James Lovell, based at Compton for the last two years as a Prozone match analyst, gave an hour-long presentation on the measures the club now go to in order to learn more about both their own players and those of their opponents.

He explained that even every Championship club used Prozone or one of the alternatives to provide statistical data but that Wolves had re-invested at the start of this year to obtain the top level of service available.

"I take my lap-top to games and a match is recorded straight on to it," James said. "Ideally, we want no action replays because they use up space and we also prefer filming at wide angle, so the management team can see the whole picture. We have eight cameras round the pitch at Molineux, so we get the clean feed we want, but, from away games, you get what footage you're given.

"I can't have the lap-top in the dug-out but it's available at half-time and full-time to Mick and his staff. He might want to look back at a refereeing decision before he attends the press conference but it also helps with diagnosis and treatment to see how an injury might have been caused."

A recorded game is then sent to Prozone, who gather a wide range of statistics aimed largely at establishing players' fitness levels and contribution. Among the areas covered are not just the number of crosses, passes, tackles and efforts at goal but also a count-up of entries by individuals and teams into the last third of the field, or into the penalty area, and of the distance covered by players - even down to how much of it is sprinted, jogged, walked or made at a pace somewhere in
between. "Basically, it shows every player's 'events' in the game," James added.

Members were particularly interested in how the recording generated a computer-like graphic of player movement, so players' movements off the ball could be scrutinised.

Roger Fellows said: "The detail is absolutely unbelievable. Why do managers actually go to scout other games if this sort of service is available to them?" He was told that Prozone complimented 'scouting' work rather than replaced it. "You'll still see more by actually being present at a game," James added.

He also pointed out that the system's data told clubs where they were placed in the various fitness tables but didn't, because of confidentiality agreements, point out which clubs were above or below them.

But he gave an insight into how players responded to having their contributions analysed scientifically. "Being competitive, they want to know how they compare with their team-mates, so there is banter," he said. "Sometimes, a match is watched, especially at Academy level, by the lads on their own, so they can try to work out what improvements are needed before the coaches go through things with them. You'll often see the first-team players watching in groups of three or four - or maybe the defenders looking together.

"But the scope is very wide. Ronald Zubar asked before the Villa game for some clips and information on Ashley Young, so I got them for him. And Pat Mountain (the goalkeeper coach) always likes to get trends about how opposition players take penalties."

Chief Executive Jez Moxey said: It's invaluable because the camera doesn't lie - not eight of them anyway! We aim to get every last sinew of effort at optimum levels and this data helps determine what the following week's training programme will be. We're becoming more and more scientific in our approach but you can have brain overload, so the coaches pick and choose when and how they use the information and how much the players are able to absorb because some are more interested than others in the analytical approach. It would, however, be remiss of us not to use the system because all clubs are - it's just the way you use it that might give you an advantage."

Prozone, which Wolves can use right down to under-13 level, isn't the only expensive gadgetry on call at Molineux. The club also became the first in the country to use Xeatre, who provide a massive library of games elsewhere as well as helping produce Big Brother.

"It's mainly for looking at forthcoming opponents," James added. "In other words, who scores their goals and how, who provides the assists, what they do at set-pieces. This is mainly a job for Thursday and Friday before a weekend match.

Jez said scouts could look at games filmed abroad to monitor recommended targets and could order a package of action clips featuring an individual. "I'd rather not say how much it all costs but we're buying disks for storage, taking more people on in this area, etc."

And, on a topical note, he said the decision not to have video technology available to officials was a political issue, not a technical one, James having just told Peter Bagley that it took 'not long at all' to call back a piece of controversial action.

Georgina Savage asked if spontaneity was in danger of disappearing because of information overload. "It's the balance that's important," James added. "It's not an every-day, all-day thing. I don't know what thenext five or ten years will bring but I'm sure the analyst people will think of something!"

MATTERS CARRIED FORWARD

Anne Pearce said stewards still weren't enforcing the supposed moving-on of people who stood in front of disabled spectators during pre-match and half-time formalities and entertainment. Parliament Chairman Matt Grayson said: "The stewards are aware of it and trying to stay on top of it."

