Wolves Banter

14 May 2024 07:39:22
{Ed's Note - gdog55 has posted a new article entitled, Current State of Glasgow Rangers

13 May 2024 13:17:05
Abbey : Might just be coincidence but they did sell Grasshoppers to LAFC, as for Fosun, what’s wrong with Mr Guangchang or Jeff Shi actually telling the fans what’s going on, what’s stopping them investing in their investment, we don’t know if the Chinese Government are restricting them in any way, shape or form, Wolves fans can’t keep making excuses for the owners of our Club based on absolutely nothing at all, someone has to take responsibility for all the poor transfer dealings which left us with a squad so short of quality the main reason relegation was avoided was the three promoted Clubs couldn’t compete and a couple of others fell foul of FFP /P&S or whatever it’s called this week. Next season could a team or two starting on minus points so at least we won’t be bottom on the opening day.

13 May 2024 13:42:40
So you want Fosun to apologise year after year for the same mistakes?

Which poor signings do you want them to apologise for? Silva? Guedes? Miranda?.

None of the poor signings affected us this season as they didn't play (yes granted Silva played a few times).

Over the last 2 seasons, who are the poor signings other than Guedes that needs answering for?

Lemina? Gomes? Sarabia? Hwang? Or Cunha?

Do Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal owners come out and tell the club about how they intend to invest?

I get you're frustrated but to blame the owners is just the simple way out.

13 May 2024 14:01:04
Hi everan, didn't know about grasshoppers, interesting.
Re Shi, I had tried to add a post below stating shi keeps quiet and explained that before as him not being mis-read, but that silence gives rise to him being mis-read and hence being the whipping boy.
We talk of the 'poor dealings' whilst over looking the good ones, Jota neves MGW and Cody all bringing much needed cash. Other acquisitions like mouts boly seiss patricio giving us the best team we've had in decades.
Maybe we've become complacent in our expectations since Nunos rise and success and not accepting of the obvious unexpected events of covid FFP etc.
Fosun may not be allowed to be public regarding Chinese trading and investments, that's not my area of concern. But they sprang into action when Lage didn't work out and securing lopetegui offered hope, he jacked at the last minute and GONs arrival surprised many of us. What he's done as been amazing, and fair comment the bottom three struggled with forest and Everton also deducted points. But, we are still in the prem, and could have been higher towards Euro qualification but for VAR and injuries.
So where do Fosun want to go now?
Stabilise a mid table team?or push on? Or in the current financial position sell up?
As I said before Hobbs GON and Shi will be having some interesting talks. I think the summer will be a critical point for Wolverhampton wanderers.

13 May 2024 15:11:27
Hi all. I wasn't expecting anything at the beginning of the season when we got left in the lurch except a long struggle, but Gon worked wonders. I agree if it hadn't been for the sparse squad and VAR cock ups we would have been in a euro position. So, Fosun, who could spend a little cash this summer without selling out best players. I think the 'fair play' rules are not fair because Big clubs are getting away with murder and run rings around officials. Great as it is to be the best and richest league in the world, but the money is spoiling the game.

13 May 2024 17:59:08
I think people know about Premier League spending restrictions.

13 May 2024 18:24:55
Yep sarabia is garbage and hwang is back to his garbage norm after the asia cup.lemina has been good until the coventry game and garbage since along with every1else and gomes will be sold for a big profit.cunha is proving his worth tho. but can't see anyway fwd with this squad when every1 on the bench is either garbage or15-18yrs old. wer asking for trouble lingterm and if u can't see that.WAKE UP

13 May 2024 19:47:48
How about you wake up Bux and stop being so negative, it's not good for you mate.

13 May 2024 21:52:39
I really can't understand all this negativity. 5-6 weeks ago we were quarter finals FA cup and pushing for a European spot. Who would have said that at the start of the season? Well certainly none of the experts or pundits as we were strong relegation candidates and we passed that many weeks ago. We've been on a terrible run due in short to our squad size with the injury list it really is that simple. Players utilised out of position because we only have kids on the bench and even when our injured senior players come back it takes weeks for them to get match fit and pick up with they left off. Combine this with these Asia and African cups, we've actually done reasonably ok, the limited squad has just caught up with us. What Wolves did last summer releasing Raul, Moutinio, Neves, Nunes, Traore etc was great. Many of these were great, but either had lost form, didn't really want to be at Wolves, or their wage demands were too high. I exclude Neves in all of this, but we needed to sell to avoid FFP. We need 3-4 quality additions and we have a team capable of competing with the higher teams in this league and we are in a much better position than many teams for next season. Let's see what the summer brings but I'm optimistic Fosun will support GON to build and grow this squad.

