Fosun haven’t afforded a manager that luxury since the early years of Nuno and that has to change.

Many of an old gold persuasion would just ask the genie to banish the video referee and given our rotten interactions with Stockley Park, I don’t blame them.

That crunching Semedo tackle is one we’ve seen a number of times this season across the Premier League. Sometimes it’s a sending off, sometimes it’s not.

And it’s that gross inconsistency that continues to infuriate fans of teams getting the rough end of the decision, which invariably, is Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It would have been difficult to hang on at Anfield with a full compliment on the pitch but with the handicap of a man less it proved nigh on impossible.

The two (preventable) goals Liverpool got before half time made me fearful of what might happen with red shirts attacking the Kop, but I credit the lads in gold for hanging in there and even creating a couple of good moments at the other end.

Had Matheus Cunha not spurned that wonderful opportunity or Alison not pushed out Neto’s power drive, it could have been interesting.

Still, it would be silly to dwell too much on those moments with Liverpool squandering a sequence of equally glaring chances at the other end to ensure Jürgen Klopp’s time in the Premier League didn’t end with all the bells and whistles he might have hoped.

But enough about them.

It’s 14th for us, which is disappointing when Europe briefly flickered into view but a position everyone would have accepted at the start when for all the world it seemed like things would unravel.

If nothing else, Gary O’Neil has given the club an opportunity to reset and do things better next time around.

Plan the summer, do things right and hit the ground running in August.

I’ll be there and I hope those fans that feel driven away by VAR, FFP and so much of the other nonsense that surrounds this great game will be too.

It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Thanks for reading.

Up The Wolves.

I make it five straight wins since we returned to the top flight, so what better way to finish than seeing off the whipping boys one final time?

Unless…

Can our lads drag themselves off the canvas and somehow rediscover some of that early season form and togetherness to spoil the party?

Based on what I saw against City and Palace, unlikely. Too much back five tiki-taka and not nearly enough authority in either penalty area.

Still, stranger things have happened and I have to be honest, using the words of one former Liverpool legend, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.

Liverpool

I liked the Jürgen Klopp that entered Anfield however many years ago – the bespectacled rock n roll football guy – but I’m less keen on the one that’s leaving on Sunday.

Perhaps the job just gets to you and maybe that’s the reason he’s getting out, before he’s swallowed up completely, but his disposition is rather less sunny these days.

What you can’t deny is he’s made Liverpool a force and that team he assembled a few years back was probably one of my favourites of the Premier League era. While City exuded control they were just bulldozing through teams with relentless pressing and fast, incisive combination play. It was a brand of football that fans dream of seeing.

This current side is nowhere near that level, partly because they’re still relying on some of those legacy players that have seen their best years and partly because those coming in aren’t quite as good.

My expectancy is for them to fall back in the coming years while the new coach comes in and rebuilds the squad to his liking. I think it’s because of Klopp they’ve overachieved this season and made a good fist of things with this transitional group of players.

For Sunday of course, they still have more than enough to wipe the floor with us. I’ve been particularly impressed with Cody Gakpo in recent weeks and he looks like he might be one that could step up his level and become a force.

Our old buddy Jota has continued his wretched run of injuries this season but could feature against his former club. He’s another one they could do with keeping fit because when he’s on the pitch, he invariably scores goals.

Wolves

I really hope Gary reverts to something more tried and tested for this one and shows a bit more attacking adventure.

The above team or something similar with Bellegarde maybe instead of Sarabia is what I’m talking about. And get three proper defenders in the back three. Or go to a four and play an extra midfielder.

I’ll be annoyed if we just fart around with it at the back, lose the ball in horrendous areas and get smacked for a load of goals. The way we’ve played lately is the type of football Liverpool dream of coming up against so we have to adjust.

Whatever happens, Gary has done superbly this season and I hope he’s backed over the summer to improve this squad one way or another.

Predictions

Well done to sharmwolf, Wokywolf and PeteRobbo for correctly predicting the 1-3 defeat to Palace last time out.

What Sunday might come down to is whether they play it like an exhibition match or come out of the blocks like a Champion’s League semi-final to honour their beloved leader. I fear it might be the latter.

Everything tells me we’re going to get slotted (which is a pun I sadly won’t get to use in the years to come) but it’s my last ever preview and I can do what I want so 2-1 to the old gold.

As always, if you want to join in the Prediction League simply leave a comment below with your best guess. Apologies that the PL table has been wrong all season. I still fully intend to fix it and create a legacy page showing all of the tables for each year we’ve had the game.