Head of Ticketing and Memberships, Lynne O'Reardon, told Richard Harries that his suggestion that fans booking away tickets on line for qualifying friends and family members could, from now, order up to six, rather than four - an example, Matt Grayson pointedout, of how the Parliament was achieving change.

FOOTBALL ISSUES

Jez Moxey responded to a question about Kevin Foley's whereabouts by saying he was coming back from 'a rather serious knee injury.' "But he has had a couple of reserve games," he said. "It's almost déjà vu after our last Premier League season. We lose both full-backs after a couple of games, Kevin Doyle has a hernia, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake pulls his hamstring in the first game, we also lose David Jones, who the stats show we won more games with last season than anybody else, and we're without Chris Iwelumo and Michael Kightly. Any team who loses those players, as Liverpool are finding out, is going to find life difficult."

John Meaney countered by saying the side performed better in those early-season weeks than now. "We were all pretty optimistic then but my optimism is going," he said. And Dave Bissell asked why no cover was signed in the summer for the wingers, who played in a position where they inevitably picked up injuries, either by being kicked or through their reliance on sprinting. Jez said Greg Halford provided some cover there, Andy Keogh could play wide on either side and Stephen Ward had experience playing on the left side of midfield. "Mick felt what we had would suffice," he summed up.

Richard Harries responded by saying, though: "The fact we had Jerome Thomas here on trial suggests we looked there, then Stephen Hunt went to Hull and Damien Duff to Fulham." Jez denied that Duff was a suitable target for Wolves because of his fee and age while the figures generallyquoted for Hunt's transfer from Reading were on the low side.

"We haven't got the Premier League experience we had hoped to get, that's undeniable," the Chief Executive added. "On Sunday, Birmingham looked much more suited to the Premier League than our young team but, having said that, we've always said there would be some really trying times in the best League in the world. Going eight games without a win is tough for young players who have been used to winning games, so it's incumbent on everyone, including you guys, to stay as upbeat as possible."

Dave Bezzina said he detected a lack of confidence against Birmingham and argued that it wasn't just about changing the team. Jez replied: "Let's not kid ourselves, this is a talent issue. In Arsenal and Chelsea, you're playing two of the best club sides in the world. The top teams are fabulous in every position. But you're right about the confidence problem."

James Fielden argued that not a lot was going to come points-wise before January because of the 'horrendous' run of games.

Chris Cox said the victory over Manchester United had been the highlight of Wolves' 2003-04 top-flight campaign and pointed to Burnley's results this season as a sign of what can be achieved. But he added: "What upset me was spending £150 for three of us at Chelsea and seeing the team not up and at it. I was embarrassed. There was no blood and guts. We're not fighting hard enough and we need to get it back into us as quickly as possible. I would have been happier losing 6-0 if we had given it everything."

John Meaney queried the decision to leave Kevin Doyle out at Chelsea and said he thought Chelsea would have assumed Wolves weren't up for it as a result. Jez said: "I think there were a number of factors behind that decision, including the emotional strain of the Republic of Ireland's defeat three nights earlier, Kevin not getting back until late on Thursday and the fact we had the Birmingham game in mind. Dave Bezzina supported Mick McCarthy on the matter by saying: "A lot of clubs didn't play their Irish players that day."

Robert Anslow said Chelsea fans had told him that Wolves weren't by any means the worst team they have seen. Jez agreed. "Offensively, we did okay. We had five good chances. It's nonsense to say we went accepting we would lose. I don't agree with that. We have even been accused of being a bit gung-ho and not putting ten men behind the ball."

Sally Hanbury said that some Birmingham-supporting friends had told her that their side's good run had been because they have had a settled team - something Wolves hadn't had. And Dave Bissell said: "It feels like it's the same errors each time and not necessarily that we're being outplayed."

