guarantee that none of our stars leave. Wayne Hennessey had seemed the most likely to leave, with both Arsenal and Tottenham rumoured to be watching him, but since Matt Murray’s latest injury, the circumstances have changed. With Carl Ikeme also picking up a knock, Hennessey knows now that if he can establish himself as firm first choice at Molineux, there is a fair chance that he will be playing in the Premiership next season regardless. Michael Kightly is another one to be linked away, but would be Bolton be that much of a step upwards? Yes, they are in the Premiership at the moment, but surely it would be better for him to stay at Wolves, where he is adored by the fans. If we are still in the Championship next season, I would expect Kightly to be gone, but not in the next two months with us in such a strong position. Another player who has been linked away is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. I’ve always likened his playing style to that of Everton's Yakubu. With Everton having virtually no strikers at the moment (Yakubu is out for the season, James Vaughan is the second unluckiest footballer on the planet, Louis Saha is injured again and Victor Anichebe has a knock), it would not surprise me to see David Moyes look to the lower Leagues again, a method that has been so successful for him in the past with the likes of Tim Cahill, Dan Gosling, Phil Jagielka, Andy Johnson, Marcus Bent and our very own Joleon Lescott.
So, if no-one’s leaving, who might be coming in? Surely McCarthy’s first aim will be to secure the loan signing of Michael Mancienne for the rest of the season, although part of me fears that Brendan Rogers may try to tempt him to Vicarage Road. Currently at Watford is John O’Toole who has been strongly linked to the club, but is the middle of midfield a position that needs strengthening? Dave Jones and Karl Henry appear to have the first team shirts, with Dave Edwards ready to come in to the fray at any eventuality. In addition, we still have Darren Potter in the squad, plus Mark Davies is finally playing football at Leicester (well, only a couple of substitute appearances so far, but surely that will improve in the coming weeks, injuries permitting) and the likes of Kevin Foley who can more than do a job there. Compare this to the left wing position, where only the fragile Matt Jarvis can count this as their specialist position. He certainly needs some competition, and if not, at least some cover. And there are some doubts as to the centre-forwards position. I would like to see another striker brought in, maybe on loan to really push SEB and Chris Iwelumo for their starting spots, and see Sam Vokes go out on loan to get some more appearances and goals under his belt.
I’m sure that McCarthy already has ideas of who he’s looking
at, but I feel that I am in a strong position to give advice, given that I
guided Wolves to Champions League victory, with a team including Matt Murray,
Jo Lescott and Mark Clyde on Football Manager.
The main aims surely have to be to stop any of our players leaving,
while ensuring that Michael Mancienne is still playing in Old Gold come
February. Anyone beyond that would be a
bonus, but I’m sure that McCarthy has one or two tricks up his sleeve.
For me it's more important to extend Manciennes loan although this could be hampered by Alex wanting away from Chelsea.
I'd like to see JJ O'Toole here. Young player who has flair and can score goals.
Anything else would be a bonus.
I think we will sign JJ O'Toole who is the tough tacking central midfielder who might be one for the future in the Premier League if we get there as folks say he is raw but has immense potential. He can also operate on the left side I believe so could provide the bite and edge and variation we need to Jarvo's out and out speed!. If we could add Sinclair on loan that would be brilliant as he can also play up front as well.
I don't think we should try and buy big! I think we should follow the policy that got us here. Young and hungry with potential supplemented by quality loans. With the right tactics and the formidable team and club spirit coursing through the squad should see us automatically promoted. But it is going to be tough. Reading and Birmingham are extremely capable.
And as an aside, if we do get promoted with Reading and Birmingham the premier league next season is going to be frighteningly competitive, with few obviously weak teams!
I hope Mancienne will stay on until the end of the season. That looks likely as he's progressing well.
Reports emanating from Cardiff this week makes me wonder what the chances are of getting Joe Ledley in the near future. His agent has told the press that Joe will see out his contract at Cardiff. That might force Cardiff to sell, because they won't want their prize asset leaving for nothing summer 2010. I hope we force their hand and offer £5m. With the debt of £30m plus they must be thinking seriously about cashing in on some of their players. Problem for us might be in where Ledley wants to go and if Premiership teams make an offer. He would be a great addition and worth the money.
Other possible targets I hope we're considering are Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana of Southampton. Similar story to Watford, as Soton have to sell to balance their books or risk going into administration and losing points. Both players would offer a lot to Wolves and we have a very good chance of signing them if they do become available.
Either way there should be some bargains out there. I hope Mick will keep improving the side.
The good part? He's on a bosman at the end of the season.
I really hope we sign Sinclair as its a pretty sensible deal for both parties. We don't have to splash the cash to get some quality in, and it gives the lad a taste of first team football for a up and coming young side.
Other gossip today has highlighted that Jobi McAnuff could be on his way out of cash-strapped Watford. I wouldn't be against bringing McAnuff in. Maybe a double swoop for McAnuff and JJ O'Toole?
There is definitely some business to be done in the window thats for sure.