Wolves Blog Legacy Board

I know there will be a few people that think I’m leaving the community in the lurch by shuttering the blog but fear not, I’ve started a forum on Discord where everyone can join, read, comment and be merry. The intent is that this will eventually be self sustaining so anyone can start a new thread but I’ll help give it a push start over the summer. If you just want to read, you won’t have to do anything but bookmark the link. If you want to comment you’ll need to sign-up (it’s free). Just hit the Log In button on the top right and follow the instructions to create your account.

Thanks again for reading all my previews over the years. It’s been a pleasure.

Up The Wolves.

They currently have two simple designs to choose from – a John Richards shirt and this beauty inspired by a more recent hero – Ruben Neves, commemorating his iconic celebration of that goal against Derby.

I chose grey because I think it makes the embroidered element pop but you can get a more Wolves-appropriate version in black or choose from three other colours.

I’m impressed by the fit and quality of the t-shirt, which is apparently 100% ring-spun cotton. I don’t actually know what that means, but it feels nice.

The embroidered design is subtle but gives the top a proper premium quality that you don’t often get from football-themed merchandise.

I guess if you like your tops loud and proud these designs probably aren’t for you, but I like the mix of simplicity and the flourish of the embroidered element.

Of course they’re not limited to Wolves and loads of other clubs are catered for, as well as designs focused on other sports and musical acts.

They were kind enough to send me this top but I will definitely be doing some shopping with The Terrace Apparel in future, especially if they show love to the old gold with a few more designs (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

And so it came to pass that the Wolves Blog has written its final chapter, in another inevitable ending that deserves a final farewell.

My first-ever post was back in 2009, for a defeat to West Ham United in our opening fixture back in the Premier League under Mick. Full of verve and vigour, I poured over each syllable like I was holding the back page, in what felt like an act of duty to the handful of Wolves fans reading it – and my good friend Thomas who I was always so eager to please.

Since that 2-0 defeat to the Hammers, I’ve seen 11 managers come and go and hundreds of players do likewise, with varying degrees of success. The highest of highs will forever be *that* Neves goal at home to Derby County, as my Dad and I held eachother in the purest footballing moment I’ve ever witnessed. The low probably arrived during a midweek trip to Oakwell, which pushed us further to life in League One. As was ever the case as a dedicated blogger, I savoured writing both.

And a line I’ll always remember penning? It would inevitably revolve around Ruben, whose powers could ‘kiss the South Bank net and the hands of the stand’s old clock simultaneously’ (or something along those lines).

In the time it took to get from McCarthy to O’Neil, my Dad (‘Scooped’ for all you old school readers!) has gradually stepped away from the walk we’ve made since I was a little boy. It’s a walk that defines me more than any other. My son accompanies me these days in a circle of life that reminds me that the end is where we always start again.

It’s been some journey and I’ve felt genuinely blessed to document much of it through this platform over the years – and even more humbled that a few of you have read them and even posted some positive comments. Each and every one was savoured like a dog with a treat and I never took a single word for granted.

But anyone who knows me has seen a bloke that has gone from Paxman to pacifist in what feels like the blink of an eye. Where I’d once wage war with Moxey and Morgan as if I was channelling my inner Erin Brockovich, I would now cross the road to avoid a second of conflict. I’m not the same bloke anymore and the days of scheming over semantics like a Kevin McDonald maestro has been replaced by a Matt Doherty muddle. I struggle to make a meaningful contribution like the glory days. In truth, I’m struggling full stop.

I’m not great with endings, precisely because I have to let go of the past (if not the future I thought I’d be typing about), but life is nothing if not circular. We end in much the same place where I began typing back in 2009; fearful that the Premier League might chew us up minus a budget to make a good fist of things. The meat in the sandwich was tasty though, wasn’t it? It featured a double dip relegation, a European adventure, a trip to Wembley and a couple of Championship wins – all to a slogan that tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Speaking of which, the restorative comfort I’ve felt from Wolves Blog has only been enhanced by the bloke who owns the platform.

Thomas.

My friend who will hopefully understand how much he means to me. He’s the most measured, mature, philosophical, knowledgeable and humble bloke I’ve ever met, with Yoda like qualities that separate him from anyone else I’ve ever met. It’s a relationship I hope will endure for many, many years to come.

