Wolves banter 2

22 Apr 2025 11:55:00
It is so good seeing some 'names' below us. It would be like winning a trophy to end the season with Spurs, West Ham, ManU and Everton below us.

22 Apr 2025 14:18:12
And to think, some pundits said West Ham had the best transfer window of any team in the Premier League at 144m euros.

And Man Utd have only spent 246m euros to be level on points with us.

22 Apr 2025 14:36:11
In a very short space of time we find ourselves no longer in the mire or even looking over our shoulders thanks to a record breaking run, so now everyone is looking up the table not down. It's the teams immediately above us that interest me at the moment as we still have to play 3 of them and I know we also have to play Leicester but I would like to think we will take 3 points from that.

Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace, who all have some dangerous players but equally have all been stuttering a bit, of late, so how many points will we take from those games? There's 9 available so is 12 overall being a tad ambitious? Can this team keep finding a way to win?

That leaves City who seem to be playing better again after a hit and miss spell so that may be a step too far for us, which is a pity as it will break up what may yet be an incredible run in.
'
If and it's a big 'if' we maintain this form we could finish in the top half of the table, as crazy as that sounds given the chaos of earlier in the season and recoup some additional financial benefit for it.

We have to give huge credit to VP and his team because to pull off this kind of a turnaround at this level is either a minor miracle or a damming indictment of previous Head Coaches / Managers working with this group of players.

Yes some will go, Sa, Johnstone, Sarabia (shame imo), Guedes, Cunha, Silva, Doyle (also shame) all probably nailed on to leave. However, we do seem to have a capable Director of Football and scouting network particularly in South America, so I trust they will find further quality to fill those gaps.

Blackfords is right though there are a number of 'big' clubs faltering at the moment that could all see VP as their saviour as well, Man U, Chelsea, Spurs so it's important that Fosun take care of business in such a way to keep him onside. VP does appear to be planning for next season, however, so do this right and next season could look very different and the positivity will come flooding back.

22 Apr 2025 15:30:08
Apologies for the duplication I didn't think my original submission had gone through as I didn't expect it to become the featured article above.

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, Ed33 hadn't spotted there was a post held for him, so I had to nudge him.}

22 Apr 2025 07:39:12
{Ed's Note - NOTSOZIPPY has posted a new article entitled, Players Liverpool FC Should Keep Or Sell

22 Apr 2025 00:15:47
So Man Utd have more or less agrees terms with Cunha even though they haven't triggered the release fee?

Isn't this 'tapping up'?

What if they offer him £300k per week but refuse to pay the release fee and Cunha throws his dummy out of the pram because he wants the massive pay increase.

22 Apr 2025 07:43:54
The sooner Cunha has gone the better for our team, we need to move on and give some other players a chance, there is no point to keep playing someone who is leaving, let's start building for next season.

22 Apr 2025 09:08:31
I thought Cunha wanted European football, trophies, etc, Wandering. Money or not that's hardly likely with Man U, ok maybe the Carabao Cup.

22 Apr 2025 09:10:31
Hi WS,
I was reading an article (not sure if it was the same one) saying it's a done deal. Cuhna seen talking to the MU Manager in the tunnel. I know they're still a huge club and a draw for players, but they're a complete mess. Manager after Manager, player unrest. No champions league and certainly they must be close to PSR breaches ( Maybe one of the Ed's has an idea). They might even have to sell before they can afford Cuhna.

22 Apr 2025 11:59:53
Sorry to say it but I actually think we scored an own goal here! What was the point in the new contract if the release fee actually weakened our negotiating position?! United have paid absolutely stupid money for players before (please see Hojland and Antony) and if we didn't have such a stupidly cheap release fee we could/should have taken then to the cleaners! More top work for Jeff's negotiation skills! £62.5m is an absolute steal! 😭

22 Apr 2025 12:07:41
It it's a done deal for Cunha to Man U, it may be subject to Man U winning the Europa League and therefore qualifying for the Champions League. Not exactly a prize destination for Cunha, but he may have scared off bigger clubs with his tendency to get red cards. We will survive him and prosper next season.

22 Apr 2025 12:20:52
I think it's speculation at the moment. I don't see how Man Utd can afford to buy Cunha. I get that they generate massive revenues, but they need nearly an entire new team and have made big losses. Things could get worse at Old Trafford before they get better.

Hand on heart hypothetically what players do Man Utd have right now who we would actually be happy to see in a Wolves shirt and see as an upgrade on what we already have?

Is Cunha's release fee a definite £62 million regardless, or was it only on relegation?

He probably will leave in pre season, but I'm not sure he'll end up at Man Utd

22 Apr 2025 13:01:21
Apparently we are happy to receive Cunha's fee in 3 instalments!
Is there any financial logic to this or are we just glad that someone will pay his release clause?

22 Apr 2025 13:38:04
Tim, it may seem strange but most players are bought and sold on the never-never. Wolves would rarely or never pay for a player outright unless the fee was minor. There's the financial logic.

22 Apr 2025 14:43:09
That's true Deep but as the Ed has previously pointed out that doesn't (technically/necessarily) mean they are meeting the release fee. Which often relies on the entire fee being offered, if we are doing it in instalments I would seriously hope that it suggests we are getting more than the bargain basement release fee with put on the contract!
I also wonder on this (as Acle suggests) is this deal reliant on Rashford going to Villa? Cause somehow I'm not convinced that will happen, his wages at United are currently CRAZY! 🧐

{Ed001's Note - do you not think this story is just his agent drumming up interest? By revealing Wolves will accept instalments, it massively increases the clubs that will be able to afford him.}

22 Apr 2025 16:13:14
It's musical chairs sometimes, Bully. Clubs are often waiting for other clubs to cough up. You may be right about Rashford, it's not a given that he will move to Villa. All that has been proven is that he was probably sulking at Man U and not trying as hard as he should. Would Villa take a chance on him for next season, at his crazy wages? Is his resurgence temporary or permanent? I wonder. And Ed001, I wouldn't put it past Cunha's agent to reveal the payment plan, as it might flush out clubs prepared to offer higher wages, and we just get the same release fee.

22 Apr 2025 16:21:20
My thoughts exactly Ed001, it just seems an unlikely destination for him. But we'll see.

21 Apr 2025 21:03:00
A Forest win against Tottenham will help us in two ways. It will keep Spurs below us, whilst potentially increasing our bonus regarding the MGW deal.

22 Apr 2025 06:12:52
Win-win for us. The higher we finish the more ££'s also.
On a slightly negative note, when their manager gets sacked don't be surprised if the media don't link VP with that poison chalice of a job.

22 Apr 2025 08:54:39
The rumours were they already had somebody lined up Blackfords, Farke I think, but your right of course, Vp will be linked to every top vacancy, who knows maybe even Man U?

22 Apr 2025 09:11:10
Your first point must be our priority Blackfords, maintain the focus to the very end because points mean prizes in this league. The more we 'earn' the less we have to sell.

22 Apr 2025 11:18:14
That's exactly my view LMW. Whilst I don't understand the complexity of our finances or PSR regulations I've looked at our income chart compared to others and although we're fairly low down we don't seem to be too disimiar to the other clubs apart from the big six or seven who are light years apart from us. So now I understand a little why TFIOG1 says we might play on the same pitch as some of these teams, but off field we're miles apart. Anyway if our main income stream is Sky money and the higher league position = more ££'s then as you rightly say it helps to retain to our better players, and of equal importance make us an attractive club for player recruitment.

21 Apr 2025 15:51:54
Boing Boing!

21 Apr 2025 20:43:46
Boing boing splatt

21 Apr 2025 21:13:54
Bong.

21 Apr 2025 21:52:12
Shame about their manager, he's a good bloke.

22 Apr 2025 09:33:30
He’s done a fantastic job, of securing championship football

21 Apr 2025 15:32:37
On another happy note, it’s now 0-2 to Derby at the Poorthorns. What a great bank holiday weekend

20 Apr 2025 23:43:26
Before the end of the season, we are going to hammer someone, and I reckon it will be at home to Leicester next weekend. 5-0 Wolves.

21 Apr 2025 05:45:08
I feel an absolute traitor here, but our unbeaten run has to come to an end at some point lostcity, and it'd sods law to come on sat, to a relaxed free running relegated Leicester.
I Shouldn't think VP will ease on expectancies tho and after watching them v Liverpool yesterday we should win comfortably.

21 Apr 2025 08:16:51
No chance of it let up, Abbey, whilst We've still got an outside chance of Europe! 😁😁

21 Apr 2025 08:39:38
It will end Abbey but I'm not sure Leicester are the team to do it, relaxed or not, so let's hope Lost's instincts are correct. I think our last 4 games will be the real litmus test of where we are. What was interesting yesterday was Wolves, imo, didn't play that well but still found a way to win and we're getting those wins home and away not one or the other.

Up to that free kick we didn't have a shot on goal but we won the game, as with a clean sheet one goal will do it and I know Man U's finishing was woeful but that's not my problem. That is what I find encouraging at the moment as entertaining or not we still get the points. This is why I believe that Fosun should back VP with more confidence that the money isn't being wasted as it has been, on occasion in the past.

I also think they won't have to spend too big to achieve a much better position for the club, if they continue finding gems like Agbadou, Andre, Gomes, etc. I have to wonder, how many of our expensive 'flops' would have flourished under VP from the outset.

Anyway, that was then, this is now so if they don't sell it all off again this summer I think we can return to being a top half team again next season, it's up to you now Fosun.

21 Apr 2025 10:16:53
I’ve got the same feeling about Leicester as Abbey so let’s hope we’re wrong and we can extend it to six

21 Apr 2025 10:36:23
It gets better. Apparently Leeds interested in Johnstone and seemingly it looks like Fabio will also gone this summer. I'd call that a terrific end to the season.

21 Apr 2025 12:01:40
Unless you follow the Liverpool banter page whose fans have already decided Cunha, Andre and Gomes are on their shopping list

21 Apr 2025 12:48:16
Why would a wolves fan follow a Liverpool banter page?…

21 Apr 2025 13:30:00
Goatmark1

I visit most of the other banter sites to see what the fans are feeling or saying, what's wrong with that?

21 Apr 2025 14:28:08
I thought you said follow, took that as different to visit. I was only playing anyway. Besides I don’t think players that fans want have anything to do with if the club will buy them. Just more speculation and fear spreading imo.

21 Apr 2025 14:40:25
I do the same QS mate.

21 Apr 2025 14:58:25
Given the massive sales over the last 2 years we almost certainly don't need to sell anyone this summer even with Jeff's financial incompetence.
But if Hwang, Guedes, Sarabia, Hoever and astonishingly Johnstone, and Fabio all go, (reducing the salary bill, the amortisation and even generating a small profit perhaps), not only don't we need to sell but maybe we could even, if necessary, buy a player or two.
More importantly however could Cunha even be persuaded to remain?
If Vitor had been here all year - (as hopefully he will next season) - on his current record maybe we could have been looking at a realistic chance of European football, i.e. Cunha might have thought he had as much chance of winning things here as he would at say Forest or Man U for example?
If Cunha and Vitor stay and we don't sell any of the other better players then as I have just said maybe we could challenge for Europe/trophies, as we did with Nuno, next season.
But will Jeff realise this? Will he work out that winning matches actually brings loads of money in - far more than the short term fixes you get from selling your better players?
Sadly to date there is no evidence that Jeff is anything but "a fool who is easily parted from his better players and thus money!"
Having got it wrong so badly for so long does he have the humility to recognise he is way out of his depth and leave the football decisions to people who actually know what they are talking about.
Incredibly given where we were only a few months ago it is possible and we can dream.

21 Apr 2025 15:59:08
TFIOG1thag is a harsh analysis of Wolves under Jeff.
How many players have actually failed since 2016?
Cutrone who's dad passed away
Silva (I think this rather harsh in his first season he scored the same number as Rooney in his first season in a different country and he was replacing Raul one of the best strikers in Europe at the time)
Nunes think the physicality is too much still a decent player and Pep signed him anyway.
Johnstone guess this was a GON signing
Guedes panic buy in summer 2022?
Hoever
William Jose

Successful signings under Jeff
Patricio
Sa
Ruddy
Semedo
Boly
Saiss
Douglas
Jonny
Dendoncker
Bennett
Miranda
Vinagre
Neves
Moutinho
Andre
Gomes
Cunha
Neto
Jota
Traore both of them :)
Trincao-did a decent job for that season we should have signed him.
Raul
Hwang not bad over the seasons
Lemina kept us up
Dawson kept us up
RAN
Marcal decent servant for a few seasons
Costa Diego and Helder
Cavaleiro
Bonatini
Podence
Trincao
Afobe fire power when we needed it.

Don't get me wrong they haven't all been as great as the European team of 19/20 season but they have been competitive over the years.

They addressed the issues in defence and the physicality this January.

We need a plan for the long term though Europe and cup runs that leads to wins are the minimum for Wolves. The Premier league is probably out of reach financially but careful planning and scouting could lead to Europe and cup wins.

21 Apr 2025 16:48:33
Madman - the vast majority of the successful signings you mentioned were before Jeff took over and were made in the Thelwell, Dalrymple and Nuno era.
But yes Dawson, Lemina, Andre, Cunha and others have been good signings.
However the sales of Neves, Neto, Kilman and Collins, (I am giving him a pass for Jota), are firmly on him!
But whatever details you want to argue about, (and views on players are of course entirely subjective), the cruel cold reality is that from the moment he took over we have steadily and, (until Vitor arrived), seemingly inexorably gone from edge of Champions league to edge of Championship whilst astonishingly, and perhaps counter-intuitively, from financially sound to totally skint!
What part of that makes you think my analysis is harsh?

21 Apr 2025 20:45:37
QS if you believe everything you read we'll be selling all our players. I'm actually quite surprised VP hasn't been linked with either MUFC or Spurs.

20 Apr 2025 22:23:29
What a relief, what a season. Talk about a season of two halves. At the beginning it was when are Wolves going to win a game. Now it's when are Wolves going to lose. Well done lads.

21 Apr 2025 19:01:45
Are we now a better team without Cunha?

Was it a coincidence that we looked lacklustre against MU, or was it that we always look to pass the ball through Cunha and as a result JSL gets little to no service and we become one dimensional.
As far as I can see we are far less predictable and therefore far more dangerous and surprisingly more organised without him in the team.

22 Apr 2025 07:43:55
I actually think we play at better without him, Cunha is a good player however he believes his own hype and that will ruin him

20 Apr 2025 20:10:48
We've got super Vitor.

20 Apr 2025 20:29:37
Can I just say if I'm allowed to, that Sarabias free kick and goal was for Phil.
If you still get to read these posts mate I hope that now the seasons settled and we're a pack again that you'll be able to rejoin us.
You been missed this season, a trying time pal, but out of darkness has cometh light. I hope there's a little beam for you tonight. COYW COYW COYW.

20 Apr 2025 21:22:58
Well said Abbey. I too miss The Wednesfield Wanderer.

20 Apr 2025 23:02:31
Spot on Abbey.

20 Apr 2025 16:21:01
Wow. Jeff Shi and Fosun have assembled quite the team.

20 Apr 2025 16:37:59
The trick is.
We need to keep most of the team
Can fosun do that
And recruit a few too?

20 Apr 2025 16:40:27
Well said, some of the players we have a first class. I esspecailly enjoy watching J Gomes with his celebrating his defending. Glad fosun made the call to replace the manager. Really hoping they back him in this summer, feels like his expectaions are a good fit for us, not the biggest spenders but some quality purchases and VP works wonders with what he gets.

20 Apr 2025 17:36:14
Undoubtedly we've got some special players and we need to retain them alibi with Vitor.
The impression I get is that discipline is back along with the pack spirit which is all important.
The connection to the fans, the points then pints relationship brings the club home as it were.
Wouldn't it be nice if Jeff and his Fosun bosses showed the same in their ownership?, but yes, despite the critics they've saved our prem status again.
So pleased, so relieved, COYW.

20 Apr 2025 19:05:55
Great result, another 3 points which is all that matters really but that game for me was The Good, the Bad and the Ugly:

The Good - Sarabia, that's the talent he has, outstanding free kick.
The Bad - Man Utd's finishing
The Ugly - Bentley, he seems slow and gets nowhere near the ball
unless it comes straight at him. Not mobile enough for me.

Still up to 15th now with daylight growing, I always thought they would recover to about 14th, we'll see, but definitely on form at the moment.