Parliament - Minutes
Kevin Thelwell opened proceedings by giving a fascinating presentation on his role and how it fits in with the ethos and plans of the club. Really good stuff that I will try and summarise.
Basically both Thelwell and Kenny Jackett report directly to Jez. They are shoulder to shoulder within the club organisation. KJ has responsibility for the first team, for results and for achieving the overall objectives of the club from that perspective. KT has responsibility for ensuring that the Academy, Medical services, talent ID and recruitment, coaching, and performance analysis are all working at the highest possible level to give that extra 1 or 2 per cent to the first team that can make all the difference for Kenny Jackett in achieving his objectives.
KJ and KT meet at least 3 times each day. On top of that, the two of them sit down with Jez usually every two days. From a communication point of view, it is a very inclusive set-up.
Objectives - these are the objectives of the club
1) Premier League football, and being successful at that level
2) Promotion back to the Championship this season.
3) Employing players that are young and hungry but also epitomise the core values of the club
4) Build a team that strives for success
5) Commitment to home-grown players. KT cited Jack Price as a good example of this.
6) All Wolves teams, at every age group to play in a defined style and approach in keeping with the "Wolves way".
Formations and style of play. 4-4-1-1, 4-2-3-1 are all versions of 4-3-3 with minor adjustments to the tactics board. We are wholly committed to 4-3-3 and everyone at the club believes this is the right formation for the club to be successful. This is a difficult thing to develop across all age groups but it is a hard fight worth fighting and those of import within the club believe it will bear fruit.
Best People - the club are looking in both playing and other staff for people that are capable of meeting the demands of the club at the highest level, and that means buying into all this ethos. The person must fit with the ethos as well as being a rather fantastic carlos kickaball.
Best Practice - this is all to do with inspiring the coaching and support services of the club
Best Provision - the aim is to have the environment where hard work, respect and discipline are drivers and features of the club approach to all things.
(I know all of this sounds like a powerpoint presentation, but I will give further comment on it when I wrap this section below)
Recruitment
Diligence on all players is carried out before KJ is involved. Things contained within the DOSSIERS - best positions for a player, general ability of the player AND social media and interaction, home life, attitude etc etc. I think we are aiming to avoid recruiting cockwombles, even if they are talented cockwombles. Fairly easy to read into that, that were this system in place under Mick there is no way we would have recruited the likes of Johnson and O'Hara (last sentence is me, not KT)
For the first team Kenny Jackett has absolute say on who we sign or do not sign. The first team is entirely his responsibility.
Teams below - KJ plays his part in that he tells KT what type he is looking to recruit, what that player needs to be able to do. KT then fulfills those needs. Kortney Hause is an example of this, and sounds like a Thelwell signing.
There is now a collective "Wolves Way". One vision for the club, is known by everyone through very clear communication and everyone singing from the same hymnsheet. Relegation was a kick in the gonads, but it has now become an opportunity to change everything for future benefit and everyone is expected to make sure that opportunity is taken advantage of.
There are succession plans in place for both KJ and KT to ensure this plan doesn't falter or go off course.
Leigh Griffiths leaving
LG was exemplary at all times he was at Wolves. However, he was always drawn back to Scotland because of his family issues, and this made it difficult for him to live and breathe the plan, and this was unlikely to change. When Celtic expressed an interest, this was clearly going to be a good solution for all parties as long as we got the value we wanted, which it seems we did.
Danny Batth signing a new deal was a big thing and everyone is very happy.
That is it with KT - as I say, a lot of it seems like the typical power point slides, but you need to speak with KT and experience the passion he has for the vision. It is impressive to say the least. I am not saying we are going to suddenly turn into Ajax or Barcelona, but the plan is very powerful and logical, and I can see it only being of huge benefit.
Other agenda items
Video Walls
(Again)
They can't be changed. In other news, Margaret Thatcher is dead. However, as of next season the video hoardings will have a change of software at the ends so there will be a 16 foot section at each end of the ground with current score, and a digital clock. This will be sponsored, but all four stands will be able to see these hoardings. A step in the right direction.
Early Bird pricing - fair bit of debate, but it seems the consensus was it is a decent deal. Please note that the summer price has NOT been announced. If you leave renewing until after April 18 then you will be paying more than this season's price of £345.
No chance of opening up 10K2MK to be outside the standard points system. The system makes staffing levels work and rewards the most loyal supporters. We should get around 8,000 tickets if we want them. Definitely more than Coventry brought are available.
That's it fuckers