In 15 years of contributing on this site, it’s time for us to ramble on as the world keeps on turning to a pace I can barely keep up with. During which time, I’ve seen my little boy grow into a young man and have bid too many farewells that my fragile old soul can deal with adequately.

But in saying goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello, so here’s to a beer if you fancy one in future.

Thanks for having me, Wolves Blog.

With increasing pressure on my time outside of the site, I’m struggling to keep the wheels turning in what’s largely a voluntary solo endeavour and the end of season 15 seems like as good a time as any to call it a day.

Outside of my own commitments, thriving social media, WhatsApp groups and all sorts of video and podcast content now exist that didn’t a decade and a half ago and I’m not sure the appetite for longer form opinion pieces on an independent site are as appealing to the masses as they were back in 2009.

I’m sure this will be disappointing news to some and for that I apologise.

The doors to the blog won’t close completely. I’ll keep it active so that the vast archive of posts and comments can be accessed by anyone that’s interested. I hope it will serve as a time capsule of opinion on the club in what’s been a mostly turbulent and rarely dull period of its famous history.

I want to extend special thanks to Ben Rasmin and Paddy Day for their contributions in recent years and of course my long term friend and co-founder Ben Smallman, without whom the blog wouldn’t have got off the ground. 

Most of all, I’d like to thank the community of countless readers and commenters that have made the site what it’s become. 

I could go on and on believe me, but I’m not one for long, drawn out goodbyes.

Thank you for your support & UTW.

Thomas

But in recent weeks I’ve been scratching my head a bit.

For a start, I don’t get this weird hybrid back three with full backs being used on the outside when Santi Bueno is sat on the bench.

If this was making us more defensively secure or giving us added thrust moving forward I’d make my peace with it, but we’re conceding goals for fun and looking short in attack.

Would it not be better to play with a specialist centre half? Or even go to a back four and get that extra attacking player into the game from the start?

We kept the ball well for the first 10-15 minutes yesterday but as soon as we got a little bit loose, Palace had a feeding frenzy.

Eze was unusually wasteful with two glaring misses before Olise was allowed to come in on that left foot to plunder the first and open us up for the second.

The brief moments we looked like making it a meaningful contest in the second half were after the changes arrived and the team committed a few extra bodies forward. That’s really what it should have been from the start.

Nobody summed up the performance more than Matheus Cunha. When we were playing passively, he was dropping deep to get involved, losing the ball and creating more trouble for his own team than Palace.

When we finally played with more adventure, he scored the goal, put a glorious cross over for Hwang and came within a few centimetres of winning a penalty.

Palace are in a fine moment and may well have beaten us just as comprehensively in any configuration, but the point I’m making is if you can’t defend, you might as well attack with some purpose.

I hope that’s the approach we take at Anfield next week and can sign off on a high note.

They owe that to themselves for an effort that’s been above and beyond what most people expected.

After all, both teams should be content enough with what they’ve done over the 36 games to date and feel there’s cause for optimism heading into 24/25.

But according to this article, each position in the Premier League table could be worth as much as £3 million and with Wolves still able to finish as high as 9th or as low as 14th, that’s a potential £15m swing.

So climb back off the sun loungers lads – I wanna win this.

Palace

The Eagles are unbeaten in their last 5, winning 4 of those matches. When you consider they saw off Liverpool and Newcastle as well as demolishing (an admittedly poor) Man Utd in that sequence, eyebrows should be raised.

Personally, I’m not surprised. When they came down at the end of last season I thought Olise and Eze ran rings around us all night. It was astonishing that we managed to keep them out and win the game.

The problem has been keeping those two fit and firing. Those who know better about the goings on at Selhurst Park might say I’m wrong, but I suspect had they both been available all season, Roy Hodgson would still be sitting in the dugout.

That’s not to say Oliver Glasner hasn’t taken them forward. His arrival along with midfielder Adam Wharton and full-back Daniel Muñoz seems to have refreshed a previously tired looking Palace side.

There’s a vibrancy to them at the moment that spells big danger for us on Saturday in a fixture we don’t win too often. Yes, we got the slightly unjust win last season but lost each of the previous 4 before that and also the game earlier in the season down at Selhurst.

As well as those mentioned above, Jean-Philippe Mateta has been on a red-hot scoring run, so that’s another issue for our weary looking defence to contend with at the weekend.

Wolves

I’m really hoping Pedro Neto is back for this one, but it’s probably a sub appearance at best given that he didn’t make the squad for City.

