Season Preview - Wolves

Quick Reminder, Real Life

Despite a load of money spent on transfer window signings, Wolves found themselves in the relegation zone on the last day of the season but miraculously survived - finishing the season with 40 points - only one more than both Birmingham and Blackpool. Despite a -20 goal difference on the season, Wolves had some memorable wins at home (they beat Manchester United and Chelsea) and the form of winger Matt Jarvis and (when fit) striker Steven Fletcher went a long way in cementing the club’s Premier League status for one more year. The likable Mick McCarthy has won more games than he’s lost at Wolves - dating back to his time managing the club in the Championship, and despite the poor results for a majority of the 2010-2011 campaign, always displayed a sense of calm and confidence in his players.

Quick Reminder, Fantasy

Starting at the back, George Elokobi was a decent 5th defender in the Official PL game - coming in at a bargain basement price and chipping in with a few goals and assists but it was further up the field - specifically Jamie O’Hara on loan from Tottenham - who really provided the fantasy spark. When fit, O’Hara was instrumental in creating chances for his Wolves teammates and his delivery from set pieces earned him much praise. His strike against West Brom was a ‘goal of the season’ contender. The well-known forwards Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher combined to score 15 league goals but lacked the season-long consistency necessary for prolonged fantasy investment.

Summer Changes

Premier League Round Up

Following on from our earlier, extensive list of injuries suffered and overcome on international duty and our dilligent follow-up work, here's more news and notes from around the English Premier League.

Season Preview: Wolves

Overall Outlook - One of the teams that I saw live and in person last season and I have to say I went from being a little down on them to really appreciating the effort and commitment that they got from limited talent last season.  There were some numbers (Fletcher, Mouyokolo, van Damme) as well as some proven quality added over the Summer in an attempt to consolidate their place in the Prem.  The quality comes in the form of Stephen Hunt arriving from Hull to reunite with Kevin Doyle and Marcus Hahnemann to see if they can recreate the Reading-in-2006/2007 magic that shocked the Premier League with an 8th place finish.  The big question is whether the talent exists on the current Wolves roster to fill the roles that players like Dave Kitson, Sidwell, etc. filled on that Reading squad to push them towards the top half.  I think that Wolves will indeed consolidate their place and survive.  That said, there is one thing worth mentioning at this point, I'm pretty sure those two exact players - Sidwell and Kitson - are extremely available if Mick wants to get Stevie Coppell's band back together.  In fact, I guess Coppell himself is pretty available at this point as well - perhaps a first team manager in waiting?  Just saying...

October return for Hunt

October return for Hunt

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed that new signing Stephen Hunt will be out until October due to a foot injury.

McCarthy signed the Republic of Irelandinternational for £3million from relegated Hull City earlier in the summer.

The 28-year-old ironically suffered his injury playing for the Tigers in a Premier League game against Wolves back in February.

So Matt Jarvis should still be the pick of the litter (do wolves have litters?)... for the time being.

Wolves complete deal for Stephen Hunt

Wolves complete deal for Hull forward Stephen Hunt

Wolves have announced the signing of forward Stephen Hunt from Hull for an undisclosed fee.

Stephen Hunt has long been linked with a move to Wolves
Hull rejected a £5 million bid from Wolves in January, but Hunt later revealed he struck an agreement with chairman Adam Pearson that he would be allowed to leave if the club failed to stay in the Premier League...

He is Wolves' fifth signing of the summer, following Steven Mouyokolo, Jelle Van Damme, Steven Fletcher and Adlene Guedioura in sealing moves to the Molineux club as McCarthy bids to build on 15th place they achieved on their return to the top flight.

Mick's been busy, and it seems like he's bringing real quality to his side. Mid-table quality, but quality all the same.

Another Useful Signing at Hull

The F365 Transfer Blog: Tuesday August 11

11.28: Reading expect Stephen Hunt to join Hull City later today - assuming he passes a medical

No, I don't expect that this is going to rocket them up the table to challenge the likes of Everton, Spurs, Citeh, and Villa for a European place but let's face it, with 3 promoted clubs and Pompey all in a lot of danger of relegation anything Hull can do to put themselves closer to the Rovers and Hammers of the world in the low teens as opposed to the relegation zone has to be considered a pretty important move.  I'm not saying that this does it by itself but it certainly helps.

For Fantasy Managers, Hunt is an occasional option if he comes into the system cheap.