Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves can stand behind Mick McCarthy, but they don't hold the aces - THE MIDLANDER
So, Molineux, what's it to be?[LNB]What kind of atmosphere will be generated ahead of Sunday's visit of Wigan? Will it be a backs-to-the-wall cacophony of sound or a more timid 'wait-and-see' approach? [LNB]Sorry to begin this week's post with a series of questions but it seems that the home crowd have all the answers. [LNB] In trouble: Wolves are hovering just about the relegation zone [LNB] You know, I was going to ring chief executive Jez Moxey this week, just for a card-marker on what the hierarchy are thinking. But, really, what is the point? [LNB]Moxey and owner Steve Morgan can, and probably will, stand behind Mick McCarthy irrespective of the final scoreline against the Latics. However, in this particular instance, I'm not sure they hold all the aces.[LNB] The face says it all: McCarthy needs a positive result [LNB] Neither of them will be blind to the situation if the performance or scoreline is not up to scratch and the crowd turns. You could see (albeit from Villa's press room) how the confidence was draining from Wolves' players once the grumblings became more audible against Swansea. And it wasn't just a few sections, either, it was a healthy portion of the South Bank... [LNB]McCarthy could have effectively pleaded the fifth and chosen not to hear it. But, being the character that he is, decided not to look away. [LNB]Whether branding his critics as 'mindless idiots' was the correct use of words, I'm not sure, but he has chosen to go right on the front foot. It all adds up to one unhealthy situation. And I'm not sure in which direction this is headed.[LNB] More from Neil Moxley... The Midlander: The solution to Coventry's financial woe? Kissing frogs!19/10/11 The Midlander: Clark's comforting presence has already lifted Forest14/10/11 The Midlander: Who should fans blame for Forest's free-fall? Everyone, actually... 07/10/11 The Midlander: Hodgson's the man to get the Baggies bouncing once more29/09/11 The Midlander: Henry's a pub footballer? When it comes to talent, you've wasted more of yours, Joey22/09/11 The Midlander: The belts are being tightened at Villa... it could be the best thing to happen to them14/09/11 The Midlander: When will Nottingham Forest get the formula right?08/09/11 The Midlander: Coventry's owners open up... as does the trapdoor to League One01/09/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Obviously, it will be decided by performances. And results. Any regular readers of the Midlander know that I'm a big McCarthy fan. I remember the mess the club was in when hewandered in five years ago. I'm not alone among the press corps (although Mick did ask one startled BBC reporter once if he was giving him the eyes and asked him outside...) [LNB]There was a big cheer at Wolves's second goal among my media brethren in the Villa press room, for instance.[LNB] For my own part, I would make a few points. First, due to the closure of the transfer window and the inability to radically alter the squad at a moment's notice, is there another manager out there who could eke out more effort from his team? I would say not.[LNB] Secondly, given that and the fixture list coming up, is this the 'right' time to be making a change at the top? Is any in-coming manager going to beat Chelsea and Manchester United, or make a better fist of it than McCarthy? Again, I'm not sure. Certainly in a month's time, pretty much everyone will have a clear picture of where Wolves are headed. [LNB]Thirdly, there isn't enough goals in this Wolves' team. For all the good work that Kevin Doyle does, he has never been prolific. It is a fact that Steven Fletcher's goals were a key reason behind the late-season surge to safety. Wolves desperately need a fit Fletcher back in the ranks. [LNB]The only other time McCarthy really, really needed a result and performance was following the defeat at Manchester United where he made wholesale changes to the team that had won at Spurs. His players answered the call. Wolves beat Burnley - quite comfortably - and the immediate threat was averted. I hope similar happens this weekend. [LNB]Belgian Police on top form for Blues' visit This being the first column since Birmingham City's trip to Bruges, I'd like to make a couple of points. [LNB] First, a big 'Well done' to the Belgian Police whose non-confrontational approach certainly enabled most of the visitors to their town to enjoy themselves without any hint of trouble. [LNB]The low-key stance by the authorities prevented any hint of widespread disorder. Of course, they were in evidence, but in the background. They struck exactly the right note. [LNB]Obviously, any set of supporters travelling in such numbers would be difficult not to spot, particularly when it seemed like the sole aim of many was to drink the place dry. [LNB]And, judging by the state of them, let it not be said that they didn't have a good go at it. So, I would hope that Bruges would welcome English football fans back to their city with open arms, given the boost in trade in the bars and restaurants.[LNB] However, I had to smile at the antics of one Blues' fan who, outraged at the prices being charged, made it his mission in life to stand outside one brasserie on the market square having been, in his opinion, over-charged for a beer. [LNB]Anyone of an English persuasion who looked like they were headed in for a quick drink (like me) was met with the words: 'I wouldn't go in there mate, three Euros 80 for half-a-lager.' [LNB]Upon which advice, a good few dozen swiftly sought refreshment elsewhere. [LNB]So, I'm sure Bruges would happily welcome back any of the 7,000 who travelled. All, that is, apart from exiled bluenose John Palmer of Leicester, who deprived one bar owner of a bumper day's takings.... [LNB]