Without the cut and thrust of our own flying winger, we need to have more possession in this game and that means reverting to a proper front three or bringing Doyle back into the side.

If we don’t keep the ball well and it becomes all about Olise/Eze running the game for long periods with us sitting back and hoping for a counter, I really fear the worst.

I lifted this from the BBC site, which is something Gary needs to think about over the summer: Wolves have conceded 60 Premier League goals this season – their most in a single top-flight campaign since 2011-12 – when they finished bottom (82). Since the start of February they have conceded 29 times in 15 games, with only Sheffield United (46), Luton (40) and West Ham (38) shipping more in that time.

I do think that stems from personnel as Semedo and Ait-Nouri don’t offer too much resistance and with the midfield more aggressive in the press, the defenders don’t get much protection generally. That needs addressing.

Predictions

A few said 4 but nobody was bold enough to predict a 5-1 walloping at The Etihad last weekend.

Given Palace’s recent upturn in form and our bungling end to the season, I’m mightily tempted to forecast another defeat. It doesn’t take great imagination to see them tearing us a new one, does it? But maybe the sun is going to my head because against my better judgement I’ll back Gary to extract one last big effort to see us sign-off at Molineux with a flourish – 3-2.

As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.

Up The Wolves!

Wolves are too weak defensively and way too cavalier in possession to live with a City team hyper focused on their ultimate objective.

Yes, the penalty that got the ball rolling was a touch contentious but Ait-Nouri’s lack of awareness gave the referee a decision to make.

Even before that we’d allowed them to collect the ball in areas of the pitch you simply can’t allow this team that amount of time and space. For that, I think Gary has to examine the setup and consider whether he gave his own players too much credit.

It’s laudable not to be content sitting in a low block and playing defence versus attack, but you’re either good enough to play through an aggressive press or you’re not and on the evidence we’ve seen long before today, this team are loose when the opposition step onto them.

And even I know that one thing City are always looking for is that cross to the far post for Haaland to attack, so leaving Nelson to cover that space is borderline suicidal.

It was a shame because Wolves got things under control after the setback of the early penalty but once the second went in, there was a degree of inevitability about what was to come.

The second penalty was a penalty but for both that incident and Haaland’s fourth goal, why are we allowing so much space in behind against such a devastating attack? It didn’t sit right.

Hwang scored again, so that was a positive and he took it well after Ederson bizarrely chose to come and flap at the cross. 12 Premier League goals and counting is a fine achievement for him.

Other than that, I’m struggling to think of many other big moments in the game for us, which is disappointing when you consider they were clearly sent out with adventurous intentions.

Gary wants to play on the front foot but just doesn’t have the players to do it. Cunha wasn’t quite at it today and without him connecting the dots, it’s tough for us to open up the game in the final third.

City’s fifth summed up the whole affair with Wolves undoing themselves and Alvarez finishing with ruthless efficiency.

They’re probably gonna win the title and we’re cemented in midtable, so like I say, no great surprise.

That’s a big ask with Liverpool and in-form Palace on the horizon after this almost certain defeat.

We can still finish as low as 14th but with a six point buffer to Palace, you’d hope we might just see them off. Even if they beat us they’ve got Villa and Man Utd to navigate.

Fulham, three points back, have more winnable games against Brentford and Luton but both of those are away and their last home game is against City.

Brighton, two points back with a game in hand will have to improve on their recent form to get anything from Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea and Man Utd.

Bournemouth are two points ahead and in great form but Arsenal, Brentford and Chelsea isn’t an easy run-in. West Ham remain just about catchable with Chelsea, Luton and City left to play.

Man City

Wolves home, Fulham away, Spurs away, West Ham home – win all four and win the title. I think they’ll do it.

The difference between City and the others is they lock in and improve in the crunch moments. I’ve seen nothing to suggest that won’t be the case again.

I thought they might have a game on their hands against Forest last weekend on that tight City Ground pitch, but they found their way through with a degree of comfort in the end.

Ederson might be out for the season, which is a blow when small margins can make the difference at this stage, but they’re so dominant with the ball I’d be surprised if that was the case.

With De Bruyne up to speed, Foden playing the best football of his career and Haaland back amongst the goals, they have the full artillery primed and ready.

They’re undefeated at The Etihad this season but have drawn 5 matches. Another draw in their final two would certainly feel like a defeat.

Wolves

Tommy Doyle has signed permanently from City this morning, which is one of the more straightforward decisions for such a nominal fee. That 50% sell on clause might bite us though. He’s still ruled out tomorrow against his parent club.

The above graphic actually isn’t correct. I’d expect Boubacar Traore to retain his place in the midfield as we look to close those spaces that City do their most devastating work.

I hope Santi Bueno is back as we need all the bonafide defenders we can get here.

Cunha and Hwang will be willing chasers when we can get a break of the ball and there have been noises that Pedro Neto could be closing on a return. Gary will confirm or deny this later.

Predictions

Well done to West Parkian, St.Kitts Wolves, Dek, Wokywolf, Wokingham Welsh Wolf, Rich, Prawny, Cheeseburger of Death, Steppenwolfe and Happy Claptrap who all correctly predicted the 2-1 win over Luton.

I struggle to see us having the defensive resilience to cope with what’s coming here, so I must predict defeat. I’m looking beyond the result at how the team is setup and how the players apply themselves to the challenge. There haven’t been many no-shows this season, but even if we play well, it’s a big ask. I’ll give us a goal. 3-1 City.

As always, if you’d like to join in with the Prediction League this season, it’s simple – just leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided. Then repeat for every preview article throughout the season, making sure you always use the same email address to make your prediction. Your email is what ties you to your overall score.

Up The Wolves!

Like most people, I can immediately hone in on a couple of contenders, but do the underlying numbers support that choice or would data reveal I’m overlooking someone more deserving?

What about the warriors that turn up week in, week out when others are sidelined by injury? Or the players that don’t take the headlines but bring qualities to the side that maximise the potential of others?

Yeah, that’s gotta be worth a look.

Minutes

When considering the players who’ve done the most over the entire season, the time they’ve actually spent on the pitch has to count for something, right? Availability is the best ability and all that.

Skipper Kilman leads the way with 41 appearances and 3,711 minutes on the clock. He is definitely a contender on that basis alone. Sa, Semedo, Toti and Lemina are the others in the 3,000 Club. Only Max and Toti have been ever-present in all 42 matchday squads so far.

The above 11 are the only players that have clocked over 2,000 minutes, which I think is reasonable cut-off and allows me to work off a shortlist.

This (somewhat controversially) takes Pedro Neto out of the running with just 1,717 minutes to his name – less than half of Kilman. No star has shone so intensely but alas, too briefly. That second injury was a devastating blow to him and the team.

Goals, goals, goals

Having come into the season with the Premier League’s most pitiful attack (only 31 goals in 22/23) anyone that could find the net consistently would have to be considered our lord and saviour.

That means Hwang and Cunha immediately jump to the front of the queue. Both have 11 league goals at the time of writing this, which is a superb achievement for any player in this brutal competition.

But Cunha has 13 overall compared to Hwang’s 12, which includes a memorable goal (and celebration) at The Hawthorns. He also has 8 assists compared to Hwang’s 3 and is +500 minutes on the pitch, so if the choice eventually boils down to these two, then you have to lean towards the Brazilian.

Honourable mention for Pedro Neto’s 9 assists and 2 goals and Pablo Sarabia’s 7 assists and 4 goals. 22 goal involvements between those players is very respectable. When you factor in the injuries across our frontline, those four have been prolific based on output against minutes on the pitch. Same again next season?

Impact

Midfield can be a harder position to judge with statistics, but no player in any position for Wolves has made more tackles than Joao Gomes this season. If 110 sounds high, it’s because it is. Only Joao Paulinha and Vinicious Souza have managed more in the Premier League.

He’s also committed 58 fouls, which is only bettered by Conor Gallagher. One of those fouls cost us at Fulham, but generally speaking, he gets around the pitch and disrupts the opposition, which is a priceless commodity in the modern game. He’s called The Pitbull for a reason.

Mario Lemina has been just as influential but in a more diverse way. He’s made the most passes of any Wolves midfielder (1,297), had the most touches (1,750), scored the most goals (5) and played the most minutes. Factor in his general presence and leadership in that team along with the odd champagne moment like the last minute winner against Spurs and you have to say he’s right up there.

If I’m picking between these two players as the standout midfielder it’s awfully difficult. Joao Gomes is the rising star and a freakishly good talent who I suspect we’ll struggle to hold onto for much longer, but I’m going to give it Mario for everything he has brought to the team.

Resiliance

With only five measly cleansheets in the Premier League, it’s tough to defend the defence, but I think that particular statistic is down to the team becoming more offensively minded and allowing more spaces all over the pitch as a consequence.

