Mick McCarthy has been appointed the new Wolves manager, and I know that before you make up your mind, you’re all burning to hear my pronouncements on the issue.  On the whole, I must say, I’m delighted.  Bearing in mind his experiences at Sunderland, he has just the record Wolves need; for playing to the strengths of his squad and gaining promotion without a massive budget to play with.  The contrast in personal style (and I don’t just mean dress sense) with Hoddle will be massive, and, I think, a change for the better.  Again considering his record at Sunderland, however, perhaps we’ll want to reconsider the position if we do get promoted.  McCarthy will have as good a shot as anyone at gaining promotion, possibly not this year, looking at the rather lean squad, then maybe the next.  Although the number 8, 10 and 11 shirts are still available in the squad, and, with a few judicious signings, everything might look very different in a couple of weeks time.

In some ways I would like to see Paul Ince get the job, as he could have done a great job motivating the players (although potentially arguing with a lot of them too) and would have the passion to go out to win games.  But at this stage it would have been too big a risk.  We simply don’t know enough.  He may go elsewhere and prove to have everything it takes to make a great manager.  But there’s a equal chance he won’t.  I’d like to see him given a coaching job at the club, though, to learn more about that side of the game, and then who knows what will happen in the future…

Finally, and perhaps the biggest question of all: Will Mick McCarthy agree to have his likeness knitted into a scarf?  Perhaps I should write to the club, or maybe to the man himself, to make them aware how important that would be.