News Index

30th November 2001

Jones Waiting on Selection

Dave Jones is waiting before selecting his team for Sunday's Black Country Derby to give injured player's from Tuesday night’s Molineux win the maximum time possible to recover.
The manager says he is hopeful Sean Connelly (back) will be available for selection, but is waiting to see if the antibiotics given to Paul Butler (groin) will do the trick.
If Connelly is fit Jones will have two options for the right back position as Kevin Muscat is back from international duty.

29th November 2001

Youngster Out on Loan

Young Wolves midfielder JJ Melligan has joined Bournemouth for a one-month loan deal.
The 19-year-old midfielder has not yet made a first-team appearance for Wolves but is a regular in the reserves. Dave Jones wants him to get some much-needed experience in a lower division.
The details of his loan move aren't yet finalised but he could be in line for his first appearance against Tranmere this weekend.

Ndah Makes Successful Comeback

George Ndah played a full 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Huddersfield yesterday afternoon.
The Wolves striker has been sidelined since the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in August but made a succesful return from his Achilles injury.
 

27th November 2001

Wolves 4-1 Barnsley

Sturridge opened the scoring after 9 minutes, from a Lee Naylor free-kick.
He then added a second from a long ball knocked on by Blake after 33 minutes.
Barnsley pulled one back just before half-time Barker scoring for them on 43 minutes.
Half-Time: Wolves 2-1 Barnsley
Shaun Newton got Wolves third on 68 mins, a long ball over the top from Pollet and Newton took it round the Barnsley keeper.
Sturridge got his hat-trick and Wolves fourth on 76 mins Camara delivered from the left.
Barnsley captain Chris Morgan was sent off with 10 minutes left after continuously pushing Alex Rae who received a yellow.
Full-Time: Wolves 4-1 Barnsley
 

Fixture Update

Wolves game against Crystal Palace has been moved from a Saturday 9th February 2002 to Thursday 7th February with a 7.45pm kick-off (subject to police confirmation).
The match has been moved to be shown live on the ITV Digital

26th November 2001

Team News

Mark Kennedy won't be fit in time for tomorrow nights clash with Barnsley, but it's hoped the midfielder could be fit for Sunday's Black Country Derby match. He will be flying off in the near future to see a German specialist in an attempt to clear up the hamstring problem once and for all.
Dave Jones says Kevin Muscat will be too tired and disappointed after Australia's World Cup play-off loss to return for tomorrow's Barnsley game.
The Wolves boss will probably be naming the same 11 who beat Wimbledon on Saturday. He said: "We took a few knocks and bruises," said Jones, "but I don't anticipate any problems."
  

25th November 2001

Derby Match On

Molineux is set to be full to capacity next weekend for the Black Country derby between Wolves and Albion, after the lifting of the threat of a player strike from next Saturday.
But an agreement between the union and the football authorities was met and should be finalised later today.
 

24th November 2001

Wimbledon 0-1 Wolves

Another 45 minutes without a goal to report.
Half-Time: Wimbledon 0-0 Wolves
Dean Sturridge scored 80 minutes into his debut after the ref gave a back-pass in the Wimbledon area, the ball rebounded out off the wall after the free-kick and Sturridge tucked it into the net.
Full-Time: Wimbledon 0-1 Wolves
 

New Breakaway League Plans Announced

From David Hills - Observer Sport

Reported in today's press, negotiations over a breakaway 'Phoenix League' are well advanced. The League would involve two divisions of 18 teams, made up of the existing Premiership clubs, Rangers & Celtic, and 14 of the bigger Nationwide League clubs. The remaining Nationwide clubs would be left behind and forced to find a new format.
Coventry, Wolves, Man City, Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford are already part of the plan; Forest, West Brom, Palace and Norwich are targets; the four remaining founder members will come from the Nationwide? potentially including larger Division Two clubs like Huddersfield, Stoke and Reading.
It would be a three up three down system, but only one club would automatically be promoted. The new League would attract greater sponsorship and revenues, and reduce the number of matches big clubs have to play.
Clubs left out, though, would have to find a way of adapting or face oblivion, and the Football League's reason for existence will come under question. Smaller clubs may have to become feeder clubs; regionalisation or part-time status could also result.

23rd November 2001

Team News

Wolves: Dean Sturridge is set to make his Wolves debut after moving to Molineux on a month's loan from Leicester, with a view to a permanent deal. Adam Proudlock will make way after suffering an ankle strain in training. Colin Cameron and Nathan Blake are expected to be fit to play, while Mark Kennedy has an outside chance of facing his old club.