Gerry Collins asked the 'top table' about the strength of character in the squad. "We didn't look like we wanted to play on Sunday," he said. "There's no Ince, Irwin, Rae - players of bite and leadership. Wigan lose nine at Spurs and then beat a good side like Sunderland." Matt Grayson said that a side didn't come back from two down to draw at Stoke without some sort of character. "It's a sweeping statement because we also led at Everton until just before the end and we came back to claim a point against Aston Villa."

Peter Bagley expressed reservations about the summer recruitment of players: "Of the £18m we're supposed to have spent, the biggest disappointment for me is that only two have improved us - Doyle and Zubar." Asked about January spending, Jez said: "It's not just about money, it's also about players wanting to come. That's a headache every promoted club have - trying to attract players to play in a team battling against relegation."

Mark Cadman asked how Steve Morgan was bearing up and Jez said: "Like all of us, he's having some sleepless nights because he's hugely passionate about Wolves." James Fielden asked whether he wanted to say something to the fans - like expressing the sentiment that 'we're all in this together.' Jez reminded the meeting: "He has said he won't be in the media all the time and I think that suits him well."

Mike Taylor said the decision to bring the touchlines in to make the pitch smaller had given the side no advantage. "Do the club regret doing it now?" he asked. Jez responded: "I don't think Mick regrets it but our home record this season, last season and the season before has not been that good. Molineux hasn't been too kind to us - that's one of the reasons why we're interested in a stadium redevelopment and having the stands closer to the players to help us generate the right atmosphere."

Anne Pearce, pointing out that Matt Murray hadn't had a run of games for years, asked how long clubs had to leave players on full wages, and was told by Jez: "We signed a contract - he got injured carrying out his duty for Wolves, so he gets paid. It's just a tragedy the bad luck he has had with injuries."

OTHER BUSINESS

To John Meaney's question about why Wolves had only 2,500 tickets for the League game at Manchester United and a lot more for the Carling Cup tie, Lynne O'Reardon explained the different rules in place: "Away clubs have to be given 15 per cent of the capacity for cup-ties but not in the League. We could have had 3,000 for when we go there this month but the extra few were priced at £51 and would not be sale-or-return. In the League, you have to pay for what you don't sell. For West Ham in the New Year, we can have either 1,500 or 3,000 guaranteed sale and it's a Sunday game on TV. We have to make that decision six weeks before the game, which is about now. These are clubs who know they could sell seats if our fans don't have them."

Martyn Edwards said his son had just turned 16 and a cup ticket for him at Old Trafford in the autumn carried a £42 tag. Martyn suggested the club should look at a young adult ticket to soften the jump of what he called the 'massive hike' for those reaching their late teens - maybe on a loyalty basis. Jez said: "It's not on the agenda because we feel the balance is just about right but ticket pricing is always at the forefront of our minds."

Lynne re-emphasised that Saturday's fixture against Bolton was a Family 4 game, which had virtually sold out in the Steve Bull Stand, so the offer was being extended elsewhere. Jez said it was a category B game but effectively a Premier League fixture at Championship prices. Chris Cox said Sunday lunchtime games should be category B anyway, regardless of the opposition, because of the difficulty many people had in attending them. Jez replied: "That's a good point." Lynne mentioned that it had to be kept in mind that summer season ticket holders had to have their value protected.

Martyn Edwards asked why Wolves had worn their change white strip at Chelsea recently. Matt Grayson said: "We have two kits and the fans who have bought the change one like to see it worn by the players on occasions - and there aren't many games where that is possible because of colour clashes." Laurence Westwood asked how the kit had sold and was told by Jez: "It has not been our most popular, but ok." Laurence said he knew a lot of people who would have bought it if it had had a black trim.

Martyn Edwards attended the recent reserve game against Fulham at Molineux and was surprised there was only one refreshment outlet open - a situation that resulted in a 'huge' queue. Jez said the matter had been noted.

Alan Gripton asked the meeting to consider, in his absence, whether the LED advertising boards were an unwelcome distraction to spectators. Jez said he liked the one Wolves had and believed that, if the development was good enough for Barcelona, it was good enough for Wolves. Martyn Edwards said Match of the Day (Gary Lineker) had picked up on the boards as being unwelcome.