13 May 2024 22:22:55
Bux you said pretty much the EXACT same thing in 2022, garbage team, going to struggle yada yada! I've asked before but yet to EVER get an answer, who do you actually rate that's played for our club in the last five years?! Feels like your going for a broken clock approach sooner or later you'll be right and we will struggle. At that point I imagine you'll be delighted to FINALLY be correct?! They call us 'supporters' for a reason ya know?! 🤣

12 May 2024 19:08:26
Time has come forson have no love for our club gon not for me. Rob Edwards miles better tickets going up ok if on new players or ground.

12 May 2024 19:35:29
123 fosun have got us where we are, we should never forget that. Gon has done wonders, beyond our expectations, this first year with a small squad continuously riddled with injury.and whilst Edwards has worked amazingly for Luton I don't think we can compare like for like.
I don't know if this is true and I'm sure someone will, but I believe China has placed certain restrictions on their companies with overseas investments . This could be why Fosun are somewhat reticent to spend at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised if they sold up. Who would buy I don't know. Then again Fosun have always been keen to get the global market going and our pre season in the USA will hopefully bolster those ends.

12 May 2024 20:35:52
Recently out and about shopping car wash pubs chatting to locals (Wednesfield) fair few said the same they won't go down the match until fosun start buying players.

12 May 2024 20:37:56
123 wake up and smell the coffee. Abbey is bang on. I remember years in the lower leagues, Fosun have done us proud. Don't forget they are bound by FFP.

12 May 2024 20:41:58
I've seen speculation on X a Middle East and USA duo are interested but the asking price has put them off, key word "speculation" as I feel that's all it is tbh.

12 May 2024 21:42:45
I wonder wether there are many people on here who remember the dark days of the old fourth division . We are a much better run club than then and we should always be respectful of that . I love my team but we will never be a top six side unless there are a few seismic earthquakes . Get behind the boys and shrug off the negativity. Next year could be amazing it terrible . Let's see what happens before writing us off .

12 May 2024 22:37:47
We've had the longest sustained run in the top tier since 77-82.

13 May 2024 06:15:46
For me, the only disappointing aspect to Mr Guangchang and his two co-owners is the retention of Shi.he is the issue restricting our development.

13 May 2024 09:40:13
Rugeley, you keep banging on about Jeff Shi. Can you please explain how he is restricting our development and how it could be done differently.

Multi Billion pound companies do not keep someone in post for 8 years if they didn't know what they were doing.

13 May 2024 10:36:31
Shi is like Jez moxey was, the front man for the main man and can only advise

13 May 2024 12:58:40
The current run of poor results has been, in large part, to the injuries to key first team players, Neto, Cunha, Hwang, Ait Nouri etc. Considering the probable interest in these players from certain teams we could be in the situation of starting next season with a far less competitive squad than we have now. Sure, the money can be reinvested but will we get comparable quality. If not we could be struggling. Fosun need to understand that we really don't need to be a feeder club, keep our best and add some extra quality.

13 May 2024 13:10:58
Hi Jas, during the time we have debated the CEO, I have provided reasoned evidence. No point going over old ground.
However to your comment "Multi Billion pound companies do not keep someone in post for 8 years if they didn't know what they were doing"
I would just table some observations
1. Financials
- Fosun as a conglomerate, turn over roughly £2billion pa
- Wolves turnover is circa £200million
So we only a small part of the overall business
2. People development
- I worked for a bigger successful UK Global Business, so have
a reasonable idea how sizable businesses manage their
senior people.
- A first step in to General Management is usually with a small
member company. So limited risk to the parent company.
- Their performance would be assessed over a 2/3 year period.
If they showed promise, they would go on to manage a bigger
business. If not they would invited to leave.
Now to your very well made point, Shi has been running a tiny Fosun business for nearly 8 years.
He clearly isn't seen as development material. So he is left at Wolves where he can cause no real harm to the bigger business.
THAT is the issue I have, we are stuck with a CEO who is not rated by his superiors, but leaving him with us may be OK for Fosun the conglomerate, but not for our beloved Club!

13 May 2024 13:59:36
Can you clarify where Shi fits into your below quote if he is not performing

'Their performance would be assessed over a 2/3 year period.
If they showed promise, they would go on to manage a bigger
business. If not they would invited to leave'.

I only ask because as Shi has been doing so poorly, that he is no longer the CEO but has been promoted to Club chairman with more responsibility.

So again, if you could please explain how Fosun and Shi can do better, that would be a great help because as you say, you have worked for Global Company and would be in a better position to answer.

All I can see is that when Fosun bought us in 2016, we were languishing in Mid Table of the Championship and under their stewardship have been promoted to the Premier League, remained there for 6 seasons, got into a European competition and an FA Cup Semi Final. We have welcomed in some established International stars.

If this is Fosun running the club ineffectively, then I hope the next 10 years are the same.

All you concentrate of are the negatives of Fosuns reign. Why do you refuse to champion the signings of:

Patricio, Boly, Saiss, AIT, Neves, Moutinho, Jimenez, Adama, Nunes, Neto, Jota, Cunha, etc.

13 May 2024 14:57:31
Jas, a few things to correct:
1. I have always supported Mr Guangchang against the Fosun detractors.
2. I worked for a UK Company, biggest in its Sector and I tried to explain how they managed career development. Not all companies will use the same model. Fosun clearly do things differently with regards to Shi

13 May 2024 15:13:16
Sorry Jas pushed the 'send' button too quickly.
Fosun and Mendes set Wolves up brilliantly, it is what has happened since Dalrymple was sacked and Shi took direct control.
In terms of the future, I would like them to consider:
1. Ease our capital restrictions by bringing in Investors as stated
2. If they need to keep Shi, we should have an experienced, successful Commercial Director appointed
3. Tie Hobbs and O'Neil to better Contracts
4. Train Shi to communicate better with the media and fans
Not rocket science. All good businesses small or large have clear Strategies which are clearly communicated both with staff and the outside world.
For me, the simple things are not being done, so as I am sure you would agree, as you have said several times it is the CEO who takes responsibility for all aspects of his busines, good or bad.

13 May 2024 16:16:49
You're right. The communication from the club to fans has been poor since Darylmple left.

But would you still have Darylmple at the club knowing that he's good at communicating to the fans about all aspects of the club (fact) all whilst allegedly siphoning money out of the club to line his pockets, hence why he was placed on gardening leave before being advised to resign.

13 May 2024 17:44:16
Jas, that is quite a claim. I had not heard that. All I know he is now running one of the top Rugby Union Clubs very successfully.
Anyway, a decent high level commercial head desperately needed by Wolves to help ensure the right level of transfer funds available.
Summer well and let us hope we both will be pleased with how things shape up in the coming weeks.

13 May 2024 18:08:28
That was the rumour going around at the time.

I think Jeff Shi took on too much hence why initially he brought in Scott Sellars and now Matt Hobbs.

As far as I'm aware, Hobbs overseas the football side of things and Shi looks after the commercial side.

12 May 2024 13:50:57
So Gary O'Neil is to meet with Jeff Shi and Matt Hobbs after next week's game against Liverpool to discuss transfer strategy over the summer.

O'Neil has said he doesn't know how much money, if any, will be available so the meeting will discuss current financial situation and to see the plan of action.

I really hope we don't face a summer like last year.

12 May 2024 14:13:10
If Fosun don't invest I do think there will be uproar fans will only be patient for so long.

12 May 2024 14:51:51
Jas, I seem to remember the same last year with Lopetequi and he was told there would be funds, but not much and Lopetequi reluctantly agreed to the lower budget.
Then at the next meeting, he was told, oh, actually I meant no money.
As any other decent manager, he said he couldn't work with that type of person.
Let's hope for better this year.

12 May 2024 16:56:11
Thanks for the insight Rugeley. There was me thinking it was down to complying with FFP rules to avoid a points deduction which of course Lopetigue was totally unaware of

12 May 2024 17:14:37
It was the 2 stories 47. Hobbs and Lopetequi then worked to a Plan B with cheaper targets.
Presented that second budget and then were told all that work was a waste of time.
A dishonorable man, ask Santo!
No, Shi got us in to the FFP situation with buys like Silva. Guedes and the others you know about.
Only one person to blame.

12 May 2024 18:27:44
Sorry but still don’t get it. If Wolves were on the brink of going over FFP limits then the so called plan B couldn’t happen could it? To refer to Jeff Shi as a dishonourable man is over the top in my opinion. Don’t think we’ll ever know for sure what went on behind closed doors.

12 May 2024 18:37:32
Rugeley, you've made your feelings about Shi clear. But as you pointed our a few weeks ago, Hobbs is running show now so if last summer we sold the prized assets to rectify the mistakes of Shis mismanagement, what do you blame for this season if there is no money available baring in mind that the Silva purchase is no longer relevant as its outside of the FFP period.

12 May 2024 20:32:29
Just think there’s some PR work going on at present ahead of JL’s move to West Ham in order to try and justify his walk out on Wolves two weeks before the season. I don’t believe a word of it and believe he lacks integrity. If you recall even the Sevilla chairman had harsh words about him after he joined Wolves. I also believe it’s so easy for some to make Jeff Shi the scapegoat.

12 May 2024 07:39:28
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Evaluating Potential Manchester United Managers