WE’VE not even reached ‘Twelfth Night’, and yet the season of goodwill towards Mick McCarthy has seemingly evaporated quicker than the bottle of Scotch stuck away by Grandad on Christmas night.
Sections of the Wolves’ fanbase, not yet openly but certainly via the perennial ‘Strop Shop’ of phone-ins and Internet messageboards, are vociferously calling for the manager’s head.
And the widespread booing and chants of “You don’t know what you’re during” after replacing a chest infection hit Andy Keogh with Stephen Elliott against Sheffield United certainly shows McCarthy’s honeymoon period has now departed with the tinsel and mistletoe.
It’s a question which has split the Wolves public like a political hot potato.
While those phone-ins and messageboards have been enveloped by angst and vitriol, we must always remember that it is far easier to criticise than to compliment, and those wishing to vent their spleen are always far more likely to put finger to keyboard or telephone dial than those keen to maintain the status quo.
And from talking to a variety of fans from all generations and different corners of Molineux, there is still certainly mixed feelings about where Wolves should go from here.
So what’s the story? Is he under pressure? Should the Wolves fans – those demanding a change – get their New Year wish? Or will the resolve of McCarthy, his team and the Molineux board prove decisive?
It seems inconceivable that the man who could do no wrong last season has certainly built up an army of doubters.
We’re too far down the line for the jury to be out, but there are those who delivered their verdict last season all of a sudden fearing a miscarriage of justice.
So talking of juries, what are the cases for prosecution and defence?
Prosecution.
1. Seven games without a win, and just four points gathered. A dreadful record in anyone’s book. And even before that Wolves were hardly brimming with excitement.
2. Lack of a ‘Plan B’ after Michael Kightly’s injury. With Lewis Gobern also sidelined, Wolves have been desperately short of inspiration.
3. An horrendous goalscoring record. 24 goals scored is now the joint worst in the division with Norwich. Albion have scored a mere 56.
4. All this and McCarthy was given money to spend in the summer. Freddy Eastwood has proved an enigma – a striker who relies more on instinct than McCarthy’s favoured graft begs the question why he was signed in the first place.
And the defence?
1. Firstly, quite literally the defence. 23 goals conceded is the best in the division by four. McCarthy, a former enforcer himself, has worked wonders there.
2. Wolves had lost just one in 13 before their recent woes. That suggests there is a decent and potentially successful team in there somewhere.
3. “It happens to us all”. At this time five years ago you’d have got long odds on Dave Jones’s Wolves being promoted. After a miserable run there were even suggestions he was on his way after a draw with Derby when it was rumoured George Burley was staying at The Mount Hotel. He was. But only to watch his nephew Craig. Jones stayed. And in May Wolves were promoted.
4. The credit in McCarthy’s account. Make no mistake, whatever spin is put on the situation when he arrived, Wolves were in Dire Straits. “So Far Away” as the Straits themselves once sung. McCarthy dragged them up by their bootlaces, netted far more good signings than bad, and Wolves almost achieved a miracle.
5. The players. McCarthy still has their backing, almost to a man. They are desperate to succeed, and team spirit remains strong.
Of course all depends on the testimony of the chief witness – a certain Steve Morgan – and this is where it gets fascinating.
Stunningly successful and ruthless in business, what will Morgan’s take be in the mad old world of football?
No one really knows, because he keeps those thoughts to himself, which in a way is no bad thing.
The smoke signals would suggest he wasn’t happy with the style of play even when Wolves were winning.
More recently it appears he is not against the idea of giving McCarthy time, and quite probably a fair amount of cash to spend for the right sort of targets.
And my verdict? For what it’s worth I think McCarthy has to have that time.
This is not a Glenn Hoddle situation, from which there seemed little escape.
McCarthy is going through one of those managerial spells which tests and challenges like no other – and let’s face it he’s no shrinking violet in that sort of situation.
Indeed amidst all the recent tension he’s remained the calmest head in the building.
With Michael Kightly’s return imminent, and the experience of Gary Breen and Jody Craddock not far behind, there remains the chance that Wolves will turn things around in their favour as quickly as they went the other way.
And they are currently still just two points off the play-offs.
Of course results are results, and the current run cannot be allowed to go on forever.
But to deny McCarthy a shot at renaissance, certainly before the end of the season should Wolves remain in the race, would surely do more harm than it would good.
Comments (1)
I'm saying keep him for a little longer and my case is this.
1) He got us up to third this season already with this team and has now strengthened.
2) This is the first time we have had a prolonged dreadful spell under him, he deserves a bit more time.
3) We were spoilt last season, we not as good and don't deserve as much as we probably think we do.
4) Who else would come in, and what happens the first time we have a bad spell under them?
5) Watford are having a terrible time also, does anyone think they'll be getting rid of Aidie Boothroyd? Didn't think so, so why should we get rid of Mick.
Let's keep the faith, get our preferred centre backs back in the team and give the new signings a chance to get going.
I realise I will be shouted down here, especially on the back of a 3-0 drubbing, but it wasn't Mick who missed the sitters that have cost us three points so he is not solely to blame so let's have a look:
1) Stephen Eliot v QPR = 3 points
2) Jay Bothroyd v Sheff Utd = 3 points
3) Stephen Ward/Ebanks v Crystal Palace = 3 potential 3 points?
9 points would see us in 4th, only 4 points off top.
We are not the side that our recent form is showing us to be. Give us another 3 games and if we're not back on form I'll be with you all and advocating change.
Posted by Radoom Thirkettle | January 13, 2008 2:46 PM
Posted on January 13, 2008 14:46