Opposition View: Wolverhampton Wanderers
What a time to be a Wolverhampton Wanderers fans. The Old Gold are making a mockery out of any pundits who predicted a year of struggle as a result of season season syndrome or the rigours of Europa League football and are well on course for another top seven finish.
Their good form domestically has been matched by even more impressive form on the continent. Wolves have already guaranteed their place in the knockout stages of Europe’s second tier competition, which could mean one of the giants of world football making the journey to Molineux.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? But despite their flying form, Wolves will head to the Amex with a little trepidation in their step. Why? Because for reasons nobody seems to understand, Brighton have been something of a bogey team to Wolves over the years.
Can Nuno lead his side to a rare victory over Brighton on Sunday? And just how much fun is watching your team win in Italy and Portugal? Tom Baugh from Wolves Blog gave us some answers.
Last season wasn’t a bad first campaign back in the Premier League. How are you enjoying your European adventures so far in 2019-20?
The Europa League games have been amazing. I can understand why teams like Arsenal and Manchester United don’t have the appetite for the competition when they’ve grown used to the Champions League but for us nobodies, seeing Wolves playing (and winning) in Italy, Turkey and Portgual has a magical feel that you can’t replicate domestically. We’re through to the knockout stages now so could end up welcoming a real heavyweight club to Molineux. Exciting times.
A lot of pundits wondered if you’d be hit by a second season syndrome or the grind that comes with playing Thursday-Sunday, or even both. Yet you’re up there again challenging for the top six. What’s the secret?
Good players, a good coach and a well-established system. We’ve got one of the smallest squads in the Premier League but everyone knows their job, we’re super organised and as such very difficult to beat. That gives you the platform to consistently pick up points.
What are your expectations for this campaign?
I’m not being overly ambitious so a top-half finish in the Premier League and a good run in the Europa League (which we’ve already sort of achieved) would be enough for me. That said, if we can bring European football back to Molineux again next season it would be an impressive achievement.
Nuno has been heavily linked with Arsenal following Unai Emery’s sacking. Is there a danger he could be lured away in the near-future by either the Gunners or someone else?
There’s always a danger. I think he’s a very good coach and probably just what Arsenal need in terms of his defensive organisation. If they actually want him he’d have a big decision to make but I retain confidence what we’re building under this ownership is worth hanging around for a while longer yet.
Who have been your star performers so far this season? Any players who have disappointed?
Too many to name all of them. Raul Jimenez has been incredible yet again. Joao Moutinho somehow gets even better. Matt Doherty is well into his stride after an injury early in the season and is a continual threat going forwards. Adama Traore has improved immeasurably. The major disappointment has probably been our summer recruitment. We signed Patrick Cutrone, a forward from AC Milan for big money and Jesus Vallejo, a defender from Real Madrid on loan but neither have come close to living up to the hype. There’s time for Cutrone, but Vallejo will probably go back to Spain in January.
What did you make of our two games last season? The Albion picked up four points as we continued our strange and inexplicable hold on the fixture
I know, you’re definitely the bogey side for Wolves. I don’t remember the game at your place that well aside from Glenn Murray’s goal, but I think I felt disappointed we didn’t get a point on the overall balance of play. Maty Ryan made some saves and I think there was a penalty we might have been given. At Molineux you were desperate for a point at the back end of the season and defended manfully the entire game. We couldn’t get through. Here’s an interesting fact – Wolves didn’t concede a single foul in that game.
What weaknesses could Graham Potter look to exploit on Sunday at the Amex?
I think we’re vulnerable from set-pieces. We lost big Willy Boly to a long term injury and miss his height in both penalty areas. We defend zonally which helps but I always worry that two good centre halves attacking corners will eventually find us out.
Based on what you’ve seen so far this season, who’s going down, who’s winning the league and who will be the top four?
Very tough to know who will go down, as I don’t think any teams are completely hopeless. Watford look like they’re in serious trouble, but that group of players could still produce a run of results. Norwich, Southampton, Newcastle and possibly – don’t shoot me – Brighton are others I could see slugging it out come May. I’ll go for Watford, Norwich and Southampton though. Liverpool will win the league. Man City, Leicester and Spurs to make up the top four.
Finally, a prediction please?
1-1. I’m hoping we can score a rare win against Brighton in the home game later in the season but a point would suffice this time. Best of luck for the remainder of the season guys.
Thanks to Tom for answering our questions – and best of luck to Wolves too for the rest of the season. You can follow their adventures in Europe on the excellent Wolves Blog as well as following Wolves Blog on Twitter.