Craig Dawson’s influence is underlined by the fact that all five of those shutouts came when he was in the team, meaning we always concede when he doesn’t play. That has to mean something?

However, it’s tough to look beyond Max Kilman as the standout defender. He’s played the most games, had the most touches and made the most passes of any Wolves player. He’s made 168 clearances in the Premier League, which puts him third overall across all clubs. On top of that he’s made 3 goal line clearances, which is as many as any other defender in the league (Toti also has 3 and Dawson 2 incidentally). His 86 aerial duals won also puts him top of that list at Wolves and 13th in the league overall. When you consider he’s also chipped in with a couple of goals (as well as having another two contentiously chalked off) I think he is a very strong contender.

If I was giving a Player of the Last Season & a Half (doesn’t have much of a ring to it admittedly), I’d be leaning towards Toti Gomes. He solved a big problem for Lopetegui by filling in down the left and was one of the major reasons we stayed up last season. He then came back in when Gary realised a back four wasn’t the way to go this time and results immediately started turning in the team’s favour again. A prime example of an underrated player who just seems to get better and more consistent with each passing game. He’s got healthy passing, clearance and aerial dual stats himself, but the problem is he’s behind Kilman on everything, which makes it tough to plead his case.

Width

Nelson Semedo has enjoyed a much better season. He’s played more minutes (3,275) than anyone other than Kilman or Sa. His 1,398 passes also puts him third on that chart, underlining his importance to the build up play. He’s made 70 tackles, which is the highest of any Wolves defender showing he gets through plenty of work without the ball too.

My problem with Nelson is his attacking output. 1 assist and 1 miserly goal is not good enough for the positions he gets himself into nearly every single game. That final action continues to hold him back and the repeated disappointment means I can’t contemplate choosing him ahead of other more rounded contenders.

The same applies to Rayan Ait-Nouri. Yes, he’s developed superbly this season and been particularly excellent in recent weeks when he’s had to carry the attack, but just one assist and two goals in the Premier League is not enough for a player of his ability. Too many times he’s driven forward, shimmied past several tackles and then let himself down with whatever comes next. He’s missed five big chances over the season, with only Hwang (7) registering more and been dispossessed 49 times, the most of any Wolves player. Yes, that’s because he carries the ball a lot, but I think these stats show there is improvement to be made in his decision making and final ball execution. A breakout season for him and and maybe the most improved player, but not the player who should be taking home the gold as the elite performer.

Between the sticks

That leaves Jose Sa. He’s missed a couple of games but generally been out there most weeks as the undisputed number one and I think you always have to consider your goalkeeper as a contender.

The standout stat is that he’s made 42 high claims in the Premier League which puts him top of that list alongside Emi Martinez at Villa. He commands his area as well as any goalkeeper and certainly doesn’t shy away when buffeted by the opposition. He’s sixth for saves (116) with a save percentage of around 72%, which puts him fifth overall for the league.

We’ve conceded 51 goals when he’s played with the stats suggesting we should have conceded 55.7 based on the shots he’s faced, so you can form an argument (depending on your trust in these figures) that he’s well in the plus column if you’re weighing up the shots he should and shouldn’t have kept out over the course of the campaign.

I think he’s a more solid goalkeeper than people give him credit for and definitely makes it onto the final 4 shortlist for the Player of the Season.

Conclusion

So I’ve arrived at Jose Sa, Max Kilman, Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha as the elite players in their respective positions. All have played the minutes and made the consistent contributions that make them worthy winners. And I think at this point, when you’re comparing different positions in the pitch, you have to go with what you’ve seen beyond any statistical analysis.

Part of me really does want to give it to Max because I feel rebellious and I think the players that turn up every week and grind it out are never given the credit they deserve. He also plays with a certain amount of style and finesse that allows the team to be more progressive in possession, which is important for Gary’s setup.

But I can’t look beyond Matheus Cunha. Not only do his goal and assist numbers make him the standout attacker, he’s invariably been right at the heart of all this season’s best moments. Factor in how he represents the club and fights for every single decision, it’s very difficult to argue against him being the worthy winner. As our club record transfer we needed him to step up this season and be the main man after a hit and miss run in the team under Lopetegui last time and he’s done exactly that.

So, yeah, there it is – Matheus Cunha. My Wolves Player of the Season for 2023/24.

Feel free to disagree but don’t say I didn’t think about it.