Matthew Rumble
18th April
One name on the Wolverhampton Wanderers team sheet is always good for a goal. This weekend, club talisman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake proved that point at the most important moment, scoring the goal which sent the club back to the Premiership.
Football league player of the season, Championship top scorer and hero amongst Wolves fans. There was no man better for or more fitting to apply the vital finish.
The see of emotion which swept the Molineux pitch at full time was a clear sign of the importance of such an achievement to the success-starved Wolverhampton public.
It also indicates the scale of what has been achieved by manager Mick McCarthy and his young British squad.
The victory Wolves needed against QPR on Saturday was achieved thanks to Ebanks-Blake’s goal. It confirmed Wolves promotion and, at the same time as barring a Birmingham City miracle, ensured the club will win their first trophy since the 1988 Johnstone’s paint trophy equivalent.
Some may argue the clubs most recent success, their promotion via the 2002-03 play offs, was a trophy of repute. However, the clubs performance this season has been much more worthy of the trophy soon to be acquired from the cabinet of their nearest and dearest, West Bromwich Albion.
The season has marked similarities with their last promotion. Both being achieved by teams entirely British is the least coincidental.
When Wolves were promoted their Irish right back, Dennis Irwin, missed a penalty which sent them out of the league cup to Rotherham.
6 years on, young Irish full back Kevin Foley missed a penalty which sent them out of the league cup. Against Rotherham.
He obviously overcame that disappointment, defying his youth by becoming the clubs Fans Player of the Season.
In 2002, Wolves under Dave Jones signed two former Manchester United players Dennis Irwin and Paul Ince to add some experienced know how.
McCarthy’s youthful approach instead led him to sign two players who had much less impact at United.
Those two were David Jones, and a certain Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
He like the rest of McCarthy’s young side will be a breath of fresh air in the Premiership next season. McCarthy will need to add some quality in defence to the fast, flowing attacking football which will certainly take Premiership sides by surprise.
Wolves fans will be hoping that they will again be celebrating on the pitch at the end of next season, but almost certainly it would be for finishing 16 positions lower then they did this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment