Just About Managing

[jim65]

November 2007

With one game very early in the month before yet another International break it was important to try and get some sort of a result, but Stuttgart II even at home were a tough opponent.

A couple of things had surprised me before the match. The attendance was awful, later to be confirmed at around 150, confirming to me that Koblenz fans were very much of the fair-weather variety, there in the good times but absent when they were most needed. That was a shame, but at last I finally realised that there was little I could do about it except concentrate on trying to get a winning side and let the attendances take care of themselves. The second surprise was the appearance of Ruud Gullit in the Stuttgart II dug-out, obviously in charge for this game and not with their first team.

It was a cold dry afternoon at the Oberwerth, and those that had bothered to turn up would have no doubt been surprised at the absence of Kujala, Melnikov and Guterstam from the starting eleven. Indeed, only Guterstam of the three had even made the bench! Youngster Gauseth took Melnikov’s place in the centre of midfield and Stahl was recalled for the right wing slot. Guatelli kept his place in goal.

We started strongly, creating havoc in their penalty box and would have had an early lead several times over but for the amazing work of their ‘keeper. The slight change to our formation, from a regular 4-4-2 to a Diamond shape, had apparently caught them out. We kept pressing and got our reward. Five minutes before half time Becalik stole the ball in the midfield and played a slide rule pass to Captain Krys advancing down the left. Unusually for him, he cut inside and fired a bullet at goal which even their extraordinary goalkeeper didn’t have a chance with. A superb strike, his first for us.

I made no changes at the interval but told them to keep focussed and not get careless, and the second half was pretty much a straightforward continuation of the first. We continued to terrorise their defence and dominate midfield until with only twenty minutes to go Rahn broke their offside trap and chipped their advancing goalkeeper delightfully to secure the win. 2-0 and relief all round, and no substitutes used. Phillip Langen took the Man of the Match award.

The two week interval was quiet. Borussia Monchengladbach gave their manager, Horst Koppel, the vote of confidence, but apart from that there was little happening in the world of football, unless you were interested in the Euro Qualifiers, which I wasn’t particularly. Only Kujala had been called up to the Finland squad, my other players were on light training to maintain their fitness and I even allowed them all a few days off, hoping to improve morale.

I took a week off and headed to a Koln Hotel and spent a few days with Anni, helping her put the final touches to her new offices before she opened for business at the end of the month. She had, by this time, appointed one of her closest friends to run the Koblenz operation so that she could concentrate on getting things up to speed in Koln. Her empire was growing, as was my affection for her, but she was looking for a home in Koln now that she was more or less based there.

All too soon the break was over and I returned to Koblenz, with two more games in November and another three next month before the dreaded winter break it was all hands on deck once again!

A chilly but dry afternoon took us to the Stadion am Halberg to take on Wehen. The early exchanges were tense by both sides, but after fiftenn minutes a harsh penalty, neatly converted, gave them the lead. Just a few minutes later they were two up and our fragile confidence started to fail us. Despite this we battled hard, substitutes Guterstam and Melnikov really getting involved, but it seemed a day destined to be theirs. Their first attack of the second half after 70 minutes produced their third, and to rub salt into our wounds Damm had a consolation ruled out for offside late on, despite being clearly in an on-side postion when the ball was played. The 3-0 defeat didn’t really reflect the even nature of the game I felt.

Nearly 900 came to the Oberwerth for the visit of Hoffenheim, which saw me reinstate Edholm, Melnikov and Kujala to the starting line up. Just after ten minutes, Kujala teed up Damm whose cracking shot was excellently saved by their ‘keeper but Melnikov was on hand to coolly turn in the rebound. It was Kujala again, too hot for their left back to handle, that crossed for Rahn to power a bullet header in at the near post for the second just five minutes later. Guterstam replaced Damm at half time, and it was he who rattled in a volley from an awkward angle inside the box to complete a comfortable 3-0 win. Oskar Edholm took the Man of the Match award. Job done.

November had been an ‘up and down’ month. Our two wins and a defeat left us in 4th place in the league at the end of it, with figures of P14 W8 D0 L6 GF29 GA16 GD+13 and 24PTS. We were a whopping 13 points now behind leaders Bayern II but only 3 points behind 2nd place Offenbach, though three other teams also shared 24 points and were beneath us on goal difference.

Phillip Langen took the Player of the Month award and not many in the press could object to that.

Meanwhile, Villa had risen to 10th place in the Premiership but with only 19 points from 13 games and it appeared that O’Leary was once again under pressure from board and fans alike.

I had also been monitoring the situations of two German clubs whose managers were feeling the heat as my restlessness returned. Maybe it was knowing that Anni was moving away, maybe it was just that I felt that Koblenz were the perennial yoyo club with the majority of their fans happy enough about that, I didn’t know. However, both the managers of Borussia Monchengladbach and Koln were under pressure.

[Wimb The Barman]

tempted by pastures new Jim?

[jim65]

Just keeping my eye on the ball and my options open Wimb!

[jim65]

December 2007

Early in the month I received an invitation from Rudi and Maria to spend Christmas with them, and a call from Anni to let me know that she had been invited too. We both agreed to go and for the first time in many years Christmas became something I was looking forward to. I now even had presents to buy which was quite novel for me! However there was also other news, in that Anni had found a home in Koln and would be leaving Koblenz early in January. My services were booked to help with the relocation.

Before that, however, we had three more league games to attend to, two of them being away from home. The first of these was a trip to Augsburg.

I named an unchanged side and sent them out into the rain on a cold afternoon at the Rosenaustadion in front of over 9100 fans. We battled hard and so did they, but they drew first blood on 34 and doubled their advantage ten minutes later to take a 2-0 lead into the break. My players seemed very determined at half time though, and with encouragement and praise from me went back out for the second half. Just before the hour Gutestam was scythed down in the box, and whilst the penalty was given I was furious that no cards were shown. Melnikov blasted the spot kick safely home. With heads up into the now driving rain, we got Augsburg onto the back foot and really piled on the pressure, but it took until the 89th minute for Kujala to head home a Langen cross for a very well deserved 2-2 draw, our first draw of the season.

Bayern Munchen manager Thomas Schaaf was reported to be under pressure, but he would be pleased with that as two of his managerial brethren at Oberhausen and Aue became suddenly unemployed.

Darmstadt came to the Oberwerth on a Friday night and started as favourites in rapidly cooling temperatures in front of a crowd a few short of 600. They took the lead just before the half hour but we were level within ten minutes with a screamer from Melnikov from 20 yards. The rest of the game was a hard fought battle with both sides creating chances, and though we could and perhaps should have taken the win in the closing minutes, our second draw of the season was a fair result. 1-1

Lerant took the Aue job and Petrick Sander, the long standing manager of Cottbus, resigned.

Our final game of the calendar year took us to the Hans Walter Wild Stadion in sheeting rain and bitter cold. Not surprisingly, only around 250 braved the elements but those that did were rewarded with a highly entertaining match. Inside the first five minutes, a defensive error let the Bayreuth striker in for an open goal and an early lead. Within ten minutes, goalkeeper Guatelli added to our defensive woes with a poor clearance that left him stranded and capable of only watching as the ball was thumped back past him into the net.

2-0 down with little more than ten minutes on the clock, my team decided to knuckle down and show, at long last, just what they were made of. We got one back in bizarre fashion through a fluke, a cross from Lundevall sailing over the ‘keeper to nestle nicely in the corner of the net. Five minutes later Kujala drove us level with a cracking right foot shot from the edge of the box and before the half hour Rahn had us in front with a diving header that saw him come to rest some way off the pitch! Melnikov drilled a penalty in just before half time for a 4-2 interval lead. We slowed the game down a touch after the break, but Rahn added his second of the afternoon within five minutes of the restart, and after that it was a case of playing out the time. Kujala powered a free kick into the net from 25 yards just before time for a resounding 6-2 away win!

Back home, Cardiff City parted company with Dave Jones. Relegated after just one year in the Premiership, the Bluebirds were in a real mess and looked likely to be relegated again this season. I thought only briefly about going for the job, and dismissed the idea. Me and Cardiff had done our time together, I didn’t want another reunion.

Cottbus hired Jurgen Roben in the week before Christmas, intense speculation to the future of Phillip Langen exploded in the media resulting in me meeting the press to confirm that the lad was going nowhere, and I went shopping!

With no more games to play, we finished the month in 5th place, with figures of P17 W9 D2 L6 GF38 GA21 GD+17 and 29 points, now 17 points adrift of first placed Bayern II but still just 2 points behind 2nd placed Darmstadt.

It was the best Christmas I’d had since being a kid. I took a few days off completely from the job and ignored what papers and news programmes that there were available. The four of us spent the whole of the holiday laughing and mucking about like children for the most part, and Maria did her bit to ensure there was enough mistletoe around the place to satisfy her Cilla Black like urges for Anni and me. Not that I was complaining, and Anni didn’t seem to object either!

Like Christmas as a child though, this one passed in a flash, and between it and the New Year Anni moved to her new home in Koln. I’d helped her with the bulk of the move. Her new place was a beautiful apartment right in the city centre and most probably worth a pretty penny. A few days after she was settled in, I went up to Koln and joined her for dinner, her way of thanking me for my help. It was a special evening that I’d never wanted to end, but it had, and then it was back to Koblenz and to the real world.

[jim65]

January 2008

Becalik was amongst the runners up for Player of the Month, which was pleasing to see. The Pole had been the unsung hero of the team all season. Continued speculation was starting to unsettle Langen though, with Leverkusen seemingly the main culprits.

Oliver Goschik, a player I’d bought and sold on, had once again been sold on, netting Koblenz GBP 1,000 as a result of a sell on clause.

The pressure for Phillip Langen’s signature intensified. Valued at GBP 110,000 Leverkusen and Southampton both made enquiries and were quoted GBP 1,000,000 plus 25% of sell on. Both confirmed their offers almost by return, leaving me wishing I’d pushed it a bit further. Still it was a fair price with no guarantee that the lad could perform at a higher level, though I believed he could.

Brenny Evers recovered from his hip injury and joined Uerdingen for GBP 3,000.

Christian Eichner injured a foot in training and will be unavailable for about three weeks.

Oberhausen hire Gerd Schadlich as their new boss, and Paderborn part company with Jorg Berger immediately replacing him with Ralf Regenbogen.

Langen completed his move to top placed Leverkusen, and 24 year old Brazilian Caysa arrived from Magdeburg for GBP 14,000 to replace him.

We made the trip to the Carl Benz Stadion to take on Mannheim in front of nearly 4000 fans. Caysa was outstanding on his debut, setting up Melnikov with a slide rule pass inside the half hour for the first goal, and was heavily involved in a brilliant move that resulted in Rahn adding a second just minutes later. We never looked in trouble after that and saw out the game with a clean sheet for a 2-0 win.

Michal Stahl injured a foot in training the following day and will miss up to three weeks.

With January about done and dusted, our single game had left us with figures of P18 W10 D2 L6 GF40 GA21 GD+19 and 32 points, now 15 points off the top spot but still only 2 points off the second place, and guaranteed promotion!

Villa were not doing quite so well, having 31 points from 24 games and were languishing in 12th in the Premiership.

[jim65]

February 2008

In Germany, the respective managers of Bayern, Gladbach and Koln were all reportedly under pressure going into the month, and back home only Sunderland’s Mick McCarthy’s job seemed at risk. I now had only five months remaining on my contract and was once again wrestling with the decision to stay or move on. I really felt that I needed a new challenge, a step up from the lower leagues, but at the same time there was that fear of the unknown and the natural human instinct to stay where one feels safe. Treading the middle line, or avoiding making a decision maybe, I kept my eyes on the job situation and knuckled down to managing Koblenz.

Over 1400 came to the Oberwerth on a horrible, wet afternoon for the visit of 1860 Munchen II but were treated to some wonderful sunshine football. Brazilian left winger Caysa opened the scoring with his first for the club on 4 minutes, and what a treat it was. He picked up the ball on the Munchen II goal line out near the corner flag and beat six defenders to drive home from the edge of the box just inside the D. Rahn made it two with a powerful header after 15 minutes and just before the half hour Kujala cracked in the third. Captain Krys got his second of the season just before the break. An own goal made it 5 on 79 minutes after a terrific spell of home pressure, and substitute Damm finished the scoring three minutes later with the help of a dithering Munchen goalkeeper. The 6-0 victory was a record league win for Koblenz, and Kujala picked up another Man of the Match award. In truth, managerless and clueless Munchen were awful and deserved a hiding, but that didn’t detract from our top line performance.

We travelled to the Regensburg Stadium in buoyant mood on a freezing cold Friday evening. Much of the first half, in front of the 1300 or so well insulated supporters, was fought out evenly until Guterstam slipped his marker and finished cleverly to give us the lead at the interval. We pressed for the second from the restart, and just before the hour were awarded a penalty. The goalkeeper saved from Melnikov but he was the quickest to the rebound and made no mistake from six yards. They pulled one back with fifteen minutes to go and gave us a real game in the closing stages before substitute Arifi settled it at the death. Becalik took the Man of the Match award this time for his solid work in the holding role, and we took the 3-1 win home with us.

Stahl returned to training after the match, but Guterstam picked up an injury that would sideline him for up to a month, and I sent scout Timo off to Scandinavia on the search for fresh talent. Prior to our home game with Offenbach, there were some words exchanged in the media between their manager and I which provoked a mixed reaction in the squad. Offenbach, I had said, would be a real test for us being so close on points and in ability, and so it proved.

With nearly 3000 in the Oberwerth, Offenbach scored a comical opener inside five minutes when a hopelessly mis-hit shot looped over Guatelli, hit the post and dribbled over the line. Rahn had us level inside the half hour though, and the contest was in danger of becoming a real epic. They went in front just before the hour but despite laying siege to their penalty box we couldn’t break them down, but were unlucky to concede a third late in the game as they caught us on the counter. The 3-1 defeat was harsh, but perhaps the defeat itself was less so.

Another miserable wet afternoon saw nearly 1500 at the Oberwerth for the visit of bottom of the league FSV Frankfurt. We started slowly, allowing the underdogs to pinch the lead inside ten minutes and then they set about trying to close us out for the remaining 80. Damm got the equaliser after a goal mouth scramble just before the hour but their defence could not be breeched again thereafter and they held on for a 1-1 draw. Credit to them, but I was disappointed that we had been unable to beat such poor opposition. Not the result needed for a club chasing promotion.

News from home shortly after the game caused me to smile. Mid-table Championship outfit Bristol City had been fancied to get a real tonking in the League Cup Final from Premiership Liverpool, but had stunned just about everybody with a surprise 1-0 win inside normal time.

Our final game of the month, on a dry but bitterly cold Friday night, took us to Furth’s Playmobil Stadium. Goalkeeper Guatelli took a knock just before half time and was replaced by Gurski. Again, we huffed and puffed but couldn’t manage to blow anything down and when they scored on 77 it looked a done deal. We tried to the end though, and had enough chances to have rattled up a huge win but their ‘keeper Vilmunen was in outstanding form pulling off one awesome save after another, a handful from point blank range too. He rightly got the Man of the Match award, we got on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat.

Despite the disappointment of five points dropped in our last two games, we were still up there in 4th place and still in contention for promotion, and finished the month with P23 W12 D3 L8 GF51 GA27 GD+24 and 39 points, but remained 14 points behind leaders Bayern II and 4 points behind 2nd placed Stuttgart II, and had it all still to play for. We could of course yet gain promotion from a 4th place finish as we had previously, but I wanted to do it by right and not by default this time.

Villa were still lurking in the wrong end of the Premiership, with 31 points from 27 games and their manager was still getting away, it seemed, with a whole range of excuses given out in bland, uninspiring interviews. Shame.

I had also kept tabs on our former star player Phillip Langen since his move to the then league leaders Leverkusen. They had slipped now to 7th in the First Division, and Phillip had not displayed anything like the form he was capable of. I hoped that he would turn it around though. Nice lad, potentially great player

[jim65]

March 2008

I turned the television off and refilled my glass with another measure of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia. Thinking again about my future, I had realised that there were a number of factors yet to come into play in order that I make a decision. Would a job become vacant that I fancied a crack at? If it did would I get it? Would I stay at Koblenz if we missed out on promotion? Would I stay if we did get promoted? Only time would bring these answers and I was content to wait.

I’d hardly spoken to Anni during the last month or so, as she was working all hours with a raft of new clients as her expansion really took off in Koln. I was pleased for her, she was happy and successful, but that didn’t stop me missing her. I hadn’t had much time to chew the fat with Rudi recently either, and was, I realised to my surprise, feeling somewhat isolated and lonely.

I took a long swig at the wine and sat back in the armchair, telling myself that I didn’t have time for that. We had 11 more games to play, and then all would become clear.

Eschborn came to the Oberwerth on a cool, dry Friday evening and just under 900 came out to see the game, which turned out to be something of a formality. Brazilian left winger Caysa, who had really impressed since arriving in January, opened the scoring after ten minutes or so, and the rest of the game was a show piece in pass and move football, but sadly not finishing. Still, as emphatic a 1-0 win as you could get, and a Man of the Match award for Caysa.

Guterstam returned to training after the game, and there was renewed speculation as to the futures of the managers of Koln and Hertha Berlin, which I noted with interest.

We travelled to Karlsruhe II’s Wildparkstadion next, where just under a 1000 supporters watched us destroy them somewhat systematically. Rahn opened the scoring with his 15th of the season inside the first 10 minutes and once again we went into exhibition mode. As the game drew on I pushed Melnikov up front and brought Cozza on to play in the hole as I urged them on to kill the game off. Melnikov scored a superb chipped effort from about 25 yards out with ten minutes to go, and made sure on 89 with his second of the game. Guterstam, on as a substitute, should have had the fourth in stoppage time but it was ruled out for offside, and for once I didn’t disagree with the decision! Melnikov took home the Man of the Match award, and we bagged a comfortable 3-0 win.

The two straight wins had been just the tonic for me, so when the news came that Borussia Moenchengladbach had sacked their manager I really had to think hard about things. In the end, I fired off an application to see just how I would get on.

Over 2000 came to the Oberwerth for the visit of Elversberg on a cool, dry Wednesday evening. Once again we very much dominated proceedings, Rahn scoring just before half time to take us in a goal up at the interval. Kujala added the second just after the hour, but despite battering away at them for the remainder of the match, we had to settle for a 2-0 win. Kujala settled for yet another Man of the Match award!

Nearly 9000 were crammed into the Leimbachstadion on a surprisingly warm afternoon when we took on Seigen. Kujala had us in front inside ten minutes and it should have been all over before twenty but for glaring misses by Melnikov and Guterstam. Then a defensive lapse let them in to equalise and I was less than happy. At half time I geed them up and they went out on fire. Kujala, Melnikov and Guterstam all came close in the second half before a cucumber cool Rahn goal won it for us at the death. The last ten minutes were hairy however, and I had to say that we were hanging on somewhat at the end. Still, another win, 2-1, and another Man of the Match performance in our ranks, this time for midfielder Becalik.

I sat with a glass of excellent Shiraz and contemplated the news. Gladbach had turned me down, which was disappointing if maybe not surprising. On the same morning, news flashes reported that Koln’s manager Uwe Rapolder had been sacked. Koln was a job I had been interested in for a while, but not so any longer. They were looking like getting relegated to the Regional Leagues floundering as they were at the wrong end of Division Two, and seemed to be in a mess internally. Coupled with that, the news from Koln via Maria that Anni was dating a wealthy businessman met as a client, and I decided to not to bother. Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munchen were still leaning on their managers however, and I made a note to keep my eyes on things. Both Munich and Berlin were some distance from Koblenz, and Koln, and maybe that was what I needed. Gladbach, meanwhile, swiftly appointed former Frankfurt manager Schafer as their new boss. I decided not to bother with the Frankfurt job either, turning my attention to the next and final game of the month, home to run away league leaders Bayern II.

A bright, dry afternoon brought over 1800 to the Oberwerth. I had decided to go with a defensive line up whilst drumming it into the players to have an attacking mentality, in the hope that Bayern II would be caught out. Steinwarth came into the starting line up and Melnikov started up front alongside Rahn, so Guterstam missed out.

My ruse worked early on, three times my strikers got through one-on-one with their ‘keeper in the first fifteen minutes but failed to beat him. In the end, Steinwarth mopped up from a goal mouth scramble to give us the lead, and went on to double his and our tally before half time with a thumping drive from the edge of the box.

2-0 up at halftime I told them to keep it tidy and guard against mistakes. Before the hour Rahn put us three up but they pulled one back almost immediately. Five minutes from the end their ‘keeper got sloppy and Melnikov rolled the ball into the empty net from 25 yards out to complete a fine 4-1 win. We could easily have scored more too. Melnikov got the Man of the Match Award this time.

The headlines the following day read simply ‘Koblenz hammer Bayern II’. Rudi had been bubbling when I called in for breakfast, and even later that day Bruno looked me up to congratulate me.

In my office at the very end of the month, I offered new contracts to several of the coaching staff as well as Klaus, but asked Bruno to hold off on mine until the end of the season. I was by now leaning more towards staying at Koblenz but was still not one hundred percent sure.

Becalik picked up the March Player of the Month Award which was great for him and well deserved. Meanwile, the managers of Bayern and Berlin were continuing to come under the media’s harsh spotlight, and Koln hired Zelkjo Buval for their manager’s position.

We finished the month in 2nd place and sitting in an automatic promotion slot with six games to play. We had so far P28 W17 D3 L8 GF63 GA29 GD+34 and 54PTS, just 4 points less than had earned us promotion the last time around. We were, however, still a massive 14 points behind Bayern II but only 4 points ahead of third placed Offenbach. It was all too close to call!

Not so good for Villa though, with 39 points from 32 games played they were 12th in their league and not assured of safety yet, though the drop was unlikely. Elsewhere, a number of managers in the Premiership were under pressure, and one or two in the Championship also.

At my flat that night, with April only a few hours of darkness away, and making good progress through a fine Cabernet Sauvignon, I truly relaxed for the first time in many months. Whatever will be will be I thought, as the saying goes!

[jim65]

April 2008

Frankfurt made sure Uwe Rapolder, the recently sacked Koln manager, was not unemployed for long by taking him on as their new boss. I got my thinking head on and hired Ukranian scout Olexandr Tretvak and sent him to his homelands in Eastern Europe on a three month tour of duty. Timo, recently back from Scandinavia, was reassigned closer to home with a three month stint in Germany.

We made our trip to The Robert Schlienz Stadion on a cool Friday evening. 1600 or so fans had gathered to see Ruud Gullit’s Stutgarter II take us on. They would not have expected Melnikov to start up front alongside Rahn, and Cozza to be playing in the hole behind the pair. If they had maybe they could have prevented Cozza slicing open their back line with three slide rule passes in the first thirteen minutes, resulting in three of the most clinical strikes you could wish to see. They should have stopped Kujala’s stroll into the box for a far post tap in three minutes later though, but did not. After that, it was all over anyway. They never got close, we enjoyed dabbling with formation and substitutions for the better part of 75 minutes. 0-4. Melnikov collected the Man of the Match Award. The only down side was Guatelli stumbling after catching a poor cross and turning his ankle. The physio believes he’ll miss the rest of the season.

The early April news from England is that Everton had won the Championship and thereby promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Here, Frankfurt are relegated to the Regional Division South despite their new manager, Bayreuth will drop out of the league all together and Peter Neurure gets the Duisburg job.

With just two more games to play this month before an untimely International break, I have a squad in good spirits for the visit of Wehen. Gurski will replace the injured Guatelli and young Bach will take a place on the bench after some impressive performances in the under 23 squad.

Over 2700 came for the visit of Wehen on a horribly overcast and sticky Saturday afternoon in Koblenz. Wehen went down to ten men after just 12 minutes as their centre back left the referee no choice but to show him red for a cynical foul. Kujala rubbed home the punishment by belting in the resultant free kick from 20 yards. Cozza doubled the lead on 20 and it was Cozza again on 29 with a brilliantll timed burst into the box that made it 3-0. We remained focussed, and despite conceding a consolation early in the second half, never looked like losing the points. 3-1. Oskar Edholm suffered concussion and may be out for a fortnight, but this was our 7th consecutive league win and sets a new club record for Koblenz.

Braunschweig secured promotion to the second division from the Regional Division North.

We travelled to Heffenheim’s Dietmar Hopp Stadion in good spirits and looking to increase our winning run. Perhaps we got too cocky, who knows. With just one of our usual starting players missing we played like we had all eleven injured! Two down inside 10 minutes I found myself wondering how it could all so drastically wrong so quickly. We were three down by half time and I had to question the boys’ desire to win the game. A much better second half ensued and substitute Damm provided an excellent consolation for us late on. 3-1 defeat. I told the players afterwards that it simply wasn’t good enough if they wanted Second Division football next term. Other than that, it’ll just have to go down as an off-day for now.

And so we went into the unwanted break on a low note rather than a high, and I asked the players to reflect on that last result and question just how much they wanted promotion.

Chelsea wrapped up the English title back home, Villa were safe in 12th place with 46 points from 37 games played, but yet another non-season for Villa fans everywhere I’m afraid!

Karlsruhe lost their place in the First Division here in Germany, and Bayern II secured the title in our own division with that 14 point lead still intact with just three games to go. We were holding our own in 2nd place though, now 6 points clear of third placed Offenbach. It was in our hands, but many more performances like the last one and we could yet conspire to throw it all away.

Our figures at the end of April were still good though, P31 W19 D3 L9 GF71 GA33 GD+38 and 60PTS, 2 more points than in our last promotion year with 9 more still to play for!

[jim65]

May 2008

I awoke early with the bright spring sunshine streaming through the gaps in the hastily drawn curtains. My mind was clear and sharp, but for a surprising need for a cigarette, a feeling I hadn’t had for the best part of a year. Trying to shrug that off, I headed for the shower, and the previous night’s quandary came back to mind as I stood under the stinging jets of hot water.

We had a six point lead on Offenbach with three games to go. Did I send the team out, as ever, to win or did I err on the side of caution and send them out not to lose?

I towelled down roughly and threw on some clean clothes. In the kitchen I put the kettle on for coffee and for the first time checked the time. Not even six yet! I lingered over the coffee, my mind busy exploring the tactical and line up issues for the day’s game, but that nagging urge to have a smoke wouldn’t go away. Maybe I was subconsciously feeling the heat a little more than even I had realised?

I left the flat and drove straight to the Oberwerth, startling the security guard with my early arrival and headed for the sanctuary of my office, and more coffee. By the time I reached my little room, my mind was set on getting the win and having promotion confirmed at the earliest possible opportunity. Drawing up the team sheet over more coffee was fairly straightforward after that!

Bruno arrived with the morning papers and showed me the headlines on the back page. It read ‘Kazmierczak rallies the troops’, and the article underneath was a very positive interview from Captain Krys urging his team mates to deliver a solid win against Augsburg today. Good stuff! There was also news of Dresden’s promotion to the First Division and relegation from the Second for Aue.

I told Bruno that we would be going for it and he was pleased, leaving after joining me for a coffee and a chat that lasted nearly an hour. We’d discussed which players were likely to come under scrutiny from the bigger clubs in the summer, and there were several, and what targets that my scouts and I had already got in our sights. It was a good, if unscheduled, meeting, and I left my office in confident mood.

Cozza had to be left out of the starting eleven as he hadn’t fully recovered from a slight knock picked up in training, so Melnikov dropped back into the hole and Guterstam was restored to the starting line up. A warm, dry Saturday afternoon saw over 2600 at the Oberwerth. The football wasn’t brilliant, with both sides restricted to mostly long range efforts, but there was a steeliness to us and I didn’t think we would concede. And so it proved, as the game petered out into a rare draw, 0-0. In truth a fair result for both sides, but certainly good enough for us!

Offenbach had lost their game, giving us a 7 point lead with just 2 games to go. Second place was assured, or league runners up if you prefer, and with it promotion back to the Second Division. Job done!

Much later, after all the press interviews had died down, I headed to Rudi’s where there was sure to be a party. However, having got there, and looking from across the street at the mass of bodies jammed into to the little cafeteria, I realised that I wanted to be on my own. So with a stop into the newsagents for the evening editions, I went to my flat.

Alone with a bottle of the best South African Cabernet Sauvignon, I raised my glass to Koblenz and started to work through the sports pages of the evening papers. One had the headline ‘Koblenz delight at unexpected promotion’ with an article based on Bruno’s press conference after the match, praising me and the players. Another had the headline ‘Will Sichstefeiff stay?’ with an article based on conjecture and speculation as I had avoided this journalist and not given him even a quote, much less an answer! Yet another lead with ‘Sichstefeiff best manager around’ and was based on fans’ rather one-sided views. They all made good reading, and I was so pleased for Bruno and everyone at the club!

Other news was of Braunschweig’s promotion from the Regional Division North and Schalke’s third consecutive First Division title

After reading all this, I sat back in my armchair with a refilled glass. On the table, amongst the discarded newsprint, was a packet of cigarettes that had been opened. I lit one up and enjoyed the smoke, the wine and that feeling of satisfaction that wouldn’t go away. The hell with the consequences, this is my party and I’ll do it my way!

During the week, Bayern lost to Valencia in the Euro Cup Final, and it seemed that everywhere I went, everybody wanted to ask me whether I was staying at Koblenz or moving on. I kept my answers vague every time, but in truth the challenge of keeping Koblenz in the second division, one I had failed once, was very appealing. Unfortunately, just as appealing was the desire to go higher, to a bigger club on a bigger stage, be that in Germany or at home in England. Truth to tell, I simply hadn’t managed to decide yet!