Wimbledon: could be without winger Kevin Cooper and defender Jermaine Darlington against Wolves after the pair picked up injuries in the midweek draw with Walsall.

Sturridge Set to Sign

Dean Sturridge is due at Molineux this morning to sign on a month’s loan, with a view to a permanent transfer. The out of favour Leicester striker will go straight into the team that plays at Wimbledon tomorrow. The 28-year-old is surplus to requirements under new Foxes manager Dave Bassett, and he could be allowed to move on for a fee around the £350,000 paid to Derby in January 2001. West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday were also trying to sign the player.
Dave Jones said on WOW: "We spoke to Dean on the phone yesterday and sent all the documents to his club Leicester. Hopefully everything will go through this morning and he will play for us tomorrow. It’s been no secret that we have been looking for another striker.  Dean is an experienced player who scores goals, and he will have an opportunity to stake a claim. The deal is for one month then we’ll take it from there. Dave Bassett has said that Dean is surplus to requirements so this is a chance for him. Cederic Roussel and Adam Proudlock haven’t been scoring and perhaps their confidence is low. Bringing in another striker will add to the competition for places and the strong ones will survive."
 

22nd November 2001

Reserves Win

Wolves reserves ended their 7 game losing streak with a win over Tranmere Rovers reserves at their new winter home of RAF Cosford. Mark Danks got the only goal after only four minutes, Danks intercepted a back pass and rounded the keeper before drilling the ball into the empty net.
Bad news for Michael Branch who was stretchered off with a twisted ankle with 5 minutes to go, Wolves had to play with only 10 men as they had used all their substitutes.

Wolves Reserves: Murray, Coleman (Flynn 85), Camara, Robinson (Ward 66), Pollet, Clyde, Branch, Andrews, Danks, McStea (Clingan 80), Melligan.
Unused subs: Solly, Clark.
Bookings: McStea, Andrews.

Tranmere Reserves: Achterberg, Hinds (Thornton 70), Olsen, Hazell, Challinor, Sharps, Mellon, Harrison, Parkinson, Hay, Hume.
Unused subs: Baker, Ralph, Dreves, Aldridge.

Sell Out Derby in Doubt

Tickets at both ends for the Black Country derby on Sunday 2nd December have sold out. The ticket office reports that there are just 2000 home seats left, split between the Billy Wright upper and the John Ireland upper,  with just a handful remaining for the family enclosure.
This news comes as the match is now under threat of postponement by the lurch towards PFA strike action.
The Molineux showdown, one of the prime dates on the region's annual football calendar, could be erased from the schedule the weekend after next by the PFA's decision to issue a strike notice to all its members last night.
The threat to the Black Country derby was confirmed by Wolves' Chief Executive Jez Moxey who said: "I'm disappointed but not surprised that the PFA have called for strike action. This will potentially effect our home game against Albion.
"The clubs and football authorities are now being forced to consider taking legal redress by seeking an injunction against industrial action."
 

21st November 2001

Reserves Trial

Wolves are giving a trial to Tony McStay in tonight's reserves match against Tranmere at RAF Cosford, the 19-year-old right-sided midfielder, who plays for non-league Brandon FC has been recommended by scouts in that area.
The full squad is: Murray, Coleman, Camara, Clyde, Pollet, Branch, Danks, Watson, Robinson, Andrews, Clingan, McStay, Melligan, Ward, Flynn and Solly.

Wolves have also offered a trial to Swedish goalkeeper Ola Tidman of Belgian side La Louviere after his unsuccessful spell at Bolton. He will spend the rest of the week at Molineux, instead of the Reebok stadium, and train with the first-team squad and possibly play a practice game as well.
 

20th November 2001

Muscat Scores Pen

Kevin Muscat scored a 79th minute penalty against Uruguay for Australia in their 1st leg World Cup qualifying match, he also received a yellow card. The under fire defender was stripped of penalty taking duties at Molineux after missing.

£2 Million Bid Reported

Wolves are reported to have made a £2 million bid to sign Rangers striker Kenny Miller on a permanat transfer, after the striker impressed on loan. Rangers are said to be considering the offer. The Rangers chairman said: "Wolves have made an offer for Kenny and we are currently considering it. I'd prefer not to sell Kenny but every player has his price."
 

