How hungry are Wolves this season?

Take a glance at the top of Premier League table after the opening three games of the season and you’ll see that it already has a familiar appearance…with one exception. Unbeaten interlopers Wolves are currently occupying fifth spot, rubbing shoulders with the giants of the English game.

Okay, it’s very early days and the opposition they have encountered thus far (Blackburn, Fulham and Villa) may hardly be considered the toughest tests of Wolves credentials. That said, there is a buoyant mood around Molinuex these days. Having been fifteen minutes from falling through the relegation trap door back in May, there is a steely determination not to re-visit such territory this season.

I met up with a good friend of mine over the summer who has been a season ticket holder for many years. He usually doesn’t “do” hopeful when it comes to his beloved team’s chances. However, on this occasion he found it hard to suppress a feeling of optimism about the 2011/12 campaign and the long term future of the club.

In arch-pragmatist Mick McCarthy, Wolves have a manager who will be keen to keep the collective feet of players and supporters firmly grounded. The plain-speaking Yorkshireman has already impressed upon all concerned that 35 games remain and there should be no room for complacency. McCarthy has been a wily operator on the transfer market and has assembled a solid squad that ought to be more than capable of avoiding another relegation scrap. In fact, with one or two more additions to bolster their attacking options, an assault on the top half of the table is a real possibility.

The starting block for any improvement in fortunes will be solidity at the back. Last season only relegated Blackpool and West Ham and neighbours West Brom conceded more goals than Wolves. To remedy this problem, Roger Johnson has arrived from Birmingham City. He is a tenacious and spirited centre half, prepared to put his body on the line and play through the pain barrier. Johnson is also a very good communicator who will help to organize a young defence. Meanwhile Wayne Hennessey is emerging as one of the top flight’s best young keepers, whilst the likes of Christophe Berra, Richard Stearman and Stephen Ward have all shown promise and will benefit from Johnson’s experience.

Wolves midfield already has a potent blend of youth and experience. Stephen Hunt offers a busy effervescence combined with good technique and the ability to deliver dangerous set-pieces. In Matt Jarvis, Wolves had their first senior England representative since Steve Bull when he came off the bench in the friendly against Ghana last season. He terrified full-backs with his direct style and pace and was crowned as Player of the Year for the club by fans and the squad. Karl Henry provides steel and determination whilst Jamie O’Hara proved to be a shrewd acquisition and added some dynamism in the middle of the park.

Injury and illness plagued Wolves front-line last season but, on their day, Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher have the ability to bag plenty of goals in tandem. However, if they spend further time on the treatment table, Wolves are limited in their options. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is beginning to find his feet at this level but the signing of another striker would not go amiss.

A push towards mid-table and beyond will require Wolves to sort out their away form quickly. Last season, they accrued a meagre twelve points away from Molinuex and suffered more defeats on the road than any other Premier League outfit.

Off the pitch, Chief Executive Jez Moxey is well respected in the game and the Board have provided stability and methodical investment to develop the stadium and facilities. On the pitch, the team now seem ready to step up a level and firmly establish Wolves within the division. The future’s bright, the future’s old gold.

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