We travelled to the Stadion am Bollenfallfor on a wet but stickily hot afternoon for a now irrelevant match against Darmstadt, our last on the road of the season. Cozza returned to the starting eleven, as did Guatelli who had got himself back to full fitness ahead of schedule. This meant that Guterstam missed out as Melnikov moved into the striker’s role alongside Rahn. Caysa scored inside fifteen minutes to give us the lead, pouncing on a rebound from a brilliantly saved Melnikov shot. Just before the half hour they had an equaliser ruled out for offside, despite the ball having come back off our ‘keeper, and we then went straight up the other end and scored through a powerful drive from Melnikov. Just before the hour they pulled one back with a smart volley just inside the box, and I used all three substitutes to freshen things up. Caysa scored our third on 68 and Cozza capped a fine performance with the fourth in stoppage time to complete a relatively easy 4-1 win. Captain Chris took the Man of the Match Award, and we now had a stupid three week lay-off before the final game of the season at home to already relegated Bayreuth.

During that break, Liverpool beat Man City in a close fought F A Cup Final by a solitary goal. Wigan, Sunderland and Luton were relegated to the Championship. Villa had secured 12th place with 49 points from their 38 games, and O’Leary’s job remained secure. A handful of others were less safe though.

Kujala was ruled out of our final game after bruising some ribs in training. Bielefield dropped out of the First Division and Eschborn dropped out of the league all together.

In the end of season ups and downs, Pfullendorf won the second division title and promotion to division one, and notably Koln lost their second division status.

Hertha Berlin won the German Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bielefield that will surely see their manager safe for another season. Bayern finished as runners up to Schalke in the first division, but still there was call for their manager to be axed.

Elsewhere, a ding dong European Champions Cup final between Madrid and Barcelona ended with the latter taking home the trophy after a 2-1 win, and at home Charlton and Ipswich reclaimed their top flight status along with Everton.

At Koblenz, Jeton Arifi damaged cruciate ligaments and could miss up to nine months whilst Becalik injured his Achilles and is set to miss three. These two pieces of news were fillers in the headline back page article entitled ‘Sichstefeiff signs new deal, Chairman delighted’ which also featured quotes from some of the players telling how pleased they were. I still wasn’t sure how I felt.

A disappointing 300 or so turned out for the final game of the season on a blisteringly hot afternoon at the Oberwerth. Rahn headed us in front after 20 minutes, Melnikov missed a penalty two minutes later and there was not much else to be said about a drab match in which it was clear that neither side had anything left to play for. Still, nice to take a win and a clean sheet before the summer break.

We finished in 2nd place, 13 points behind Champions Bayern II who were not promoted, and 7 points ahead of 3rd placed Offenbach who were. Our final figures of P34 W21 D4 L9 GF76 GA34 GD+42 and 67PTS were pleasing indeed. At the end of season awards, Rahn picked up a runners-up spot in Goalscorer of the Season with his tally of 19 (just one more than Melnikov), and Melnikov got the coveted Player of the Season Award which was fully deserved. Rahn got Goal of the season, and no fewer than eight Koblenz players were named in the Team of the Year.

The evening’s celebrations were enjoyed by all, and ended all too quickly.

[Wimb The Barman]

\o/ Wahey good work Jim

[jim65]

Thanks Wimb

[jim65]

June 2008

The month started with some unpleasant duties. Kolinger and Mykulanynets were almost out of contract and as such were released. Ziehl, Mumumi, Gauseth, Drews and Haben were transfer listed, the latter with much regret. Haben would be a great player, but I couldn’t fit him into my system and felt it was best to let him move on and play first team football elsewhere. This left us with vacancies for two centre backs and the search began.

The news that both Hertha and Bayern had sacked their managers was surprising. I sent off applications for both, expecting a curt knock back from Bayern but maybe something more from Berlin. I heard nothing from either, but read about their new managers in the press. Fair enough. In a way it helped, because this made me more than ever committed to Koblenz and determined to keep them up.

Meanwhile, Euro 2008 got underway with both Germany and England favoured to do well.

At Koblenz, the transfer of Haben to Offenbach for GBP 50,000 and of Gauseth to Kassel for GBP 24,000 were agreed. Semion Melnikov was voted Fans’ Player of the Year for the second year running.

Bruno and I sat down and agreed that survival was the aim, and he gave me a transfer budget of GBP 275,000 to do this, along with whatever I raised in player sales. There was still room for manouver in the wage budget without increasing that.

I was also told of Anni’s engagement to her businessman friend, and sent my best wishes to her via Maria. There was little else to be said, but it felt strange to be saddened by what was after all good news.

Germany and England both went out in the Quarter Finals, Germany to Latvia after extra time and England to Holland after a straight forward 3-1 bashing!

Both the Manchester jobs became available at the same time, but by now I wasn’t interested in a move of that kind at all! I had, in fact, been to view several homes along the Rhine and had already collected my new lease car.

After Denmark smashed Holland in the Euro 2008 Final, I took a short leave before the players returned for pre-Season training, during which time I moved into a small bungalow on the outskirts of town right on the river side. There was nothing particularly special about the place, except for the decking at the rear that overlooked the Rhine directly. There were even steps down to a private jetty but the deck area itself was relatively private, screened by a mass of cleverly planted greenery.

I settled in quickly, enjoying sitting on the decking with whatever wine I had at the time and a cigarette in total privacy. I was happy and content, and raring to go for my fourth season in charge of TuS Koblenz!

[jim65]

July 2008

Assessing my squad for the coming season in Division Two, I had no doubt that we were in better shape than our last sortie into this league. Players brought to the club at the end of our relegation season had now settled in well and most of them had performed superbly in the recent promotion campaign. I was therefore confident that this squad, with the addition of two more centre backs for cover, would survive this time around if we could retain the better ones like Captain Krys, Jussi Kujala and Semion Melnikov.

With this in mind I spent some time early in the month looking at contracts. Captain Krys, Lundevall, Edholm, Defendi, Becalik and Kujala were all offered new contracts on significantly improved terms. I was hoping that they would all sign up fairly quickly, but suspected that Kujala in particular might prove to be a bit over the top with his demands.

As predicted, all bar Kujala signed their deals enthusiastically. The Finn also refused a second offer leaving me no alternative but to transfer list him, with only one year left on his current contract. I was very disappointed, because he was a great player.

I did have some fun early in the month though, and it was about Kujala. The mighty Aston Villa came knocking asking to loan him, and I had great pleasure in returning their e-mail with the simple reply of ‘Sichstefeiff laughs off interest from Villa’. Vengeance can be very sweet sometimes!

We also received GBP 1,000 from Plauen in relation to the onward sale on former player Guti. I wasn’t surprised that he was moving on again. Plenty of talent but so little application. Shame.

Swiss side Servette paid a visit to the Oberwerth for our first pre-season game on yet another bright, sunny afternoon. The crowd could be counted by hand there were so few which was disappointing, but the superior level of opposition taught us a lesson. A goal down inside 4 minutes and looking the poor relation, I changed our formation to a defensive one but with an attacking bent. This levelled things out and the game became much more competitive. We didn’t get level until the 77th minute though, when substitute Damm scored a rifling half volley from eighteen yards, but we lost our concentration and they got the winner a few minutes later. The 2-1 defeat, overall, was a fair reflection of the game and it had been a good first workout for us.

There was plenty of interest in Kujala, with both Ipswich and Young Boys making enquiries. I chanced my arm and asked for GBP 2,000,000 and was rewarded with firm offers from both clubs. Having signed him for just GBP 30,000 this was a very good deal for Koblenz.

I moved quickly to bring in his replacement, with 25 year old Frenchman William Mocquet joining from Kiel for GBP 24,000. Also signing on the same day was 24 year old German centre back Lars Marten, a free transfer from Munster. Although Bruno had been clear enough that I could spend all monies from player sales, the Kujala fee would go a long way in putting the club into good order and I was determined to let Bruno use the lion’s share of it for that purpose.

We travelled to the Stadion Chorwieler in Koln to play lower league Yardumspor, and reverted to a more attacking formation. We were a goal down at the break, and a Defendi own goal at the death sealed a 2-0 defeat, much to the delight of the 2000 or so home fans in attendance. I was disappointed at the lack of effort and told the players so, but also decided on a permanent switch of formation to the more defensive one used effectively in the previous outing against Servette.

Kujala completed his move to Switzerland, and Bruno couldn’t take the smile off his face for the rest of the day! Meanwhile, we had drawn First Division Bochum at home in the first round of the German Cup, to be played mid-August. As a result of this, it would seem, Bochum cancelled their scheduled visit to the Oberwerth for a pre-season friendly.

Before the visit of Hertha Berlin, I took time out to enjoy a barbecue at my new home in the company of Rudi and Maria. The early evening had been warm, Rudi’s cooking skills had been excellent and the wine had been superb. A lovely evening that went well into the night. Maria brought news of Anni too, whom it seemed was all speed ahead into wedding preparations whilst also considering an offer from a rival practice to buy out her Koln operation. It seemed everything was going well for her.

Maria also hinted that she had other friends, but I politely and firmly declined the obvious offer, stating that Koblenz needed my full attention in the coming year. I think she would have pushed this a little further, but caught Rudi’s warning glance at her through the barbecue smoke.

Nearly 8000 poured into the Oberwerth to see us take on First Division Hertha Berlin. In the absence of Becalik, I drafted Ghanian midfielder Mumumi into the starting eleven. Mumumi had been on the transfer list but I withdrew that and told him to prove himself, with the reward of a new contract if he did well. It was another warm, summer evening and Berlin were at full strength, but we put in a gritty performance against far superior opposition and though it ended 0-0, which in itself was a great result, we could and perhaps should have nicked it. Nevertheless, proof that the new formation was the way forward, and Mumumi had a great game! Oskar Edholm got a slight knock, but shouldn’t miss more than a week.

Back home, Tottenham dispensed with the services of Martin Jol and replaced him with Brian Kerr, and Blackburn brought Mike Newell in to be their boss.

My new patio furniture was getting plenty of use as the warm, dry summer continued, and my decking became a favourite haunt to the most beautiful dragonflies I ever saw. It was delightful to sit and relax in complete privacy with the sound of the great river swooshing by. I don’t believe I have ever been so at home or so at peace with myself before! I was smoking only at home during the evenings, and enjoying my usual selection of New World wines. I think accepting oneself goes a long way towards happiness, more so than cash even!

We retained the same formation for our visit to Bocholt. Just under 7000 came to the Stadion am Hunting and were treated to a real display of fine football in the first half. Caysa headed us in front after just 3 minutes, and a minute later Melnikov blasted home to double the advantage. Caysa then had to go off injured, but replacement Sobolewski set up Rahn for the third after 20 minutes. Melnikov added the fourth and Stahl smashed home the 5th on the half hour. As the heat began to take its toll, we slowed up, and after a host of substitutions saw out the 5-0 win. We hadn’t given them a sniff for the entire game, and might well have had a cricket score! Caysa’s injured ankle would keep him out for up to 8 weeks, Mumumi had another great game too.We retained the same formation for our visit to Bocholt. Just under 7000 came to the Stadion am Hunting and were treated to a real display of fine football in the first half. Caysa headed us in front after just 3 minutes, and a minute later Melnikov blasted home to double the advantage. Caysa then had to go off injured, but replacement Sobolewski set up Rahn for the third after 20 minutes. Melnikov added the fourth and Stahl smashed home the 5th on the half hour. As the heat began to take its toll, we slowed up, and after a host of substitutions saw out the 5-0 win. We hadn’t given them a sniff for the entire game, and might well have had a cricket score! Caysa’s injured ankle would keep him out for up to 8 weeks, Mumumi had another great game too.

Dejan Simac, a 26 year old Croatian centre back, joined from Wehen for GBP 26,000 completing the squad a day later. I was still considering whether the acquisition of another striker, bearing in mind the long term injury to Arifi, was necessary though and was harbouring concerns about Frenchman Mocquet in terms of his fitness more than anything. I decided to give him the benefit for now.

Our final pre-season game took us to Baunatal and the Parkstadion, where again nearly 7000 paid to see the match. Using the same formation, that the players were now comfortable with, we won easily without ever stretching ourselves really. Melnikov provided both the goals, one in each half, to complete a 2-0 win in which our own goal was never threatened.

As the month drew to a close, I knew it would be one that I would look back on with fondness, a steady and happy time in my otherwise hectic life. It would have been nice to see Anni again, but her life was moving on apace without me and I was content to let my own drift along at its own speed.

We were 40-1 for promotion with the bookies, but survival this time was what it was all about! Becalik returned to training after his Achilles injury, and defender Ziehl moved on to Waltenschied for GBP 5,000.

Bayern smashed Hertha Berlin 3-1 in the German League Cup final.

With our first league game on August 1st, I spent the last evening of July on the decking. I still technically had GBP 2,200,000 in the transfer pot and over GBP 12,500 to play with on the wage budget, but was fairly happy with the squad and the staff I had and wasn’t planning any more additions at this time, unless my scouts turned up a real gem of a striker during August.

All things considered a good summer, and now it was back to the real work!

[jim65]

August 2008

Friday the First dawned fresh and bright, and after a quiet hour on the deck I headed to the ground. It took a good half an hour to drive there from the new house and it was a drive I had become used to over the summer, and enjoyed. After a light training session, and lunch, we boarded the coach for the journey to Saarbrucken, right on the French border just a whisker away from Metz.

I wasn’t in such a good mood on the bus coming home. It had all started well enough, Saarbrucken’s Ludwigparkstadion had a noisy 9000 fans inside when Rahn turned sharply on the edge of the box and cracked a screamer into the top corner after just ten minutes. As the cool, summer evening drew on though, Saarbrucken started to get a grip on the game. Early in the second half they equalised, and added two more mid way through the half in a three minute period of carelessness on our part. The 3-1 defeat hurt, and it could have been very different had Melnikov and Cozza not missed clear chances in the second half. Worse than that, Sobolewski took a knock that will keep him out for up to 8 weeks, leaving us without a fit left winger and only one game played!

Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Community Shield back home, with reports saying that quality of finishing had perhaps been the only difference between the sides. Sounded familiar.

A search of the transfer list for a decent left winger bore no fruit, so I decided to play Captain Krys on the flank for Wednesday’s home game against Unterhaching, bringing Eichner in to fill in at left back. I had no other options, and already now had four regulars injured and Becalik only just getting his fitness back. Funny how those frustrating International breaks never came along when you needed one. We had four more games this month in quick succession! The memories of our last luckless escapade in Division Two were still all too fresh, but that aside, the spirit in the camp was still good.

Only 260 came to the Oberwerth for our first home game of the season, which disappointed me, but the performance from the players did not. Unterhaching were forced on to the back foot from the start, and when their keeper and two centre backs got themselves in a right royal knot after just 8 minutes, Melnikov pounced to open the scoring. We contained them well, and created a series of chances for ourselves, but it took until just after the interval for us to double lead. Stahl took a free kick quickly, and the unmarked Steinwarth drove home from twenty yards. Ten minutes later Melnikov capped a Man of the Match performance with a sizzling free kick. Captain Krys had a solid game out of position on the left flank, Becalik got thirty minutes under his belt after his injury lay-off, and debutant defender Simac was another notable performer. A Wednesday night well spent!

A few days later we travelled to the Allianz Arena, where nearly 20,000 turned up on a hot, humid afternoon for our visit. We started nervously, conceding early on, then got a hold of the game only for them to double the lead before the break on the counter. I changed back to the diamond after the break, and within ten minutes we had one back through Melnikov and continued to threaten with every attack. As we pressed and pressed for the equaliser, they caught us napping and snatched a third with only minutes to go. A disappointing result because our performance deserved better than a 3-1 defeat!

We then had the luxury of a week before the visit of First Division Bochum in the German Cup. It wasn’t a good week for journalism. 1860 Munchen’s goalkeeper had won the Man of the Match award at our game (which in itself tells a story), but the headlines read ‘Fine display of attacking football gets Grunberger Man of the Match’ and this was followed up by ‘Mumumi demands first team football’. Kadir and I had a laugh about it anyway, as he’d started the last five or so games!

The other news of note for us was that Hertha had accepted our loan offer for left winger Sebastian Stachnik, only for the player to take a week to tell us he had no intention of coming to Koblenz! Frustrating.

A healthy 8374 turned out for the German Cup game against First Division Bochum, in what proved to be another superb performance with a disappointing result. We matched them every step of the way for 90 minutes, creating a fair few chances along the way in what was an unexpectedly even encounter. Extra time ensued, and they scored after 99 minutes from an excellent cross and lethal diving header. And so it finished, a 1-0 defeat, but if ever there was pride in a loss then this defined it, and I made sure every single one of my players knew it!

The gruelling match took its toll though, with Steinwarth about to miss a fortnight and Rahn a month, leaving us with five regulars injured and the squad in need of reinforcement. Some of Bruno’s Kujala cash would have to be spent, and I had a week to do it before the next game!

Hertha made a GBP 1,000,000 bid for Melnikov, which I rejected. If anyone was going to take away my prized asset it would be for at least triple that amount, but I had also the knowledge that I didn’t have to sell. Far from it in fact, as the following day for a fee of GBP 180,000 we signed Polish International winger Damian Gorawski from Leeds. Damian was 29 and had been in England for two years, not really making his mark since a switch from Moscow where he had had the best couple of years of his career. He could play on either wing or in the hole, which made him a useful buy. I was hoping to resurrect some of that form, so in a sense it was a bit of gamble, but then I hadn’t too much choice really. He would go straight into the side though not fully match fit, allowing Captain Krys to go back to left back. Dejan Simac stepped up to one of the defensive midfield roles and Brazilian Defendi would return to the line up after injury for our final game of the month, and the last before a two week International break. Normally, I got very frustrated with these breaks, but this time we needed it.

Barcelona and Valencia drew out a thrilling 3-3 in the European Super Cup, with Barcelona triumphant after a 5-4 penalty shoot out.

Offenbach, promoted with us last season, had fared a little better than ourselves with three straight wins to start their league campaign. They came to the Oberwerth on a chilly, wet Sunday afternoon as the glorious summer weather finally seemed to break. A last minute decision saw me select Gurski in goal ahead of Guatelli, and he was busy in the first quarter hour as Offenbach, in front of 1000 or so fans, took the game to us. That changed when we were awarded a penalty on 15 minutes, and despite Melnikov’s miss from the spot, my lot suddenly got into gear. Melnikov made up for the penalty miss with a trademark free kick strike on 18 from all of 25 yards that left the ‘keeper stranded, and Guterstam, in the side for the injured Rahn, netted a cracking volley just inside the box two minutes later. Melnikov swept in the third, his 5th of the season, after a very neat passing move on our part, and then made it four with a real goal poacher’s finish inside the six yard box. We kept up the pressure, and a second penalty was awarded to us just before the break which Melnikov made no mistake with this time. 5-0 at half time, and Melnikov’s contribution of four of them would become a new record for Koblenz. Nobody had previously scored that many in a single game before! We conceded plenty of possession in the second half, with Offenbach new boy Stefan Haben having a good game for them, but we didn’t concede any goals and retained the clean sheet for a superb win. Gorawski came through the whole match and had played really well, as did the impressive Simac in his second start and second position. Nobody was surprised that Melnikov got the Man of the Match award, but certainly everyone at Koblenz was surprised by the ‘Offenbach unfortunate to lose’ headline in the following morning’s papers!

The following day, Caysa resumed training which was a welcome boost for the squad, and the transfer deadline passed with the end of the month leaving us with figures of P4 W2 D0 L2 GF10 GA6 GD+4 PTS 6. We were 10th in the league, 5 points clear of the dreaded drop zone and 4 points off the top.

Back home, Villa surprised everyone by being in 3rd place at the turn of the month, with 10 points from their 5 games, but it was early days and it remained to be seen whether the clueless O’Leary could sustain the charge.

[jim65]

September 2008

The month started with disappointing news. Steinwarth aggravated his groin injury in training and would be sidelined for another four weeks, and Mumumi turned down a very good contract offer from us, leaving me in no doubt that the player wished to leave the Oberwerth. Still, with Simac capable of performing in their role it was not dire news.

In August, we had won our two home games and lost both our games on the road, so for the forthcoming trip to league leaders Bielefield I decided on a more cautious approach.

The warm weather, perhaps in a last defiant attempt to hold back the advancing autumn, returned with a vengeance as the temperatures topped 30 degrees on our Sunday afternoon visit to the Schuco Arena, where over 17,500 fans assembled. I retained the same formation, but sent the lads out in a cautious frame of mind in an attempt to get some away points on the board. The game turned into a battle, a fair but physical bout between two teams unwilling to concede, and neither did until well into stoppage time when Edholm gave away a penalty and received a red card for his trouble. I couldn’t argue the decisions, and they converted the spot kick to send us down to our third away defeat in three. It was heart wrenching though, having done all the hard work so well, to lose 1-0 so stupidly right at the end!

Sobolewski was back in training shortly after the Bielefield game, but wouldn’t be fit enough to play for some weeks yet.

Nearly 3000 saw us take on Aachen at the Oberwerth. Autumn looked, inevitably, to be winning over the weather on a cool, wet afternoon. Mocquet replaced young Stahl whom I rested, and Martens stood in for the suspended Edholm. Most of the first half saw a chess like exchange of play from the two teams, with us having the better of the early chances until a lightning counter strike ended with Melnikov flashing the ball passed their advancing ‘keeper for the lead after 41 minutes. Three minutes later, a moment of magic from Gorawski on the left wing lead to Guterstam finding the net with a bullet far post header just before the interval. Warning them to keep their focus, and replacing contract rebel Mumumi with Becalik who was still in search of fitness, I sent them back out to hold on to the three points. We continued to have the better of things, and extended our lead as Mocquet arrived late into the box to finish off another wonderful Gorawski cross. With less than ten minutes remaining they pulled one back from the penalty spot after a harsh decision against Martens, who hadn’t done much if anything wrong up until then. Substitute Damm picked up a knock late on, and was in turn substituted as we saw out the remaining few minutes for a superb 3-1 win. Gorawski collected the Man of the Match award, much to my personal satisfaction. His signing was looking a lot less of a gamble now!

I was surprised once more by the morning papers, but not this time by poor journalism but by the quote attributed to the Aachen manager in the headline that the result had been ‘an injustice’. I wondered if he had watched the same game as I had, but shrugged it off.

Rahn resumed training, but Damm would be out for around a fortnight with bruised ribs.

At home, Sunderland sitting in 21st place in the Championship, sacked Mick McCarthy and the British tabloids were including me in the list of possible candidates. So much so, that one of them called me, I think it was the Mirror, to enquire how true the speculation was. I flatly denied interest in the job. This made the papers at home and in Germany, much to the delight of Bruno and the board. By the time all this blew over, Sunderland had quietly appointed Kevin Ball.

I remembered Stutgarter K’s Gazi Stadion auf der Waldau for its name if nothing else. We visited on a cool, dry Monday evening in the knowledge that they had yet to register any points on the board but had somehow managed to become the bookies favourites for a win. Edholm returned to the starting eleven, as did Becalik following Mumumi’s childish reaction to his substitution in the previous match. Despite a solid start from both sides in front of over 2600 fans, it was the hosts who went in front somewhat fortuitously just before the half hour, but were down to ten men a couple of minutes later. From that point they did nothing but defend. I changed to the tried and tested diamond to attack throughout the second half, but they defended resiliently, even after going down to nine men on 70 minutes. I was just giving up hope when a harmless Mocquet cross was badly fumbled, and then palmed into his own net by the Stutgarter k goalkeeper, but despite really laying siege to their goal for the last ten minutes they held on for the 1-1 draw. Still, our first point on the road and we had to take the positives from that.

Guterstam picked up an injury to rule him out for a month, but Steinwarth returned to training ahead of schedule, as did Rahn.

Chemnitz visited the Oberwerth to complete our September campaign in a game I fancied us to win. Nearly 2500 fans braved the rain on a cool afternoon. Rahn started in place of Guterstam and Steinwarth took Mumumi’s place on the bench. The game was a boring one, the height of excitement was Rahn’s disallowed, but brilliantly finished, effort on the half hour. Chemnitz came for a point and got one, and we didn’t deliver the kind of performance that would inspire many of the attending fans to return next time. And Rahn went off injured again! 0-0.

So, we finished the month with P8 W3 D2 L3 GF14 GA9 GD+5 and 11PTS. A quick glance at the table saw us comfortably in the middle, but a closer inspection showed that we were only 3 points above the relegation places but already 9 adrift of the front runners.

In England, Villa remained in 3rd place to most peoples’ surprise, with 16 points from 9 games played.

Without a game until mid-October due to another International break, followed by 5 games on the spin, I took a couple of days off.

[jim65]

October 2008

In the first few days of the month, in a moment of quiet reflection, I realised that maybe I should have thought more about the Sunderland job. As a career move, from German Second Division to English Championship was probably a step up, and a step also towards my dream of a triumphant return to Villa Park. When Newcastle sacked Souness, my interest was only fleeting, however, because I felt that that would be a step too far, but it made me have a whole fresh look at the idea of moving on.

When I considered it, my friendship with Rudi and Maria, and to a much lesser extent with Anni, was all I had really to show for more than three years in Germany, at least as far as my personal life was concerned. Not much of an achievement really. Professionally, I had overseen an up and down three seasons for Koblenz, literally! Had I taken them as far as I could? They would need a big investment to really push for higher levels, and I didn’t see any way that could happen with such a small fan base, no matter how committed the die hard core. Yes, I could have spent much more in the transfer market, but that wouldn’t help the club’s longevity without regularly higher attendances. Our first season in Division Two had proved that we would not get more through the turnstiles just by stepping up a flight, and attendances now were still nothing like we’d achieved in my first season. The club was financially stable, but more due to the two big player sales than supporter revenue. Maybe I had taken them as far as I could? Maybe it was time to move on. I would certainly leave them in significantly better shape now than when I had arrived, both in terms of squad quality and financially.

Newcastle appointed Felix McGath very quickly, and as there were no other vacancies the problem became academic once more, so I went back to work on the training grounds of Koblenz, to prepare for our trip to Munster.

Over 2000 at the Preussen Stadion saw a very competitive and entertaining game. Rahn fired us ahead on 24 minutes and for a good while it looked like we were going to go on and get another, until Edholm pressed the self-destruct button and conceded a silly penalty just ten minutes later, which they duly converted. They went ahead just before the interval, much to my annoyance. I kept the team talk at half time upbeat though, and told them to keep at it. Just 2 minutes into the second half Melnikov found the net with a stylishly placed shot that left their goalkeeper with no chance. Both sides made substitutions to try and influence the game, which hung in the balance for most of the second half with either side looking capable of taking the win, but the whistle went to finalise a 2-2 draw in which neither side could really complain. A fourth game unbeaten, but our third consecutive draw, and that form wasn’t going to keep us in the Second Division.Over 2000 at the Preussen Stadion saw a very competitive and entertaining game. Rahn fired us ahead on 24 minutes and for a good while it looked like we were going to go on and get another, until Edholm pressed the self-destruct button and conceded a silly penalty just ten minutes later, which they duly converted. They went ahead just before the interval, much to my annoyance. I kept the team talk at half time upbeat though, and told them to keep at it. Just 2 minutes into the second half Melnikov found the net with a stylishly placed shot that left their goalkeeper with no chance. Both sides made substitutions to try and influence the game, which hung in the balance for most of the second half with either side looking capable of taking the win, but the whistle went to finalise a 2-2 draw in which neither side could really complain. A fourth game unbeaten, but our third consecutive draw, and that form wasn’t going to keep us in the Second Division.

Guterstam returned to training the following day and there was real hope that he could return to action in our next game. Mumumi, though, pulled a groin muscle in sprint training and will miss the next month or so.

As it turned out, Guterstam only made the bench for the visit of Duisburg to the Oberwerth on a wet, windy afternoon. Indeed, the poor conditions were to play their part in proceedings in front of nearly 3500 fans. Duisburg got the lead after just 16 minutes, a cross whipped in from the left superbly met by their striker leaving Gurski stranded, and despite a fiercely contested midfield, that was how the score remained at the break. Reverting to the diamond, I sent Caysa on to play in the hole and Guterstam to replace a tiring Rahn. Just before the hour, it was Guterstam who intercepted a poor back bass that was slowed on the wet surface, and cracked it into the nest passed the advancing goalkeeper from 35 yards. The game looked to be heading for yet another draw, when a carbon copy of our goal presented them will all three points. I left the ground without speaking to the players, press or anyone else. I left frustrated, angry and totally fed up.

A few days later, we travelled to Freiburg’s Badenova Stadion on a night of driving rain and gusting winds. I changed to the diamond formation from the start this time, with Simac dropping into the back four to replace Edholm, whom I’d dropped after a couple of shaky showings. Melnikov and Damm started up front but both Guterstam and Rahn made the bench, though neither fully fit. Caysa came back into the starting line up to play in the hole up front, and Mocquet replaced Stahl on the right with Gorawski retaining the left wing berth. Guatelli replaced Gurski in goal. We looked solid in the first half, and matched them, creating few chances but looking solid enough at the back. But the conditions had taken their toll, so personnel changes were made with Guterstam and Sobolewski thrown on at the break. Just before the hour we conceded a penalty, I couldn’t see the incident from the dug out due to the rain, but Klaus on the touchline said no way. Now a goal down we had to push forward, and created a few good chances that we failed to convert, before they put the game to bed on 82. Guterstam got a consolation in stoppage time but that was it. 16609 fans saw the home side triumph 2-1.

The Oberwerth was just as wet a couple of days later as third placed Burghausen were the visitors. Just under 1500 braved the elements. Rahn and Guterstam were reinstated to lead the attack with Melnikov tucking in behind them and Caysa switched to the left flank where he was more comfortable. Great wing work from young Stahl put Rahn in the clear and he made no mistake from inside the box just before the hour. They got level on 32 after a neat move and a good finish, after which Stahl again caused all sorts of problems on the right before teeing up Caysa who rattled the crossbar. They took the ball up the other end from the rebound and made it 2-1. Just two minutes later Rahn broke their offside trap for the equaliser, and both teams then stood off each other as the rain worsened and the game ground to an end at 2-2. Rahn collected the Man of the Match award, and Captain Krys got an injury that would rule him out for a month.

With barely time to draw breath, we travelled to the Bruchswegstadion to take on Mainz in front of over 6500 fans. Eichner replaced Captain Krys and Melnikov took the armband. Mainz had lost their previous four so we were looking to end the month with a win. Melnikov cracked the opener on 6 minutes, his 10th of the season, and twenty minutes later Guterstam, quite literally, chipped in with the second. It was keep tight, and keep focussed at half time and out they went once more into foul weather and contained Mainz, creating counter attack chances in the process but failing to add to the scoreline. Defendi went off injured, he would miss a fortnight, and was replaced by Steinwarth. With time almost up, the fourth official indicated 4 minutes of time added. Within a minute of those, the referee awarded a penalty (we seemed to be conceding one a game) to Mainz which Guatelli was desperately unlucky not to save. We now had everyone back behind the ball to play out time for the win. At 94 minutes I started berating the fourth official to no avail, at 96 minutes they broke through our exhausted defence to equalise. The game ended before it could be restarted, and I totally lost it with the referee as he came off. Eichner then criticised my half time team talk to complete a wonderful night for me!

I was still seething when I got home. I didn’t even taste the first two beers, and was halfway through a Shiraz and on my umpteenth cigarette before I even started to calm down. Eichner’s face on the television only stoked it up again, telling how I had officially warned him for unprofessional behaviour after his outburst about team talks, and how unfair it was. “See how bloody unfair it’ll be when your out on your f***ing arse then toerag!†I yelled at the screen, and then as an afterthought “T**tâ€.

When I awoke the next morning I had a head like a building site and a mouth like a sandpit. In the living room, two empty beer bottles, two empty wine bottles, an overflowing ashtray and a glass shattered against the wall told their own story. The crumpled up resignation letter told a different one all together though.

After clearing up, I headed into the office.

We had finished the month with P13 W3 D5 L5 GF22 GA19 GD+3 and 14PTS. We were 3 points off the drop and the leaders were out of sight, so being in 11th place was no comfort.

Villa were still hanging in there in 4th place though, with 21 points from 13 games played, and despite my intense dislike of O’Leary I could still feel the old claret and blue pride!

[jim65]

November 2008

There were five games to go before the winter break, three away from home and none of them easy. I knew that if we wanted to avoid the drop we would have to start getting some points on the board pretty quickly before the black hole of relegation sucked us in. We had a two week lay-off first though, time to calm down and prepare. We weren’t, after all, out of it yet!

During the break, Stuttgarter K and Darmstadt both parted company with their managers, with the well travelled Klaus Toppmoller filling the first vacancy and Mario Basler taking the other. Karl-Heinz Emig took the vacant manager’s job at Aachen. Dortmund sack Klinnsmann.

I settled my differences amicably with Christian Eichner, clearing the air in a private meeting and asking him to talk to me first in future if he had a problem. He was apologetic and we left it that.

Karlsruhe came to the Oberwerth on another wet, windy evening, along with just under 2500 hardy souls. An even game ensued, both teams frustrating each other and working hard in the poor conditions. Melnikov was struggling at half time, so Gorawski took his place for the second half and much the same game continued. It was going to be one of those games decided by either a moment of genius or one of abject stupidity. It was the former. Gorawski took the ball after Becalik won it back for us superbly in midfield, and jinked passed two defenders before unleashing a rocket of a left foot shot that curled into the top corner. Not a bad way to get your first for the club, and coming on 86 minutes enough to take the 1-0 win.

Captain Krys resumed training thereafter, but Guterstam troubled season continued as a minor knock kept him at bay for another week. Martin Jol took the Dortmund job, and Dresden dismissed their manager.

Just over 11000 had come to the Stadion der Freundschaft on a rare dry and bright afternoon for our visit to Energie Cottbus. Captain Krys made the starting eleven, with Melnikov up front and Gorawski in the hole. Eichner missed out. The game started in explosive fashion. On three minutes Rahn was hacked down inside the box and a penalty was awarded to us (yes us!), and they were minus one defender as the referee simply had to send him off. Melnikov dispatched the resultant spot kick clinically for a 1-0 lead inside five minutes. Before the 10th minute their ten men were level. We pushed and pushed, but the more the game went on you could see only them winning. They defended stoically and always looked good on the counter. As it was, in the 71st minute Guatelli dropped the ball at their striker’s feet and he simply tapped it in to give them the lead. We then threw caution to the wind and ten minutes later they sealed the 3-1 win. I let the players know how disappointed I was afterwards, I didn’t have to tell them, they could see it!

A few nights later and the weather was back to its blustery, raining self. This didn’t stop over 1800 fans coming to the Oberwerth though, for the visit of Braunschweig. It was to be another frustrating night though. Melnikov opened the scoring after just 90 seconds with a real belter from 25 yards, but we never settled into the lead and let them equalise with a soft goal on 25. We kept our chins up though, especially Melnikov in dazzling form, as he had us front again with another superb strike from distance to take his season tally to 13 in just 17 outings. This time we did settle, closing them out effectively until the 80th minute when a lapse in concentration handed them an undeserved share of the points. Again. Melnikov took the Man of the Match Award, easily the star of the show, and I wondered for how much longer would he stay at Koblenz.

Dresden appointed Horst Koppel before the end of the month, and Melnikov was amongst the awards in the Goal of the Month for November, which made a pleasant change from goals against being in there!

We ended the month with P16 W4 D6 L6 GF26 GA24 GD+2 and 18PTS, and had slipped to 13th place, just two points now clear of the relegation places. We now had two more games in December before the winter break, and were desperate for some points to keep us warm over Christmas.

Also slipping were Villa, down to 7th place with 26 points from 18 games.

[jim65]

December 2008

A freezing cold but mercifully dry Friday night saw us visit Kaiserslautern’s Fritz Walter Stadion, where over 28000 Kaisers had gathered, no doubt looking for a ritual sacrifice. They set about us like lions on the hunt, but we simply refused to be the meek lambs to the slaughter. We defended for all we were worth, from the front to the back, and kept them at bay. They continued for most of the first half, attacking in waves and besieging our goal, until two minutes before half time, over-committed in attack, they left a gap and a brilliant pass from Melnikov found Guterstam just inside the box and he finished clinically first touch. You could have heard a pin drop. The second half was much the same, Guatelli inspired in our goal, but eventually after 70 minutes the pressure told and they equalised. They couldn’t break us again though, so outplayed but not outfought, we went home with a point and smiles on our faces.

In England the game would probably not have started. There was a gale blowing and sheets of driving rain angled into the ground like ice cold arrows. 1100 brave fans came for the visit of Saarbrucken. Edholm returned to the starting eleven in place of out of form Simac who had dropped to the bench. Guterstam had us in front inside six minutes with a thumping volley from the edge of the box that, no doubt wind assisted, near tore the net apart on impact. Saarbrucken struggled to get into the game, and with the weather, but made it all square just before half time with a well taken strike after a neat passing move. Rahn replaced Guterstam on the hour, leaving the shelter of the dug out along with Gorawski who replaced Caysa, and it was the two substitutes who combined to reinstate our lead on 81 minutes, Gorawski with a sublime pass that bisected their defence, Rahn with the cool finish for his fifth of the season. Melnikov wrapped it up with a fine solo effort three minutes from time. A sensational performance against superior opposition in appalling conditions.

So the long winter break started, leaving our brief December programme complete with figures of P18 W5 D7 L6 GF30 GA26 GD+4 and 22PTS, in 12th place but only 3 points off the drop.

It was also to be where Koblenz and I parted company. I had arrived inexperienced and they had given me the chance, the start of a career I so desperately wanted. In return, I had left them financially stable and in a higher league. A mutually beneficial arrangement suitably concluded for all. I thanked Bruno and wished him well, as he did me. I spent most of a morning thanking the players and staff at the club, most of whom I had brought there, for their support and commitment and wishing them well for the future. An evening at Rudi’s followed, enjoying for a last time their hospitality, humour and comfort, and leaving with them my best wishes for Anni.

Within twenty four hours I was gone, the rental house empty, the car returned to the leasing company. I was for them as much a memory as they were for me, hopefully they would remember we with the same affection as I would always remember them.

On the morning of December 22nd 2008, I was unveiled at a press conference at Molineux as the new manager of Championship Wolves, from whom great things were expected. I had four days until my first game on Boxing Day, at home to Derby County, and I had a hell of a lot to do!

[jim65]

December 2008 Cont'd

Just off the M6 at junction 12, the home of Wolves is Molineux, nestling magnificently between Molineux Street and Waterloo Road. It has been the club’s home since 1889. Redevolped from dirt banks in the 1920’s and 30’s, it then comprised of the South Bank, North Bank (beloved to home supporters), the Waterloo Road Stand and the Molineux Street Stand. The John Ireland Stand replaced the old Molineux Street Stand in 1979. The North Stand and Waterloo Road Stand were closed after the tragic Bradford fire of 1985 for safety reasons, and remained so until Sir Jack Hayward bought the club in 1990 and pumped £20m into redeveloping the ground again. In 1992 the Stan Cullis Stand was built on the North Bank, named after a man who had played for them between 1934 and 1947 and went on to manage them in their glory years of the 1950’s. A bronze statue of him can be found outside the stand. The Billy Wright Stand was completed in 1993, again named after a playing legend from 1945 to 1959 who went on to manage Arsenal, and a similar bronze statue can be found here too. Also in 1993, the Jack Harris Stand replaced the old South Bank. In 2003, the John Ireland Stand was completely refurbished and renamed the Steve Bull Stand in honour of the club’s record goalscorer, who had made 545 appearances for the club between 1986 and 1999 scoring 306 times including an impressive 18 hat-tricks.

Now under the Chairmanship of Sir Jacks’s son Richard, with Managing Director Jez Moxey running the show, Wolves had to look back to 2003 for their last success, that being the First Division Play-Off which saw them flirt with the Premier League before relegation. Before that, the League Cup in 1980, the F A Cup in 1960 and then you were back into their glory years of the 1950’s. Wolves, and its fans, wanted more.

I inherited the job from recently departed Mark Wright, with the club in 16th place in the Championship with P26 W9 D7 L10 GF34 GA35 GD-1 and 34 PTS, just five points above the relegation places. My immediate objective: survival in the Championship. I had £2.3m in the transfer kitty, but little room left in the £100k per week wage budget, with the current bill standing at £95.9k.

After the press conference that Monday morning, I was whisked away to the Compton Park training grounds, which housed the Youth Academy and top notch facilities that put those of Koblenz to shame, and to the first of a series of staff meetings that would take the rest of the day and into the evening.

The remnants of the room service meal had been cleared away, and I was sat in my suite with a nice Shiraz and a cigarette, exhausted. The day had been one meeting after the other. Assistant Manager Stuart Gray was capable without being exciting, and had pledged his support to me. His contract was due to expire in June, and I’d told him that he had to prove himself worthy of a renewal. To his credit, he had accepted this. I had a feeling I could work with him without too many problems, but time would tell.

I then had long meetings with all the coaches, well, all three of them. They were all English. 38 year old Kunle Odetoyinbo was contracted until 2011, as was Goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms who was 45. 46 year old Terry Connor was due a contract renewal in June. The set up was, quite frankly, poor. It lacked the skills and numbers for a proper training regime to be implemented. Whilst, I told them, their services would be retained I would be looking at bringing in a number of coaches to supplement them.

Wolves, we, had two competent physios in 48 year old Duncan Russell and 38 year old Barry Holmes. Holmes was also due a contract renewal in June, and whilst I would retain both until then at least, I would be looking at bringing in additional or replacement staff by the end of the season.

There were three scouts at the club, again all English, but to my surprise none of them were currently assigned. They were simply sitting on the wage bill doing nothing. They were all contracted until 2010, and I told them that their jobs were for now safe. 41 year old Carl Hoddle, the weakest in terms of ability but not bad tactically, was assigned to check out our next opposition and report back to me regularly. He was happy with this. 39 year old Nicky Green, who reputedly had a good eye for talent, was told to pack his case after Christmas and head to Eastern Europe to see what low price gems he could recommend, whilst 52 year old George Foster was dispatched to begin a tour of Scandinavia

Sitting there in the hotel suite, I had overall formed the opinion that perhaps all these would be retained, but a better physio would be needed and we certainly needed more bodies on the coaching side as a priority.

I showered lethargically and climbed into bed, having booked an early morning call with Reception to give me time for breakfast before Stuart collected me. Tuesday the 23rd was ‘meet the squad’ day, and it would no doubt start early and end late.

Stuart had arranged for me to see what I had called ‘the stragglers’ first. These would be quick meetings, decisions having already been made, either by my predecessor or by myself yesterday. Defenders Jordan Parkes and David Wheater had already agreed moves away from Molineux for January, so apart from a cursory handshake and ‘good luck’ there was nothing to say. Young left winger Alex McGregor was fancied for the future, and I told him that we would try an engineer a loan move for him as soon as we could. Nice kid too. 35 year old reserve team ‘keeper Michael Oakes would be released in June at the end of his contract. He was disappointed and left unhappily. Senior stars Patrik Berger and Jay Jay Okocha were already transfer listed, and I told them both that they would remain so. After they’d left, I asked Stuart to offer them out to clubs for £0 to try and free up the valuable resource that was the wage bill. None of these players would feature for the first team under my management, except young Alex who may well in the future.

And so, after coffee and a few telephone calls, it was on to the serious business of assessing the real players, the first team squad that would have to keep this club in the Championship.

I started with the two loanees. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was from Man Utd and only with us until early February. Too expensive for us to buy, but with a good record we would keep him until he had to return north. Eric Lund from Blackburn was not happy, and after a short meeting I agreed to release him from the loan so that he could return immediately. The rest of the squad, seen individually, I basically gave the same message. They had until the end of the season to prove themselves, but if the long term objective was to be promotion to the Premier League, and it had to be for a club like Wolves, many of them I felt would have to be moved on sooner rather than later.

Finally, there was 37 year old Bruno N’Gotty, retiring in June. Though fit, he had made only a small number of appearances for the first team and was a huge drain on the wage bill. He declined mutual termination, and left disappointed when advised that I would be seeking to move him on. Another one for Stuart to offer around for £0, and another one to train with the reserves!

My new car was delivered to the training ground late that afternoon, which at least made me mobile, and with the promise of some rental properties to view after Christmas things were looking up on the personal front.

By the end of the day, Okocha was given permission to talk to three clubs but I wasn’t overly confident that he would move happily to any of them. There was no immediate interest in Patrick Berger.

The following day, Christmas Eve, I oversaw my first training sessions and was impressed with the enthusiasm I saw. Despite the sudden change of manager, there was a good spirit in the camp and a desire to do well.

In the hotel that night, I pondered team selection and formation for the Derby game, and for the visit of Reading to Molineux a few days later. Two league games at home to end the month, and it really would be nice to give the home fans some points for Christmas, before the first game of 2009, a televised game away at Preston in the third round of the FA Cup.

Back at the hotel, before dinner, I rang from my suite to Rudi and Maria to wish them well at Christmas. Anni and her fiancé were there, so I was able to speak to her and add my wishes for her forthcoming wedding. Having done that, I rang down for a beer and whilst waiting called Bruno. He had appointed Ralf Regenbogen as the new manager, and after the usual festive chatter and reiterated good luck messages, I told him to expect a faxed offer for two players that evening. He understood, but told me that it would be Ralf’s decision.

On the way to the restaurant, I stopped at Reception and faxed the formal offers to Koblenz, knowing a reply would come in its own good time. Between there and the restaurant I was stopped by a number of fans for a chat and an autograph which was nice, and then to dinner, realising that my quiet, inconspicuous life was probably now over.

Later, in the hotel suite, I enjoyed an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and a smoke in peace and quiet, but my mind was alive with information, thoughts and dreams. Could I be the one to return the glory days of the 1950’s to Molineux?

Christmas Day, alone at the hotel, was long and boring, but gave me chance to think about how the hell I had got here. After the last Koblenz game a reporter had told me that Mark Wright had been sacked by Wolves and that I was odds on with the bookies to take over. I had declined to comment, but within twenty four hours Bruno had given them permission to talk to me and now, well, here I was. It was nice to think that I’d got the job without applying, and that they had neither wanted nor talked with anyone else. No pressure then!

The day passed slowly, and I took a bottle of wine to my suite, catching up with the sports news on Sky before getting my head down early. Boxing Day 2008 was going to be a very big day for me!

The team sheet was submitted, and the players were getting changed for their warm up. Starting in goal was Murray, and the back four comprised of left back Melono, centre back and Captain Clarke, centre back and vice Captain Granqvist and right back Primus. Across the middle, left winger Seol, attacking midfielder Ricketts, defensive midfielder Olofinjana and right winger Murtagh. Up front were strikers Pericard and Ebanks-Blake. On the bench, five now instead of my accustomed seven, were goalkeeper Doyle, defenders Barker and Wotton, midfielder Charpie and striker Miller.

Walking out, the near capacity crowd, just a handful short of 30,000 really roared and I am applauded them all the way to the dug out, realising that this was what had been missing all the time in Koblenz: atmosphere! It was electric, exciting. The home fans were in good voice, and we started brightly, narrowly missing two good chances inside the first five minutes, only to see them take the lead from their first attack of the match. But heads didn’t drop, quite the opposite in fact. Captain Clarke rallied them and I was impressed with their response as we once again set about them, forcing them back under waves of pressure. Pericard had a 20th minute goal chalked off for a dubious offside, but when Ebanks-Blake turned cleverly on the half hour and fed the ball through, Pericard made no mistake and hammered home the equaliser. And within ten minutes we were in front, Ebanks-Blake again causing problems with his quick feet, was brought down in the box and South Korean left winger Seol Ki-Hyeon made no mistake with the spot kick. In the second half our chances were fewer as Mick McCarthy’s side took to the game to us in search of the equaliser, eventually succeeding after 86 minutes, dashing my hopes of a winning start. 2-2

In between the two games, Okocha agreed to join MK Dons with us subsidising his wages, but at least it got more than half of his salary off our bill for the rest of the season. Koblenz rejected both my offers, so I sent an improved one.

Over 25,000 saw the visit of Reading, and a shoddy first half performance from us. A goal down inside the first minute, we failed to cope with their better organisation and gritty determination. They were deservedly 2-0 up before the half hour. Changing to the diamond at half time I urged them to attack, and a much better second half saw them do just that. We played, neat and controlled football and looked good on the ball. Pericard finished an excellent move on 56 to pull one back, and I really thought we would get at least a point at that stage, but we simply could not break them down and succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

Koblenz rejected my second offer, and we finished with the month, and indeed the year, with figures of P28 W9 D8 L11 GF37 GA48 GD-11 and 35PTS. We had slipped below Reading to 18th place, and were now just two points off the relegation places. Hardly the start I had had in mind!

Villa were now 8th, with 31 points from 22 games played.

Before the New Year, I had found a rental property that was suitable and signed all the paperwork. It was a new property, off the A454 between the towns of Hilton and Worfield, just across the border in Shropshire. Sat on the banks of the River Worfe it was quiet and private, a modern day haven in an olde worlde rural setting. In a word, perfect! A local company, recommended by the club, would take care of furnishing it for me. Having given them my brief, and a budget, I left them to it with the promise that I could move in between the two Preston games. That’s Preston away in the FA Cup, and then the following week, Preston away in the league!

[jim65]

January 2009

The big New Year news was Arsenal’s Ashley Cole’s move across London to Chelsea for a staggering £31.5m. For me, the news from Jez that the transfer pot had been upped to £5m was even better news!

A cold January afternoon took us to Deepdale where over 13,500 had gathered to the third round Cup tie. Ebanks-Blake was ineligible, a clause of his loan, so Miller started in his place and young Swede Zengin made the bench. Barker moved to defensive midfield alongside Olifinjana and Gronqvist returned into the centre of defence. Naylor replaced Melono at left back as I tried to get a feel for the best eleven. Preston took the game to us from the off, preventing us from getting into any sort of stride, and took the lead on 37. In the second half, despite former Villa and Wolves defender Rob Edwards seeing red, we simply couldn’t break their determined defence and bowed out of the cup rather timidly to a 1-0 defeat.

Koblenz rejected my final offers so I started to look elsewhere for new recruits but with every intention of keeping an eye on developments in Germany. Good to their word, my new home was fully decorated and provisioned to my specification midweek, and I left training early to make the pleasant drive home. It was nice to be out of the centre of town, with greenery around me. I felt a sense of relief and freedom. My new home was a single story property built in a Swedish chalet style, with huge glass windows overlooking the valley and the river. So it wasn’t the Rhine, okay, but it was beautiful nonetheless and sitting in a new leather reclining armchair with a superb Cabernet Sauvignon and a cigarette, overlooking the river and the valley was wonderful.

The return to Deepdale for the league game soon came around, and this time nearly 19,000 had crammed into the stadium. Wotton replaced Granqvist in defence, Ebanks-Blake was restored to the starting eleven and Naylor kept his place at left back. It was a different game all together this time, with Preston perhaps feeling that turning up would be enough, nevertheless we went after them from the off and within fifteen minutes were ahead through a superb Pericard strike. They didn’t really threaten, and we wasted some chances before the interval. Warning them against carelessness, I sent them out unchanged where they continued to dominate. Ebanks-Blake cracked a superb ‘turn and shot’ from just inside the box on the hour to double the lead, and the excellent Pericard ended the game as a contest on 77, signalling a mass exodus of Preston fans much to the amusement of our travelling support. A great 3-0 win on the road, and the first win under my management. Pericard took the Man of the Match award.

My first signing arrived the following day, for the modest fee of £20k from Jablonec. The 22 year old Czech Republican right winger would immediately provide much needed cover on that side of the pitch, but was also an investment for the future. 27 year old French left winger Gael Danic followed him through through the door, a £700k capture from Bristol Rovers who could also play centrally. Further good news followed, with Aston Villa reserve goalkeeper Robert Olejnik agreeing to join in the summer on a Bosman free transfer. Good business indeed. With only a dent made in the transfer fund so far, I chanced my arm with a cheeky offer to Man Utd for Ebanks-Blake.

Fulham, just a place below us in the league, were the next visitors to Molineux on a breezy but dry day. In front of more than 28,000 I sent the lads out to look for all the points, losing just wasn’t an option. Suitably fired up, Fulham must have wondered what hit them. Battered from the off, it took just five minutes for their resolve to be breeched, with Oloffinjana’s rasping 20 yard volley that the ‘keeper was most likely pleased not to have got in the way of. Five minutes later Ebanks-Blake turned his marker inside the box and fired home the second. Settling into domination mode, we simply shut them out for the remainder of the half, and perhaps should have added to our tally in the process. Just after the hour, I brought both new signings on on either flank for twenty or so minutes of experience. Vocacek and Danic both did very well, but it was a lapse at the back that let them in for a late consolation just before time. Instantly the gears were upped, and Vocacek provided an inch perfect cross for Pericard thead home on 93. A convincing 3-1 win and 3 more points to the cause.

After getting lucky with a cheeky bid for Ebanks-Blake, I was disappointed, if not dismayed, that he didn’t want to join us. I made an enquiry to see if we could extend his loan spell to the end of the season. Julien Charpie moved to Forest for £100k, provoking some reaction from the fans who thought he was some sort of great talent for the future. I hadn’t seen that in him myself, time would tell, and Jackie McNamara moved on a free to Barnet.

We travelled up to 2nd placed Doncaster on a wet Tuesday night, missing virus victim Vincent Pericard. Over 15,500 braved the weather to see a tense game. Doncaster’s 4-2-4 overpowered our defence early on, and we were a goal down inside the first quarter hour, but we battled. Heads didn’t drop and slowly we got more and more into the game, until our efforts paid off with Kenny Miller’s equaliser on 42. I made no changes at the break, told them to carry on as they were. A draw here would be a good result. Once more in the second half they pressed us, we didn’t give, but as legs tired I withdrew a striker and threw on another defensive midfielder to shore things up. They battered us for the last few minutes and it was nail biting stuff, but we held firm for a well deserved point and a 1-1 draw. Not pretty, but effective! Linvoy Primus took the Man of the Match award.

Whilst Man Utd were happy to extend Ebanks-Blake’s loan period, the player himself was not, so contingencies had to be made for his imminent departure. Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor rejected us in favour of bottom of the Championship Huddersfield, and Tottenham’s Matty Fryatt turned us down in favour of a move to Bristol City where he would earn less than we had offered, quite a lot less! So on deadline day, not only had I a match at home to Coventry to worry about, but also a potential striker shortage! We did have Paul Hopkins in the reserves of course if all else failed, a young player with promise, though as yet unproven.

A full house, just short of 30,000 packed Molineux for the local derby against Coventry. Danic replaced Seol on the left wing, but Pericard was still missing with a viral infection. Losing, I told the lads, was not an option! Kenny Miller mopped up a goalmouth scramble, his 10th of the season, to nudge us ahead after just 6 minutes, but five minutes later another scramble, this time in our box, let them in to equalise. At half time I told them the game was there for the taking and to go out and win it. We put the Sky Blues under intense pressure from the off, twice rattling the bar before Danic drilled home from the corner of the area to open his Wolves account. We were never under pressure again and Ebanks-Blake signed off with his 10th of the season to complete a 3-1 win that could easily have been 7 or 8. Ebanks-Blake also took with him the Man of the Match award, all the way to Manchester!

The win came at a price though, with substitutes Vocacek and Seol both picking up knocks that would keep the physios busy for a fortnight. After the game, I agreed a loan deal with Middlesborough for striker Palladino, but was beaten by the clock and the deal collapsed as the transfer window slammed shut. So we would have to go with what we had.

But a good month on the pitch nevertheless, having risen to 11th in the league and put a 10 point gap between ourselves and the drop. Our figures were P32 W12 D9 L11 GF48 GA38 GD+10 and 46PTS.

Villa were going the other way though, now down to 9th with 37 points from 26 games.

[jim65]

February 2009

Our captain Peter Clarke was amongst the runners up in the Player of the Month awards, and unbeaten in the league in January, the panel saw fit to make me Manager of the Month.

I may have failed in my attempts to bring new players to the club in January, a situation that I would rectify in the summer, but the early days of February saw no less than five new faces in the backroom. Italian physio Giuseppe Morelli signed up, and four Russian coaches also joined the team. Stanislav Rozhkov, Dmitry Magomedov, Igor Kosolov and Yury Abramov. I liked Russian coaches, not only were they very good at what they did, they weren’t expensive! The new training regime was duly implemented and I am confident of vast improvements. The players are very pleased with the new training.

Exhausted from almost non-stop work since arriving before Christmas, I left the training to the backroom boys and took two days off to rest and recouperate before the long trip to The Stadium of Light, the first of five games in the shortest month!

A cold and wet Saturday afternoon saw just under 30,000 fans in the stadium for our visit to Sunderland. With Pericard still missing, Hopkins started up front alongside Kenny Miller, and Patrik Berger was drafted in from the reserves to warm the bench in the absence of Seol and Vocacek. Hopkins missed a sitter after just forty seconds and it seemed to set the tone, with Miller and Hopkins again squandering good chances. At the other end, Goalkeeper Murray was earning his corn with a string of good saves. 0-0 at half time and I really couldn’t have said who’d had the better of it, though certainly our ‘keeper had faced the sterner test. The second half played out much the same, with both sets of strikers showing how not to finish, and the final score of 0-0 was perhaps a fair result.

On the Monday after the game I introduced 33 year old Polish coach Marcin Lewandowski to the players and other staff. Marcin was a coach of very high calibre and would be the last piece of the backroom jigsaw.

A wet and windy Tuesday night took us to Griffin Park, home of Brentford. I was tempted to play Pericard, but he was not yet fully recovered so I left him out and stuck with Hopkins and Miller up front. Vocacek and Seol were also still missing. Bottom of the league Brentford were there for their taking, and I sent the boys out to destroy. Fifteen minutes in, after almost constant pressure from us, they were down to ten men as their centre back saw red for a cynical foul right in the ‘D’ of the box. Danic dispatched the resultant free kick in spectacular style to give us the lead. We continued to press, but to their credit the ten men held firm and got themselves level on the half hour with a counter attack that, quite frankly, caught us out. Hopkins got us ahead again on 52, and his confidence rocketed after that. You could almost see him grow. Goalkeeper Murray had to be replaced with substitute Doyle on the hour through injury, and ten minutes later Hopkins added to the score with his second of the game. With the game won and Danic tiring, I put Berger on in his place and he responded by showing everyone how to take a long distance free kick, getting the fourth with a scorching dead ball shot. A good 4-1 win and young Hopkins quite rightly got the Man of the Match award to take home.

