Steven Fletcher joins Wolves to become joint-record signing

Fletcher scored eight times for Burnley last season.

After a couple of weeks of speculation Wolves have sealed a deal for Burnley’s Steven Fletcher.

The fee is undisclosed as per club policy but it matches the amount paid for Kevin Doyle last summer. He has signed a four-year-deal with the option of a fifth year in Wolves’ favour.

I told you earlier that the deal was set to be completed tomorrow but obviously Sky were wrong and the deal had been completed when he Compton earlier this afternoon.

Here is a picture gallery of Fletcher who is pictured with Mick McCarthy.

I think it’s a great signing for Wolves, what do you think?

Steven Fletcher pictured at Compton and should complete deal on Friday

Fletcher has seven caps for Scotland, scoring one goal.

Sky Sports News sources understand that Steven Fletcher will have a medical at Wolves tonight before signing tomorrow.

Fletcher was pictured at Compton this afternoon and is set to complete his medical this evening.

It’s the striker who has been touted to come to Wolves all week and it now looks as though it’s finally going to happen.

A fee of around £7million has been banded around and Wolves look to have beaten off competition from Blackburn and Birmingham to sign the Scottish international.

Fletcher scored eight goals for Burnley last season.

Sky Sports News broke the news just after 2.30pm

Steven Fletcher in talks with Wolves

Wolves are in talks with Burnley’s striker Steven Fletcher. 

Sources confirmed to the Express & Star and SkySports.com today that the Scot is having discussions about a move to Molineux. 

Chief executive Jez Moxey claimed two weeks ago that Fletcher was not on Mick McCarthy’s hitlist. Moxey told the Express & Star at the time: “I know what I’m dealing with and he’s not one of them.” 

If the deal goes through then the fee is likely to be higher than the  £6.5million Wolves paid Reading for Kevin Doyle. 

Fletcher was Burnley’s top scorer last season with 12 goals.

Best and worst Wolves moments this season

I’ve looked back over the last nine months to pick out my best and worst five moments of the season.

Best moments of the season

1. Kevin Doyle’s winning goal at Spurs – Doyle headed in Nenad Milijas’ wide free-kick after only three minutes at White Hart Lane. Wolves held on for a further 91 minutes and recorded a famous victory in the capital. Jubilent!
2. Adlene Guedioura’s goal at Burnley – after already being a goal to the good thanks to Matt Jarvis, Guedioura struck a second just after half-time to seal a crucial win for Wolves in what was a huge six-pointer. Overjoyed! 
3. Andy Keogh’s header at Wigan – Keogh’s goal after six minutes handed Wolves their first win of the season and their first ever Premier League away victory. Buzzing!
4. Nenad Milijas’ screamer against Bolton – Miljas sealed the win against Bolton at Molineux with a rocket from 35 yards after Jody Craddock had put Wolves ahead. Astounded! 
5. Beating Spurs 1-0 at Molineux – Wolves completed the double over Tottenham thanks to a goal from midfielder Dave Jones. An 18-pass move resulted in Jones volleying home from 18 yards to send the Molineux faithful into raptures. Delighted!
6. Matt Jarvis‘ goal at West Ham – Another great night for Wolves in London was confirmed by Matt Jarvis’ sweet strike from the edge of the area. Glorious!

Worst moments of the season

1. Nicklas Bendtner’s stoppage-time header at the Emirates – After holding out for 93 minutes, Wolves’ resolve was finally broken at Bendtner headed home to give Arsenal a 1-0 victory. Gutted. 
2. Losing to Birmingham City thanks to one man: KEVIN PHILLIPS – Wolves led 1-0 thanks to Kevin Doyle. Then came on Wolves’ arch-enemy, Phillips. The former West Brom striker scored the winner ten minutes from time to give Blues the win. Wounder!
3. Losing to Portsmouth – Portsmouth had lost eight straight games before coming to Molineux in September. A single goal from Hassan Yebda seeled the points for the now relegated side. Devastated!
4. Wolves 0-0 Stoke – possibly the most boring game in the history of the Premier League. Enough said! Zzzzzz!
5. Getting thumped at Chelsea – Mick McCarthy opted for a 3-5-2 formation against the country’s best side at the time. Messrs Surman and Halford started and boy did they wish they didn’t. Chelsea 4-0 Wolves. Embarrassment!

Do you agree or disagree? What were your best and worst moments. Post your comments below.

Wolves seal crucial win over Burnley

Wolves now face trips to Aston Villa and West Ham.

Wolves opened up a three point gap between themselves and the relegation zone after beating Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor.

It was the game Wolves had to win and they did just that thanks to goals from Matt Jarvis and an own goal from Clarke Carlisle.

Wolves named an unchanged team for the fifth successive game and Burnley’s top scorer Steven Fletcher failed to recover in time.

Wolves’ opener came on 26 minutes. A poor backpass from Tyrone Mears was intercepted by winger Matt Jarvis who rounded Brian Jensen before slotting into an empty net. Time seemed to stop after Jarvis went round Jensen, Wolves fans couldn’t tell if he had run the ball out of play or whether the ref had blown his whistle because the other players stopped. Thankfully Jarvis converted!

Shortly after half time Wolves doubled their lead in front of their sell-out away following. Good work and a cross from Matt Jarvis ended up at Adlene Guedioura’s feet. His shot took a deflection off the outstretched leg of Clarke Carlisle and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

By now Danny Fox had been stretchered off and a crazy managerial decision from Brian Laws had the home fans fuming. At 0-2 he decided to take off key players Andre Bikey and Chris Eagles much to the displeasure of the Burnley fans.

Wolves held on despite a late onslaught and a goal from Steven Thompson to record a priceless victory in the fight for survival.

Mick McCarthy said: “It’s tightened it up again with West Ham and Wigan losing and it gives us more of a fighting chance, a bit of confidence. We’ve been playing well and I said if we keep playing that way our luck will change. I knew we would get a slice of good fortune by playing that way.”

Man of the match: Kevin Doyle – Doyler was top notch today. Ran the channels well and brought others into play. He was helped once Sylvan Ebanks-Blake came on. Bostin’!

Flop of the match: Brian Jensen – After getting booked early on for spearing Kevin Doyle the Dane never recovered and was flat footed for Wolves’ second goal.

Referee: Steve Bennett – a special mention for the Kent official who seemed to give the home side the best possible chance of getting back in the game after he gave a string of 50/50 decisions against Wolves. Thankfully the ‘homer’ didn’t cost Wolves the game. (5)

My verdict: This result could be pivotal in the race to beat the drop and after Hull surrendered all three points to Arsenal after conceding in the 93^rd minute it has been a great day for Wolves fans. We rode our luck at times today, but the win was probably just about deserved despite what the stats may show.

As for Burnley, they can do one as far as I’m concerned. There’s no place for a team in the Premier League who have wooden seats!

Next up for Wolves in the claret and blue trilogy is a tricky Midlands derby away to Aston Villa next Saturday (12.45pm).

See Mick McCarthy’s BBC interview here.

See Mick McCarthy’s Sky Sports interview here.

For a comprehensive match gallery click here.

New Nike match ball to be used in the Premier League

This is an alternative colourway of the ball currently used in the Premier League.

In a Premier League first, a new Nike matchball will be introduced for one matchday only.

The ‘Nike RED T90 Ascente’ will be used by teams in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A this weekend to back Nike’s Lace up save lives campaign raising awareness about AIDS.

See a close up picture of the ball here and Wolves’ players training with the new ball here.

In this video, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gives his opinion on the new ball.

My Verdict: All I can say is good effort by Nike but I can’t see many people buying one for £150 – even if the money is going to charity

*Picture courtesy of football shirt culture.