Wilf Hadley asked about relocation charges for Young Wolves after a season ticket holder had been asked to pay £7 to move himself, a teenager and a five-year-old elsewhere in the stadium to take advantage of a free Young Wolves ticket. Lynne said that maybe it could be clearer in future. However, it was spelled out to fans at the time of joining that this charge was in place and it could often be avoided if they tried to switch as early as possible and were therefore able to find enough seats together in the stand they normally sat in. She said the complaint Wilf had made was an isolated one but agreed Wolves could perhaps make the clause more obvious.Both Jez and Lynne committed to reviewing whether a charge should be in place at all.

The meeting discussed whether a future session might include a visit from a Football Supporters Federation member after James Fielden and former Parliament member Barry Baker had said it would be a good idea. Muriel Bates reminded the meeting that the FSF were fighting for small terraced areas to be reintroduced in grounds but Jez said: "The idea of a meeting with them doesn't sit that well with me. The council were very pleased with the fans' response initially to our pleas for spectators to sit down (in the Jack Harris Stand) but some of the games since have not been very good in that there has been persistent standing. I've had a lot of letters from people supporting our view on it. I'm not sure what purpose a meeting would serve. It might be sending the wrong message to the people we're asking to sit down.

Dave Bezzina asked why the tickets for the games at Spurs and Manchester United went on sale on the same day. "Is there any chance of such events being staggered, then getting through would probably be easier and the pressure would be alleviated on the ticket office staff, who I have to say are excellent," he said. Georgina Savage remarked: "There were long queues (that day) as we left for Chelsea because people wanted to buy their match and coach tickets for Spurs and Man United. The coaches were a bit late leaving. Jez said there was no need for so many fans to be buying tickets so early and was told by Georgina that fans liked to get their travel arrangements sorted out quickly to ensure they sat on a coach of their choice: "We've spent so much time on ticket buying arrangements but if old habits die hard, you can't always win," he added.

Ryan Leister said, on some occassions, when ticketline phone lines were busy, the system let you go through and you were then being charged straightaway. "If you're doing that 20 or 30 times, it's expensive," he said. Lynne said: "This is the 0871 thing and I can't see it changing. You can't get an engaged tone on 0871. It's not unique to us. The people who operate the system see it as a service that you get a message of some sort.I will speak to our provider again."

Roger Fellows asked whether there had been any change in the contract with Radio WM because he felt the coverage of Wolves was dramatically worse than last season, with many away games switched to digital, which many people didn't have and which didn't offer the same range. "The BBC gave me a poor answer when I queried it," he said. Jez said nothing had changed in the contract and Matt said the club would speak to WM about it.

Les Hughes asked why there was no minute's silence for Remembrance Day last year but this time there was. Matt said the club wanted to hold an armed forces day this season due to the many fans they had in the services and it was convenient that there was a home game just before Remembrance Day. "We took a different stance after we listened to the view of The Fans Parliament last year and we are thrilled to have raised just over £24,000," he added.

Jez Moxey told Wilf Hadley that the only reason he had stopped doing the question-and-answer section in his programme column was because it was felt the idea had perhaps run its course for now. But he said he was prepared to do it if the demand was there and the club might well consider reintroducing it in the New Year.

The Chief Executive also promised to look at the provision of TVs in the Terrace Bar after Richard Harries said there were only 'two 17-year-old sets' in the room and therefore a poor view for many trying to watch the live lunchtime game before Saturday Wolves home matches.

The final point, raised by Wilf Hadley, was that of agents' fees - a matter that brought a strong reaction from Jez: "I think £70m is a ridiculous amount to be going out of the game but we've come in pretty well at trying to keep our bill under control," the Chief Executive said. We hear from agents that either we do this or they'll take their player elsewhere, and that is why clubs often pay agents to assist them. Agents wield £70m worth of power in our game! Although we fight hard against it, we have to work within the system to sign players but £1.235m is always a huge amount from this club to be going out of the gamein agents fees."