We also took home more work for the physios. Midfielder Barker would likely miss the next month, goalkeeper Murray at least a fortnight, and Seol would miss another week as he had a cold.

8th placed Watford came to Molineux on a cold but dry afternoon in front of a nearly full house in excess of 29,000. And what a game they saw. Granqvist replaced the injured Barker, Doyle stood in for Murray, Vocacek returned to the bench and at last Pericard was fit to start, and he replaced Miller. Watford, a good footballing side, had not come to make up the numbers and we exchanged chances with them in the early stages. On 26 minutes we were awarded a free kick 20 yards out directly in front of goal. Danic chipped the ball over the wall and right winger Murtagh, completely unmarked after a superbly timed run into the box, deftly nudged it passed their keeper to give us the lead. The new training regime had provided its first set piece success, and I was delighted. Counter attacking on 39 minutes, Hopkins rounded the last man and coolly chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper from thirty yards to double the lead. The home fans were loving every minute of this. Early in the second half, Watford pulled one back, but within ten minutes Vincent Pericard drove home after a lovely ball from midfield set him free. Before the hour though, they had got a second following a lapse of concentration in our back line, but Pericard killed the game with a rifled shot from outside the box on 66. A great 4-2 win, home fans still singing as they left the stadium and Pericard grabbing the Man of the Match award. With 22 goals so far this season, he was a prime candidate for fans’ Player of the Year too!

Wotton’s yellow card in the match took him to the limit and he would miss the next match, the televised visit of Nottm Forest, through suspension leaving the squad dangerously stretched. Still, seven games now unbeaten and on a roll, despite my personal belief that the squad was over-achieving somewhat.

Melono replaced the suspended Wotton in the centre of defence, but we were otherwise changed from the Watford game. Seol made the bench, as did ‘on the mend’ keeper Murray. A capacity crowd saw us have the better of the early exchanges on a chilly Saturday evening but without seriously threatening their goal, until a powerful shot by Danic was deflected past their ‘keeper to give us the lead. Doyle then got himself unneccesarily involved in some interplay with our defenders and was hopelessly out of position when the ball sailed passed him for the equaliser on 39. We continued to press, and Miller replaced an oddly out of sorts Pericard on the hour, and it was Miller than restored our lead on 74 with some old fashioned poaching in the box. Forest were down to ten men on 80 minutes, in an incident that seemed a little harsh with the offence being committed barely a yard into their half. Substitute Berger cracked another truly special free kick in on 93 to round off a good overall performance. Danic took home the Man of the Match Award, and we enjoyed the 3-1 win on the television! Ex-Wolves player Charpie played the whole match for them, and I still didn’t see why the fans had been so angered by his sale!

Olifinjana’s yellow card in the game would rule him out of the next, a trip to Matty Fryatt’s new club Bristol City, and Paul Hopkins knock would rule him out for up to a month. Forest sacked manager Megson after the game and replaced him with Alan Curbishley a day later. Liverpool beat Middlesborough 3-1 in a fairly one-sided final to lift the League Cup.

The trip to Ashton Gate saw Wotton replacing Olofinjana in midfield, and Murray restored to goalkeeping duties. Miller started in place of the injured Hopkins so Zengin made the bench once more. A cool and breezy afternoon saw Matty Fryatt come back to haunt me, and a performance from us that I could only describe in a post match interview as ‘unexplicably but utterly pathetic and wholly embarassing’. The 5-1 defeat wiped away the good work we had put in to repair our goal difference, and Matty Fryatt (wouldn’t you know it?) got a hat-trick. Pericard scored our goal, a fine individual effort late in the second half. Over 12500 saw it.

I was deeply disappointed by the result of the last game, and could only hope that it was a freak one, rather than a more permanent change of fortune. Overall the month had been pretty good, and we’d finished in 9th place with P37 W15 D10 L12 GF59 GA60 GD-1 and 55PTS. Barring disaster, relegation was a worry consigned to the past, and indeed with the Play-Off places just two points above us things could get very much better yet with just nine games to go. I still had a nagging doubt though that this squad was doing a lot better than it ought. Hopefully they wouldn’t get found out this season though!

Villa slipped again, finishing February in 10th with 41 points from their 28 games.

[jim65]

March 2009

The one thing everyone says about British football, is that the pace of it is far higher than anywhere else in the world. They don’t tell you that it feels exactly like that off the pitch too! I had barely had time to think since my arrival before Christmas, and precious little time to enjoy the idyllic surroundings of my new home. For all that though, I wouldn’t change a thing. Live fast, die young!

Bottom of the league Plymouth came to Molineux on a dry Tuesday evening, with over 21,500 turning up to watch. Olofinjana returned to action following suspension, and Seol made the bench ahead of Berger. We settled quickly and soon had them on the back foot. Danic whipped in a superb cross and Kenny Miller got on the end of it with a flying header from 12 yards out, but despite dominating the whole of the first half, they held firm and it was 1-0 at the break. More of the same followed, Plymouth struggling to cope with the pace and power of our interplay, and Pericard cracked in our second on the hour following a slide rule pass from left back Naylor. The second goal seemed to wake them up, either that or we eased off a bit I wasn’t sure. I sent Zengin on to replace Pericard with a message to keep it going, but before that could be properly conveyed they pulled one back. Finally we upped the pace again and Zengin cracked the third on 83 which ended all resistance. A nice and tidy 3-1 win, Naylor Man of the Match.

Murtagh will miss two weeks with a facial injury, but the physios had cleared midfielder Barker to resume training which was good news. Pericard’s goal against Plymouth was his 24th of the season, but also his 22nd in the league, setting a new record for Wolves.

The trip to 10th placed Millwall was always going to be a tough game. Vocacek replaced Murtagh, and Seol, Berger and Barker all made the bench. Melono dropped out. 18,500 had braved a cold, overcast afternoon for what I can only describe as a battle as much as a football match. They were ahead inside four minutes, a slick passing move finished neatly from 16 yards. Danic then picked up the ball on the half way line, jinked down the flank and sent a wonderful cross into the box which Miller headed home for the equaliser just two minutes later, and on 16 minutes Pericard turned provider, beating his marker and putting Miller in for a six yard tap in. They equalised straight from the restart as we committed the cardinal sin of switching off after scoring. Pericard went off just before half time with what looked like a broken arm after an awkward fall. 2-2 at half time and the boys were breathing hard. I told them not to think that the game was over, there was plenty more fight in this yet. We started the second half brightly, and got into our stride again quicker than them, pushing them back. On 63 minutes Miller was fouled in the box and Olofinjana nearly ripped the net with perhaps the fiercest struck penalty I ever saw. Immediately I threw Barker on for Miller to try and close the game out. On reflection this was probably a mistake. We had to work in defence and as Millwall upped the pace chasing the equaliser we started tire. It was galling to concede the equaliser as late as the 89th minute as we did, but we’d have taken a point before kick off so weren’t complaining. I told the boys they’d done a thoroughly professional job. Miller got the Man of the Match award.

Pericard had indeed broken his arm and would be out for at least a month, leaving us with only two fit strikers in this critical point of the campaign. Seol could play up front if needed though, and anyway there was nothing we could do about it.

Cardiff City were next up. Third in the league and chasing automatic promotion, the Bluebirds, one of my old clubs, were going to prove to be just as tough a nut to crack as Millwall. Molineux was full to the rafters and noisy as hell on a mild afternoon that saw Barker reclaim his place in the starting line up ahead of Granqvist. City got out of the blocks fast, very fast, and had us a goal behind inside two minutes, but skipper Clarke kept everyone’s chins up and we set about them in earnest from the restart. Zengin, on a rare start, had us level on fifteen and ahead two minutes later with two ice cool finishes from excellent Danic passes. He might have had his hatrick three minutes later, but the ice had melted and he blazed over. City fought back, causing us a few scares until they equalised on 37 and it looked like the Millwall match all over again. Zengin picked up an injury early in the second half and was replaced by Seol, but it was the young Czech Vocacek who got us back in front with an absolute cracker of a curling right foot shot from fully 30 yards out. Not making the Millwall mistake again, I urged them on from the touchline. Seol fired a rifle left foot volley in on 71, and just to prove he could, a cracking right footer on 75. He then picked up a knock and was substituted but Cardiff’s resistance had been overcome and we took the 5-2 win. Vocacek, quietly impressing in recent games, took the Man of the Match award and I could only await the Goal of the Month results!

Zengin would miss a week, Seol would be touch and go for the next game. I did wonder briefly why our strikers were suddenly going down like skittles, but when that much effort is being put in I guess things have to give somewhere. I really had nothing to complain about in terms of the attitude and commitment from the squad. Now with a fourteen day break, we could all take a well earned breather before the mad six game dash to the end of the season, culminating in a trip to long time league leaders Norwich on the final day.

The two week break saw Miller, Granqvist and Seol head off for International action, and I used the time to look at those staff contracts that were falling due for renewal. There was such a good spirit in the camp that I didn’t want to lose anyone, I felt that we had things just about right. Coach Terry Connor quickly agreed his new deal, but physio Barry Holmes and Assistant Manager Stuart Gray were less committed. I left the offers on the table and gave them time to consider.

Murtagh twisted a knee in training and would miss another month, effectively finishing his season, but strikers Zengin and Hopkins both returned to training following injuries which was a welcome boost. Just when things were improving though, news reached us that Kenny Miller had ruptured an Achilles on International duty and would need at least 2 to 3 months to recover, ending his season also.

I also took the opportunity for a couple of days off, which I spent at home reading scout reports and looking through my own copious notes on the playing squad. Certainly there would be further departures in the summer and some quality reinforcements would be needed. I had a meeting with Jez when I returned and gave him my thoughts on things. A healthy budget would be required for the summer, both for transfers and salaries, if I was to take Wolves further. Hopefully, that would give him and the board food for thought in advance of the decision making process.

All things considered though, I couldn’t be happier, and the night before the Wigan game I spent relaxing quietly at home, recharged for the run in and whatever it brought.

There were over 22,000 at the JJB Stadium and they could have picked a better game if I’m totally honest. Seol and Zengin lead the line, neither fully fit. Hopkins had made the bench but would only be used in a dire emergency as he really wasn’t ready for action yet after injury. The rest of the team was unchanged. An uninspiring first half, where both teams probed without too much conviction, was illuminated in stoppage time with a blistering strike from Seol that gave us a somewhat undeserved lead at the interval. Zengin had to come off at half time and rather than risk Hopkins, which I might have done if only fifteen minutes or so had remained, I put Berger on to supplement the attack from a little deeper, playing just ahead of the midfield four. Wigan equalised on 55 and we continued to have the better of things without looking like scoring again, a result of an horrendous run of injuries to our front men. Wigan’s left back saw red on 75, but once more we failed to break down a ten man team hell bent on preserving a point, and the game petered out to a 1-1 draw.

Before the end of the month, both physio Barry Holmes and Assistant Manager Stuart Gray signed their new contracts and I was delighted to be able to keep the team together for the foreseeable future.

Gael Danic was runner-up in the Player of the Month awards, and rightly so. He was proving to be a very good signing indeed for just £700k. Jiri Vocacek’s goal against Cardiff was runner up in the Goal of the Month Competition. I didn’t see the winning goal, but it must have been one hell of a finish to better Jiri’s.

So we finished the month with figures of P41 W17 D11 L13 GF71 GA67 GD+4 and 67PTS. We were lying in sixth place in the league now, nudging the play-off spots and 2 points behind 2nd placed Leicester and 7pts behind leaders Norwich. A pack of teams were behind us chasing that play-off place too.

Villa had clawed their way up to 8th place in the Premier League, with 45 points from 31 games played. Koblenz had fallen into the relegation places, which I was saddened to see, especially as their new manager had spent heavily after I had left. There was still time to get out of it though, but I felt for Bruno, I really did. He should have reduced that transfer budget to secure the club, but he just wanted Koblenz to succeed. Goodness knows how Villa would fare with a Bruno instead of an Ellis. If only?

[jim65]

April 2009

So, five games to go and a real shout of a play-off spot or even an automatic promotion if things went very well. There was also the real possibility of a lesser finish of course, but there was no longer a possibility of relegation as that was now mathematically ruled out. First objective achieved. Finishing mid-table now though would be so disappointing being so close to at least a play-off chance. On the other hand, injuries were stretching the squad to the limit and the lads were running on adrenalin and spirit much of the time as the long season drew to a close. Would our season end at Carrow Road in April, or be extended into May with the play-offs? Time would tell, time and my old adversary Lady Luck that is.

The first two games of the month were both to be televised. The first, the trip to 3rd placed Sheffield United and then home to 2nd placed Leicester. They were make or break games, and as much as I had my eye on the final game of the season at Carrow Road, I was also aware that it may well be all academic for us by then. So I went into the month with a heart full of hope and dreams, and a head full of common sense, prepared for the stinging hurt of disappointment and hoping against hope that Lady Luck would give me a break.

Hopkins replaced Zengin in the starting eleven, and though Pericard had resumed training he was not yet fit enough to feature. Just under 33,000 were at Bramall Lane for the game. United were on the back of ten games unbeaten. Hopkins lasted less than 25 minutes before being stretchered off as the accursed striker voodoo struck yet again, and was replaced by Zengin. A dull first half ended goalless, and Vocacek came in for the break carrying a knock, forcing me to switch Seol to the right wing and put Berger on up front. I simply had no other options. Danic was also carrying a knock but would continue. The game was an exercise, from the visitors’ viewpoint, in not being beaten and we simply didn’t have the numbers to break them down. Danic’s injury forced him off on 75, so I switched Berger to the left flank and brought on Ricketts up front. It finished 0-0, which wasn’t a disaster, and Barker took the Man of the Match award, but my heart was talking to me and I didn’t want to hear what it was saying.

Hopkins had a broken leg, and would miss 4-6 months. Danic would not feature for at least a week if not two. Murtagh was back in training ahead of schedule, and Huddersfield became the first team confirmed as relegated from the Championship, condemning one time transfer target Agbonlahor to League One football next term.

Down to the bare bones, Seol reverted to left wing in place of the injured Danic and Pericard returned up front alongside Zengin. I had to scramble up players to fill the bench before the game, such was our injury list. A full house came to see the Leicester game, but it was to be a dire affair. Pericard picked up a knock in the first five minutes and was operating at half strength from then. Zengin had to come off injured after fifteen minutes, with Seol switching to play up front and Berger brought on to the left wing. They scored a scrambled goal on 18 and it was up hill from there. Leicester were down to ten men on 56 as one of theirs picked up a second yellow, but our record against ten men was not good, and so it went. Pericard had to come off on 72. They shut us out, credit to them, and took away a 1-0 win. I was always pleased when ‘one of mine’ got the Man of the Match award, but Barker picking up that didn’t cheer me at all.

We dropped to 8th in the league, and I conceded to myself that any dreams of play-off glory were over, not mathematically of course but with all three physios flat out it was looking an unlikely bet. I took responsibility for the striker crisis. I had the money and had not signed anyone, although it wasn’t for the want of trying, and although I could not have foreseen the amazing run of injuries to my front men, I had nevertheless had the money and not used it. I found myself guilty as charged.

Morale in the camp plummeted. It wasn’t just me that knew the moment had passed, but there was little time to reflect as within forty-eight hours we were on the road to London for our match against QPR at Loftus Road in the demanding Easter schedule.

Seol started alongside a not fully fit Pericard with Berger making a rare start on the left wing due to Danic failing a late fitness test. Youngster Alex McGregor, whom we had not found a suitable loan move for, made the bench. A noisy 20,000 or so packed Loftus Road on a cool, dry Monday evening. We took the the game to 5th placed QPR, and took the early, Olofinjana mopping up a goalmouth scramble following a corner. Much of the first half was evenly contested after that though they didn’t create any notable chances and we took the 1-0 lead into the break. McGregor replaced the exhausted Berger at the interval and I was concerned that Pericard had once again picked up a knock, but he wanted to continue. Warning them against carelessness, I sent them back out asking for nothing more than 100% effort. QPR got lucky with a deflected shot to equalise within five minutes of the restart and our Seol squandered a hatful of chances after that, but to his credit kept showing and kept trying, which was all I had asked for. Pericard was forced off on 67 minutes and was replaced by Ricketts. We continued to push forward but it began to look more and more like a draw as the clocked tick down. Three minutes into stoppage time, Murray kept us in it with a stunning point blank save, Naylor fed the robound to Vocacek who surged forward down the right and whipped a peach of a cross into the near post, where Seol, the only other player in the box in an orange shirt, headed bravely passed the ‘keeper to steal the win with his fifth of the season. QPR could perhaps feel a little hard done by, but that’s the way it goes. We took the points from the 2-1 win and Seol bagged the Man of the Match Award. I’d asked for effort, they’d given one of their gutsiest performances yet, and I had no reservations about praising them for it afterwards.

Ipswich became the first team to be relegated from the Premiership, but both leagues looked to be going down to the wire at top at bottom with many clubs still having it all to play for.

Our final home game of the season was against 17th placed Luton, and if we wanted to take our hopes up to Norwich with us, a win was surely needed.

Danic returned to starting eleven, and Murtagh made the bench recovering quicker than anyone had expected from his injury, otherwise we were unchanged. Over 23,500 came to Molineux on a bright but chilly afternoon. We got off to a good start, and after a big scramble in the box they cleared the ball to Olofinjana who took everyone by surprise by deftly lobbing the ball over everyone and into the net for a quite remarkable goal. Pericard had to come off injured before twenty minutes had been played, and Ricketts was thrown on in the hole supporting lone striker Seol, himself a midfielder by trade. The Luton ‘keeper twice denied Ricketts before the break and we had to make do with a one goal lead despite near total domination. As the second half wore on, my nerves were all over the place. Although Luton didn’t really threaten us, I wasn’t happy with the single goal lead and it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Seol provided a superb finish to give us that two goal cushion. They got one back at the death due to some tired defending, but we were very good value for the 2-1 win. Naylor took the Man of the Match Award.

The following day the physio team suggested giving Pericard injections to get him through the Norwich game, but I refused that option. I had never authorised such risky treatment with any players and wasn’t going to start now, so he would miss a month or so at least leaving me with no recognised strikers to choose from now that all four were out to long term injuries.

WBA were relegated from the Premiership, whilst Norwich, Leicester and Reading were all assured of at least reaching the play-offs. Norwich had lost their last three games, surrendering the leadership to Leicester in the process. Whilst we had risen to the giddy heights of 4th in the league, mathematically we could still finish anywhere from 2nd to 9th, so close were the teams all bunched at the top. A draw at Norwich though would be enough for a play-off spot which was the most realistic objective.At the other end, Brighton’s relegation from the Championship was sealed.

Our Under 18 team secured the title in their league which was excellent news, and promised things to come as the academy continue to do sterling work in search of the Wolves stars of the future.

With options now severely restricted, I kept faith with Seol up front and Ricketts just behind him, with the rest of the line up unchanged. I didn’t say too much to the boys before they went out into a wall of noise at Carrow Road, they all knew what was at stake and what was needed. You could see it in their eyes. In front of a handful short of 26,000 on a fine spring afternoon, both teams started nervously. Norwich, in front of their own fans, settled quicker and Murray was twice called upon to make excellent saves in the first half hour to keep us in it. We reached half time level, having created but a few chances for ourselves. I made no changes, and kept my words encouraging and positive. After 65, Berger replaced an out of sorts Danic. Norwich continued to threaten and looked the more likely winner, but it wasn’t until the 78th minute that they broke our resolve to take the lead. Murtagh replaced Vocacek and took a message onto the field to get stuck in. On 85, another training ground free kick came good and it was Murtagh who finished it for the equaliser. Midfielder Barker was unceremoniously clobbered in the first of four minutes stoppage time and replaced by Granqvist. Norwich continued to press looking for the winner, but Clarke was a rock and he picked out Berger wide left who hit a sweet first time ball into the feet of Ricketts who rifled home the winner with almost the last kick of the game. Great timing for your first goal of the season too! Clarke won the Man of the Match for an outstanding Captain’s performance, and we took the 2-1 win and left like thieves leaving to wonder quite how they had managed to lose.

Leicester won the Championship crown and the automatic promotion that went with it, whilst Norwich finished in second place and took automatic promotion too. It had been close though, we finished third level on points with The Canaries and with a goal difference inferior to theirs by just 2. How costly that showing Bristol City all those weeks ago?

Our final league figures were P46 W20 D13 L13 GF77 GA71 GD+6 and 73PTS, and in third place. In the play-offs with us were Cardiff City, Reading and Barnsley, with us playing Barnsley in the Play-Off Semi-Final, away leg at Oakfield first on May 3rd.

In the Premiership, Villa were 9th with 52pts from 37 games played, and in Germany, Koblenz were still in the relegation places with three games to go.

[jim65]

May 2009

Barker’s late injury at Norwich ruled him out of any involvement in the Play-Offs and an eight week absence was anticipated, leaving me with sixteen fit players to chose from (excluding the soon to retire N’Gotty), and bemoaning my predecessor’s hatchet job on the reserves. As for the youth team, none were really ready for the pressure cooker environment of the sudden death play-offs and it would have been grossly unfair of me to consider using them for that reason alone. The team would therefore pick itself, and we could only pray that no more injuries would hit us anytime soon.

The day before we played Barnsley away, Reading travelled to Cardiff for the first leg of their tie, and handed the Bluebirds a thumping 4-0 defeat.

23,170 fans crammed into Oakwell on a fine, sunny afternoon, and within 30 seconds had something to cheer when they walked through our switched off defence to open the scoring. My lot had proven to be a tough bunch and soon settled into their stride, taking the game to our hosts and putting them under heavy pressure, but it was a counter attack that got us level, Danic leaving two defenders in his wake before centering the ball superbly for Ricketts to drive home. We continued to dominate, Murtagh replacing Vocacek after 69 minutes, but Barnsley defended well and looked like hanging on until Murtagh split their back line and Seol cracked in the second on 81. Berger replaced the tiring Ricketts shortly after and we saw out the away leg with a 2-1 win. Most importantly, no new injuries.

The Premiership ended with Chelsea retaining their title and Charlton bowing out of the league. Villa made a commendable 6th place with 55 points from their campaign, ahead of Leeds Utd on goals scored.

Cardiff took back some pride with a 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium, but their play-off dreams ended with the 5-2 aggregate result.

It was the same line up for our second leg against Barnsley. Molineux was full to capacity on a lovely cool afternoon ideal for football. If the first leg had lacked excitement, this one did not. Barnsley took the lead on 6 minutes with a well worked move and neat finish before Granqvist jinked through a crowded defence to set Ricketts up for the equaliser on 20. Seven minutes later they reinstated their lead with a simple cross and header that we should have done better with, but their lead only lasted for three minutes before Olofinjana equalised with a trademark thirty yarder that would have gone into orbit had it not been caught by the net. When he hits a ball it stays hit! Seol put us in front on 32, a precision finish rather than a scorcher, curling onto the corner from 20 yards, and he added a fourth just before the break to effectively kill the tie. The excellent but tiring Danic and Ricketts were replaced in the second half by McGregor and Berger, the latter playing for the last time at Molineux for Wolves, and Murtagh replaced Vocacek. There were no further goals and the game ended to a huge roar from the fans. 4-2 on the day, and 6-3 overall, and we were going to Wembley for the final!

Lyon beat Roma 2-0 in the Euro Cup Final, West Ham overcame Newcastle 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the FA Cup, and Arsenal put in a convincing performance to beat Juventus 2-1 in the Euro Champions Cup. Striker Zengin returned to training, but would not be fit enough to make the trip to London.

John Gregory’s Reading were very much favourites for the tie, though they finished below us in fourth place in the league. Reading also, were one of the few teams who’d beat us in the league, in my second game in charge. I told the players that whatever happened, they could all be justifiably proud of their season, and cliché though it is, to go out and play their game their way, and enjoy it! A scintillating atmosphere filled the ground from a near 90,000 fans on a very warm afternoon. The early exchanges were even, with both sides creating openings, but it was Reading who went ahead on 21 minutes after a neat passing move and cool finish. In truth we should have done better with it, and as the game wore on it became apparent that this may well be a game too far for us. Twice we tested their ‘keeper seriously, twice he was up to it. Murtagh replaced Vocacek at half time and we continued to huff and puff without blowing anything down. Berger replaced Ricketts on 69, but they closed the game down, and deservedly won 1-0 to take the trophy and the golden prize that was the Premiership!

Before the end of the month, N’Gotty and Berger departed, and Pericard was back in training.

Koblenz succumbed to relegation once more, and I rang to wish Bruno all the best and to pass on my regards to Rudi and Maria. Melnikov, the player I had been trying to get in January, had signed a new contract and was very happy there, so I ended my interest formally and took him off my shortlist.

The squad broke for the end of season holidays, and I went back to work planning for a promotion push next season, wondering what might have been but for a couple of fit strikers.

[jim65]

May 2009

Barker’s late injury at Norwich ruled him out of any involvement in the Play-Offs and an eight week absence was anticipated, leaving me with sixteen fit players to chose from (excluding the soon to retire N’Gotty), and bemoaning my predecessor’s hatchet job on the reserves. As for the youth team, none were really ready for the pressure cooker environment of the sudden death play-offs and it would have been grossly unfair of me to consider using them for that reason alone. The team would therefore pick itself, and we could only pray that no more injuries would hit us anytime soon.

The day before we played Barnsley away, Reading travelled to Cardiff for the first leg of their tie, and handed the Bluebirds a thumping 4-0 defeat.

23,170 fans crammed into Oakwell on a fine, sunny afternoon, and within 30 seconds had something to cheer when they walked through our switched off defence to open the scoring. My lot had proven to be a tough bunch and soon settled into their stride, taking the game to our hosts and putting them under heavy pressure, but it was a counter attack that got us level, Danic leaving two defenders in his wake before centering the ball superbly for Ricketts to drive home. We continued to dominate, Murtagh replacing Vocacek after 69 minutes, but Barnsley defended well and looked like hanging on until Murtagh split their back line and Seol cracked in the second on 81. Berger replaced the tiring Ricketts shortly after and we saw out the away leg with a 2-1 win. Most importantly, no new injuries.

The Premiership ended with Chelsea retaining their title and Charlton bowing out of the league. Villa made a commendable 6th place with 55 points from their campaign, ahead of Leeds Utd on goals scored.

Cardiff took back some pride with a 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium, but their play-off dreams ended with the 5-2 aggregate result.

It was the same line up for our second leg against Barnsley. Molineux was full to capacity on a lovely cool afternoon ideal for football. If the first leg had lacked excitement, this one did not. Barnsley took the lead on 6 minutes with a well worked move and neat finish before Granqvist jinked through a crowded defence to set Ricketts up for the equaliser on 20. Seven minutes later they reinstated their lead with a simple cross and header that we should have done better with, but their lead only lasted for three minutes before Olofinjana equalised with a trademark thirty yarder that would have gone into orbit had it not been caught by the net. When he hits a ball it stays hit! Seol put us in front on 32, a precision finish rather than a scorcher, curling onto the corner from 20 yards, and he added a fourth just before the break to effectively kill the tie. The excellent but tiring Danic and Ricketts were replaced in the second half by McGregor and Berger, the latter playing for the last time at Molineux for Wolves, and Murtagh replaced Vocacek. There were no further goals and the game ended to a huge roar from the fans. 4-2 on the day, and 6-3 overall, and we were going to Wembley for the final!

Lyon beat Roma 2-0 in the Euro Cup Final, West Ham overcame Newcastle 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the FA Cup, and Arsenal put in a convincing performance to beat Juventus 2-1 in the Euro Champions Cup. Striker Zengin returned to training, but would not be fit enough to make the trip to London.

John Gregory’s Reading were very much favourites for the tie, though they finished below us in fourth place in the league. Reading also, were one of the few teams who’d beat us in the league, in my second game in charge. I told the players that whatever happened, they could all be justifiably proud of their season, and cliché though it is, to go out and play their game their way, and enjoy it! A scintillating atmosphere filled the ground from a near 90,000 fans on a very warm afternoon. The early exchanges were even, with both sides creating openings, but it was Reading who went ahead on 21 minutes after a neat passing move and cool finish. In truth we should have done better with it, and as the game wore on it became apparent that this may well be a game too far for us. Twice we tested their ‘keeper seriously, twice he was up to it. Murtagh replaced Vocacek at half time and we continued to huff and puff without blowing anything down. Berger replaced Ricketts on 69, but they closed the game down, and deservedly won 1-0 to take the trophy and the golden prize that was the Premiership!

Before the end of the month, N’Gotty and Berger departed, and Pericard was back in training.

Koblenz succumbed to relegation once more, and I rang to wish Bruno all the best and to pass on my regards to Rudi and Maria. Melnikov, the player I had been trying to get in January, had signed a new contract and was very happy there, so I ended my interest formally and took him off my shortlist.

The squad broke for the end of season holidays, and I went back to work planning for a promotion push next season, wondering what might have been but for a couple of fit strikers.

[jim65]

June 2009

The early part of the month was both frustrating and enjoyable, if that doesn’t sound like too much of a contradiction. At the Club, MD Jez Moxey had jetted off on holidays straight after the Play-Off Final defeat, leaving me with tied hands as far as the planning was concerned. Without the necessary budgets there was little I could do, so I took all the player files home with me to review contracts, and the few scout reports I had received from staff in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, which weren’t encouranging. I had managed to reassign them to UK and Central Europe though, and they had departed on their new tours of duty.

