Wolves to buy Spurs star

From what we have heard, this is a done deal as long as we stay up, and I can't imagine a better signing within a matter of days of the season ending. 3 or 4 more of this quality and we could really look ahead to a third season in the Premiership with realistic hopes of finishing 12th or above- (although I expected us to finish 12th this season.) As for Fletcher he has scored 7 goals from maybe 8 starts and coming off the bench for the rest. I have mentioned this several times but I would say that if we could measure our players goals compared to their minutes spent on the pitch Fletcher would prove our most likely player to score. He scored a considerable amount in a side that was ultimately relegated the season before that and is/was an international (until he text to say he didn't want to be part of the current regime- after a row with his manager who lined up with a 4-6-0 formation away from home.) The last point sticks in the memory because if he had the gall to tell his international manager to effectively stick it, he clearly won't flinch from sharing his opinion and I have wondered at times if his lack of starts has had anything to do with a spat earlier in the season with Mick. We have seen a lot of players disapear without trace in the past before ultimately being sold and whilst Fletcher does not seem to have fallen quiet so hard, his lack of starts still confuses. I think he is a great young striker a lot ahead of him- he has a great touch, awareness, holds the ball up well, brings others into play and knows where the back of the net is. As much as I rate the player, Milijias has shown headed goals are certainly not his greatest strength and whilst Doyle gets in front of defenders with some deft headers (he scored a lot more headers at Reading actually) Fletcher presents a very different option, very good in the air, that was not an easy chance against Spurs by any stretch, pun intended and as our quality from the wings continues to improve his inclusion only points to more goals. I remember our excitement at the start of the season, 4-4-2 with Fletcher plus one (he has paired well) and things were looking bright. We soon ran into a splutter however and it became apparent at the time, for reasons we couldn't put a finger on, that we just did not look capable of employing the most standard formation in football without looking flat across the park and ultimately leaking goals at the back. There have proven occasions of course when we have been chasing games, against the likes of Manchester City away & Sunderland at home, that when we have thrown players at it teams don't know what to do with us. The system we are using right now is working a treat in my book- it may line up as 4-5-1 but that very quickly becomes 4-3-3 when we attack and compared to several months ago when we were putting cross after cross into the box and only Doyle was getting on the end of anything, against Spurs it was a joy to see 5 players in the box ready and waiting on several occasions. We have come a long way, the belief is there, the goals are coming as we begin to show more confidence infront of goal, and some clinical finishing, and we are looking better at the back each week. Sounds silly having just shipped three at home but it won't be often that we see three goals of that quality aganst us in one game. See what you've started Ad! Ten days away from our next game and 9 from finding out our final standing, I am developing an ever increasing belief that we will kick off in the Premiership next season and can't help thinking the who's the where's and the when's with regards our continued development. I have said on numerous occasions that we have come so far under McCarthy that relegation, especially with the stadium plans being given the green light, would spell disaster. Considering the numbers on the recently released budget sheet relegation would not throw us into financial turmoil but it would see 7 or 8 of our players gone within weeks, major losses in revenue and the whole disheartening muddle of 'starting over again'- and we have spent two many seasons in that division to know that a quick return the likes of which recently shown by Newcastle are few and far between. I shall remain confident however that rather than looking at Championship players we will be looking to invest another 20 million in order to continue our development. Whether Mick has long term plans for Fletcher, and whether Fletcher is going to be happy starting 10-12 games a season we shall soon find out.

Well the four cups of coffee this morning must have worked! 56 points indeed. I see a future in public speaking. Forums and the like. Perhaps I could replace the club psychologist and sit Mick down- now Mick, about this first four months of the season malarky.... its not good for the fans you know..... This morning I closed the lap top with a sulk as I had reached ponderage with regards the future of Craddock- hardly a tight fit with the conversation topic- but I was thinking about the defending, thought back to earlier in the season- what is driving the players on now- I actually think maturity and hard work at the training ground would prove a reasonable answer- I remember writing an article titled 'Fears For Stears' because he was left on the bench for so long after a sending off, against Liverpool perhaps, correct me if I'm wrong 14 hour day, that I thought he would drop into the category as mentioned above, as in never seen again yet despite his errors he is finally showing all his promise. As for Craddock I hope he remains at Wolves in some capacity next season even if it is on a pay as you play contract with perhaps a salary for coaching at least the youth if not the reserves in at some level. I got distracted and lost my thoughts so I will end there on the hope it sparks another conversation topic. Til then my friends.