If you could bottle the feeling of walking out into a football ground for the first time, you could sell it for millions. Leaving the concourse and doing the short walk out to the stand to overlook the Molineux turf never gets old. It never will get old. Because that’s football. It encapsulates your emotions, makes or ruins your day and gives you some of the best moments you can ever experience. Tens of thousands of fans show up week-in-week-out, all with the same thing in common – a love for our team. And when everything clicks on and off the pitch, the recipe for success is a thrill to witness. And in this case, Nuno Espirito Santo is the chef.
Following on from the chef analogy, I bet Nuno is an artist in the kitchen. The man just oozes class. You can imagine him cooking – glass of red wine in one hand, hand towel over the opposite shoulder, with Smooth FM on in the background, as he glides round the room tasting the sauce and pulling numerous items out of the oven. As Nuno prepares the feast, Jeff Shi, Laurie Dalrymple and Jorge Mendes help with laying out the table and collecting plates, to present the food to the guests consisting of a large Portuguese contingent and products of the successful Wolves academy.
I may be going off topic slightly, but the history us Wolves fans are seeing unfold is beknown to so many of us. Wolves have achieved three promotions to the top flight since the turn of the century, but have never achieved true stability in the league, often due to a lack of on-field quality and outdated managerial tactics.
But what’s different this time?
Not only do they have an innovative manager with an impeccable philosophy in Nuno Espirito Santo, the backroom staff do an extraordinary job in helping extract the maximum out of the manager and players - as well as a fantastic boardroom, who make the off-pitch environment the perfect place to be, for maximum results on the pitch. And the players aren’t bad either. With world class quality from the likes of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio, a dogged defence which has one of the best defensive records in the league, as well as a scintillating attack with pace and skill in abundance from the likes of Diogo Jota, Helder Costa, Adama Traore, Ivan Cavaleiro and Raul Jimenez, the Wolves train is at full speed with quick counter-attacking moves and remarkable passing and build-up play.
These players, this manager, this club – it gives you a buzz. The anticipation before each game is like I’ve never experienced – and to think just two years ago Wolves experienced a woeful season which resulted in a disappointing 15th place finish, with low attendances and a lack of on-pitch quality. Fast forward twelve months, and we’re talking about one of the best seasons in the clubs illustrious 141-year history. Fosun have revitalised a mid-table championship club with no ambition into a top half Premier League side with ambitions for the top. The world now knows about Wolverhampton Wanderers. The sleeping giant has awoken, as the old gold and black will become famous once again. People turn their heads at this team. We stand out. It’s no longer David vs Goliath, because this team enters every game believing they can win, no matter the opposition. As a football fan, this is excitement and passion for a team that I’ve never truly experienced – a passion that without football just wouldn’t be there. This manager, this team, this club – it gives you belief which you didn’t even know you possessed.
The old cliché is football is like a rollercoaster. Well this club has had its lows and hit rock bottom but has come out fighting and is now on a rapid uprise. Watch us, because we’re heading for the top. History is unfolding.
@TomHaden4