The first fortnight, enjoying the solitude of my home, I spent hours walking along the riverside and recharging batteries that I hadn’t realised had fallen so low, keeping in touch with the club remotely.

Vincent Pericard had, not surprisingly, taken the Fans’ Player of the Year Award and left back Melono had completed a £35k transfer to Bournemouth authorised by me in conjunction with those board members still around.

As the days passed quietly and surprisingly quickly, I felt enthused again about the coming season and towards the end of the break was itching to get back to it. Jez arrived back in the third week of the month, and we finally got to meet at Molineux shortly after.

He was extremely pleased with my management of the club, and had got over, as we all had, the crushing disappointment of the Final at Wembley. However, having seen evidence of what the team was capable of he had set his sights firmly on winning the Championship, and presented this to me as the season’s objective. Whilst I had no qualms about setting the aims that high, I privately was of the view that promotion, however reached, would keep the board more than happy. In support of this aim, however, he was giving me a fighting fund of £6.25m and had made a healthy £50k extra available on the wage budget.

At last knowing all the facts in terms of what I had to work with and what was expected, I could begin making some real plans. The market, however, was unusually quiet with little player movement other than between the very big and the very small clubs. Obtaining players that would improve a club at our level proved difficult, with many Championship clubs eyeing promotion all chasing the same frustratingly small pool of talent.

The month drew to a close without making any firm deals, though I had irons in lots of fires and was anxiously awaiting developments.

On the player contract side of things, there was little, if anything, to do with just about everyone signed to good deals with time to run on them. Linvoy Primus, a rock at right back for us last season, was now in his final year but at 36 would probably not get a renewal and would be released next summer.

Stuart organised the pre-season friendlies and the squad returned for training, with only leg break victim Hopkins unable to participate, but we badly needed fresh bodies of the right calibre in and I stepped up my efforts as the month ended.

[jim65]

July 2009

Goalkeeper Robert Olejnik arrived on a previously agreed Bosman free transfer from Aston Villa, and was a player I rated highly and would certainly be pushing Murray and Doyle for a share of the action.

After several failed attempts, we finally secured the services of one of the lower league’s most promising strikers as 23 year old Spaniard Pekas arrived from Crewe for £2m, beating off interest from WBA and Middlesborough in the process. Ivorian defensive midfielder Johannes Djourou, 22, joined from Homburg for a nominal £20k.

I had just over £4m left in the kitty by this time, and still needed to acquire two full backs, at least one good defensive midfielder and ideally a right winger, though I was prepared to forego the latter having already two at the club.

Time caught up with us though, and the first pre-season friendly at Rochdale came around.

Despite it being a wet Saturday afternoon in Rochdale more than 9,000 turned out for our visit. New signing Pekas looked a handful up front, and was after his jinking run into the box and clever lay-off that Murtagh opened the scoring on 6 minutes. The lads imposed themselves on the game without being stretched, and at half time Seol replaced Danic on the left wing whilst Barker moved to right back in place of Primus and new signing Djourou took the midfield role. A typically powerful strike from Pericard doubled the lead early in the second half, before I made a host of changes to give nearly all the squad a run out. The game ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for us, and whilst we had never struggled we should perhaps delivered a more crushing defeat to our hosts. Nevertheless it was a good work out and the first step on the road to match fitness for the new season.

With our next scheduled friendly cancelled at short notice, the boys returned to the training ground and I renewed my attempts to bring fresh talent into the squad, a task that was proving more difficult than I had imagined it would be. We failed with some bids all together, and others we succeeded with only to be unable to agree terms with the players. Still, two new faces arrived at the training ground before our next game.

Both Czech Republicans, 26 year old Lukas Magera, a defensive midfielder with a number of U21 caps to his name, signed for us for £350k from Banik Ostrava and 27 year old uncapped left back Vlastimil Ryska also joined in a £325k deal from Jablonec. Both players were quality additions to the squad despite their relatively low price tags, indeed I had high hopes that Magera would go on to be quite a star, and Ryska would certainly not be just making up the numbers in providing real competition at the back.

Magera started when terry Butcher’s Motherwell came to town on a warm, dry Monday evening. Ryska was on the bench but I had already made up my mind, barring any unforeseen events, that he would feature at some point. Olejnik started in goal, with Doyle briefed to take over at the break. A quiet Molineux, less than 3000 in the stands, saw Barker needlessly sent off for a daft foul early on and Motherwell take the lead from the resultant spot kick, with Olejnik unlucky not to have saved it. Pericard had us level before the half hour, and had one rightly disallowed for offside before they retook the lead on the stroke of halftime. Despite having a man advantage, Motherwell found it hard work against our determined ten. Both sides made a number changes during the second half, and the game ended without further scoring. Despite the 2-1 reverse, another good work out and both Magera and Ryska had done very well which was encouraging.

The trip to Lincoln’s Sincil Bank came hot on the heels of this game, and on a very windy afternoon in front of over 7000 fans we put in perhaps the worse performance I’d witnessed as manager since the debacle at Bristol City last season. Pericard had us in front on 27 but we really didn’t look interested, and they put the heat on gaining a soft equaliser on 41 that Murray really should have saved. Pericard and Pekas both picked up injuries as our striker jinx continued and despite a number of substitutions and yelled messages from the touchline, we failed to take control and the match ground out to a 1-1 draw. I told them all in the dressing room afterwards that a level of performance like that would not win promotion!

Due to excellent work abroad by scout George Foster, we were able to quickly tie up a deal to bring fromer Real Madrid striker Rayco to Molineux on a free transfer. The exciting 22 year old Spaniard had an impressive goalscoring pedigree and would really provide competition, and cover, for the forward places.

Another crowd in excess of 7000, this time assembled at Gigg Lane for our visit to Bury on a dry Tuesday evening, our last rehearsal for the big kick off the following Saturday at Molineux. Rayco started up front with Miller, and looked lively from the off proving a handful for the Bury back four. It was his brave header that ricocheted back off the crossbar that led Murtagh to open the scoring, pouncing on the rebound inside the box. Bury stuck at it though, and got a deserved equaliser on the hour before substitute Zengen, on in place of the tiring Miller, finished a neat move with style to put us back in front on 74. Rayco hit the woodwork on two more occasions and did well to complete the 90 minutes as we ran out with a deserved if not wholly impressive 2-1 victory.

The draw for the first round of the League Cup paired us with Stevenage Borough away, to be played August 19th, and I continued to be thwarted and frustrated in the transfer market as my search for a right back ground endlessly on, but the month had yielded five new signings all of whom looked like settling in quickly.

The evening before the first game of the season I spent in my garden with an excellent Shiraz, pondering the summer’s activities to date. I was a little concerned, if honest, with our pre-season form despite always having said that the programme was about fitness more than results, though the morale in the dressing room remained good. I would no doubt have a better picture after our opening game.

[Wimb The Barman]

Must have been a wrench to leave the club Jim! but good luck in the black country!

[jim65]

Thanks Wimb, glad somebody's still reading - hope you're enjoying!

[jim65]

August 2009

The morning of the First dawned bright and warm, and on the drive to the stadium I briefly reflected on the forthcoming fixtures. We had no less than seven games in the upcoming 31 days, six in the league and the League Cup tie, four of which were on the road. It was going to be a tough old start. Our billing as 7/4 favourites for promotion would also add pressure. Other clubs fancied were Charlton, Ipswich, WBA, Barnsley and today’s opponents Cardiff City.

The day got warmer as it went on, so by kick off it was very warm indeed. My starting eleven for the campaign was Murray in goal, Ryska, Clarke, Wotton and Primus along the back, Danic, Magera, Olofinjana and Murtagh across the middle and Miller and Rayco up front. Cardiff signalled their intent from the off, attacking in numbers from the start, but this was what caught them out. Debutant Rayco pounced on a sloppy midfield pass after six minutes and hit a spectacular 35 yarder into the top corner. After that, Cardiff lost their impetus and we took control, dominating the rest of the half and creating a handful of good chances which we failed to convert. There were a lot of tired players at half time, Rayco and Danic were replaced by Zengin and Seol. We continued to have the better of things and on 56 were awarded a penalty that Olofinjana converted with ease to double the lead. We were never in trouble after that, and it has to be said displayed a professionalism that was to be admired. Olofinjana deservedly took the Man of the Match Award, and we were off to an excellent winning start in front of a full house. 2-0

After the game the media were full of praise for the two new Czech signings who had both had impressive debuts and I told them to watch out for more from this pair, which left them both pleased to bits with the comments I’d made.

Chelsea beat West Ham 2-1 in the Community Shield, and rather too soon we were back in action at Tranmere’s Prenton Park on a very warm Tuesday evening.

The team was unchanged, but Pekas replaced the injured Seol on the bench. On a very warm evening, we struggled to assert ourselves, and Tranmere made all the running, much to the delight of the majority of the 12,000 or so fans in attendance. Their pressure paid off when they took the lead on 37 minutes with a fine strike from inside the box. Zengin replaced the shattered Miller at the break and I tried to revitalise their sagging energy with positive words, but privately feared that this game had come too soon. Just before the hour Zengin pounced on a mishit Olofinjana shot to level the scores somewhat against the run of play, but the goal lifted us. Zengin it was who rounded the goalkeeper on 66 and blazed the shot wide of the gaping and empty goal, and I thought our chances of snatching all the points had gone. Murtagh had to be replaced due to injury on 78, but from somewhere there came an energy surge and for the last ten minutes we really set about them, with substitutePekas grabbing a debut goal to steal the points. A 2-1 win away in a game that we didn’t play very well in and though I felt for Tranmere, well that’s football! Olofinjana took his second Man of the Match Award on the trot, and afterwards I warned the team about getting cocky. It was early days and I needed them to keep their feet on the ground.

Pericard resumed training in the week, and we received a £20k payment in relation to a resale clause in the contract of former player Lewis Goburn, of whom I’d never heard.

Just under 29,000 were at Molineux for the visit of Luton, and their new signing centre back Liam Ridgewell. Pekas and Rayco started up front giving us an all Spanish attack, but Pericard made the bench after his injury. It was a scrappy affair in truth, Olofinjana’s brilliant work in the middle set Rayco up for the opener, with the striker cleverly sidestepping the ‘keeper to slot into an empty net from 18 yards out. Neither side really settled, and there were chances at either end before they equalised with a routine cross and header that we really should have dealt with. Zengin replaced Pekas as the game wore on, both teams struggling to find a rhythm, and Pericard got the last ten minutes coming on for Rayco and perhaps if he’d been up to speed may have bagged a brace but as it was game the game finished 1-1 and I could only tell them in the dressing room after they had all come back in that the performance simply wasn’t good enough.

We had the luxury of a week before the trip to Charlton, with their manager attempting to play mind games in the press that I completely ignored. The Charlton match would start a testing run of four games in nine days. We would at least, or should that be at last, have one reinforcement though as 23 year old Dutch right back Valery Sedoc arrived in a £1.8m move from Groningen. Not fully match fit, Sedoc would make the bench at Charlton but would hopefully figure at some point and may well start at Stevenage. I was still trying to get a right winger before the transfer window closed.

Nearly 31,000 packed The Valley, and by the end most of them would have wished they’d found something better to do with their time and money. We dominated possession in the first half hour without doing much with it, and the game degenerated after that. Sedoc and Seol replaced Primus and Danic at the break but didn’t make much impact on proceedings, and the game seemed to be petering out to a goalless draw when Rayco attempted a back pass to Murray from half way inside the Charlton half that was lazy and misplaced and we surrendered the game and the points with a pathetic 1-0 defeat. Only Wotton came out of it with any credit, and justifiably got the Man of the Match award. The rest of them got a right royal ticking off afterwards. Bitterly, bitterly disappointing.

25 year old Polish right winger Grzegorz Bonin arrived from Zlin in a £450k deal shortly after that game, but was not up to match fitness so wouldn’t figure for a while but was an exciting prospect. He was heavily capped at U21 level but had yet to break into Poland’s senior team, but I told him to get it right at Wolves and he soon would!

The squad was suffering from too much football too quickly I thought, from pre-season to seven games in a month was bordering ludicrous and totally unnecessary. There was nothing that could be done about it though, so I rotated the players again to give them a break. Sedoc, Naylor, Djourou and Miller would all start at Stevenage, as would goalkeeper Olejnik.

Broadhall Way, the home of League 2 Stevenage, was a tidy little ground with a capacity of over 7000. They would no doubt have been disappointed with an attendance of just half that for our visit on a balmy Wednesday evening for the first round of the League Cup. The game itself had been predicted as a formality and so it runed out, with Pekas getting the first with barely 5 minutes on the clock as we played with the sort of freedom and belief that had so nearly earned us promotion last season, and that had been lacking in our league games to date. Seol netted the second on ten minutes from the spot and they had been reduced to men. Seol went on to miss a second penalty in the first half, but a brace from a lively Kenny Miller sealed an easy 4-0 win in the second half, and secured him the Man of the Match award.

An impressive Lyon beat Arsenal 1-0 in the European Super Cup Final, but we had no time to dwell on that as Nottingham Forest rolled into Molineux for our next league game in the silly programme enforced by the FA.

A near capacity crowd was to see an entertaining match blighted, from our point of view, by three of the most ludicrous refereeing decisions I’d ever witnessed from a completely inept referee. Murray returned in goal, Magera in midfield and Vocacek on the right wing. Naylor kept his place from the League Cup match and Pericard replaced Pekas up front. Danic returned to the left wing. They started quickly, and were a goal up on 8 minutes, doubling the lead less than a minute later and giving us at all to do. Pericard had a goal chalked off on 27, the first outrageous decision from the referee as he was clearly two yards behind the last defender even when he hit the shot never mind when Danic cleverly played him in, but four minutes later Miller burst through the defence and crossed neatly to give Vocacek and easy tap in at the back post. Referee clanger number two saw Captain Peter Clarke red-carded for an offence almost on the wing, not preventing a goal scoring opportunity nor particularly cynical. Surely a yellow card at worst. Primus replaced Pericard and went into the back four, but they scored from the free kick for a 3-1 lead. We kept battling though, and Miller got one back in first half stoppage time. Seol replaced Danic, struggling with a knock, at the break. Early in the second half Vocacek took an elbow to the face and the referee reacted by showing the guilty party only a yellow card that incensed fans and me. Djourou replaced Vocacek who was unable to carry on. Miller finished a clever move on 67 to haul us deservedly level but we started to run out of steam and succumbed to a goal on 75 and never got back into our stride after that. A 4-3 defeat then, and though I wanted to confront the hapless official afterwards I did not get the opportunity, which may have been just as well, but I would have gladly risked an FA fine just to ask him how much he’d been paid by the opposition, struggling at the bottom of the league before the match!

We drew Exeter at Molineux in the second round of the League Cup, but had no time to dwell on that as our seventh game of the month came round just forty eight hours later. I was pleased though that the television and press shared a similar view to mine about the last referee, but it wouldn’t make any difference to our loss of points!

Pekas and Rayco started up front as I simply couldn’t get Pericard fit enough to go a whole 90 minutes! Murtagh and Danic both started on the wings, and Primus replaced Sedoc who was rested. Barker came in for the suspended Clarke and Olejnik replaced the dejected Murray. We gifted them the lead after ten minutes, Lee Naylor dithering in his own penalty box too long and both teams thereafter had a go at eachother without success. Seol and Miller replaced Danic and Rayco at the interval, but ten minutes in the second half we found ourselves 2-0 down after a brilliant QPR free kick to the delight of the 16,000 Loftus Road faithful. I gambled then, I had to, pulling off Murtagh and replacing him with Djourou and pushing Seol up front as we switched to a 4-3-3. We had an instant result from this with Pekas finishing neatly just inside the box on the hour, and in an all out assault Seol equalised a few minutes later to wake up the travelling fans. Substitute Miller edged in front on 70 and Pekas rounded it all off on 83 to complete a memorable second half, and a 4-2 win on the road. Pekas brought the Man of the Match Award home on the bus.

Having completed seven games in twenty-four days we now had fourteen days of rest. Ridculous really, but the rest was welcome nonetheless. Olejnik, Pericard and Miller went off to join their respective International squads.

Before the end of the transfer window, another Polish player joined us, this time for £750k from Legia. 26 year old Antoni Lukasiewicz could play in central defence, but was signed primarily for the holding role in midfield.

Our summer transfer activity had enabled us to put together some semblence of a reserve team, which would no doubt be of benefit to the club as the season progresses, if only in terms of injury recovery and fitness levels.

Wotton, Naylor and Seol all agreed new deals too, leaving only Primus, Miller and more worryingly Olofinjana in the final year of theirs.

We finished the month in 7th place with P6 W3 D1 L2 GF12 GA9 GD+3 and 10PTS. We were 8 points behind league leaders Preston, with their impressive 100% record, and 100% clean sheets also!

Villa were 19th in the Premiership with a single point from their first four games. I thought I had problems!

[jim65]

September 2009

After a fortnight of hard work on the training ground, primarialy building strength and fitness for most players, we were faced with the crazy situation of seven more games in a twenty day period before another fortnight of nothing! The FA really needed to get a grip on how they sorted this league out, International commitments notwithstanding.

The cameras arrived for the visit of Sheffield United, sitting a single place below us in the league on goal difference, along with another capacity crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Pericard was still away with Cameroon, so Miller and Pekas started as did both the new Polish signings, though Bonin was not expected to last the full match. A tense first half saw both sides take a cautious approach and the fear of losing, rather than an open to desire to win, was evident. Just as the half was coming to an end and the game looked to be heading for a replica of last season’s goalless result, Kenny Miller was put clean through on the counter by a slide rule pass from Danic and he made no mistake with the finish giving us the lead at the interval. I made no changes at half time, and the second half was a different match all together with Sheffield looking for a way back and us always looking to counter. They did get their equaliser on 56, a well worked goal, and our response was to step up pressure on them. Eight minutes later a superb free kick from Danic restored our lead. Seol then replaced Bonin who had had a solid debut, but credit to Sheffield they kept at us and got their second equaliser on 68. We took the lead for third time on 77 through Pekas, looking more and more dangerous as his fitness improved, and Olofinjana made certain two minutes into stoppage time to run out 4-2 winners. Pekas collected the Man of the Match Award, but all the talk after the game was about debutant Lukasiewicz, who had impressed throughout in the centre of midfield.

Pericard returned fit but tired after International duty with Cameroon and didn’t travel with us as forty-eight hours later an unchanged side ran out at the Stadium of Light.

Nearly 27,500 were in the stadium for our visit to 22nd placed Sunderland on a warm Tuesday evening. We took the game to them and got a penalty on 22 which Olofinjana convereted with ease and seven minutes later Danic pounced on a loose clearance to stunningly chip the ball home from the best part of 30 yards to double the lead. The second half started badly though, as with warnings of complacency ringing in their ears from my half time talk, Wotton gave away a silly penalty and was lucky to see only a yellow card for his trouble. Duly converted, the penalty gave them a way back and we began to feel the pressure as the home fans got behind them, but a lightning quick counter attack saw Miller apply the finish to reinstate the two goal advantage. Sunderland, however, didn’t give up and when a careless pass from Miller let them in they took advantage to peg us back again. Magera and Seol replaced Lukasiewicz and Bonin as the team tired, and Sunderland went all out to secure a share of the points. I withdrew Miller, pushing Wotton up to a defensive midfield role and brought Primus on at centre back to shore things up for the final ten minutes, which we saw out for a 3-2 win. The boys were delighted but shattered at the end, Sunderland felt hard done by, and in truth I’d have to say that they were a shade unlucky to take nothing from the match, but on the other hand we had virtually given them two goals!

Robert Olejnik’s knock picked up at Sunderland would see him out of action for a fortnight, so Doyle was called in from the reserves to take his place. It was nice to start getting reports of the reserve’s teams exploits, something that had been missing last season, and the U18’s had started their campaign well too.

Another televised match next saw Coventry City visit Molineux on a Saturday evening. Seol replaced a still tired Danic on the left wing, Doyle took the goalkeeping duties and Pericard started in place of rested Pekas with Rayco on the bench. Another full house, despite the cameras and live coverage, and the fans were treated to an early attacking display that saw Pericard pounce on a miscontrol by their ‘keeper to open the scoring. A majestic Seol free kick kick made it 2-0 on the half hour and so it stayed until half time. Again, warning them not to make silly mistakes, I was dismayed when Wotton gave away a penalty needlessly straight from the restart and they had a foot back in the game. They pressed and pressed and made life difficult for us all over the pitch. Seol switched to the right flank as Danic replaced a tiring Bonin and it was getting fairly hairy again until Miller was brilliantly put through by Pericard to slot home the third on 65. We saw out the remaining time without further scare for a 3-1 win, our fourth win on the bounce, and Pericard took the Man of the Match Award.

On the training ground the at the very next session I took the players to task about the number of goals we were conceding through silly penalties and careless passing, and set the coaches to drilling them in passing and tackling for the remainder of the session.

We had two more home games followed by two tough away games before the end of the month and there was barely time to draw breath between fixtures.

With Miller on the bench and Preicard rested, Pekas and Rayco started up front and Primus and Barker replaced Wotton and Clarke at the back with Olofinjana taking the armband. Murray returned between the sticks. Over 10,500 came out on a warm Wednesday evening, and saw us play out 45 minutes of neat and tidy football that missed only the killer instinct at the end as we carved out chance after chance against hapless Exeter City. Eventually, in first half stoppage time Olofinjana cracked a typically powerful and curling shot from the edge of the box which whistled past the keeper into the bottom corner. The second half was pretty much a rerun of the first, again neat and tidy football and no silly mistakes, until Pekas sealed the win with a fine strike on 83. A professional job of work done, Olofinjana added to his collection of Man of the Match Awards, and we drew Crystal Palace away in round 3 to be played October 21st.

Doncaster Rovers were the next team to arrive at Molineux. Danic, Miller and Pericard all started with Pekas and seol dropping to the bench and Rayco sent off for a time with the reserves. I made no other changes from the League Cup match, so Olofinjana retained the armband as Clarke remained on the bench. We started the brighter, and were looking comfortable until another howler presented them with the lead after just 17 minutes. A long range cross was dropping into the arms of goalkeeper Murray, who unchallenged, simply dropped it into his own net. We pressed and pressed, squandering chance after chance, eventually switching to a 4-3-3 for the last 20 minutes desperate to get something from a game we had dominated, but ultimately went down down to a stupid 1-0 defeat.

Robert Olejnik resumed training after his injury, and was sent into the tender care of the reserves to get his fitness back.

72 hours later we were on the road to Wigan and the JJB Stadium on a Tuesday evening that saw Clarke reinstated to the starting eleven in place of Barker, and Wotton recalled to the bench. I made also the difficult decision to drop fans’ favourite, but misfiring, Pericard in favour of in form Pekas to play alongside Miller. Pericard made the bench. Doyle replaced Murray in goal. They started quicker and pushed us back for the first ten minutes, but we countered quickly and with our first shot at goal had the lead through Miller. They continued to put us under pressure and made the breakthrough with the equaliser on 24. Just two minutes later we surrendered our lead, conceding yet another penalty, but they took their foot off and Pekas waltzed through their defence and a wonderful shot that deserved to hit the net came back off the foot of the post and Kenny Miller reacted first to tuck away the rebound for 2-2. We had some of the better play thereafter, Pekas scoring a peach on 41 to give us the lead at half time. At the break I removed Sedoc who was having a ‘mare, and put Primus into right back and bringing Wotton on. They came out fully charged and we wilted, conceding another equaliser within five minutes of the restart. Both sides exchanged after that, Wigan creating the better ones it has to be said, but the game was heading for a draw when they nudged themselves ahead on 83. Pericard came off the bench as we switched to a 4-3-3 to try and salvage something from the game. On 87 Pericard had us level and I thought we deserved that, on 90 he had us in front and on 92 he sealed the win and his hat-trick. It was a breathtaking display of clinical finishing. Three chances, three goals. He took the Man of the Match Award for the goals, and it was hard to disagree with that, but Pekas had provided the assists for all of them and scored one himself in what was an equally masterful performance. A great game for fans, not great for the manager’s heart though!

The game became a new high scoring record in the Championship, but once again on the training ground we went back to basics with passing and tackling. We simply could not continue to keep shipping goals the way we were, relying on an ability to outscore the opposition. Eventually we would be found out. If I had any funds to play with in January, I would be looking for at least one new centre back to shore us up!

I didn’t really have a decision to make in selecting Pekas and Pericard to start up front, leaving Miller bench-bound. Granqvist came back into the fold from the reserves and started alongside the relocated Lukasiewicz at the heart of defence, meaning a recall also for Magera in midfield. Primus moved to right back ahead of Sedoc who needed a rest, and Ryska relieved Naylor at left back. Vocacek started as Bonin was rested and Djourou made the bench. It was all change, but at least I had match fit options now that the reserves were in gear. As the game started, I wondered if I’d tinkered too much as they went ahead on five minutes and dominated proceedings until doubling their lead on 36, but we responded quickly and Pericard drove home on 39 to give us a foothold in the match. Preston continued to call the shots into the second half, so much so that I switched to 4-3-3 with three defensive midfielders in the middle. They struggled to adjust to this and we began to get into the game, Pericard firing us level on 83 with a well hit 25 yarder after a period of sustained pressure. In the closing stages we could, and perhaps should, have won the game with Pericard, and substitutes Seol and Miller all going close, but it finished 2-2 and although Preston overall had the better game, we could justifiably claim to have come the closer to winning it.

The September programme completed, we found ourselves in third place, level on points with second placed Fulham and just two points behind leaders Luton. August leaders Preston had dropped to 7th but were still only three points behind us. Indeed, mid-table was only a minimal five points beneath us. Our figures read P12 W7 D2 L3 GF30 GA21 GD+9 and 23PTS. I’d have taken that, I suppose, at the outset but we were still shipping goals at an alarming rate and it was of great concern.

O’Leary was in trouble again, perhaps more so than ever, with Villa rock bottom of the Premiership with only 5pts from 8 games played. Koblenz were at the wrong end of the Regional Division South which saddened me.

Pericard added the Player of the Month Award to his growing collection of such things, whilst I came second to Luton’s Graham Roberts in the Manager of the Month version. Pericard also featured in the Goal of the Month Awards, getting amongst the runners up with his first at Wigan.

A satisfactory month and we were still very much up there with the leaders, we now had another two weeks without a game before 6 fixtures inside a 17 day time frame. It was feast or famine this Championship football, no wonder the players had such hard times with their fitness levels!

[jim65]

October 2009

We spent the International break working on defence, and on just closing out a game in general. Granqvist and Lukasiewicz seemed to make the best pairing in training. In fact I was very impressed with the big Swede who had been a regular last season but had been overlooked for much of this, and decided to put that right, and maybe even save myself the cost of a centre back come January!

On a heavy pitch in swirling rain in front of nearly 29,000 fans, we took on a struggling Watford. Pericard and Djourou were still away on International duties, so Miller and Pekas started up front with Zengin on the bench after impressing in the reserves. Sedoc returned at right back and Murray in goal, and Granqvist and Lukasiewicz got the nod in the centre of defence. Miller had us in front on 4 minutes as we started quickly and settled first, and it was Miller again who made it 2-0 on 17 with his 100th league goal for the club. Watford seemed to lose heart after that, and full of confidence we were stroking the ball around and making them look very ordinary. Magera came off later, forcing Lukasiewicz into midfield as Primus came on, and Miller was replaced by Zengin and Seol took over from Danic as we played out time for the 2-0 win. A sound performance, no mistakes, and a priceless clean sheet, with Granqvist taking the Man of the Match award. Pekas collected a knock that would sideline him for a fortnight.

I was delighted with the Watford result. All the hard work on the training ground was put into action with almost text book precision, and although no longer the force that they had been, Watford tested us just enough to let us gain a little confidence for the next game.

The first big derby game of the season was next with our midweek trip to The Hawthorns to take on WBA. Pericard replaced Pekas alongside Miller up front, but there were no other changes to the starting eleven. On a chilly but thankfully dry Tuesday evening, the first half provided end-to-end entertainment for the 30,000 crowd with both teams creating good chances if not taking them. I made no changes at the interval, and on 51 Pericard was hauled down in the box and new penalty taker right back Sedoc blasted his first goal for the club from the resultant spot kick. Pericard volleyed in the second five minutes later and Miller hit the woodwork before retiring injured to be replaced with Zengin. We never looked stretched at the back with Granqvist and Lukasiewicz in dominant form, and when Magera fed the ball through to Pericard deep into stoppage time the 3-0 win was confirmed. Possibly our best performance of the season to date, and a second consecutive clean sheet! Pericard once again took the Man of the Match Award, but Ryska would miss up to 8 weeks with the injury he suffered towards the end of the game.

Beating Black Country rivals WBA so comprehensively in their own garden was just plain fun! Rick Hayward even congratulated me personally after the match, and Jez was just as pleased. To do it in such fine style, with a solidly organised defence and electric attack just added the icing to the cake. Later, the old cynic in me would warn me about getting carried away, but on that night I just enjoyed the great feelings with the players.

