Just how good were/was/is/are (Wolves Edition)

[Tony Towner]

He was put in as left back when Hill and Elokobi were both injured as an emergency measure and he did better than anyone expected. First time I saw him there was in the 5-1 Forest game so it was a great start.

I wish he'd been given some specialist coaching there though, particularly around when to back off and when to engage. There was a goal away at United against Park? in the last minute which sums that element up well

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'd like to know behind the scenes if he was involved in any trouble at the time. Foley was in there to wasn't he so I'd see it more of a case of getting the highest earners out of the club on top of getting rid of the knobs.

Foley played a bit in 2013/14 (scored against Swindon at home) so if he was in there, he got moved out again pretty quickly.

I get that things had got to the point where we needed a clean break from that era but it's the connotation of sticking him with those pricks who just didn't care (Henry did once then appeared to have a personality change at some point).

I liked Ward, summed up the team ethos under Mick and wound up the thick 'get your chequebook out' morons who never forgave Mick for Freddy not being that good.

A solid player who worked hard and made the most of his opportunities in life.

We'll have to do one on Boxhead Fred at some point...

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

I hated the whole Freddy fiasco, I had a ST in the South Bank at the time and it was involved in some seriously painful conversations.

I think Foley fell apart a bit after missing out on the Euros, someone I worked with knew him socially and they reckoned his head was never right after not being picked, it was a massive disappointment for him.

 

[Johnny75]

Never rated Ward as a LB. but never questioned his mental strength or desire as a footballer, both were first class.

He was at best a limited player who should've been replaced at LB and allowed to play further forward. Not his fault though.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

This is the thing, we didn't really even try. He was better than Elokobi and Hill, we strangely released Friend without giving him a proper go, so who else did we try?

Van Damme who we couldn't trust to play LB even before he decided he needed to leave (not having a go at him for that).

Very late in the day, Jack Robinson who was fucking awful and an absolute scrote of a player too.

That's it!

You can argue we could have given Scott Malone a go but he didn't do very well for Huddersfield and it would have been a big ask to chuck a kid in to a struggling PL team.

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

Foley had a injured ankle, I am sure he did the old gold podcast and said he struggled to get any where fit enough to.play.

 

[Lycan]

Ward is one of the few players from that era who came out with his reputation unscathed for me. Always gave his absolute best and was a better player than most gave him credit for as well. Ward sliding the ball past Pepe Reina after the baldy prick had sprinted the full length of the pitch to get him sent off the season before remains one of my favourite Wolves memories.

Sent from my GM1920 using Tapatalk

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I think these are all the left backs/left wing backs who've had a decent run in the team since I started watching us:

Andy Thompson
Mark Venus
Paul Edwards
Steve Froggatt
Michael Gilkes
Dariusz Kubicki
Lee Naylor
Kevin Muscat
Mo Camara
Denis Irwin
Jamie Clapham
Jackie McNamara
Micky Gray
Neill Collins
George Elokobi
Stephen Ward
Matt Hill
Jack Robinson
Scott Golbourne
Matt Doherty
Barry Douglas
Ruben Vinagre
Jonny

I'd say he comes out comfortably towards the top end which isn't bad for a converted striker.

 

[Langers]

Fucking hell there are some horrendous names in that lot :icon_lol:

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Jackie Mac was right up there!

I think out of those (from the past), probably only Froggatt would get near the first team for us now.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

Ward did a reasonable job at left back but rather than I'm prove over time if anything he went backwards. In fact he literally went backwards as that became his first thought whenever confronted by an opponent with the ball at their feet. I remember one game, think it was Leicester, when he backed off from the halfway line and the opponent just kept running to goal and just slotted the ball home without a challenge in sight. I seem to recall it was Knockaert but can't be certain.

Overall I liked him and that goal at Anfield was a fantastic moment amidst a sea of dross.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Jackie Mac was right up there!

I think out of those (from the past), probably only Froggatt would get near the first team for us now.

I'd quite like Veno as a squad option. Not at LB/LWB though.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Ward gave everything he had, not his fault that for years we decided not to bring in a proper LB

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

I'd quite like Veno as a squad option. Not at LB/LWB though.

Different times, but Venus used to live in the Bull and the bookies across the road. Took all the old uns out to the Bar to the races one of the days.

Also used to play for Codsall Athletic when recovering from an injury.

Allegedly of course.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Oh I know about Veno and his punting :icon_lol:

He went to see my Grandad at Lucas on the day of his retirement. Geezer.

 

[sycophantia]

Yeah another fan of Ward here, played where he was told, always gave his best and not a bad footballer at all, I was disappointed when he was shipped out, obviously I wasn't in the dressing room at the time but he always came across as an honest guy with a good attitude to me

 

[sycophantia]

Veno is another I liked, personally think he did ok at LB, LCB or defensive midfield

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He was ok at LB until his back injury and then that wasn't an option (although we still kept doing it quite often).

Never liked him in midfield, you wouldn't stick Boly there.

 

[Tony Towner]

Venus as a left back in around 91/2 was very good. Talk of PL move and none ironic Veno for England chants. He got injured around then and lost a yard of pace and was wasn't ever the same at full back

 

[Tredman]

Looked alright at LCB, including a brief period where we played 3 at the back too I think?
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