19th November 2001

Jones Fuming at Draw

After Wolves failed to reclaim the Division One top spot Dave Jones had plenty to say to the team and locked his players in the dressing room for a roasting after the match, in which his side didn't register a single shot on target.
Wolves were without a number of key players Nathan Blake, Kevin Muscat, Kenny Miller, Mark Kennedy off after 7 minutes and an under par Newton who did well considering the problems he had with his tooth, and the replacements didn't gel as a team according to Jones they didn't grasp the opportunity given to them, except Connelly who Jones thought was our best player on the pitch.

Jones said: 'I've had a few words to say in there. When you have a home fixture and you're up at the top, you've got to play without fear.
'We missed our big-time players today and we struggled without them. It gave others the chance to stake a claim and I don't think people took that opportunity. You look for your players to be mentally tough, I don't think too many of mine were.'
 

18th November 2001

Wolves 0-0 Sheff Wed

Kennedy substituted after 7 minutes.
A disappointing first-half saw neither side get a goal.
Half-Time: Wolves 0-0 Sheff Wed
Another goalless 45 minutes saw Wolves earn only a point again at home.
Full-Time Wolves 0-0 Sheff Wed

Match report by Tom Sperrink.
 

17th November 2001

Contract Talks

Wolves are not going to negotiate with Kevin Muscat over his contract until the end of the season but are re-opening talks with Carl Robinson in the next few days. The Wolves boss Dave Jones has revealed that both Muscat and the club decided before the Aussie's appearance in last weekend's international friendly against France in Melbourne, would prefer to wait until the summer for talks over his Molineux future with his present deal running out next summer.
Muscat was linked last summer to top-flight football clubs and could be thinking of his future should Wolves fail to win promotion.
 

16th November 2001

Injuries Update

Mark Kennedy is in with a chance of being fit for Sunday's televised match with Sheff Wed as he continues his recovery from a hamstring train, but Shaun Newton's chances aren't as good, he's taken antibiotics for the bad tooth but his face is very swollen. Other players with injuries are Adam Proudlock, foot injury, he was pulled out of the reserves' match at Wrexham on Wednesday, Keith Andrews who had a knock on his knee and Darren Bazeley who has some discomfort at the back of his knee.
 

15th November 2001

Reserves Draw

Wolves reserves drew with Wrexham reserves at there Racecourse ground yesterday evening, Wolves took the lead two minutes after half-time, Keith Andrews passing to Cedric Roussel who scored from 15 yards. But Wrexham equalised a minute into stoppage time, Trundle earning a draw for the Welsh club.

Wrexham: Rogers, Warren (Pejic 72), Dabbs, Moody, Lawrence, Barrett, Thomas, Phillips, Trundle, Morrell, Edwards.
Unused subs: Williams, Whitfield, Campbell, Lacken.

Wolves: Murray, Coleman, Camara, Robinson, Pollet, Clyde, Bazeley (Ward 56), Andrews, Roussel, Melligan, Clingan (Danks 85).
Unused subs: Solly, McChrystal, Flynn.

14th November 2001

Jones Swede Interest

Wolves boss Dave Jones has said he's made initial enquiries about signing a Sweden international after his efforts to bring Ade Akinbiyi back to Molineux on loan failed.
Jones watched the Swedes 1-1 draw with England at Old Trafford and has already moved on his new target, and as usual is refusing to reveal the identity of the player.
He said: "Some enquiries have been made and we will have to see where they lead us.
"It is always difficult to sign good players because clubs obviously don't want to lose their best men."
 

13th November 2001

Kennedy Staying Home

Wolves winger Mark Kennedy hasn't gone to Iran with the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup play-off second-leg tie as he still hasn't recovered from a hamstring injury.
He will now be able to concentrate on trying to get fit for Wolves match with Sheff Wed on Sunday, which Shaun Newton could miss because of an infection in one of his wisdom teeth.
 

12th November 2001

Miller Wants Move South

Kenny Miller's Rangers career could be over, he originally wanted to stay at Rangers and compete with Tore Andre Flo and the other Rangers strikers for a place up front. But he has now accepted that his hopes of a regular first team place are more likely in England, and has said he wants to stay with Wolves until the end of the season.
Wolves boss Dave Jones is likely to start talks towards a permanent transfer after the strikers anouncment. Bolton have joined in the race for Millers signature and an auction looks likely.
Miller's original three-month loan spell at Molineux does not end until 7th December, but he said: "There's no point in seeing out my loan and then going back to Rangers to play in the reserves. I need first-team football and it makes sense to stay with Wolves."

Also Wolves attempts to give Oldham keeper David Miskelly a trial have been scuppered because it was struck with the now-departed manager Andy Ritchie, whose successor Mick Wadsworth is keen to keep the 22-year-old at Boundary Park instead.

