At the end of yesterday’s game the Wolves team had lived upto to their tag as heroic failures with the exception of ex captain Henry who will now miss the next three games due to an act of incredible stupidity, back heeling a Villa player after he had won a free kick, a temper tantrum so crass that it defies belief for such an experienced professional. This coupled with a Wolverhampton Sunday morning football game gaffe (division 10 no higher) by Berra to give Villa an opening goal via a penalty ensured that the goals by the returning Messiah Keane won the game for Villa. Why so many Wolves fans felt obliged to not only applaud Henry off the pitch but also Keane beggars belief. Both players may well have played a massive part in sending our club down – applause??? Keane made his Wolves debut on 9 August 1997 and left 24 goals later. If he had scored an hat trick on Saturday (and he went near to doing so) it would have been the second time against his old club. When are fans going to realise that professional footballers are now cash cow mercenaries who ply their trade where they can without any regard for loyalty. The days of Bull, Richards and Westcott have long gone. As for half of Saturday’s team there would only be Championship sides with salary offers of well below half of what they are earning now; queuing up for their signature.
This is the background context the Molineux trinity of the 3M’s (Morgan, Moxey and McCarthy) are working within. Two of the 3M’s know that the third 3M is getting as much out of the squad as any new manager could. McCarthy is all about blood, sweat and tears and his first pre-requisite for any signing is their willingness to put a shift in. The two M’s also know that, with the exception of Fletcher, McCarthy’s signings over the past three years have failed to inspire; despite spending at levels more attune to a top 8 club. Whatever the reason for Wolves not signing Keane it is unlikely to be known anytime soon. Certainly Keane is clear on this - Wolves never contacted Spurs with an offer of interest for him. Wolves are where they are. By showing faith with McCarthy the two M’s can play the loyalty card and curry popular media opinion. As well as being politically attractive it also is the best option given that the window of opportunity has passed. Replacing a manager can work but normally with 20 or so games left not the 16 games that will determine Wolves future Premiership status. Just look to Albion, QPR, and Sunderland for successful examples. The obvious choices have been snapped up already. Alladyce, O’Neil, Hodson and Hughes are no longer available. Only Curbishley is ready and waiting yet he has already taken a club down in similar circumstances. To appoint a new young manager (e.g. O’Driscoll) or an experienced high profile one (e.g. Erickson) would be a brave or foolhardy decision given Wolve track record with managers such as McGee and Hoddle.
So stick or twist? The mantra has to be to stick with Mick. Whatever the deision the Wolves squad that McCarthy has built is not good enough to be the masters of their own destiny. Wolves will need a re-balancing of Lady Luck’s favours going forward whether through referees’ decisions, the bounce of the ball or other teams’ errors. The 16 remaining agmes will be played out in an atmosphere of tension, frustration and not a little excitement until the last days of the season. Just like last year!!!!