Miller wasn’t fit enough to travel to Meadow Lane for the weekend fixture against Notts County so Rayco was called in to start and Zengin remained on the bench. Naylor returned for the injured Ryska. An unhappy Doyle, believeing that he should start more games, went off to the reserves and Olejnik came back in to warm the bench as Murray held onto the gloves. The match was surprisingly even, County obviously geed up and playing flat out to contain us, perhaps too enthusiastically as Rayco got clobbered on the half hour and had to be replaced by Zengin. We created chance after chance and failed to convert them, then with the last kick of the half they took the lead, their striker easily two yards offside when the ball was played and obviously all four officials daydreaming of their half time cuppa! Pericard had us back level within a minute of the restart with a fine dribble from the centre circle and a cracking shot from the edge of the ‘D’, and we went looking for the winner, even switching to a 4-3-3 for the last quarter hour, without success. A disappointing 1-1 draw, but fair play to County, they got what they wanted in front of a near 7,000 crowd.

I was looking forward to the next match, a trip to a Premiership team in the League Cup third round. In truth, I was half expecting to lose and not overly bothered by the thought, but the experience of being able to play a club from a higher level would give us some indications of what we might expect should our promotion ambitions be realised. I told the players as much in the build up, and we went into the game in a relaxed frame of mind, one eye (if not both) looking ahead to two more league fixtures at Molineux before the end of the month.

No more than 9,000 were there on a cold Wednesday night, cold enough to frost over car windscreens. Miller and Pericard started up front. Primus returned at right back to both rest Sedoc and bring a little experience to the occasion. Pekas was training again but not yet fit enough to feature. They went at us from the off, and created a couple of good chances before taking the lead just inside the 20 minute mark. Seven minutes later, just after Miller missed a fairly straightforward chance, they doubled the lead and killed the game as a contest. Half time saw Djourou and Seol replace Danic and Vocacek as we switched again to a 4-3-3, half intent on having a go at them and the other half to rest those two key players for the next fixture. Seol got one back for us after a neat one-two with Pericard on the edge of the box before Zengin replaced the tiring Miller. They put the game beyond doubt after the referee awarded the harshest penalty I’ve ever seen given; for handball on the edge of the box against Granqvist whom he didn’t even caution. The 3-1 defeat looked worse on paper than it had actually been, and I told the lads afterwards that they had done well despite the result. I was more concerned about the late injury to Pericard than going out of the cup to superior opposition!

As it transpired, Pericard’s injury was not as bad as first feared and he would only miss a week. Goalkeeper Doyle came to see me, still unhappy at lack of first team football and I had to be honest and tell him that he was behind Murray and possibly Olejnik now, but that if he was patient and worked well in the reserves he would almost certainly get his chance. He appreciated my candour, but requested a transfer nevertheless and I accepted his request.

Pekas and Miller started up front for the visit of Brentford to Molineux, with Sedoc back in at right back and Olejnik given the chance between the sticks as I rested Murray.Over 28,000 huddled under the stands as cold stinging rain swept the pitch and we struggled to get into the match early on. Brentford had the lead on 9 minutes and continued to dominate much of the first half, adding a deserved second on 38. Pekas had had to be replaced in between their goals and it was substitute Zengin who seemed to wake my lot up. It was him who was pulled down in front of the box just before half time, and Danic who took a sublime free kick that the ‘keeper could only watch into the corner of his net. 2-1 down at the break, Seol replaced a weary Vocacek and immediately caused them problems with his pace and tricky runs as we started to assert ourselves. Another free kick on 70, again Danic, and this time a wicked deflection brought the equaliser, but within 60 seconds we broke fast and a superb Seol cross was headed home by Zengin. Miller wrapped it all up on 79, driving forward through the rain and chipping the ‘keeper from close quarters. A 4-2 win in poor conditions was a perfect tonic for the midweek disappointment, and Danic took home the man of the Match Award.

Pekas injury would rule him out of the visit of Millwall the following Tuesday night, and with Pericard still missing too! Elsewhere, Derby sacked the seemingly ever-sackable Mick McCarthy, and before we knew it Millwall were knocking on the Molineux gates wanting a game of football!

I told the players before sending them out in front of well over 28,000 fans to ignore the rain and stop giving away goals, rather to concentrate on a good win and a clean sheet. Miller and Zengin started up front with Rayco on the bench and I started Seol on the right wing, resting Vocacek. We started much too quickly for Millwall who struggled to cope with the pace of the game early on. Another delightful Danic free kick put us in front, and took his tally to five for the season, inside twenty minutes. On 25, a Sedoc hammered in a penalty to double the lead and just before the break Zengin mopped up a goalmouth fracas for the third. I made no changes at the break, warning them that my wine would sour if we didn’t get a clean sheet! Rayco and Vocacek replaced Zengin and Danic who both looked shattered, so I switched Seol back to his more usual left wing role. On 78 it was Seol who collected the ball wide left, jinked past their right back and from fully thirty yards out cracked a beauty that curled into the top corner like a guided missile. Millwall held out without conceding any more leaving us with an excellent 4-0 win to finish the month. The versatile Seol took the Man of the Match Award.

Olejnik had picked up a slight knock and that would keep him out for a fortnight or so, and John Ward became Derby’s new manager. Disappointingly, both Miller and Olofinjana rejected new contracts and with both of them due to expire next June gave cause for concern as to their intended future.

Danic was amongst the runners up in the Player of the Month Awards, as was I in the Manager version, and Seol’s fantastic strike in the last game also made the top three in the Goal of the Month contest.

We finished the month with a game in hand over all of our nearest in the league due to our game that weekend being Sunday 1st November. Bearing that in mind we were 3rd, a point behind second placed Fulham and three points behind leaders Luton. A win on the 1st November would see us top for the first time on goal difference, but the month end figures read P17 W10 D4 L3 GF44 GA24 GD+20 and 36PTS.

Villa were still struggling amidst media reports that their Euro Cup campaign was to blame for their poor league run, whilst O’Leary still blamed his ‘small squad’ whilst praising their ‘honesty’. They were 18th with 9 points from 11 games played. Koblenz were in the relegation places and dropping out of the league all together was a real possibility for them. This made me very sad indeed.

[jim65]

November 2009

The visit to Stoke’s Britannia Stadium on the First was the last before another two week break. After that, the fixtures settled down a bit so it was important to win this one leaving us top of the league for the break and in good shape to continue having ridden the storm of the early season fixture congestion. It was strange to start the month with only four games on the calendar though!

Murray replaced the injured Olejnik and Doyle made the bench with Pekas whilst Miller and Pericard made a rare start together. Seol retained the right wing berth ahead of Vocacek after his excellent showing against Millwall. Our early pressure bore fruit on 6 minutes when an inch perfect Seol free kick from out wide was met by the head of Olofinjana for the opening goal, and Miller had us two up on 20 minutes with a superb lob from the corner of the penalty box. Taking our eye off the ball, we let them back in it when Sedoc was skinned down the flank and their centre forward had an easy header at the back post. Murray then had to go off injured and was replaced by wantaway Doyle. Warning them against further carelessness at the break, and having to replace the exhausted Pericard with Pekas, they went back out for the second half. On 68 a poor pass across midfield from Pekas let them in and Doyle did little to prevent their equaliser. They went down to ten men after a second yellow card was shown on 81 but we once again couldn’t enforce our numerical advantage on the game, and indeed were lucky to hold onto the draw in the end. In the dressing rooms I told them that they’d bottled it, and if they wanted promotion then they’d have to be better than that!

So we went into the break disappointed to be second, two points behind leaders Luton and above third placed Fulham on goal difference. Murray’s injury would keep him out for two months which was a bitter blow.

Six players joined their nations for friendlies, including Antoni Lukasiewicz who would earn his first senior caps with Poland. Withdrawn from International service was Cameroon striker Pericard, who really needed to get fit first! Due to the amount of International call-ups our Barnsley game was put back, meaning that our settled schedule of three games in three weeks now became three games in one week at the end of the month!

Barnsley, Oldham, Carlisle, Stockport, QPR and Everton all used the break to terminate their managers contracts. Oldham announced Keith Curle as their new boss and Barnsley appointed Alan Kimble who would no doubt be delighted to have an extra week to work with his new charges.

This meant that our next game was the one I was least looking forward to, Bristol City away. The drubbing we had taken at Ashton Gate on our last visit was still hurting as it had ultimately cost us promotion. We worked again on defence, passing and tackling in the run up to the game, and stressed with every session the need to keep focussed on the pitch and not switch off, not to make avoidable mistakes that would cost us.

Over 18,000 filled Ashton Gate on a miserable afternoon that was cold and wet. Olejnik started in goal, Miller and Pericard up front and Seol retaining his place on the right wing. A clever free kick had us a goal up on 9 minutes, Danic chipping the wall and Seol sneaking in behind for an easy strike. Miller and Pericard both missed good chances to put the game away, before a three-way mix up at the back between goalkeeper and centre halves that would not have looked out of place in a big top, allowed them to equalise through Fryatt. In the first minute of the second half they took the lead from a neat but slow attack that we should have snuffed out long before it became a threat. Olofinjana struggling with a slight knock was replaced by Vocacek, with Seol moving into a central position and on 70 they went down to ten men and I knew then we would not win. Five minutes later they were 3-1 up and despite sustained pressure on our part we could only manage a last minute consolation through Miller and the game finished with a 3-2 defeat. Miller, somehow, got the Man of the Match Award and once again the Bristol City hoodoo had struck!

Darlington sacked their manager the following morning, and I was disappointed to learn that Zengin had been injured playing for the reserves and would miss two months. Olofinjana became a British citizen the day Barnsley came to Molineux.

A cold dry Wednesday evening saw me make no changes to the starting eleven, but Bonin replaced Vocacek on the bench after an impressive three games for the reserves. We dominated the whole of the first half, creating chance after chance which Miller, Seol and Pericard all contrived to miss, leaving the game goalless at the interval. The second half started just the same and in worsening rain we had a Miller goal wrongly, again, disallowed for offside on the hour. Danic and Miller were replaced by Pekas and Bonin with Seol switched to the left wing as we continued to totally dominate proceedings, and it was the two substitutes that broke the deadlock on 74 with Pekas heading in from a superb Bonin cross from the right wing. We pressed until the end without adding to the scoring, and a very dominant performance was not reflected in the 1-0 result. Naylor took the Man of the Match Award, and a capacity crowd near 30,000 went home happy.

Steve Coppell brought his fifth placed Ipswich to Molineux on a chilly Saturday afternoon for our final fixture of the month, having made various comments in the press during the run up to the game that I had simply ignored, preferring to concentrate on readying the players instead. Danic dropped to the bench, with Seol taking his place and Bonin started on the right. It was a game we could ill afford to lose if we wanted to stay in touch with the leaders. We dominated the first half, Pericard and Miller both guilty of squandering good chances, but went in level at the break much to the frustration of the capacity crowd. Our failure to put away the chances created frustrated me, and Pekas replaced Miller for the second half. It was still goalless on the hour, so I switched Seol to the right and brought Danic on for Bonin. A few minutes later Naylor had to come off injured and right back Primus was pushed into service on the left. Finally, our constant pressure paid off when Pericard was fouled in the box and Sedoc stepped up to thump home the penalty on 80 minutes. I urged them forward, not wanting them to rest on a single goal lead, and when Danic picked him out with a superb cross, Pekas converted his first clear cut chance of the game, and sixty seconds later repeated the job to close out a 3-0 win which would have been more comfortable but for the lateness of the goals. Seol took the Man of the Match Award, and Steve Coppell was left to explain to the press why all his much publicised promises had failed on the pitch.

Naylor’s injury was serious and a specialist advised us that he we could expect him to miss around three months. Ryska was back in training after his injury thankfully, but it would mean rushing him back rather than letting him settle back in.

Manchester City sacked their manager before the end of the month, as did Huddersfield, and Rick Holden took the boss’s job at Darlington. The FA Cup third round draw had, for the second year running, given us an away tie at Preston.

I was again amongst the runners up in the Manager of the Month awards and we went into December in second place in the league, a point above third placed Fulham and two behind leaders Luton. Our figures of P21 W13 D4 L4 GF52 GA29 GD+23 and 43PTS made good reading at this stage of the season, certainly better than Villa’s 16th place with 14 points from 14 games, and Koblenz’s 15 points from their 15 games keeping them firmly in the relegation zone.

[Dr. Hook]

Good job, Jim ! Great story, though I was sad to see you leave Koblenz.

[jim65]

Thanks Dr.H , who knows, maybe I'll get to go back before the story ends!

[jim65]

December 2009

The FA fixture computer had conjoured up six fixtures for us in December, starting with a big game at Craven Cottage and included a trip to leaders Luton before finishing with a visit from fourth placed Charlton. It was going to be a big month, possibly even a make-or-break one.

We travelled to Fulham’s Craven Cottage in the wake of their manager’s attempted assassination of us in the press, with a number of players determined to prove him wrong. He’d almost done my team talk for me, and as usual I hadn’t lowered myself to reply publicly. Danic and Pekas started in place of Bonin and Miller who both dropped to the bench, and I had no choice but to play a not yet fully fir Ryska at left back. It was another match that we really couldn’t afford to lose. We started brightly, with Pekas coming close early on before a Miller shot was brilliantly saved by their ‘keeper but some intelligent running from Magera put him in the right place to tap in the rebound for his first goal for the club on 12 minutes. Within a minute, Fulham were level with a wonder strike that Olejnik never had a chance with, and before the half hour went ahead as we lost our discipline at a corner and failed to pick up their marauding centre back who headed home, unmarked, from inside the six yard box. Pericard replaced Pekas at the interval, and though we gave everything they were sharper than us and won all the second ball. Despite going to a 4-3-3 for the last twenty minutes, we failed to break them down and I had to say they deserved the 2-1 win. Ryska did superbly to complete the entire match. Just under 30,000 saw it.

The following morning I tried to overcome my disappointment but couldn’t shake it off. We agreed terms to sign Cephas Chimedza, a 25 year old Zimbabwe International from Germinal Beerschot for £350k and only a work permit remained to be sorted for the versatile player, who primarily a left back, could play in a number of other positions also. Manchester City confirmed the appointment of Brian Stein as their new manager.

A cold Tuesday evening brought Plymouth, and 28,000 fans, to Molineux, and I recalled Bonin and Pericard to the starting eleven in place of Pekas and Seol who dropped to the bench. Plymouth stole the lead on 8 minutes from a corner that was well headed home, but the remainder of the first half we dominated without really threatening their goal. Indeed, the most notable thing about the first 45 minutes were the nine yellow cards issued by the referee when a not one serious foul was committed. Pekas replaced Miller at the break and Seol came on for Magera as we went more offensive and really went at them. They caught us on the counter on 61 to take a two goal lead and I knew it was just going to be one of those nights. Seol pulled one back on 72 but it wasn’t enough to avoid our second consecutive 2-1 defeat, though how we had lost here I failed to comprehend. The gap at the top was widening and we were falling away.

Sedoc picked up an injury during the game and would miss a month, leaving us short of cover for both full back slots. There was better news though, as Chimedza’s work permit was granted and the deal was concluded for him to join us in January. With Olofinjana still refusing to talk about a new contract, I privately advised him that I would have to move the captaincy to somebody else which he understood. Granqvist, therefore, took over the duties with Lukasiewicz nominated as vice.

Tranmere were our next opponents, again at Molineux, and I brought Primus in for the injured Sedoc and recalled Vocacek from the reserves to replace Bonin in the starting eleven. Also coming in from the reserves, in an effort to freshen things up, to take their places on the bench were defender Barker, midfielder Ricketts and striker Hopkins. Just under 29,000 packed into the stadium on a freezing cold afternoon. The game didn’t start, it exploded! Miller fired us in front with barely ninety seconds on the clock as we carved open their defence with our first serious attack, but they were level by five minutes as the defence failed to cope with a high, looping cross. The pace of the game was frantic as both teams set about attacking eachother in turn, and on 31 Pericard found Miller in the box, and Miller turned his marker neatly to blast into the roof of the net from six yards to restore our lead. I made no changes at the break and within five minutes of the restart they had pegged us back again with a fine flowing move and neat finish. Miller was stretchered off on 55 after a very late tackle that the referee saw fit to let go unpunished which incensed me and most of the crowd. Hopkins replaced him, and ten minutes later Ricketts came on for the tiring Danic as we continued to press for the winner. It wasn’t until the 88th minute that Vokacek’s whipped in cross was headed in by Magera and the fans went wild. The last couple of minutes plus nearly five minutes of stoppage time were nervous ones for us as Tranmere gave it their all, but we held firm and took the 3-2 win. Miller won the Man of the Match Award.

After the game the news was bad. Kenny Miller had been taken to hospital where x-rays had confirmed broken ribs and the physio estimated a two month lay-off for the player. With 17 goals in 21 appearances Miller would be missed! Two days later new captain Granqvist was sent home from training with flu and would likely miss a fortnight, and Seol became a naturalised British citizen.

The big game at Luton’s Kenilworth Road marked the end of my first year in the job and I couldn’t think of a year that had gone more quickly. It was another bitterly cold afternoon. Pekas replaced Miller and Barker stood in for Granqvist, and former captain Clarke made the bench. We really couldn’t afford to slip up here, our last game before Christmas. A capacity crowd, just shy of 16,000, made plenty of noise as the game got underway. Ridgewell conceded a penalty on 6 which Olofinjana duly dispatched to settle our early nerves, and Olejnik made a couple of great saves to maintain the lead in the first half hour. On 41, Pericard showed Ridgewell a clean set of heels only to see his powerfully struck shot come back off the foot of the post, but six minutes later on the stroke of half time the same circumstance led a fine finish and a 2-0 lead at the break. Hopkins replaced Pekas, who had a niggling knock, at the interval. We bossed the second half, extending our lead on 66 when Vokacek sent a slide rule pass into the box which Hopkins hammered home. Primus took a fierce knock on 77 and had to be replaced, Barker switching to right back and Clarke slotting in alongside Lukasiewicz. We saw out an excellent 3-0 win and Danic took the Man of the Match Award.

Primus would miss something between two and three months, so with both right backs now injured, centre back Barker would be pressed into action to fill the gap. Granqvist and goalkeeper Murray both returned to training before Christmas, but Rayco got a knock in training and would miss the rest of the month.

Leeds and Forest gave their managers early Christmas presents, giving them a sack for the festive period. Leeds moved swiftly to appoint German Klaus Augenthaler.

We went into the very short Christmas break in second place but struggling with a number of injuries, and with two major games before the new year.

As usual I spent Christmas Day alone reading through scout reports over a glass or three of Shiraz, just waiting for the day to end so that I could get back to work.

We travelled to Cardiff’s St.David Stadium on a drizzly Boxing Day. City were on the back of six straight wins that had seen them rise steadily to fifth place in the league. Granqvist returned from his cold and Barker started at right back, but we were otherwise unchanged from the team that had done so well at Luton. Nearly 30,000 braved the weather to attend, and they saw a game that simply defied belief! The Bluebirds went a goal up inside 2 minutes as they started at a sprint and we failed to match them for energy or composure. 2-0 down on 22, we got a slight hold of things and both Pekas and Pericard missed sitters before they got a third on the half hour. Looking shell shocked, we struggled on and just before half time Pekas poached a cheeky goal inside the six yards box to give us some hope. I brought Seol on for Vocacek at the break and demanded that they get a grip of things second half. The game restarted and we took it to them, Pericard getting another one back on 50 before Pekas added two more to complete his hat-trick on 54 and 56. Now leading after being three down, the game settled and both sides played some good stuff, creating chances at either end. City got level on 76 and I resigned myself to the draw, probably the fairest result all around, but they scored again on 83 with the flukiest cross-shot you ever saw. The players came off gutted, not knowing how exactly we had lost, but lost we had 5-4. I didn’t say much after the game, in fact I think it was 24 hours before I came out of shock and started thinking again, much less talking. The following days papers simply stated ‘Cardiff fortuitous to win’ which about said it all!We travelled to Cardiff’s St.David Stadium on a drizzly Boxing Day. City were on the back of six straight wins that had seen them rise steadily to fifth place in the league. Granqvist returned from his cold and Barker started at right back, but we were otherwise unchanged from the team that had done so well at Luton. Nearly 30,000 braved the weather to attend, and they saw a game that simply defied belief! The Bluebirds went a goal up inside 2 minutes as they started at a sprint and we failed to match them for energy or composure. 2-0 down on 22, we got a slight hold of things and both Pekas and Pericard missed sitters before they got a third on the half hour. Looking shell shocked, we struggled on and just before half time Pekas poached a cheeky goal inside the six yards box to give us some hope. I brought Seol on for Vocacek at the break and demanded that they get a grip of things second half. The game restarted and we took it to them, Pericard getting another one back on 50 before Pekas added two more to complete his hat-trick on 54 and 56. Now leading after being three down, the game settled and both sides played some good stuff, creating chances at either end. City got level on 76 and I resigned myself to the draw, probably the fairest result all around, but they scored again on 83 with the flukiest cross-shot you ever saw. The players came off gutted, not knowing how exactly we had lost, but lost we had 5-4. I didn’t say much after the game, in fact I think it was 24 hours before I came out of shock and started thinking again, much less talking. The following days papers simply stated ‘Cardiff fortuitous to win’ which about said it all

A matter of days later, a capacity crowd piled into Molineux for the visit of Charlton on a dry but very cold afternoon. Seol started in place of Vocacek, but there were no other changes. We started brightly, and soon had a grip on the game. Pekas broke through and his shot beat the ‘keeper hands down only to come back off the post, but Pericard was on hand for an easy tap in and we had the lead on 15. Eight minutes later they equalised with what turned out to be their only attack of merit in the entire game, as we upped our performance and totally dominated proceedings. Pekas, Pericard and Seol all contrived to miss chances that were easier to score, and despite Hopkins’ introduction we still could not finish. A disappointing 1-1 draw to end what had been a disappointing month overall. The Charlton goalkeeper got the Man of the Match Award which tells its own story. The Express and Star headlines that evening simply read ‘Wolves miss chance to win’ which, like the papers after the Cardiff game, said it all!

Magera’s booking took him over the limit and he would miss the next match through suspension.

We finished the month, and indeed the year, in 2nd place just a point above 3rd placed Luton but now 8 points adrift of leaders Fulham. We had P27 W15 D5 L7 GF65 GA41 GD+24 and 50PTS.

Villa were in trouble, having just 20 points from 19 games and languishing in 16th place with relegation a real possibility. Perhaps it was the fact that they were still in Europe, having qualified from the group stages of the Euro Cup, that was keeping O’Leary’sjob safe. Maybe it was just that old Deadly was more old than Deadly these days, either way O’Leary was now midway through his eigth season of non-deliverance. Koblenz too were in a dire mess, bottom but one with only 15 points from 17 games played.

Despite vacancies at Everton and Newcastle, I was doggedly determined to secure Premiership football for Wolves. I had wanted my chance in the top flight ever since being sold on by Villa all those years ago, but another few months waiting and anticipation wouldn’t hurt now.

[jim65]

January 2010

The transfer window opened and we welcomed the arrival of Cephas Chimedza from Terminal Beetroot, or whomever they were. With only £150k in the transfer pot and the need to acquire both a goalkeeper and a right back, it was going to be a testing month. I also had the concern that both Miller and Olofinjana were now able to talk to other clubs having refused my last ditch attempts to persuade them to sign up for another few years. Olofinjana in particular had a wealth of clubs monitoring his situation.

Newcastle appointed Kevin Blackwell as their new manager before too much of the month had passed.

Right winger Bonin, a summer signing for £450k was unhappy with his squad role and requested a transfer which I reluctantly accepted.

Chimedza went straight into the starting eleven in a defensive midfield role as Magera served out his suspension for our trip to Deepdale in the FA Cup third round. I made no other changes. Only 11,100 braved a bitterly cold afternoon to see the game played on a pitch that was frosted white with an orange ball that was easy to lose sight of in the air due to our own shirts. Due to the conditions, it was never going to be a masterclass in passing football, but rather a test to see which set of players could adapt to the treacherous terrain underfoot more quickly. We settled down well, perhaps marginally better than them, but both teams were cautious and there was little action to comment on before the interval. Ricketts replaced Danic at half time, the Frenchman uneasy with the slippery surface. Our long ball game got the better of them and Seol flicked on for Pericard to rifle home on 64. Hopkins replaced the tiring Pekas shortly afterwards, and on 73 Pericard came off injured forcing Seol to move up front and Vocacek came on into the right wing slot. The single goal always looked being enough for us though, and we ran out 1-0 winners with Olofinjana taking the Man of the Match Award. Chimedza had a solid if unspectacular debut in the sub-zero temperatures and did well to complete the game.

Pericard’s injury would rule him out for a month or so as the New Year striker injury voodoo started again, but we had at least avoided a replay which had been my main fear with five league games in rapid succession before the month end.

The fourth round draw paired us with MK Dons at Molineux, adding another fixture into our January programme. Rayco became the third striker to get injured, this time in training, and would miss the next month. Zengin was still recovering from a previous injury and was nowhere near match fit so once again we went into a game with only two fit strikers.

A chilly Tuesday evening didn’t stop more than 30,000 piling into the City Ground for our game against Notts Forest. Chimedza replaced Ryska at left back, and Magera returned in midfield. We started brightly, causing them problems at the back from the outset. When a Pekas shot was palmed away by their ‘keeper Danic had an open goal to aim for but blazed high and wide as he snatched at the chance. Twice they cleared off their lin with the ‘keeper beaten, first from Pekas and then from Danic. Then, just after the half hour, a cross from way out on the left flank evaded everybody in the box to settle gently in the corner of the net and they were a goal up against the run of the play. Early in the second half, Lukasiewicz came off injured and was replaced by Clarke. We went forward in search of the equaliser and it came on 59 as Pekas slipped his marker to control a brilliant cross from Barker and turned to drive home from just inside the box. Seol, suffering from a minor knock, was withdrawn as a precaution and replaced by Vocacek, before they retook the lead on 66. It was enough for them, though they could have scored again in the latter stages the second goal killed us off and we succumbed to a very disappointing 2-1 defeat after being the better side for most of the game.

Goalkeeper Colin Doyle got his wish and left the club in a £120k transfer to Burnley the following day and we received £22k from a sell-on clause for Mark Little who, it appeared, had moved on once again. Sedoc resumed training, so I abandoned my search for a right back and stepped up my efforts to find a goalkeeper to replace Doyle. Midfielder Djourou was unhappy about his squad status, feeling that he should be in the first eleven more regularly and I had to turn down his request for a transfer telling him that with Olofinjana’s future so uncertain I couldn’t release him at this stage.

For the visit of QPR, Clarke replaced the injured Lukasiewicz in the only change to the eleven who’d lost at Forest and Wotton took his place on the bench. In swirling winds and driving rain, over 29,000 saw QPR start better than us and dominate the first half hour in possession terms without really threatening our goal. After that we started to impose ourselves on the game more but it remained goalless at the break. Still very much with the upper hand, but squandering chances Ricketts and Djourou came on for Hopkins and Danic with Seol pushed up front as we went to a 4-3-3 in search of the points. Despite creating a couple of really good chances in the latter stages we failed to capitalise and the game ended as it had started, at 0-0.

Seol joined the ever increasing injury list that saw us with no less than eight first team players sidelined and now four league games without a win. The promotion dream was starting, ever so slowly, to fade and we had to get back to winning ways soon if it was not going to disappear all together.

On a cool, dry Sunday afternoon we went to Bramall Lane in front of the television cameras and a crowd of over 28,000. Lukasiewicz passed a late fitness test and started in place of Clarke, whilst Vocacek came in for the injured Seol. Zengin, still not 100%, made the bench to give me an attacking option if we needed one late in the game. We fell behind after just eight minutes, but three minutes later Pekas robbed their dithering goalkeeper setting up Hopkins for an easy open goal, but Hopkins’ shot hit the bar and rebounded to safety. We continued to probe, asking questions of their defence and on 23 Pekas broke their offside trap and blasted home the equaliser. It took them less than a minute to get back in front and though we continued to press, remained 2-1 down at the break. I resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval, but when the hour mark came and we had made no further progress, I brought Ricketts on for Magera. Five minutes later a searching Chimedza cross from way out left found Hopkins who headed home to equalise. With ten minutes remaining Hopkins came off injured and Zengin replaced him but we could do no better than a 2-2 draw at the end. Olofinjana proved his worth once more with another deserved Man of the Match Award.

Hopkins would miss a week, and Granqvist’s yellow card would rule him out of the next game with suspension. Chimedza would also be absent for a while as he went off to join the Zimbabwe squad for the African Nations Cup games.

27 year old Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was signed from Doncaster for £40k and went into the reserve squad to sharpen up his fitness.

For the visit of MK Dons in the FA Cup fourth round, Murray returned in goal and Ryska to left back. Wotton replaced the suspended Granqvist with Clarke making the bench. I made no changes across the middle, but Ricketts started in the hole in support of lone striker Pekas. Zengin made the bench again on his road to full fitness. More than 21,500 braved the cold, wet and windy weather to attend the match, no doubt hoping for a routine win to kick start the league form. Pekas had us up front in 11 nights with a fine individual effort and we dominated most of the first half thereafter, creating but converting a series of good chances. In the second half, Bonin and Zengin replaced Vocacek and Pekas and three minutes later it was Zengin who pounced on a loose ball in the box to double the lead. We could easily have ended up with four or five but for better finishing, with Ricketts, Danic and Zengin all missing good chances before the end, but a routine 2-0 win put us into the next round and lifted morale in the camp. Olofinjana took the Man of the Match Award once again.

