End of season win offers hope to Wolves faithful

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 v Preston North End 0

When in February of last year Wolves entertained Preston I concluded my piece with the following sign off “The Club is up for sale with an owner who has lost heart. Until that issue is settled Wolves are going nowhere”.

Only four weeks ago I repeated the phrase “Wolves are going nowhere” when they were thoroughly outplayed by Brighton. A lot, of course, has happened in the intervening fourteen months, not much of it very good. Steve Morgan would probably disagree, his sale of the club in June to the Chinese firm Fosun, at last providing the escape route that he had so long desired. As for the Wolves faithful here, finally, was the solution to a perceived lack of investment in the team.

Within days of Fosun’s arrival out went the unloved CEO Jez Moxey together with the respected coach Kenny Jackett. Given all that has happened since Jackett’s departure you could argue that he got a bad rap. Closer analysis of his record would conclude that he did well in his first two seasons in charge restoring Wolves to the Championship, following a season in Division Three. And then, once back in the Second Division, coming within a gnat’s whisker of securing a birth in the play-offs. But in his third season, Wolves flatlined, adversely affected by the departure of Bakary Sako and a misfiring Nouha Dickho. Neither failing was addressed Jackett further blotting his cause with odd team selections . Top of the list was the way he managed Joe Mason. Bought in the January transfer window as a goalscorer, during the short playing time that he was given following his arrival, he looked like a decent prospect. Yet for much of what remained of the season Jackett preferred to keep him blue tacked to the bench. And come the end of March, with Wolves in mid table security, he continued to pick established players who were never going to pull up any trees. Meanwhile academy youngsters of whom little was known, remained untried.

It is wrong to suggest that it was this that caused his downfall. Rather as a quiet diligent man he lacked the “big noise” gravitas with which to draw “star” players to the club. All of which, replacement Walter Zenga possessed, in spades. That, and having a track record of rarely staying in a managerial role for more than twelve months. He managed barely four at the Molineux, his reign dogged by selection and tactical chaos from a squad burgeoned in size by Jorge Mendez cast offs.

There followed a brief vacuum before, in November, one time Aston Villa Manager Paul Lambert was installed. He started well narrowing his focus with selection which was initially more consistent. A short revival ensued before he, like Zenga, appeared to lose his way rarely picking the same side twice in succession and relying heavily on untried youngsters at a time when Championship survival was far from assured. A worrying decline set in, Wolves plunging to within three points of a relegation spot. Eventually, and much of it due to the form of Helda Costa, Wolves found a way out, clawing their way to safety with six games of the season remaining. Since when, results have been thoroughly inconsistent.

Is that Paul Lambert’s fault? In mitigation none of the players in his squad, bar Ben Marshall and Andreas Weiman, is a Lambert pick. The squad, as we know, is huge with too many run of the mill players. A clear out is required but who is cleared will depend as much on perceived ability as length of contract.

Despite the chequered record during his dalliance with youth Lambert did recognise the strengths of a forward line consisting of Bright Enobakhari, Ivan Cavaleiro and Helda Costa. They exude natural skill with the speed of thought and ability to break down any defence. But all three are also given to over elaboration too often trying to do too much in the wrong areas of the pitch or missing the optimum point to release the ball when it will do most damage.

Is that enough reason to stick with him? He’s had barely eight months in charge and, as mentioned previously, is working with an inherited squad. So I would stick with him, at least until Christmas, by which time he should have a settled team and be developing a method of play. But if, by then, both are still lacking then he’s probably not going to do it.

As for today I chose to miss the game. The sun was shining and the hills of Shropshire offered up a far more beguiling alternative. But I gather that the performance was positive with Wolves better value than the one goal margin of victory. And that on his return from exile, Enobakhari did well as did Jordan Graham making his first start since damaging a cruciate ligament twelve months ago.

So as is their wont, the Old Gold ends the season offering up hope for the next. Little will be required to make it better than the one just past.

©Mark Brennand