Wolves’ midweek win in Cardiff offered a fascinating glimpse between past and present when it comes to the club’s managers.
A fascinating contrast between Dave Jones and Mick McCarthy.
In many ways the two are so much alike.
It wouldn’t be derogatory to describe them as ‘old school’ bosses – tough, uncompromising defenders in their day whose management skills were honed through their personalities and life experiences rather than any coaching badges.
That’s not to say they haven’t fulfilled the necessary coaching criteria – McCarthy indeed completed his UEFA Pro Licence this summer.
But at Ninian Park on Wednesday we saw the contrasting ways in which both are trying to get their respective clubs up to the Premiership.
And the Jones approach certainly brought back a few memories of his dances with Wolves.
Bringing in the experience and established quality of Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a typically Jones decision.
“I bring in good players and just let them play,� was one of the mantras from a manager who was never disposed to wield too much weight on the training field.
Throw in Darren Purse and Trevor Sinclair – and you could have been transported back to Molineux of old and the acquisition of the likes of Paul Ince, Denis Irwin, Mark Kennedy and Colin Cameron.
Heck, Jones has even brought in a ‘Rae’ – though this time Gavin and not Alex!
In contrast McCarthy’s masterplan both last and this season is a more vibrant and energetic one driven by the exuberance of youth as opposed to the wiles of experience.
Yes there are years of established know-how from figures such as Gary Breen and Jody Craddock, but in the positions which tend to dictate your attacking thrust, the front six, Wolves boast an average age of 23.
And it showed the other night.
For a ten-minute spell in the first half Fowler and Hasselbaink were awesome.
Dummies, defence-splitting flicks and a goal apiece – Fowler’s albeit from the penalty spot – had the Bluebirds crowing at 2-1 up front and Wolves looking as if had been dropped on from above.
But then the pair tired, and with Cardiff having little else to offer, the bright young Wolves things took over.
Michael Kightly, if ever the one player who personifies Wolves under McCarthy, drew his team level with his second goal of the game before, ironically, it was the experience of Craddock who actually sealed the win.
So which route has more chance of ultimately prevailing? The Dave Jones blueprint of loading a team with experience of the Mick McCarthy method of perhaps taking a few gambles?
On early season impressions it’s the latter.
That having been said, let us never forget that Jones remains the one manager over the last two decades to have actually taken Wolves into the Premiership, indeed by that very route of the bulk of the team being proven names.
And for that the Wolves fans will always be grateful.
Comments (3)
Respect to Dave Jones for that wonderful second half of the season and day out at Cardiff. Not as much respect for the season when he took his eye off the ball and we blew it to that lot down the road. To be fair to Jones, when we got there he was completely hung out to dry by Sir Jack Hayward who wouldn't give him enough money.
Now though I would rather be watching Wolves than Cardiff. The way football has gone it's so refreshing to see a bunch of young players who have so much pride in playing for Wolves, win, lose or draw.
Posted by D. Myers | October 26, 2007 6:37 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 18:37
Ditto. Watching this lot giving their all makes football worthwhile again. Mick McCarthy may have his critics from previous jobs but he's doing a great job here.
Posted by Steve Bull's gardener | October 26, 2007 10:32 PM
Posted on October 26, 2007 22:32
Your young legs didn't get you much at Ipswich did it, yer eejits
Posted by R Keane | October 29, 2007 5:07 PM
Posted on October 29, 2007 17:07