Just Who Is Mick McCarthy's Best Signing? (Part II)
By Tom Bason
June 8 2010
With Steven Fletcher becoming Mick McCarthy's 38th signing since arriving in summer 2006, I decided to take a look at some of McCarthy's better signings. Each day this week, I will be taking a look at 2 players, and then on Friday you can vote for your favourite. I'm not necessarily looking just for value for money, but someone who has took the fans by surprise or drastically improved the team.
Matt Jarvis from Gillingham, Undisclosed
Apps: 72 (21)
Goals: 8
I was in Toronto on holiday when Matt Jarvis signed, and seem to remember getting very excited in the taxi home, while being extremely drunk, as we travelled up ‘Jarvis Street’. I knew at that point he would be a good signing. Coming from a sporting family (both his parents were ranked England’s Number One table tennis players); Jarvis’s speed is his main attribute. I don’t think there was a better sight than in August/September 2008 where Jarvis and Michael Kightly tore teams apart down the flanks. At times though, Jarvis flattered to deceive, beating his fullback with consummate ease before firing his attempted cross into the first defender. There was also that an ‘inside-out’ winger, who cuts inside onto his favoured foot should be chipping in with more goals.
The Premiership, though, has been the making of him. With the absence of Kightly, Jarvis has often been Wolves only attacking midfielder, with the emphasis on him to trouble opposition defenders. He has chipped in with important goals away at relegation rivals (Hull, West Ham and Burnley), the absence of Kightly. Still only 24, Jarvis has unquestionably been one of Wolves most improved players over the last 12 months, and extra work in training to improve his final ball is definitely starting to pay off. Having managed to avoid the injury problems that had plagued his Wolves career (Jarvis started 30 Premier League matches last season), Jarvis is starting to show his undoubted ability.
Marcus Hahnemann from Reading, Free Transfer
Apps: 27
Clean Sheets: 8
When Marcus Hahnemann signed on the dotted line last summer, I don't think anyone expected him to have the impact he did. A 36-year old goalkeeper, who had been displaced in the Reading goal by Adam Federici during the previous season. Surely just signed to sit on the bench and pass on his experience to Wayne Hennessey. Hennessey started the season, and in my opinion started it well. However, 2 heavy defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal forced McCarthy’s hand, and Hahnemann was given his premiership chance. After being lobbed by lee bowyer in a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham, the jury was definitely still out on Hahnemann. For me, the first performance I saw from him that genuinely impressed was during the 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. While he may not have had too many saves to make, he was a commanding presence in goal, and his calming influence seemed to help the defence cling onto to a vital away win.
It is Hahnemann’s ability to talk to his defence that stands him out so much, especially compared to the quiet Hennessey. Standing at 6’3” and weighing in 15st 8lbs, Hahnemann cuts an impressive figure in the Wolves goal, and surely must put off opposing forwards. He enjoys claiming crosses- while he may not come for everyone, when he does come off his line he reaches the ball more often than normal. He is not a perfect goalkeeper though, his kicking is inferior to Hennessey’s, and at the age of 37 he is not exactly a long term prospect. Nevertheless, we are expecting USA! to continue his form through the 2010/11 season.
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Quit yo jibba jabba.
Love Life Love Keogh!
Has to be Marcus
Without his two year contribution, three year including his two in the Premiership, we wouldn't be where we are today!
Very simple equation!
It matters not where they go, they will ALWAYS look better in a Wolves kit ©ncaw
I must admit Jason Shackell was a close 2nd!!!! Lol.