Rayco, Hopkins and Pericard all resumed training early in the week after the cup game, but none of them would be fit for the Tuesday night visit of Sunderland, the first of two more games before the end of the month.

Danic gashed a leg and would miss three weeks, leaving my attacking options for the next game somewhat restricted.

Alex McGregor got his desired moved away from Molineux, with a £150k switch to Billericay. Woking would get £40k of that due to a sell on clause in his contract.

With eleven players unavailable I was down to the bones. Pekas and Zengin started up front and Granqvist returned from suspension to replace Wotton in defence who dropped to the bench. Sedoc made the bench, but I had no attacking options there if I needed them. Olejnik returned in goal. Another wet evening and a near capacity crowd just shy of 30,000 saw Sunderland reduced to ten men on 27 and my heart sank knowing our record against ten men. We battered them between then and half time, their goal leading a charmed life. It was as if a force field surrounded it, nothing got close. Zengin got injured. Djourou and Bonin replaced Vocacek and the injured Zengin at the break as we were forced to switch formation. After 57 minutes the ten men had the lead, Olejnik and Barker on different planets as we gifted them a goal. We still continued to press, until they killed it on 87 with a superb free kick. An utterly unbelievable 2-0 defeat saw morale crash and hopes of automatic promotion plummet as we recorded six games without a win.

I felt helpless, like we were fated not to succeed. I was dreading the next game, away at Doncaster, and the embarrassment it would likely bring. Newspaper headlines the following morning read ‘Black Cats Strike Lucky’. Why was it always somebody else who had the breaks?

Pericard and Hopkins both declared themselves fit for the trip to Doncaster which was a boost. Pericard started alongside Pekas up front, and Hopkins gave me options on the bench. Murtagh replaced Vocacek on the right wing. It was pouring down again, and we were desperate for a result however we could get it. Pericard looked lively, but rusty, up front as we set about near total domination in the early stages with several good chances wasted. On 23, Pericard slipped Pekas through and he made no mistake finishing in style from close range. Pekas had to come off on 34, the latest injury, and was replaced with Hopkins. We continued to boss the game without adding to the scoreline at the break. The second half was much the same, the tiring Pericard replaced by Djourou on 62 to shore up the middle. Hopkins played on gamely despite picking up a knock, but Murtagh was replaced by Vocacek. Doncaster had one attack of note in the entire game, and equalised from it on 75. We were just too tired to get back into it by then, and the clock ran out on a 1-1. Ryska took the Man of the Match Award. It was now seven games without a league win, but I couldn’t fault the players for the performance. They’d given everything, and I told them that I was pleased, to keep their chins up and be ready for the next game.

Both Pekas and Hopkins would be out for two weeks and I wondered just what we had to do to get even one small roll of the dice. Most newspapers the following day, and certainly television coverage, were all of the opinion that Doncaster had got out of jail and were ‘more than fortunate’ to get a point.

January, had in short, been disastrous for us, all but eliminating us from the automatic promotion places (barring a remarkable change of fortune) and casting a huge shadow of doubt over even making the play-offs.

We finished the month slipping to 5th place, 4 points clear of 6th placed Charlton, 5 points behind 2nd placed Cardiff and a staggering 18 points behind leaders Fulham. Luton and Wigan occupied 3rd and 4th respectively. Our figures of P32 W15 D8 L9 GF69 GA48 GD+21 and 53PTS were disappointing after such a good start. Whilst the board were still pleased overall, they felt that we should be higher up the league than we were. Fair comment, but for the ridiculous number of injuries we were having to cope with.

Villa had got themselves up to 12th with 29 points from 25 games, but Koblenz were still in real trouble in 16th place with 19 points from 19 games and very much in the relegation mire.

The only good news at the end of the month was that the versatile Seol was back in full training.

[jim65]

February 2010

We had five league games scheduled for the month, the first of which was at home to near rivals Wigan and was in my eyes at least a must win, and we also had the FA Cup Fifth Round game to fit in somewhere.

I struggled in the week leading up to the Wigan game, trying to shake off a depression that seemed determined to settle on my shoulders. The players were in great spirits though, and training with smiles on their faces. That had to count somewhere.

By the end of the week, though I had privately conceded the title, I had convinced myself that the second automatic spot was still achievable, and had rallied the troops for a renewed effort. Kenny Miller’s return to training was a huge boost for everyone as well.

Molineux was once again at near capacity with over 29,000 inside for the visit of Wigan. Pericard and Zengin started up front with Vocacek recalled to the right wing. Chimedza returned from the African Nations Cup and made the bench. We started like a bullet from a gun, Pericard wrestling the ball from a shocked defender and setting up Magera for a corker from 20 yards out that had the fans rocking. Five minutes later Zengin netted only to find that despite timing his run perfectly the linesman had got it badly wrong and the goal was chalked off. We bossed the whole of the half, not giving Wigan a sniff. I made no changes at the break and we continued to run the game without adding to the score. On 65, Seol replaced Vocacek on the right wing and immediately lifted the tempo, but as the game wore on memories of the Doncaster match came back to haunt me as we failed to close out the game with the all important second goal. It wasn’t until the 84th minute that substitute Djourou cleared our lines at the back with a brilliant pass to Seol who carried the ball into the box and coolly fed Pericard who tapped in from six yards to the delight of the home fans. A comfortable 2-0 win that lifted us back above Wigan in the league. Magera took the Man of the Match Award.

Gael Danic returned to training a day or two later, and whilst he wouldn’t be fit enough to participate in our midweek game at Midlands rivals Coventry, was another boost to the squad.

Our FA Cup 5th Round game was to be at home to Premiership Blackburn on the 13th, with the league fixture scheduled for that day moved back to midweek. Coventry’s Neil Warnock spouted rubbish in the press in advance of our visit which I ignored as I simply had no time for the man.

Pekas returned up front with Pericard and Zengin on the bench, otherwise we were unchanged from the team that beat Wigan so comfortably. The pitch at the Ricoh Arena was awful, heavy with rain and mud. Pekas comeback lasted just six minutes in front of nearly 31,000 before he was crudely taken out of the game by opposing centre back Shackell in an ugly incident which left my player with a broken jaw and theirs without even a yellow card. Seol replaced Pekas, but the lads were shaken and three minutes later conceded a soft goal. We dug in though, not adjusting as quickly to the horrendous surface as our hosts, and Pericard rounded the ‘keeper on 26 to pull us level with his 100th career league goal. In the second half we conceded too much possession early on and a very harsh penalty on 55 which they duly converted. As the game wore on the heavy pitch took its toll with a number of players tiring. Zengin replaced Pericard, but we gifted them their third on 78 and killed the game. A very poor performance from us after finally shaking off the doldrums the game before. I exchanged words with the officials and a gloating, supercilious Warnock in the tunnel before blasting my players in the dressing room. Wigan went back above us in the league just to add insult to injury.

Pekas would be out for at least a month, but Hopkins returned to training following his injury. I must admit after the hugely disappointing showing at Coventry I had wondered what the point of it all was. What good were tactics and game plans when fate ultimately decided anyway? I got really down and wasn’t really back to myself when Blackburn rolled into town for the FA Cup game.

Zengin returned to the starting eleven as I once more had to shuffle the pack amidst injured strikers. Miller made the bench and Seol and Danic both started after injury. It was another wet and miserable afternoon, but a crowd of nearly 22,000 had turned out nonetheless. A dull first half produced nothing of note and the sides went in at 0-0. The game finally sparked to life when Blackburn took the lead on 47 and we started to push to get back into it. Chimedza and Miller replaced Ryska and Zengin on 65 and Miller looked lively, but it was Blackburn who scored again with a cross that went straight up in the air, caught the wind and somehow ended up in the net; fluke of the season no doubt. Two minutes later though Pericard received a high ball from Seol, nodded it down into space and Miller blasted home to put us back in it. All of a sudden we looked on fire, and it wasn’t long before we were level as our pressure paid off, Olofinjana tripped in the box and Seol with the clinical finish from the spot. We had chances to win it after that, but the game ended 2-2 and a replay at Ewood would have to follow.

The sixth round draw was made and Chelsea awaited the winners of the Ewood Park replay, however there was no time to dwell on that as we were once again in league action on the following Wednesday evening.

Murray returned to goal for the visit of Preston, with Zengin and Pericard up front. Zengin would not be expected to complete the game but Miller was on the bench once more as he endeavoured to regain his match fitness. Ricketts replaced Djourou on the bench. The game started in lively fashion, with both teams creating chances, Kevin Phillips for Preston missing the best of their early ones and both Zengin and Pericard squandering our best. The game developed into a real tussle with the action moving swiftly from one to another, until Phillips atoned for his earlier miss on 41 by heading them in front. Miller replaced Zengin at the break as we once more set about them. He and Pericard missed good chances as did Seol, but we were pushing all the way. Ricketts replaced a tiring Danic and late on Vocacek replaced Olofinjana as we shuffled formation looking for the goal, but it never came. Another bitterly disappointing game where the Gods just didn’t seem to be with us. One TV reporter said afterwards ‘Wolves won’t believe they’ve lost this’. It seemed to sum up most of the last two months, being by and large the better side and just not getting the results.

Ryska picked up a knock that would keep him out for a fortnight as the injury merry-go-round continued to plague us. I was at a loss to know what to do. We were creating good chances and playing with confidence, dominating games in the process, but simply not taking our chances in front of goal. There were no combinations of front men that I hadn’t tried or been forced to try. Would the season be blown to hell just on bad luck?

We went to Vicarage Road on a cool Wednesday evening with Hopkins starting alongside Pericard and Chimedza replacing the injured Ryska. Watford started quickly in front of the 12,500 fans took the lead on 11 minutes as they clinically breeched our back line, but we dug in and started to dominate whilst still missing chances. On 37, Pericard broke clear into the box for his third one-on-one with the ‘keeper, this time rounding him successfully for the equaliser. We continued to make the better chances until the break without capitalising. Watford took charge of the game after the break, and we very much took the back foot as they lay siege to our goal. Murray was inspired form. On the hour, Seol, Danic and Pericard were all replaced as I tried to freshen things up but to no avail. In the end we hung on for a point, which was perhaps itself admirable, but these same players had been way to good for Watford in the home fixture not that long ago. Murray took the Man of the Match Award, and quite rightly too.

The following day Manchester United took the first silverware of the season, beating Reading 2-1 in the League Cup Final at Wembley.

We then travelled to Blackburn for the FA Cup 5th round replay. I recalled a now fully fir Sedoc to right back and rested Barker who had done sterling work in that position, but made no other changes to the starting eleven. Bellamy had them in front on 27 with a superbly taken goal that defined the difference between a Premiership striker and a Championship one, one chance, one goal! Miller replaced Hopkins at the break but our forays forward were always inviting their fast counter attacks. On 70, Ricketts replaced Magera in the centre of the field to try and give us a more attacking edge but they kept us at bay and Murray was called upon more and more as the game progressed. The 1-0 final result was, in my opinion, no disgrace. I thought we’d acquitted ourselves well against superior opposition and told the players so. Murray took the Man of the Match for the second game in a row, which left me pleased for him, and worried for us.

Danic would miss up to two months with an ankle injury picked up at Blackburn, quite effectively finishing his season. I couldn’t wait for the month to end. The extra two cup games had taken its toll on the squad, but with the competition now out of the way we had ten games left to get our promotion hopes back on course. It was do or die, and it started with the visit of our biggest rivals WBA in the last game of the month, live on television.

Our early Saturday evening game played to a full house at Molineux. Ricketts replaced the injured Danic. It was an even first half, both sides probing, WBA no doublt remembering the thrashing we had delivered to them at The Hawthorns, but still in the knowledge that on recent form they could beat us. It was tentative, and not very pretty. They took the lead just before the break. I brought Miller on in place of Sedoc and switched to a 3-4-3. We desperately needed points, and I didn’t want to lose this one in particular for the fans. Upping the pace after the restart we had them pinned in their own half, but chance after chance went by with shots blazing over the bar, flying wide of the post or falling straight to their ‘keeper. They barely had an attack in the second half, and we could have scored a hatful, but it ended in a 1-0 defeat for us. I didn’t even speak to the players afterwards, or anybody else. I simply went home.

We ended February in 6th place, 3 points behind 5th placed Wigan and 3 above 7th placed Ipswich. We were now 9 points behind 2nd placed Cardiff and a stunning 24 behind Champions elect Fulham. Our figures were P37 W16 D9 L12 GF73 GA54 GD+19 and 57PTS.

Elsewhere, Villa were 12th with 32 points from 27 games and were still in the Euro Cup. Koblenz were out of the relegation places in 13th but only a single point clear. For the first time since leaving, I wished I was in Koblenz still, I really did.

[jim65]

March 2010

We had nine games left to ensure a play-off place, and whilst I thought that this was the best we could now achieve I had grave doubts as to whether we would. There were four games scheduled for March, and no mid-week outings at all for the remainder of the season, though we had the usual Easter Monday fixture in April. We would have proper recovery time between games, and accordingly, no more excuses. It was time for the players to take responsibility and to stand up and be counted if they wanted a crack at football’s highest level.

Privately, I was wracked with doubt and at a loss to explain the appalling deterioration in form. Yes we’d had injuries, but we also had a bigger and better squad than last season and whilst thin on the ground at times we had coped. Had my ‘not for the top flight’ history become my present too? Was Lady Luck really spoiling my dreams? Would I have to accept that I wasn’t cut out to be a manager? Could I ever accept that? All these questions raised themselves in my head and sent me spinning, coupled with others. Should I change formation? Was my tactic failing after being previously so successful? I took a couple of days out, and fled, hid myself away from the press and their endless questions and clichéd horseshit. And from Jez. Not that he was applying pressure or issuing ultimatums, but his insistence on denying my request for more funds in the wage budget would cost him two good players at the end of the season. Having got Olofinjana and Miller to dicuss a new contract, I was frustrated that we couldn’t afford to give them what they wanted. If they walked for nothing in June, they would have to be replaced and that would cost more! Why couldn’t he see that?

I walked again by the river, enjoyed some fine wine and smoked rather too much. I listened to music, read a little, and took my mind away from football. It took quite a lot of effort to do it, but I tuned out and chilled for a couple of days, and when I returned to training the day before the trip to Millwall was feeling a lot better within myself.

Despite not having the funds to give him what he wanted, I offered Olofinjana the most the board would allow me to and left him to consider it, the same with Miller.

The squad morale was poor, but fitness levels were better than for a long time due to a full week without a game. We started to put things back together again, and hoped for the best.

Miller and Pericard started together for the first time in months, and Rayco was recalled from the reserves to replace Hopkins on the bench. Tempting though it was, I made no other changes. It was a cold Saturday afternoon at The Den, time to find out how much the players wanted promotion. The answer I got left me in shock. Millwall were two up inside ten minutes, our defence still drinking tea in the dressing room. Miller pulled one back before the quarter hour and at 2-1 down the game started at last. We were causing them problems and looked like a team that was capable of getting a result. It looked that way right up until the 41st minute, when Olofinjana got his second yellow card and took an early shower. Barker came on to shore up midfield, and I sacrificed Sedoc to enable this switching to a 3-4-2. We couldn’t accept defeat, we couldn’t give up. Seol replaced the injured Vocacek at half time. We battled gamely in the first ten minutes of the second half, twice coming close to equalising through Pericard, but then on 54 and 55 Ricketts collected two yellow cards and followed Olofinjana’s early exit route. Down to nine men we were really struggling, and they ripped us apart on 61 and 63 to open a 4-1 lead. We hung in there for the last half hour. After the game I was at a loss for words, only expressing my disappointment at the self destruction that I, and 11,500 fans, had just witnessed.

Vocacek would miss a fortnight, but it got better than that. Murray would miss four weeks, Bonin a week, Zengin a week all injured in training. Olofinjana and Ricketts would be suspended for the next game. It almost went unnoticed that Pekas had started training again. I couldn’t help feel that it was irrelevant anyway the way things were going.

Olofinjana and Miller rejected their latest contract offers out of hand. That would be on the board’s head, so be it!

Morale was at rock bottom, only goal difference was now keeping us in the play-off places and there were teams queuing up behind us to take that away from us. I don’t think I’d ever been so low, and with my record that was saying something. I was half-expecting the sack, half thinking about resigning as I cobbled together a line up for the visit of 23rd placed Notts County.

Kuszczak replaced the injured Murray in goal, preferred to Olejnik purely on grounds that he was in good spirits. Ryska replaced Chimedza, Murtagh replaced the injured Vocacek, and young winger Mattock replaced Ricketts. Djourou came in for Olofinjana with a real chance to stake his claim for the future. Olejnik, Barker, Chimedza, Seol and Rayco all made the bench. The formation and tactic remained unchanged, it had been successful before and would be again when our luck turned. I just hoped it turned quickly. It didn’t. Pericard had us a goal up before the clock had recorded the first minute, Murtagh with a through ball to Miller who flicked on to Pericard for a simple chance well taken. County turned up the pressure and got back into the game with a simple cross and header that Kuszczak should have dealt with. As soon as they got level, we started to faulter. An identikit goal on 51 put them ahead. Seol replaced Djourou on the hour as we moved to an attacking diamond formation, and Rayco came on for Miller on 75. Once more we created enough chances to win it, and failed to take any of them. Not the mauling we’d received at Millwall, but perhaps a worse defeat in many ways.

The papers simply led with ‘Wolves disappointed to lose’, or ‘Wolves rue missed chances’, both of which were accurate. One led with ‘Sorry Wolves lose again’. The defeat saw us drop out of the play-off places for the first time in the season. Self destruct activated and working!

Blake, Zengin, Bonin and Simpson were all injured in training and will miss at least two weeks each. Almost past caring, I shrugged it off. Manchester City and Dresden both offered contracts to Olofinjana.

We travelled to bottom of the league Brentford in dire need of a result. I opted to start with a diamond attacking formation and made changes to the entire defence. In came Olejnik, Barker, Wotton, Clarke and Naylor with Magera in the holding midlfield role. Ricketts and Vocacek returned on the wings and Seol started in the attacking role behind Miller and Pericard. Pekas made the bench. It took them 37 seconds to score, and despite Pericard levelling five minutes later they bossed us the whole game, finishing 4-1 winners. The bottom of the league club! 6,000 had been at Griffin Park. They’d seen us hit the bar and the post, but had walked it nonetheless.

‘Hopeless Wolves lose again’ the papers said. Olofinjana agreed terms with Manchester City and would leave at the end of the season, all because Jez wouldn’t give me an extra £4k per week on the wage budget! And Miller got injured in the Brentford game, he’ll miss a month so that’s his season over and he will no doubt use the time to find himself a new club.

I really now didn’t know what to do. I’d changed formation, tactic and personnel in different measures and had come up blank. The squad was deflated. I was physically and mentally exhausted with it.

There was one more game left in March, a sort of derby at home to Stoke. I decided that if there was still no sign of improvement after that game I would resign, and if there was I would stick it out until the end of the season. Having made that decision I felt at least that I had a plan.

We trained well that week, I released some comments to the press in an attempt to take the focus away from us, and some of the players reacted positively to it. We went back to what we knew, a solid 4-4-2, and crossed our fingers. It wasn’t just me who was at a loss to explain what was going wrong, Stuart and the coaches were similarly confused. All we could do was keep at it.

To their credit, the fans turned out in numbers for the visit of Stoke and Molineux was packed to the rafters on a cold Sunday afternoon. Pekas replaced the injured Miller and Rayco made the bench. We started cautiously, not trying to be clever, just playing simple passes but making sure they worked. As the time ticked by we created a chance or two which had the crowd behind us. Pericard hit the bar which lifted their spirits further. We got to half time with a clean sheet and were probably edging the game. I left well alone as far as changes were concerned, kept using calm and encouraging words at the break. The second half again started tentatively but we picked up the pace more quickly and started to cause them problems. When they were reduced to ten men just before the hour I sensed a collective sigh in the team, as if they expected to get beaten knowing our record against ten men. I sent Rayco and Seol on for Pekas and Vocacek with messages just to keep tight and focussed. We played some nice tidy football, had chances to win the game, but it finished 0-0. Confidence is a fragile thing, it would need protecting over the next week or so until the next game, but there were signs of a turning point, a mental hurdle being overcome.

The news that Seol and Sedoc would both miss the next fortnight was tempered by the return to training of Gael Danic. Whether or not he would win the race for fitness and take part again this season was to be seen, but we hoped he would.

We finished the month in 7th place, fully 6 points behind Ipswich a place above. Making the play-offs now would depend on somebody slipping up and getting our own act together. 8th placed QPR were just a point behind us. Our figures were P41 W16 D10 L15 GF76 GA64 GD+12 and 58PTS. We’d taken just a single point from the whole March programme.

Villa were safe in 11th place with 39 points from 31 games played, and Koblenz were also in 11th and 3 points clear of the relegation places. I had my fingers crossed for them.

Fulham’s promotion was confirmed with five games to go and they looked nailed on for the title. We just went back to basics on the training ground and hoped for the best. It was now or next year for us, and nothing in between!

[jim65]

April 2010

Our five remaining games included three on the road, one of them a trip to Ipswich which could prove vital, and two tough home games against leaders Fulham and the dreaded Bristol City. It was a case of taking a deep breath and ploughing in.

We treated them with kid gloves throughout the week, though privately we wanted to tell them to pull themselves together and get on with it. They all earnt more than those coaching them after all! Villa were knocked out of the Euro Cup in the quarter finals by a very good Valencia side.

We arrived at Oakwell on a cold afternoon, with noticeably more tension amongst the coaches than the players. We could but hope now that the die was cast. I’d named an essentially unchanged side from the Stoke game, with only Barker replacing the injured Sedoc at right back. Over 8,500 came to see it. We started well, playing some neat and controlled football and began to believe again, until on 17 minutes a clearance from defence deflected directly to their centre forward who fired home to give them the lead. Wotton then went off injured on 21 and was replaced by Granqvist. We held our own, but created few chances to equalise, spurning those that we did. 1-0 down at half time all was not lost, and I once again remained calm and encouraging. We made a good start to the second half, until out numbered in a counter attack on 55 that saw them double the lead and the shred of confidence that remained was shattered. Rayco replaced Pekas on the hour, they scored again on 75 and 84 before Pericard snatched a consolation on 86. The 4-1 defeat effectively finished any hopes of making the play-offs. Clarke won the Man of the Match Award. I’d had it with pandering to the mollie-coddled overpaid players and ripped into them afterwards. It didn’t make me feel better at all as it turned out. Pericard’s late knock would end his season with a four week lay-off.

News reached us that Fulham had secured the title, and well done to them, but it only served to darken my mood. The board let me know how disappointed they were with the result, fair enough, so was I. On the bus back to Molineux I told Stuart that I was going resign, that the players had lost faith in me and I could do no more. He advised me against it, in fact insisted that I at least gave it to the end of the season four games away, or at worst until after our next game two days later. I spent the following day thinking about it, and thought that perhaps going after the next game was only fair on Stuart.

Over 29,000 piled in to Molineux for the visit of Bristol City. Granqvist replaced the injured Wotton and I took a risk on starting the not quite ready Danic. I started Zengin and Hopkins up front and left Pekas on the bench. We started brightly, a hint of determination in the ranks as we forced them back onto the defensive. Danic finished a goalmouth scramble to give us the lead. We continued to pressurise them looking for another, but they caught us on the break as we over committed and got level on 41. At the interval I told them that I was pleased with the effort and to go for it. Danic was forced off injured on the hour and Ricketts replaced him, and the injured Hopkins was replaced by Pekas shortly afterwards. It was Pekas’ thunderbolt shot from eighteen yards that the keeper could only palm into the path of Zengin who tapped in from six yards to reinstate our lead, and four minutes later Naylor crossed into the box and Zengin finished sweetly to wrap up the points. Vocacek took the Man of the Match Award. The 3-1 win was long overdue but the three points would do little to aid our long lost hopes of a play-off place. It did feel good to win again though, and though I had my resignation letter written it remained in my pocket.

Magera’s yellow card would see him suspended for the next game, but Seol resumed training. Brentford’s relegation to League 1 was confirmed, and Arsenal secured the Premiership Title.

We made the long journey to Ipswich’s Portman Road without Gael Danic, who was not fit enough to play and would be replaced by Ricketts. Olofinjana replaced the suspended Magera. Hopkins passed a fitness test and would start alongside Zengin, and Seol, Pekas and Rayco would all make the bench. Over 27,000 filled the stadium to see a brilliant performance from a resurgent Wolves. We dominated the early stages, causing them havoc in defence as we laid siege to their penalty box. They went down to ten men on 34 as a frustrated defender took out a rampant Ricketts as he charged clear on goal. Stuart and I both cringed in the dug out, we were perhaps the only managers that would be worried when the opposition went down to ten men. We needn’t have. We continued to press and the impressive Ricketts raced through on goal on 44 to round the ‘keeper and put us ahead, and deservedly so. In the second half, Seol replaced Vocacek and Pekas came on for the tiring Zengin. As Ipswich tired, we put even more pressure on, and when substitute Seol skinned their left back and crossed their were four players in orange shirts waiting to convert the chance, and Ricketts got there first. We simply sat out the 2-0 win after that. Ricketts got the Man of the Match Award for an outstanding performance and his first two goal of the season, though why he’d left it so late to shine only he could say.

The board let me know how pleased they were with the result, which was appreciated. Our Under 18’s won their league for the second season running which was very pleasing. Elsewhere, Wigan Cardiff and Luton all ensured that they would at least feature in the Play-Offs, with two other places still on offer that would, I felt, elude us. Sedoc and Miller resumed training, which was better news, and Stuart gave Primus a one year extension on his contract, which was just plain daft and I told him so.

Seol started in place of Vocacek for the visit of Champions Fulham, but I made no other changes to the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Murray retruned from injury to take a place on the bench. We soon saw why Fulham had walked the league. They took the game to us and our fragile confidence couldn’t take it. Goals on 24, 34 and 46 gave them a 3-0 lead at half time. Despite that we set about them second half, pulling one back through Hopkins on the hour. On another day we may well have levelled the game if not gone on to win it, but our finishing ultimately cost us and we went down down to a fighting 3-1 defeat.

The post Fulham papers headlined with ‘Cottagers get lucky as Wolves rue missed chances’, which was at least an improvement on some of the stuff they had been writing. It didn’t stop the Wolves board expressing their displeasure though, and I had a feeling that come the end of the season we would be parting company.

Birmingham were the first team relegated from the Premiership which was guaranteed to bring a smile to my face, and Ipswich confirmed their participation in the play-offs along with local rivals WBA.

The trip to Home Park was a bit of a formality. Murray and Sedoc returned to the starting eleven and Miller made the bench for a possible farewell cameo. The game itself, played out in front of over 16,500 fans, was a fairly dull affair with both teams having nothing to play for. Seol was pulled down inside the box on 21 and Sedoc converted the spot kick with a typically fierce strike. The rest of the game was fairly even but there was no more scoring. Miller came on for the last half hour and Danic got ten minutes at the end. Magera took the Man of the Match Award. A straightforward 1-0 win.

Wigan secured the second automatic promotion place on the final day, and Barnsley and Notts County joined Brentford in relegation down to League 1.

We finished the season in a disappointing 9th place, having missed the play-offs by 5 points, which considering our dreadful run that stretched to nearly three months was really not that bad! Our final figures were P46 W19 D10 L17 GF84 GA72 GD+12 and 67PTS.

I decided to immediately take a couple of weeks off to reflect on what I wanted to do with my future, leaving Stuart to take of finalising pre-season arrangements.

[jim65]

May 2010

During my absence, Everton and Leicester were relegated to the Championship. WBA recorded a 6-3 aggregate win over Luton in their play-off semi-final, and Ipswich beat Cardiff in a penalty shoot out after a 4-4 aggregate result.

Benfica took extra time to beat Roma 3-1 in the Euro Cup, and Liverpool added to their silverware by winning the FA Cup on a penalty shoot out after a normal time 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

Villa finished their season in 12th, with 45 points from their 38 games, amidst rumours that O’Leary’s job was on the line going into the summer.

Chelsea beat Juventus in a thrilling Euro Champions Cup Final 3-2 after extra time.

Ipswich triumphed in the Play-Off Final, beating WBA with a 6-3 result after extra time to gain them promotion to the Premiership.

Koblenz avoided relegation, finishing 9th in the Regional Division South with a 46 point haul from their 34 games.

On my return to work, Rayco greeted me with demands for more first team football. I told him that he had proven himself to be not good enough and transfer listed him.

Olofinjana and Magera both made the Championship Team of the Year, but Olofinjana would be at The City of Manchester Stadium next season in the Premiership.

Before the month ended I sat down with Stuart and we conducted a full review of the squad. The result of this was that Djourou and Primus would join Rayco and Bonin on the transfer list, and our immediate target once the budgets were known would be to replace Olofinjana with a quality defensive midfielder. In all other areas we had good cover, but could of course improve if we had the money. I was not expecting a big fighting fund though.

We saw Kenny Miller and put one last contract offer to him. It would make him our best paid player and was loaded with bonuses. We could but hope that our joint top scorer would see sense and stay.

I’d also torn up that letter of resignation that I’d written.

[jim65]

June 2010

With the World Cup nearing, I sent all my scouts to South Africa in search of talent, and could do little more than review contracts and await budgets. There would be eight players entering the last year of their contracts when they returned for pre-season training, and decisions would have to be made on all of them when the budgets were known. Kenny Miller would not be amongst though, having agreed our final offer and signed on the dotted line!