11th November 2001

Muscat Taken Off

Socceroos coach Frank Farina substituted Kevin Muscat during Australia's friendly with France after the Wolves defender was booked for a bad tackle on Christophe Dugarry.
Muscat had already been involved in an altercation with Arsenal's Robert Pires in the first-half which may have led to a red card had the game not been a friendly.
 

9th November 2001

Loans, Trials and Transfers

Colin Larkin is to spend another month at Kidderminster Harriers, he was originally only there for one month but this will be his third. Harriers boss Jan Molby did want to keep the young striker on loan until the end of the season, but Dave Jones said: "I’ve spoken to Jan and told him that we don’t want to discuss a season long loan at this stage".

Oldham keeper, former Northern Ireland Under-21 star David Miskelly will be at Molineux on Monday to start training with the Wolves squad as Dave Jones continues in his search for a goalkeeper, with Michael Oakes the only experienced keeper.
22 year old Miskelly is currently playing reserve team football at Boundary Park, because he has lost his place in the first team to Gary Kelly.
Wanderers have already loaned Stephen Bywater from West Ham and Marlon Beresford from Middlesbrough this season, but both were recalled by their respective clubs.
The Wolves manager stressed today that the trial has yet to be confirmed and, as Miskelly is involved in a testimonial game that Northern Ireland are playing at Macclesfield next Tuesday, nothing is likely to develop until after then.

It's crunch time this weekend in the Akinbiyi transfer saga, Dave Jones will either agree a deal for Ade Akinbiyi this weekend or drop their interest in re-signing the ex-Wolves leading scorer.
The Molineux boss today promised not to 'budge an inch' as the Leicester striker prepared to meet his manager Dave Bassett and tell him whether or not he wanted to return to Molineux.
 

8th November 2001

Striker Search Update

Ade AKinbiyi's return to Molineux could be off, Leicester boss Dave Bassett is rumored to have persuaded the ex-Wolves striker to stay at Filbert Street.
Dave Jones was looking to add the 27-year-old striker to his squad for an initial loan spell, if he got his scoring touch back he could have been offered a permanent deal back at Molineux.

Loan striker Kenny Miller is around four weeks away from rejoining the Wolves attack, but his agent has said that the striker is open to offers from Bolton, reports today in the Daily Mail have suggested that Bolton are circling in a bid to team him up with former Ibrox mates Rod Wallace and Colin Hendry.
It's thought Rangers are unlikely to entertain the prospect of letting the youngster leave permanently and another loan deal still looks far more likely.
One other striker the Wolves boss could be targeting is Shrewsbury striker Luke Rogers.
The 19-year-old has scored 21 goals in 30 starts since turning professional and has been watched by a number of top clubs including West Brom who are being heavily linked with a move for the player this week.

Have your say on which striker should be signed on 'The Wolves' site message board.
 

7th November 2001

Larkin Wanted for Whole Season

Kidderminster boss Jan Molby is hoping he can talk Wolves into extending striker Colin Larkin's loan period, which ends next week for the rest of the season. The Dundalk youngster is making a good impression at Aggborough, where he has scored twice in 11 games.
Dave Jones is likely to agree initially to a third month's stay and says: "I can make the bigger decision during that third month.
"We have to give it some lengthy consideration, but we're delighted he has done so well there. It's a good way for him to learn his trade."
Molby said: "We'd like to keep him. He has been excellent for us and he's going to develop into an exceptional player.
"He's a very clever player and too quick for us at times, but he's learning to play with his team-mates. He has given us an extra dimension."
 

6th November 2001

Results Round Up

RESERVES

Wolves reserves lost last night to local rivals West Brom 2-1 and lost two strikers who received red cards, Cedric Roussel and Adam Proudlock.
31 minutes, Roussel gave Wolves the lead, second half penalty from Perry West Brom level, just before the end Turner scored for West Brom.
A dodgy performance by the ref meant he was escorted of the pitch at the end by two stewards!

Wolves: Murray, Connelly, Camara, Andrews, Pollet, Clyde, Bazeley, Melligan, Proudlock, Roussel, Danks (Clingan 57).
Unused subs: Coleman, Solly, N. Clark, Willis.
Booking: Andrews.
Sent off: Roussel 43mins, 2 yellow cards. Proudlock 67mins, 2 yellow cards.

West Brom: Jensen, A. Chambers, Bruce, Mkandawire, Ross Adams, J. Chambers (Perry 65), Turner, Collins, Carey-Bertram, Quinn, Briggs.
Unused subs: Adamson, Dyer, Brown, Richard Adams.
Bookings: J. Chambers, Quinn.

