In the 14th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses life at Wolves in the wake of their takeover by delving into their forums. A report on Brighton and Hove Albion will be on the site later today with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.

“Goodbye mediocrity, hello ruthlessness”, “This is not evolution, it’s revolution”, “This is not just a change of manager and a few million quid for him to spend with fingers crossed and hoping for the best”, “This is all so shocking. Strap yourself in for a ride that will be like none before at Molineux.”

“We are being dragged into a whole new world”, The club were taken over last month by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, who paid £45 million to former owner Steve Morgan for a 100 per cent stake while making “a commitment to invest between £20 million and £30 million over the next two years”.

“This looks like being very, very big. We are talking about some of the best people in world football getting involved with the club. We are like Manchester City 10 years ago. It will take five years but every decision is going to shock us if we think in the old ways”, “Fosun are not here to mess about.”

Not everyone is convinced. “I admire all the optimism, but all the signs so far point more to Venky’s than Sheikh Mansour from what I can see. I hope I am proved wrong but I haven’t seen anything that screams that we are going to do anything bigger that Reading or Sheffield Wednesday.”

Walter Zenga

“Wow, from feeling bad to elated, and then back to bad, and all in the space of eight hours.” The decision to replace Kenny Jackett as manager with former Italy keeper and Catania boss Walter Zenga has set alarm bells ringing. “I am suddenly getting a really bad feeling about this takeover.”

“Another false dawn looms over Molineux this morning”, “He has managed 16 clubs in 18 years and some not at a particularly good level”, “Zenga was interviewed for the Leeds job and turned down by Cellino. Cellino!”, “I’m worried, very worried”, “Time will tell but I see this being an utter disaster.”

“He’s a passionate man, our Walter”, “He will be gone by Christmas.” While many are worried by Zenga’s chequered track record and temperament, others see him as a stop-gap appointment. A greater concern for many fans are the links between the new owners and agent Jorge Mendes.

Jorge Mendes

“Is Mendes the real decision maker at the club?”, “Of course he is”, “The power behind the throne”, “If you want to worry about anything, worry about how much of a hold Mendes may have over the club”, “I’m beginning to think our owner is putting all his eggs in one basket and that is Mendes.”

“Now I’m apprehensive.” Fans are concerned over the influence the 50-year-old may have over transfers. “I fear that we are a club with a marketable history that will operate as a dumping ground or showcase for Mendes’s marketable assets. If it doesn’t work, then things could unravel horribly.”

“This is Doncaster and the relationship they had with agent Willie McKay all over again”, “Mendes doesn’t just have superstars of tomorrow on his books. He has players who never made it and players unlikely to make it. It’s these players that I fear we are more likely to get.”

A Decent Manager

“Kenny Jackett was a lame duck from the very off, regardless of what the club said”, “You will always be welcomed back at Molineux.” Amid the turmoil, many Wanderers recorded their appreciation for the work the outgoing manager did in stabilising the club after relegation to League One.

“A hugely likeable and honourable man who restored some pride and dignity to the club when it was completely broken”, “Thank you for everything you did and for the dignity with which you conducted yourself during your time here”, “A decent man”, “Kenny is up there with Mick McCarthy for me”,

Departures to Date

Jackett made good progress in severing links with some fringe squad players earlier in the summer. Strikers Liam McAlinden (to Exeter) and Bjorn Sigurdarson (to Molde), wingers Zeli Ismael (to Bury), Tommy Rowe (to Doncaster) and keeper Aaron McCarey (to Ross County) have all found new clubs.

The one higher-profile departure from Molineux has been midfielder Kevin McDonald, who has joined Fulham for an undisclosed fee. Many fans believe that more players will have left the club by the end of August. “Our existing squad is just not good enough. Major team rebuilding is needed.”

Arrivals to Date

“I would not be surprised if the teamsheet in February doesn’t have a single player who played last season.” The only player to arrive at Wolves before the takeover announcement was made was 32-year-old Fulham keeper Andy Lonergan who signed a minimum two-year contract.

Two players have been brought in by the new owners, 28-year-old defender Silvio from Atletico Madrid and 22-year-old winger Helder Costa on a season-long loan from Benfica. Many fans are wishing that Benfica playmaker Anderson Talisca will sign, but this is just media speculation at the time of writing.

A Poor Pre-Season

Wolves have had an indifferent pre-season, best characterised by their distracted performance in a limp 4-0 defeat at home to Swansea on Saturday. Wins at Crewe and Cork City, a stalemate at Port Vale and a defeat at Northampton heightened the problems of a thin squad still blighted by injuries.

“The side needs a total overhaul.” The starting XI (above) against the Swans in many ways was similar to the side which Town drew with last spring, but with Nouha Dicko injured, and Joe Mason and Bright Enobokhare also unable to play, 17-year-old academy product Niall Ennis led the line.

Swansea had a comfortable afternoon as more starlets were given a run-out after the break on Saturday. The final XI (above) highlighted the lack of depth the squad has with first team regulars Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Mike Williamson, Jordan Graham, Michal Zyro as well as Dicko unavailable.

“The biggest concern in the present squad. We shall see Fosun’s ambition over the coming weeks”, “There is uncertainty now in the dressing room and we are linked with many big name players. The majority won’t expect to be around too long and some will be looking at their positions already.”

Prospects for the Coming Season

“We will do well to get to the top six this season but barring a miracle I can’t see promotion as it will take at least two to three months for the team to settle down, by which time the favourites will already have a big lead”, “We will need a lot of luck in the market to even turn into a top six team.”

“We have had more excitement in the last week than in the last 18 months. Just enjoy the ride. It’s going to be exciting and we will be hitting the Premier League by at least the next season. These guys don’t do failure. Alternatively, we can go back to being outbid by Blackpool.”

“It’s fair to say that things aren’t going to be dull”, “I am trying to catch my breath. After years of nothing happening, what a rollercoaster we have just had.” Given the maelstrom of the last couple of weeks, little thought has been really given to the next three months, let alone next May.

One fan offered this amusing insight: “My Dad always used to say that he loved Wolves fans because they reminded him of his Manchester City-supporting days. They are happier being unhappy, gain strength through misery and prefer to see the bad side of everything. Long may it continue.”

Websites

There are a number of very active Wolves forums. Molineux Mix has a good range of interesting and informative discussions.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

essextractorboy93 added 12:28 - Aug 1 Think there will be absolute chaos at Wolves with this new owner. Very similar to the Leeds situation I think, they'll inevitably throw money at it trying to get a quick promotion but the manager wont be the one signing the players, Jorge Mendes will. The manager will change every few months and eventually the new Chinese owners will lose interest.
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BlueMachines added 17:18 - Aug 1 Let's hope so!!
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