Linvoy Primus agreed to move to Sheffield United for £0, sparing Stuart Gray’s blushes.

With the World Cup underway there was little to be done until the budgets were received, so I took a few days off to relax at home.

The Fans’ Player of the Year was joint top scorer Vincent Pericard once again.

Finally, Jez and I got together to discuss the forthcoming season. The board once more wanted to challenge for the title, which was fair enough, but at the same time reduce the wages by some £35k per week to the new budget of £110k, which was not what I had expected. I had a fighting fund of just £1.2m, which in itself I argued, would not even replace Olofinjana. There was nothing I could do but accept the situation and plan accordingly, and perhaps keep an eye on the job market! Although it wasn’t said, I had the distinct feeling that failure this season would definitely bring on the Royal Order of the P45.

The eight players looking for new contracts were going to be disappointed. However, Polish winger Bonin agreed terms on a £350k move to Bristol Rovers before the month ended, and the squad returned in good shape for pre-season.

[jim65]

July 2010

The departures of Olofinjana, Primus and Bonin halved the deficit on the wage bill but still left us some £19k per week overspent, and half of that was spent on Rayco, a free signing last summer that hadn’t worked out. Already transfer listed, we decided to ask nothing for him in an attempt to get him off the wage bill.

Meanwhile, our search for a defensive midfielder continued, turning up several prospects worthy of consideration.

Newly promoted Derby took Rayco off our hands on a free transfer, and I could only hope that it was not one that would return to haunt us. On the same day, Djourou departed for £250k, joining York City. Their combined departures reduced the wage deficit to £9k per week, and it was difficult to see how that could be bettered, especially as I was still looking to sign one or two new faces.

Spain knocked England out of the World Cup in the semi-final, and England went on to beat Columbia 3-0 to finish third. Spain would play Holland at the same time as we played our pre-season friendly down at Yeovil.

More than 9,500 came to Huish Park on a warm, sunny afternoon. We wasted no time killing the game, Miller and Pericard both on the scoresheet before seven minutes had passed. After that we concentrated on moving the ball around, working ourselves through moves and tactics in a match environment. I made changes at regular intervals, not wanting to over tire anyone needlessly on our first outing. They switched to 5-4-1 early in the second half which made it difficult, but Vocacek got the third on 69 with a bullet header from a Ricketts cross. A good run out all around. Ricketts got a slight knock and he’ll miss a week but it was nothing too bad.

Spain beat Holland 3-2 after extra time to take the World Cup home. Ruud Van Nistelrooy took home the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament Awards as well as his loser’s medal.

French defensive midfielder Romain Beynie signed from Lyon for £400k, roughly half of his listed value. The 23 year old was signed on a backup contract but had huge potential for the future. I asked Gael Danic, another Frenchman of course, to help settle him in and he was happy to oblige.

Beynie went straight into the squad that travelled to League One Bolton on a balmy summer Friday evening for our next game in the pre-season programme.

A low crowd of less than 3,000 attended the Reebok Stadium for our visit. The game started evenly enough, with the early exchanges fairly tame. Then on 19 they broke through with a clever move and opened the scoring. Pericard and Seol both missed excellent chances before the break. New signing Beynie was amongst the half time changes, and it was from his hard won tackle that right back Barker broke clear and unleashed a precise cross that Danic met in the six yard box to equalise. There were chances at either end, and both teams made a number of changes before the final whistle halted the game, producing a 1-1 result. Some of the Bolton tackling had been a bit over zealous for a friendly though, and as a result of this Magera would have to sit out two critical weeks of pre-season.

Despite the wage restrictions, two days later I had the pleasure of introducing the squad and staff to two new coaches. Brought in to freshen things up on the training ground and to add experience, both were Russian and in their thirties. Rustam Fedotov and Andrey Philippov joined a mainly Eastern European back room team.

Our trip to Swansea’s White Rock Stadium on a pleasant Monday evening saw us travel without the injured Ricketts and Magera, so it was a start for new man Beynie. In front of nearly 7,500 fans we quickly got into our stride, taking ownership of the game and putting them under pressure. It took 34 minutes though, and some brilliant goalkeeping by Swans’ Greek ‘keeper, before we took the lead with a stunning turn and volley from Pericard. Five minutes later a sefensive lapse allowed them to equalise, but it was very much against the run of play. Substitute Pekas had us back in front on the hour as we continued to dominate, doubling his tally on 77 before Zengin rifled home the fourth on the stroke of time. A comfortable, dominant 4-1 win on the road which boosted confidence. Frenchman Beynie completed the full match proving that he had quite an eye for a pass and was not easily shaken off the ball. Promising indeed.

I had been watching Blackpool’s star player, 29 year old Keith Southern, an Englishman, for nearly a year. He had an impeccable record in the lower leagues and I felt had the talent and experience to make the grade in the Championship. We beat off Walsall and Bolton, which in truth wasn’t hard, to land his signature in an £800k transfer. Stuart thought his signing was a bit of a gamble, and perhaps it was, but then it was my neck on the line not his!

The new additions meant that we were now £14k overspent on the wage budget, but I was grateful to Jez for giving some flexibility in this. We still had £400k in the fighting fund.

Southern was in the squad for our trip to Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on a very warm Sunday afternoon, as was Ricketts who had recovered from his shin injury. Neither would start. Magera was still missing but on the mend, so Chemidza and Beynie started in the central roles. Around 9,000 fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal, as we hit the ground running and set about them from the off. Pericard scored a stunning solo goal, carrying the ball from inside his own half tu finish from just inside the box on 8 minutes. Before the half hour the same player headed in a Seol cross at the far post to double the lead. We continued to control the game, substitutes Vocacek and Zengin combinig for the third on 67, and it was only towards the end that they sneaked a consolation for a 3-1 result. I cautioned them about the late goal though, which could prove expensive when points were at stake!

Our final pre-season game took us to The Recreation Ground, home of Grays, where just under 5,000 had assembled to watch. In the very first minute Beynie slipped the ball through to Pericard who rifled home from just outside the box, and though we didn’t score again in the first half, we played the entire 45 minutes in their end of the pitch and would have been out of sight but for a combination of stoic defending and poor shooting. Southern made his first appearance for us in the second half, settling in comfortably alongside Magera. Substitute Pekas then stole the show with two clinical strikes that I would later show Miller on video. Zengin rounded it all off with a clever turn and delightful chip from 20 yards out. The 4-0 win set us up nicely for the return of Championship football and gave me a few things to think about. Pericard would be doubtful for the season opener after collecting a minor knock.

The month ended with enquiries for reserve winger Mattock and striker Hopkins which I took time to consider. There was no need to sell either, but did they have a long term future at the club? If not, maybe it was time to take the money.

[BobBev]

Still enjoying this one Jim, keep it coming

[Spav]

I've just caught up with your latest exploits after a bit of a time-gap since last reading this story. The quality continues to be first class, Jim. KUTGW

[jim65]

Thanks for the comments guys, very much appreciated. Sorry to disappoint though, but this story is nearing its end......

[jim65]

August 2010

The month started with Joe Mattock completing a £250k move across the M5 to neighbours WBA, and key players Pericard and Seol quickly agreeing new long term deals which was satisfying. The draw for the first round of the League Cup gave us a trip to Barnet.

Former Captain Peter Clarke expressed his disappointment at not being a first team regular, and after discussion we decided it would be best for him to move on, and as a result he was transfer listed. On the back of this decision, I offered versatile defender Shaun Barker a new contract and the promise of more first team action. Rohan Ricketts was also offered a new deal.

The first game of the season was, ironically, a repeat of the very last game of the previous one, and took us to Plymouth’s Home Park a warm Saturday afternoon. It was the first of seven games to be played in the month, with five other league matches including televised ones against Birmingham and Stoke, and the trip to Barnet. It was going to be a month lived at frantic pace!

If I’d known what I, and the 11,500 attendance, was about to witness I wouldn’t have stayed for kick off. It was a shambles, pure and simple. Sedoc conceded a penalty in the first minute and poor defending sent us 2-0 down by ten minutes. We got our act together after that defensively, and with the help of some superb goalkeeping from Olejnik, but never looked like causing them problems at the other end. Chimedza replaced an out of sorts Magera at the break. By the hour we still weren’t making any headway so switched to a 3-4-3 with Zengin and Barker replacing the full backs. We pressed without creating, until on 81 Miller saw red for a pointless foul. As the game drew to a close, Zengin scored from a quick counter attack on 89 but Southern got a second yellow on 91 and the game was over. So much for a game plan!

The Monday after the Plymouth game was a busy one. Zengin and Barker signed their new contracts. Ricketts declined his new contract offer so I arranged to see him again. Hopkins completed a £250k move to Swansea, and Clarke signed for Everton for £1.2m. The bookies issued their odds for this year’s campaign, setting us at 10-1 for promotion.

The following day saw the visit of Bristol City to Molineux. With Southern and Miller suspended, Pericard and Beynie came into the starting eleven and Chimedza replaced Magera. Barker came in for Sedoc. We started well enough, causing a few problems at the back, mainly through Pericard. Then it went wrong. It was Wotton’s turn to concede a penalty this time, which was duly converted on 31. Three minutes later City were down to ten men and realigned to defend. Zengin and Magera replaced Pekas and Seol as we went in search of a comeback. We absolutely battered them for the whole of the second half, missing an unprecedented number of chances until Zengin fired one home on 89 to seal the 1-1 draw, to much relief both in the dugout and the stands.

The following day I saw Ricketts again and we tied up his contract, but Pericard would miss two weeks with injury, and the FA decided to extend Miller’s game by another match. No idea why, maybe they were Blues fans.

30,000 filled St.Andrews for our visit, despite the live coverage. Murray returned in goal and Granqvist and Ryska replaced Wotton and Naylor respectively. The first twenty minutes aside, we played very well indeed, but that doesn’t count for much when in the first twenty minutes you are 3-0 down. Murray dwelt too long on a clearance to gift them the first on 5 minutes before Granqvist missed a header in the box enabling them to double their lead just a few minutes later. On 17 they simply walked through the back line for the third. Danic pulled one back before the break with a clever finish from an incisive move. Zengin had to come off injured on the hour but we continued to press and were unlucky not to add to our tally. The 3-1 defeat to our Midlands rivals hurt, especially me being a Villa man, but the manner of it hurt more.

With three games played we had only one point and the start was shaping up to be full on disastrous. We had a week to regroup before the next game, and boy did we need it! During the week, Granqvist refused a new contract and was transfer listed. Pericard resumed training but would not be ready for the Stoke game.

The television cameras and a full house awaited on an usually warm summer evening. Olejnik returned in goal, Chimedza returned to his natural position at left back with Magera and Beynie in the central midfield roles. Sedoc filled the right back slot and Barker moved into central defence alongside Lukasiewicz. Pekas and Miller started up front. We started well, moving the ball around progressively. Pekas opened the scoring on 11 from a well worked move and we started to take control. Miller added the second from a Pekas assist on 26, and so it remained until half time. I told them not to lose concentration, but they did and Stoke got one back on 47 but Pekas wasn’t done yet, and two minutes later he picked the ball up inside our half and ran right through their defence to restore the two goal advantage. Southern replaced the tiring Magera and Wotton came on for Lukasiewicz but it was Stoke who scored next with a well worked goal of their own on 62. We reacted quickly though and pressed them back once more, Pekas completing a hat-trick on 64. After that we really took charge and closed the game out. A 4-2 win and a much better performance all around, and Pekas quite rightly getting the Man of the Match Award.

We hardly had time to draw breath before travelling to Barnet for the first round League Cup tie, with fans and the media expecting a comfortable win, and the media no doubt hoping for a headline shock! Southern replaced Magera in the starting eleven but we were otherwise unchanged from the previous game. A crowd just shy of 4,000 made Underhill a noisy place on another fine summer’s evening despite being a good way short of capacity. We imposed ourselves on the game from the off, earning a penalty in the 8th minute which Sedoc contrived to miss, but just five minutes later Miller put us in front with a predatory strike from inside the six yard box. Seol doubled the advantage on the half hour with a thunderous volley from 18 yards and we continued to boss the game up to half time, in fact I couldn’t remember Barnet having a shot in the opening 45. Pekas added the third from an inch perfect Danic cross on 49 before Chimedza gave away a silly penalty four minutes later in one of their rare forays into our half. They were more efficient with their spot kick than we had been, and started afterwards to play with a bit more belief. Zengin replaced a tiring Pekas on the hour and Miller finished what he started late on to give us a comfortable, and moreover thoroughly professional, 4-1 win.

Two days later we completed the signing of 22 year old centre half Micah Richards from Manchester City for £825k as a direct replacement for Peter Clarke, beating off a late challenge from Premiership Wigan to his signature. The lad gave an excellent press conference too, telling journalists of his delight at the move and his desire to get an early chance to win the fans over, but he would first have to get match fit in the reserves.

Chelsea beat Benfica 2-0 to win the European Super Cup.

The only change I made for the trip to Watford was to replace Zengin on the bench with Pericard.

Nearly 13,000 at Vicarage Road saw the home side reduced to ten men on 24 after two rapid yellow cards. A quick free kick saw us capitalise as Danic fired home to give us the lead a minute later. For once we imposed our numerical advantage and took charge of the game. Seol met a perfect Danic cross to double the lead on 43. At the break, I withdrew Sedoc as a precaution, switching Barker to right back and bringing Wotton into the centre. We continued to dominate, testing their ‘keeper at regular intervals. Pericard replaced Miller on 65 but it was the in form Danic who closed the game out with a wonderful free kick on 77. Lukasiewicz got the Man of the Match Award, and we took a very satisfactory 3-0 win.

The League Cup, as cups tend to do, threw up a second round derby at Walsall for us. An exciting tie, and a potential banana skin of monstrous proportions.

Kenny Miller was attracting lots of attention from potential suitors as the transfer deadline neared, which was only an issue due to the minimum release clause he had insisted upon in his new contract. I didn’t really think that the clubs involved would pay the money, but was aware of having only four strikers at the club, so moved quickly to bring in 24 year old Johannes Rahn from my old club Koblenz. A natural goalscorer he would give me options, and on a back up contract he would figure mostly in the reserves at first. The modest £10k fee was a bargain!

Nearly 28,000 came to Molineux on deadline day for the visit of Millwall, just two days after the Watford game. I named an unchanged side. The game started with both teams a little cagey until we started to press more purposefully and earnt a penalty on 29 which Sedoc coolly dispatched. The match became more open, with both sides having chances, but it was Millwall who scored next on the break just before half time. Reinforcing the need for focus at the interval, we went back out and were a goal down inside five minutes to a blistering long range strike that nobody would have stopped. We continued to work hard in search of an equaliser, Pericard replacing Pekas on the hour, but another long range strike from the same man on 69 gave them a two goal lead that looked unassailable. We didn’t give up though, and forced another penalty on 80 again dispatched without fuss by Sedoc, but it wasn’t enough and we went down 3-2.

Lucasiewicz would miss a fortnight with an injury collected in the match, and the board contacted me to express their disappointment in the Millwall result. I didn’t need to look at the league table to know that we had had a very poor start to the campaign, one that was putting my job on the line for sure.

We were 15th at the end of the month, with P6 W2 D1 L3 GF12 GA11 GD+1 and just 7PTS. We were already way behind the early pace-setters at the top.

Villa were rock bottom of the Premier League with just a single point from four games played, and Koblenz were sitting comfortably enough in the top half of the Regional Division South.

It was hard to understand quite what had gone wrong at Wolves. The team was seemingly lurching from great winning performance to poor defeat in successive games despite the morale being high. The only thing I could be sure of was that I would not be getting too much more time to get it back on track!

[jim65]

September 2010

The month started with a break for Internationals, and gave me time to reflect and consider. We had six games scheduled for the month, including the League Cup trip to The Bescot Stadium. I was realistic enough to know that this would be a defining month for me, and this prompted me to switch to an attacking 4-5-1 for the first time for our away fixture at third placed Sheffield Utd.

Chimedza and Pericard were both unavailable due to International commitments, so Naylor took over at left back. Wotton replaced Lukaswiecz, only just back in training after injury, and Magera was recalled in place of Beynie. Ricketts was brought into midfield as the fifth man and Miller started up front as the lone striker. Granqvist, Vocacek and Pekas all made the bench, along with Murray and Beynie. Keith Southern took the armband. A typically wet Saturday afternoon at Bramall Lane saw 31,000 fans in attendance. We started off a little shakily with our unfamiliar formation, and were starting to settle when Sedoc had to be replaced through injury. Barker switched to right back as Granqvist came off the bench on 16. Four minutes later Seol and Ricketts combined brilliantly to put Miller clean through and he made no mistake from around eight yards out to give us the lead somewhat against the run of play. We dug in and held them off, growing in confidence as the minutes ticked by. On 40, Danic was hacked down and had to be replaced, meaning Ricketts switched to the left and Beynie taking over in the centre. On the stroke of half time Southern slipped the ball through to Miller who took his second clear cut chance of the game with aplomb to take us in 2-0 up at the break. By the 70th minute Ricketts and Seol were both carrying injuries as the United midfield continue to kick lumps out of them with no retribution from a short sighted referee. Ricketts came off with Seol switching to the left wing and Vocacek replacing him on the right. Two minutes later United were back in it with a long range effort reminiscent of one of Millwall’s goals from the previous game, but we hung on for the last twenty and took all three points from a very hard fought battle. Naylor collected the Man of the Match Award.

The points were welcome but the injuries most certainly weren’t, especially with Leicester due at Molineux in just a few days. Danic would miss at least a month, Seol a fortnight and Sedoc at least a week. The points had been a nice early birthday present though, and I was hoping for three more on my 45th Birthday, the day of Leicester’s visit. I was unlikely to get any other presents after all.

These injuries meant that I didn’t have the option of that formation for the visit of Leicester. Chimedza and Pericard both returned and both made the bench. Ricketts would start wide left though not 100% and Vocacek started on the right. The back four was that which finished the previous game, and Pekas returned to the starting eleven alongside a buoyant Miller as we reverted to the 4-4-2. A capacity crowd saw a lively start on a breezy evening. Leicester came out fighting and were awarded an 8th minute penalty which they converted with ease, but just seven minutes later we won a penalty of our own which was blasted in by Granqvist to pull us level. The match became an end to end affair after that with both sides creating and missing chances, entertaining stuff but also the stuff of nerves for managers. At half time, it was obvious that Ricketts could not continue due to the injury picked up at Sheffield being aggravated, so the versatile Chimedza took his place for the second half. Just on the hour, a Barker free kick from wide right was volleyed home in fine style by Magera to edge us in front. Ten minutes later Pericard came on for Miller, who was tiring. On 76 it looked like we were going to throw the points away as Naylor saw red and they converted the third penalty of the match to draw level. Chimedza moved to left back and Pekas was sacrificed to enable Beynie to come on to fill the hole in midfield. On 81 a wicked corner was swung in by Barker and Pericard was fouled in the attempt to get his head on it, and another penalty was confidently put away by Granqvist to give us a 3-2 win. Southern took the Man of the Match Award, and Naylor took a one match ban!

In the days after my birthday, Johannes Rahn and Yasin Zengin were both injured in reserve action. Rahn would miss a fortnight and Zengin a month.

Doug Ellis finally lost patience with O’Leary and presented him with the sack. I sent off an application, more than prepared for the inevitable rejection, or even no reply at all, but I had to apply. This job wouldn’t come around every year after all!

Nottingham Forest were the next visitors to Molineux, and I made two changes to the starting line up. Chimedza replaced the suspended Naylor, and a fully match fit Micah Richards replaced Wotton for his debut. Another full house got an early scare as Forest had what looked like a good goal disallowed for offside. We went on to dominate things, causing problems with our neat passing play but not enough from our finishing unfortunately. Pericard replaced Miller on the hour and Murtagh came on for Vocacek ten minutes later as we continued to ask questions of the Forest defence, but they held on for the 0-0 result.

I was pleased with the Forest result though. This was a game we may well have lost not long ago but the determination in the ranks was evident and on another night we may have scored a hatful. Micah Richards had a solid debut at the back alongside Granqvist which was also a bonus. We had three days to recover before a Wednesday night game at Walsall.

As expected, Villa turned me down, but had at least the courtesy to respond. They announced the appointment of German Markus Schupp to the position on the same day, and the best of luck to the man! But with seven points from nine and O’Leary out of Villa, it hadn’t been a bad week to turn 45.

Pericard started in place of Pekas who took a seat on the bench with newly unsuspended Naylor. It was a sharp looking Pericard that opened the scoring on 13 minutes, pouncing on the rebound from a well saved Miller shot. We were all over them after that, even after they had hit us on the counter for an equaliser on 25. Granqvist had us in front from the spot before the break. Chimedza took Ricketts place at half time as the midfielder continued to struggle with an injury that hadn’t had sufficient time to heal, and Naylor came on at left back. We started where we had left off, pushing them back consistently until Vocacek turned in a Pericard cross to increase the lead. Murray replaced an injured Olejnik on 67 and as we continued to boss the game, Granqvist tucked away a second penalty. Right at the death they scored a classy goal on the break but it didn’t really make any difference as we took a 4-2 win and avoided the banana skin. Granqvist took the Man of the Match Award.

The third round draw gave us a home tie against Gillingham, but we had little time to contemplate that as Tranmere were soon in town and there was still a trip to Cardiff to fit in before the end of the month.

In the only change to the side, a fit again Seol replaced Ricketts on the left wing. I hoped that Ricketts would be able to recover properly from the niggling injury that had dogged his month, but still needed him on the bench. We started on fire, Pericard slamming a shot against the cross bar in the first minute. Tranmere looked nervous and there for the taking as we pressed and pressed, but it was the visitors that drew first blood as Richards conceded a harsh penalty on 25. The goal made little difference to the pattern of play as we continued to put them under intense pressure. Seol fed Magera on 41 who hammered home from 18 yards to equalise, and with roles reversed two minutes later Magera slipped a ball through to Seol who finished with a spectacular curling shot from 25 yards. Deservedly ahead at the break I sent them out for more of the same. Pekas replaced Pericard on 65 as we fired shot after shot at their goal. Bad finishing or good goalkeeping, it’s hard to define, but they kept us out, and even got level from a counter attack that caught us napping on 79. Ricketts replaced Seol on 80, setting up Pekas who cracked one against the cross bar in stoppage time before Miller sealed the win with only seconds to go. We had made hard work of it, and the scoreline didn’t reflect it, but this was a case of near total domination as simply brushed them aside. Miller took the Man of the Match Award.

Granqvist, who’d been transfer listed at the start of the season, was now delisted after several excellent performances and I started the process of trying to entice him to sign a new contract. He would miss the next three weeks due to injury and that was a blow for us, having established him and Richards as a solid central defence pairing.

Meanwhile Middlesborough, bottom of the Premier League, sacked Steve McLaren.

I would have liked to have gone 4-5-1 for the trip to Cardiff’s St David Stadium but didn’t have the right combination of players fit so decided to keep faith once more with the 4-4-2 that had served nicely for most of the month. Lukasiewicz replaced Granqvist in the only change to the team. We started the brighter, playing with a great deal of confidence, and started causing them problems from the off. Once again though, in a month that would surely go down as a record for penalties awarded, City took the lead on 20 from the spot after another harsh decision against Richards. Five minutes later they doubled the advantage with a thirty yard screamer. We continued to dominate, however, with Seol, Pericard and Miller all missing gilt edged chances. Ricketts replaced Magera as we switched to the diamond and really went for it with Pekas coming on for Miller shortly afterwards. Never has a goalkeeper saved more point blank shots in one game! Eventually Pericard found a way through with a clever lob on 91 but it was way too little too late. Pericard somehow got the Man of the Match Award ahead of their ‘keeper, whose performance can only be described as inhuman. The 2-1 defeat felt unjust and finished a pretty good month on a downer!

The month finished with us in 8th place just two points adrift of the play-off places and we were closing on leaders Birmingham having narrowed the gap to eight points. We had P11 W5 D2 L4 GF21 GA18 GD+3 and 17PTS. I was amongst the runners up once more in the Manager of the Month Awards.

Villa were off the bottom, but only by one place with 5 whole points from 8 games played. Middlesborough were bottom, and they appointed Nigel Pearson to sort them out. Koblenz were up in second place in their league with 14 points from 7 games played.

Granqvist rejected our latest contract offer, the best the board would allow me to make, and refused to discuss it further at this stage. Here we go again!

[jim65]

October 2010

Six more games were scheduled into a packed month, including that League Cup tie against Gillingham, but I felt that all were winnable. We would start with a trip to QPR, a team two places beneath us in the league and in good form.

Micah Richards had had two less than impressive games but I decided to stick by him for the trip to Loftus Road, making no changes to the team so unluckily beaten in Cardiff. We were fast out of the traps and caught QPR off guard. Miller had already missed a gilt edged chance when Pericard scored what for me a certain contender for goal of the season on 10 minutes. Seol fizzed a cross to the edge of the box, and Pericard headed it into the only part of the net that the ‘keeper was guaranteed not to get to. It was all about precision rather than power, and the fact that the header was from twenty yards out was what made it special. It was a real treat for the 20,000 crowd, even the home fans showing their appreciation. Miller missed two more good chances before finally getting on the score sheet on 18 and then making up for it by adding another on 23 as the Rangers defence crumbled under our onslought. Our old friend Ebanks-Blake got one back for them before half time, but it was perhaps one of the best 45 minutes of powerhouse attacking football I had seen. The second half didn’t go quite to script, certainly QPR had the best of it, but Richards was a rock at the back more than justifying my continued faith in him. On 74 the referee awarded QPR a very tame penalty, again against Richards for the third game running, which Olejnik saved brilliantly. They got another back on 83 but we saw it out and the final result of 3-2 to us was not a fair reflection of our dominance. Still, none of my teams had ever done anything the easy way! Seol got the Man of the Match Award for a brilliant display on the left wing.

It was all stop once more as the Euro 2012 Qualifiers took precedence and we had a fortnight’s rest. During this time, Granqvist and Danic returned to training which was a boost, but we lost Seol to flu for a fortnight.

Richards had not done a lot wrong during the QPR game, but the penalty awarded against him had knocked his confidence somewhat so I suggested a few games in the reserves to get his spirits up which he understood. Granqvist was therefore recalled for the visit of Hull, and Ricketts was set to deputise for Seol on the left flank. 20 year old Lee Blake, who could play wide right or central in midfield, was called up from the reserves to the bench as was defender Sedoc. The game itself was pretty much a non-event, and wouldn’t have pleased the capacity crowd too much. There were very few chances either way, the best two falling to Miller and substitute Pekas in the second half, both saved by the goalkeeper with belief defying agility. 0-0.

Vocacek would be out for two weeks after picking up an injury against Hull, and with Seol injured and Murtagh suspended, I had no option but to give a start to young Blake for the difficult trip to Doncaster three days later.

Ryska and Sedoc replaced Chimedza and Lukasiewicz, and Danic made the bench. It was to be a rerun of the Birmingham City game, 3-0 down after 25 minutes but having by far the better of the game and creating some golden scoring opportunities that were squandered. Danic replaced Ryska at the break as went 3-4-3 to try and get something from the game. Once more we took charge of the game, Ricketts scoring on 62, but chance after chance went begging. A 3-1 defeat against the run of play, and as if that wasn’t enough Danic got a new injury that would rule him out for another three weeks. Just what was going on with this team?

For the trip to Kenilworth Road I switched to a 4-3-1-2 formation, purely because all my wingers were now injured. I named the same back four as for the Doncaster match, with a Chimedza in a midfield role, Ricketts in the hole behind the two strikers, Pekas and Rahn. Pericard and Miller, guilty of missing enough chances between them to have won the league already this year, both sat on the bench. Zengin would have started if fit. We were all over them for half an hour, admittedly without creating too many chances, but they never had a sniff. Then on 29 they broke for their first attack and scored. Still we kept at it, substitutes Miller and Pericard joining the play after an hour. A great move involving Southern and Ricketts resulted in Pericard clean through on goal only for the ‘keeper to pull off an amazing save. The ball rebounded safely to them and they promptly took it up the other end and scored to seal the victory. A 2-0 defeat.

The board once again were quick to complain, bearing no heed to injuries and rank bad luck. On Sunday 24th October 2010 I quit Molineux after a blazing row with Jez and drove home to set about a case of Cabernet Sauvignon and a carton of cigarettes, and I got gloriously drunk pretending that I didn’t care.

The very next day Frank Yallop was appointed as Wolves’ new manager.

I left them with P15 W6 D3 L6 GF25 GA25 GD0 and 21PTS, just two points off the play-off places.

Villa had clawed themselves up to 14th place with 11 points from 11 games, and Koblenz were proudly sitting on top of the Regional Division South.

[jim65]

Summary

My record as a manager was not the greatest, nor the worst. I had, in total P219 W94 D48 L77 GF377 GA296 GD+81. I had spent a total of £10m, the highest fee paid being £2m for Pekas in the summer of 2009. I had recouped against that £6.5m, the biggest sale being Kujala for £2m in the summer of 2008, giving me a net spend of £3.5m. I had won five awards, and managed two clubs, Koblenz for 1260 days and Wolves for 672 days.

Wolves went on to finish 16th that season, their worst finish in some time, under Mr Yallop. Villa went on to avoid relegation (just) under their German boss, and Koblenz finally got promoted back to the German Second Division.