Wolves In Focus - The Rise, the Fall and the Portuguese Power
by Chris
Welcome to the sixth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
Mick McCarthy brought Wolves to the Premier League in 2009 after a fantastic promotion, with players such as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Jody Craddock headlining their team sheets. Their record signing was firstly the signing of Reading striker Kevin Doyle for £6.5m in 2009, then a £7m fee the following summer for Scotsman Steven Fletcher from relegated Burnley.
After a few solid seasons and victories against Liverpool and Chelsea saw them look positively towards the 2011/12 season with new signings Jamie O'Hara and highly rated Roger Johnson looking to impress at Molineux. The season was spiralling out of control until February when they appointed Terry Connor as manager to replace his former boss McCarthy. A promising 2-2 draw against Newcastle was followed by seven consecutive defeats and were condemned to definite relegation in April 2012, and Connor failed to lead his men to any victories, picking up 4 points from a possible 39. They finished 20th and Connor was relieved of his duties, or put out of his misery as it seems!
The new season brought new found optimism under Norwegian Stale Solbakken, who oversaw the use of the foreign market to bring in Bakary Sako, Bjorn Sigurdason, Razak Boukari and Tongo Doumbia among others, with former key players Matt Jarvis, Steven Fletcher and Michael Kightly remaining in the Premier League with other clubs. Although they failed to record victory on the opening day, a 1-0 away defeat to Leeds United, they followed this with a victory against Barnsley, a draw against Derby and a defeat against Cardiff. But then 5 wins in 6 renewed optimism again amongst the Wolves faithful, but they then had to wait 9 for their next victory. This inconsistency led to the sacking of Solbakken and the hiring of the then Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders on the 7th January 2013 to guide them up the table. They then sat 6 points clear of the relegation zone in 18th place, and within 4 months they slumped to second bottom and down to League One for the first time since 1989.
So Kenny Jackett was the 5th manager in 12 months to take the reigns at Molineux, immediately selling and releasing key players Ebanks-Blake, Hunt and Berra. The signings of Nouha Dicko, Michael Jacobs and Kevin McDonald all aided the Wolves in a dominating season of the third tier. The first half of the season brought the attention of Celtic to Leigh Griffiths, who they parted £2m to sign in 2014 after scoring 13 goals for Wolves in that half season. They finished 11 points clear of Brentford with Rotherham being the other team to be promoted to the second tier.
2014/15 was a season for good cheer for Wolves, although it ended in heartbreak after finishing outside the top six on goal difference. A key figure was the £2m signing of Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe, who impressed at MK Dons earlier that season, he hit 13 in 21 matches and attracted summer interest the following summer. The season ended in heartbreak but ultimately it was continual growth after a season in the League below to come up and challenge is a certain achievement.
Positivity was about Molineux again after a very competent season and this was strengthened by signings of Jed Wallace, Conor Coady and Nathan Byrne. Ultimately it was a season of unrest and poor quality football for Jackett's men. Controversy of the sale of Benik Afobe to Bournemouth after he or "any other of Wolves's first team attackers" would "not be sold" according to former chairman Steve Morgan OBE. This potentially may have been a factor in his resignation and putting the club up for sale, eventually being bought by rich Chinese owners Fosun International and the beginning of a new era.
Big money and a new man in charge at Molineux, once again optimism has renewed amongst Wolverhampton supporters. The signings of Portuguese talents Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro under the noses of bigger European clubs got the fans pinching themselves as Walter Zenga eyed promotion going in to the opening day at the New York Stadium against Rotherham.
Instead, Wolves's season was brought back down to the ground, with a lot of dodgy rumours surrounding the manager and attitudes surrounding the squad. This led to the hiring of Paul Lambert, who did lead them to the fifth round of the FA Cup and a memorable win at Anfield, for me, for different reasons than those in Gold and Black! But a finish in 15th and an uninspiring season ended in the departure of Paul Lambert, and once again a new start for Wolves.
So who would be the new man to take the helm at Molineux? Knowing the Fosun relations with agent Jorge Mendes, who has on his books some of the super young Portuguese talents which have come the way of Wolverhampton, they thought they could pull off the appointment of a well recognised young Portuguese coach to bring Champions League experience to the Championship. This man, Nuno Espirito Santo, was appointed on 31 May of this year. Intrigue surrounded the appointment and how the Wolves would fare under another foreign manager. So far, they have been a delight. New signings Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini have given the attack another dimension, the solid defensive additions of Willy Boly and John Ruddy have been successful, but in particular the full back Barry Douglas from Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor. Although beginning his professional career in his native Scotland with Queens Park and Dundee United, the full back has moved across Europe to Lech Poznan in Poland, then to Turkey. The astounding thing about him is not only his work rate in the wing back role but his assist count is only bettered by Barrie McKay of Nottingham Forest, and the lad is a wing back! His crossing and delivery from corners is up there with the best in the Championship and he certainly would look at home in the Premier League. Another is Portuguese wonderkid Ruben Neves in defensive midfield. He is just a class above any other and it is clear to see that he has captained a Champions League team by the composure and coolness he always shows on the ball. They have aided Wolves's charge to the top of the league by 4 points from surprise package Cardiff City. Will they lift the title? It remains to be seen, so much can happen in 26 games and in that league, anyone can beat anyone. For me, they will definitely reach the Premier League next season. Whether that will be via automatic promotion or the playoffs, I think the men in gold have a serious chance of not only reaching the Premier League, but succeeding in it.
Thank you for reading the Sporting Lowdown! Be sure to check out the previous blogs and the future ones and I am happy for any criticism or feedback! Thank you!
