Wolves embark on new era

With less than a week to go before Wolves start their Premier League season parting company with the manager – a man who arrived at the Molineux with the side bottom of the league and went on to save their Premier League status - is less than ideal. We were told when Wolves appointed Julen Lopetegui that he had been on Wolves’ radar for years, ahead even of the talismanic Nuno. And from the off his touchline animation left no one in doubt as to his commitment to the cause berating his charges at any hint that they too weren’t similarly committed. The football wasn’t great and he perpetually tinkered, but no one could doubt the effort as bit by bit Wolves extricated themselves from the mire. A more than creditable thirteenth place finish and the chance to rebuild hinted at sunnier uplands.

But as the cloying hand of fair play began to deny him promised new signings Lopetegui, not unreasonably, felt he’d been sold a pup. But rather than knuckle down and deal with the hand he’d been dealt, he started to whinge. Threats to leave increased in regularity doing little to endear him to the fans who’d also bought season tickets (at significantly inflated rates) on a similar promise of hope. But unlike the manager they were stuck with what they’d bought and in the end they were glad that he went. But choosing Gary O’Neill as a replacement left them underwhelmed.

Change, as we know, is a constant and harking back to Nuno’s excellent side is pointless. The core of that side has gone and we are entering a new era. Pre-season form appears good, the new manager seems sound and following his poor treatment at Bournemouth he has something to prove.

So let’s give him and his side a chance. It may be better than we fear.

©Mark Brennand