05 Apr 2024 12:49:12
Additional to what was posted below I was lying in bed this morning contemplating what this season might bring and with nothing more than gut feel came up with the belief that we'll finish in 8th. I know many of us have aspirations of a European place, but I really don't think we have the player resources to get there.

However, given the goings-on of pre-season and the installation of a 'rooky' manager that in itself would be a very creditable performance, one in the eye for all the pundits and assorted 'experts' that had us down for relegation. The FA Cup was a disappointment but symptomatic of my earlier observations, imo. We just don't have the strength in depth and given the additional injury burden that we are enduring we will just have to limp through to the end of the season, pardon the pun. However, next season could look different as the benefits of last years re-organisation start to be felt and we continue buying more wisely and hopefully getting more 'bang for our buck'. A period, where our performance is more important than Gestifutes balance sheet.

Still, that was then, this is now and given those changes, at last, we have some football knowledge in charge of recruitment as Wolves become an established Premier League club, irrespective of any cut backs. Yes we've dodged bullets but personally I'm grateful that Fosun reacted when they did to make those changes as once clubs get locked into that cycle of unsustainable debt it's game over, just look at Everton. A once well run club that remained a stalwart of the top flight for many years but now, OMG. They will get a further points deduction and given that their debts have doubled again this season guess what the future will bring? All that saddled with losses of £500M over the last 5 years plus the costs of a brand new stadium and about to be sold to the 777 Group, what can possibly go wrong?

They're not on their own, Wolves despite all of our protestations, cut their cloth very short to avoid joining that unenviable group of clubs City, Everton, Chelsea, Notts Forest who all have or will be subjected to sanctions, points deductions or worse. There are more on the fringes like Villa who will probably need to do something similar to us come the summer.

As Wolves fans we've heard the 'gravy tomorrow' promises a lot over the years but I do feel much more confident now with the likes of Hobbs/GON buying the players than I ever did during the Shi/Sellars/Mendes era, but time will tell. So I look forward to the summer, planning ride outs on the bike across the country secure in the knowledge that we go again next year in the Premier League. It's a nice feeling, content is the word, so long as the increasingly ageist insurance industry is happy to insure me and I'm not forced to buy something more sedate before I'm ready to. Just put that in context I was once asked in a rather supercilious manner "why does a man your age ride a 200 mph superbike?" to which my reply was an equally supercilious "because they don't make a 300 mph one". Well they do say do one thing every day that scares you, good for the heart, apparently.??

1.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 14:33:13
Hi LongmyndWolf,
Great post. I'm not quite as optimistic as you regarding our finishing position. I'm going 12-13th, which is still fantastic considering what the so called pundits predicted.
PS my superbike insurance has gone through the roof even at my tender age of 64. Do I want to go smaller and slower though?? Absolutely not ?

2.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 15:26:18
Nice to know you're a kindred biker spirit Blackfords. Tbf my insurance only went up £7 from last year but that year it did jump up quite a bit due to me reaching a certain age. Again though I have I have a better policy and a much lower excess, so perhaps I shouldn't complain too much.

As for my other hobby I'll stick with my top half prediction. ??

3.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 16:36:54
Hi Longmynd, I agree with much of your post.
However, not us finishing 8th (nice though it would be!)
I am closer to Blackfords view, 12th or 13th, which would still represent a very successful season.
In the meantime, both you chaps ride safe over the summer.

4.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 17:51:45
Hi Rugeley, if we beat West Ham tomorrow I will be more confident and it will be a good measure of where we are as they're not in good form at the moment.

5.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 18:00:44
I would be surprised and delighted to finish 8th, the current top 5 will almost certainly finish above us, I expect Brighton, Man U, Newcastle and maybe Chelsea and West Ham to finish above us to. I'll go 10th.

6.) 05 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 22:04:32
If all those teams finish above us, we'll finish 11th.

I think we'll finish 8th personally and get into Conference League (if 5 qualify for Champions League)

7.) 06 Apr 2024
05 Apr 2024 23:28:01
I'd be happy with 11th tbh especially as we were favourites for relegation.

8.) 06 Apr 2024
06 Apr 2024 11:42:31
Imo we'll finish 11th.

Safe riding longmynd and Blacksfords .

COYW