Chris :)
Welcome to the sixth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
Mick McCarthy brought Wolves to the Premier League in 2009 after a fantastic promotion, with players such as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Jody Craddock headlining their team sheets. Their record signing was firstly the signing of Reading striker Kevin Doyle for £6.5m in 2009, then a £7m fee the following summer for Scotsman Steven Fletcher from relegated Burnley.
After a few solid seasons and victories against Liverpool and Chelsea saw them look positively towards the 2011/12 season with new signings Jamie O'Hara and highly rated Roger Johnson looking to impress at Molineux. The season was spiralling out of control until February when they appointed Terry Connor as manager to replace his former boss McCarthy. A promising 2-2 draw against Newcastle was followed by seven consecutive defeats and were condemned to definite relegation in April 2012, and Connor failed to lead his men to any victories, picking up 4 points from a possible 39. They finished 20th and Connor was relieved of his duties, or put out of his misery as it seems!
The new season brought new found optimism under Norwegian Stale Solbakken, who oversaw the use of the foreign market to bring in Bakary Sako, Bjorn Sigurdason, Razak Boukari and Tongo Doumbia among others, with former key players Matt Jarvis, Steven Fletcher and Michael Kightly remaining in the Premier League with other clubs. Although they failed to record victory on the opening day, a 1-0 away defeat to Leeds United, they followed this with a victory against Barnsley, a draw against Derby and a defeat against Cardiff. But then 5 wins in 6 renewed optimism again amongst the Wolves faithful, but they then had to wait 9 for their next victory. This inconsistency led to the sacking of Solbakken and the hiring of the then Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders on the 7th January 2013 to guide them up the table. They then sat 6 points clear of the relegation zone in 18th place, and within 4 months they slumped to second bottom and down to League One for the first time since 1989.
So Kenny Jackett was the 5th manager in 12 months to take the reigns at Molineux, immediately selling and releasing key players Ebanks-Blake, Hunt and Berra. The signings of Nouha Dicko, Michael Jacobs and Kevin McDonald all aided the Wolves in a dominating season of the third tier. The first half of the season brought the attention of Celtic to Leigh Griffiths, who they parted £2m to sign in 2014 after scoring 13 goals for Wolves in that half season. They finished 11 points clear of Brentford with Rotherham being the other team to be promoted to the second tier.
2014/15 was a season for good cheer for Wolves, although it ended in heartbreak after finishing outside the top six on goal difference. A key figure was the £2m signing of Arsenal youngster Benik Afobe, who impressed at MK Dons earlier that season, he hit 13 in 21 matches and attracted summer interest the following summer. The season ended in heartbreak but ultimately it was continual growth after a season in the League below to come up and challenge is a certain achievement.
Positivity was about Molineux again after a very competent season and this was strengthened by signings of Jed Wallace, Conor Coady and Nathan Byrne. Ultimately it was a season of unrest and poor quality football for Jackett's men. Controversy of the sale of Benik Afobe to Bournemouth after he or "any other of Wolves's first team attackers" would "not be sold" according to former chairman Steve Morgan OBE. This potentially may have been a factor in his resignation and putting the club up for sale, eventually being bought by rich Chinese owners Fosun International and the beginning of a new era.
Big money and a new man in charge at Molineux, once again optimism has renewed amongst Wolverhampton supporters. The signings of Portuguese talents Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro under the noses of bigger European clubs got the fans pinching themselves as Walter Zenga eyed promotion going in to the opening day at the New York Stadium against Rotherham.
Instead, Wolves's season was brought back down to the ground, with a lot of dodgy rumours surrounding the manager and attitudes surrounding the squad. This led to the hiring of Paul Lambert, who did lead them to the fifth round of the FA Cup and a memorable win at Anfield, for me, for different reasons than those in Gold and Black! But a finish in 15th and an uninspiring season ended in the departure of Paul Lambert, and once again a new start for Wolves.
So who would be the new man to take the helm at Molineux? Knowing the Fosun relations with agent Jorge Mendes, who has on his books some of the super young Portuguese talents which have come the way of Wolverhampton, they thought they could pull off the appointment of a well recognised young Portuguese coach to bring Champions League experience to the Championship. This man, Nuno Espirito Santo, was appointed on 31 May of this year. Intrigue surrounded the appointment and how the Wolves would fare under another foreign manager. So far, they have been a delight. New signings Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini have given the attack another dimension, the solid defensive additions of Willy Boly and John Ruddy have been successful, but in particular the full back Barry Douglas from Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor. Although beginning his professional career in his native Scotland with Queens Park and Dundee United, the full back has moved across Europe to Lech Poznan in Poland, then to Turkey. The astounding thing about him is not only his work rate in the wing back role but his assist count is only bettered by Barrie McKay of Nottingham Forest, and the lad is a wing back! His crossing and delivery from corners is up there with the best in the Championship and he certainly would look at home in the Premier League. Another is Portuguese wonderkid Ruben Neves in defensive midfield. He is just a class above any other and it is clear to see that he has captained a Champions League team by the composure and coolness he always shows on the ball. They have aided Wolves's charge to the top of the league by 4 points from surprise package Cardiff City. Will they lift the title? It remains to be seen, so much can happen in 26 games and in that league, anyone can beat anyone. For me, they will definitely reach the Premier League next season. Whether that will be via automatic promotion or the playoffs, I think the men in gold have a serious chance of not only reaching the Premier League, but succeeding in it.
Thank you for reading the Sporting Lowdown! Be sure to check out the previous blogs and the future ones and I am happy for any criticism or feedback! Thank you!
Chris :)
Nice summary Chris of the last few years at Molineux, made good reading on the way back from watching Liverpool demolish Spartak Moscow. Jonny
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Jonny I'm glad you enjoyed ☺
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