Good start but improvements needed

The week started brightly for the Molineux men with a local deby against Walsall seeing a huge 2,000 away fans although we seem to take that many every season to the Bescott. A mixed performance saw Wolves win 4-2 in the end after a worrying first half which saw Wolves take the lead twice but go in at half time 2-2. A different side with a bit of extra class from Rodger Johnson and Matt Jarvis came out in the second half to win 4-2. Wolves looked very confident in the second half and were very impressive disposing of a weak second half Walsall side. On Saturday a dominant Wolves display saw Wolves take an early lead through Matt Jarvis but the old Molineux curse hit again on the 90th minute when Neal Bishop hit the equalizer. How many times did we see this in important games last season? Lets hope Mick can sort it out on the road this week with massive away journeys to Celtic and Ipswhich although I think a new defender is needed at some point.

Action packed night at the Bescott

Wolves travelled just up the M6 to the Bescott stadium last night to take on local rivals Walsall. After a defeat on Saturday Wolves were again slow out of the blocks and the home side looked to be on top in the opening ten minutes. Until in the 12^th minute a counter attacking move by Stephen Hunt broke down the wing got to the by-line before putting the ball in for Michael Kightly to nod home.

Walsall responded well with a few chances blasted over and didn’t really challenge Wayne Heynessey until on the 25^th minute Jon Macken showed his experience to blast in a strike from 25 yards. The second half continued to be very close with chances at both ends but Wolves were the first to strike again when George Elokobi made one of his surging runs to square the ball to youngster Leigh Griffiths. But the lead didn’t last very long when two minutes later Wolves failed to clear from a corner and the ball fell to Will Grigg who equalised again just before half time.

Both teams changed their sides drastically at the beginning of the second half Wolves making four changes at half time then a further seven early on Walsall made six changes. The changing in teams had a much more positive impact on Wolves with new signing Rodger Johnson in charge of the back four. Matthew Jarvis was another player who made a big impact for a rejuvenated Wolves side and looked very dangerous down the left hand side. Wolves struck again in the 65^th minute when a loose ball fell to Christophe Berra who fired it home for the winner and his first ever Wolves goal. From here Wolves took charge of the match and in the last 35 minutes they missed numerous chances the best fell to Andy Keogh who got his shot blocked by defender Andy Butler.

The game ended 3-2 with the 2,610 Wolves fans travelling back down the M6 happy making up half the crowd of 5,065.

wolves v walsall

Live updates and pics from the bescott tonight at:
 http://livefootballcommentary.yolasite.com/

Crew away

The build up to the big kick off

A busy but good week at Molineux this week as we build up to the start of the season.

After I said that we needed to make signing quickly my prayers were answered on Tuesday when the word that Rodger Johnson was in talks with us.

By Thursday the announcement was made that Wolves had made the signing for £7 million a bargain after Birmingham looked to be trying to make at least £10 million from him. Straight away he got stuck in asking the boss to play on Saturday in our first friendly against Crew.

Come Saturday excitement filled around the Alexandra Stadium as Rodger Johnson stepped out in the old gold and black. In front of a big following of 900 quite a sluggish Wolves side who looked a few weeks away from full match fitness. But another match filled few weeks and we will nearly be there. A great strike from Kevin Doyle was the highlight in a mixed squad of first team and reserves.

Hopefully this week we will see a full starting eleven play the first half against Walsall just to get them to gel together again. By Notts County on Saturday we will see a much fitter and sharper Wolves side. This week could hopefully see a new signing as I think are squad is still a little bit short a left-back seemed to be needed especially if you’re listening again Mick?

Wolves move in for Roger Johnson

Wolves are close to the signing of Birmingham defender Roger Johnson for £ 7 million according to Wolverhampton’s Express and Star.

The two West Midland’s sides have agreed a transfer fee for the centre half and he is due at Molineux today for contract talks and a medical. The 28 year old English defender had a £10 million price tag put on his head in May but a lower £7 million has been agreed between the two sides. The former Cardiff and Wycombe player impressed a few clubs last season and Wolves look to be the first side to have made am move in for him. Last season Johnson played in all 38 Premier League games and scored twice but as soon as Birmingham were relegated Premiership sides moved in for him.  Johnson would be the joint highest  ever transfer for Wolves so would have a big reputation to follow.  Wolves last week missed out on the signing of Matt Mills and David Vaughan so will be looking to add their small squad over the next few weeks.  Johnson is expected at Molineux today so the signing could be complete as early as the end of the day or tomorrow

In my opinion this would be a great signing for Wolves as cover for Jody Craddock and Christophe Berra who were both injury prone last season. Birmingham have had to reduce their initial evaluation but I think £7 million is a fair price for the cente back. Birmingham are preparing for their first season back in the Championship and a re-building programme after losing Lee Bowyer  and Kevin Phillips last week as well. This week could see a lot of transfer activity at both sides as both their sides are thin on the ground coming into pre-season.

New Signings?

In a week where transfers are being made thick and fast are we missing out on the big signings. Twice Wolves look to have been pipped to signing firstly by Mills who decided to go to Leicester after we refused to match there offer. Why they couldn't or wouldn't do that is anybodies guess the second player which we missed out o was Blackpool's Michael Vaughan who chose Sunderland over Wolves even though he was linked to be in talks with us likely to be because they offered him a better wage. The next week hopefully we will see at least one new face as we don't want to be last minute buying come the start of August.

Vaughan to Wolves

David Vaughan of Blackpool is today expected to hold talks with Wolves according to the Daily Star. The Welsh international,28 year old Midfielder has become a free agent after contract talks broke down between him and the Sea Siders. The ex Crew and Real Sociedad player played 35 of Blackpool’s league games last season scoring once and was influential in the side. Vaughan moved to Bloomfield road from Real Sociedad in 2008 for £200,000 after starting his career at Crew Alexandra. He has made a total of 109 appearances for Blackpool in his three years at the club.  Wolves are looking to expand their Midfield after selling Greg Halford to Portsmouth for £500,000 and releasing David Jones who is expected to join Nottingham Forest. Vaughan has had 25 Wales international caps after moving up from the U21’s in 2005 and could find himself playing alongside fellow Welshmen Wayne Henessey and David Edwards. Wolves have already sealed the signing of Jamie O’Hara after an impressive loan period and look to sign Vaughan to add depth to the Midfield. Blackpool are starting to lose influential players from last season’s side after Charlie Adams passed a medical at Liverpool this morning and could have a lot of re-building to do in the run up to their first season back in the Championship.

 This could be a good signing to strengthen Mick McCarthy’s Wolves squad although Vaughan may not get straight into the first team. But Vaughan is a hard working Midfielder and the sort of player that McCarthy would like to sign and he would fit in well at Molineux. Vaughan will know that he will have to up his game to get into the Wolves squad and will see this as a big challenge to further his career.