YOUTH

The Molineux under 17 and 19 Academy sides both enjoyed wins on Saturday afternoon in Hertfordshire against Watford.
The under 19s beat Watford 2-1 with first half goals from Danks and Willis
The under 17s also beat Watford 1-0 with Leon Clark getting the goal.

WOMAN

Wolves Women slipped to their first league defeat of the season when they went down 3-1 away to leaders Birmingham at Hollyfields.
 

5th November 2001

Transfer News

Rangers are stalling over whether to extend Kenny Miller's loan deal until the end of the season.
The striker broke his collarbone against Notts Forest but has been back at Molineux for the last two weeks.
Wolves have been negotiating with the Glasgow club for some time now and Jez Moxey  said: "We are still waiting for confirmation from David Murray at Ibrox."

Ex-Wolves striker Ade Akinbiyi's agent Andrew Mills has hinted his client would welcome a return to Molineux and will meet with Leicester boss Dave Bassett to discuss his future. Akinbiyi has watched Wolves this season and has already struck up a good relationship with Wolves boss Dave Jones.

Kennedy Out of International

Mark Kennedy is definitely going to miss the first leg of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off with Iran this Sunday at Lansdowne Road, Dublin after pulling a hamstring in Wolves victory over Burnley. The second leg of the play-off will take place in Tehran in the midweek.
Boss Dave Jones said: "Mark has been receiving intensive treatment over the last week but he isn’t going to be fit enough to play against Iran on Saturday which is frustrating for him and his international team.
"We have constantly been in touch with the Republic and they know the full extent of Mark’s injury, but we haven’t given up hope of getting him fit enough for the return leg of the tie."

Reserves Derby

Wolves reserves are playing West Brom at Molineux tonight with seven first team players in the team.
Wolves team: Murray, Connelly, Camara, Andrews, Pollet, Clyde, Bazeley, Melligan, Proudlock, Roussel, Danks.
Subs: Coleman, Solly, Clingan, N. Clarke, Willis
The reserves squad will then start training with the RAF between now and March at Cosford, with the RAF giving Wolves permission to use their facilities after spending a successful pre-season with them.
As a thank you, Wolves boss Dave Jones has promised he will send a full squad for a match against the camp's own team in the near future.
 

4th November 2001

Wolves Boss Linked with Birmingham

Newspapers have linked Wolves boss Dave Jones with the Birmingham City managers job, but Wolves have laughed of the approach. Also Liverpool are said to be watching Joleon Lescotts progress and Dave Bassett is going to be asking Ade Akinbiyi what he wants to do with regards to a move to Molineux, over the two weeks international break.
 

3rd November 2001

Norwich 2-0 Wolves

Ex-Wolves striker Roberts scored for Norwich after 7 minutes
Norwich doubled their lead after 32 mins with a counter attack, McVeigh scoring.
Half-Time Norwich 2-0 Wolves
Wolves had the most chances throughout the game but again failed to convert them, making the need for a goal scorer in the Wolves team more obvious if they want to stay in a promotion place. Wolves losing away from home for the first time this season.
Full-Time: Norwich 2-0 Wolves

2nd November 2001

Team News

Wolves have sold all their 1904 tickets allocated to them by Norwich for Saturday's match at Carrow Road, the last were sold by the ticket office on Thursday afternoon.

Norwich: Boss Nigel Worthington is still without the services of long-term casualties Neil Emblem, Zema Abbey and Gaetano Giallanza. They will give defender Darren Kenton a late fitness test on his knee injury before naming their side to face Wolves.

Wolves: Paul Butler has joined Molineux's injury list as a doubt for Saturday's trip to Norwich. The centre-half has a groin problem but Dave Jones is hoping he will recover in time. Waiting for news on Alex Rae, Colin Cameron, Kevin Muscat, Nathan Blake and Mark Kennedy fitness.

1st November 2001

More Injuries

Wolves boss Dave Jones has some fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday's match with Norwich at Carrow Road. Alex Rae, Nathan Blake, and Colin Cameron have joined Mark Kennedy in the Molineux treatment room.
Kennedy was out with a hamstring injury and is out of Saturday's game, Rae has also tweaked a hamstring, while Blake and Cameron are suffering from shoulder and groin problems respectively, Blake's injury is the most serious of the three other players.

Kennedy Called Up

Mark Kennedy has been selected in a 24-man Republic of Ireland squad for their two leg World Cup qualifying play-off with Iran next month, after Iran beat the United Arab Emirates 4-0 on aggregate.