Kingy’s Wolves Blog

DREAM TEAM

12-11-2008

With Wolves storming away at the top of the Championship, Brendan King reflects on the players who’ve made a difference at Molineux.

Michael Mancienne has been an ace loan signing for Wolves, starting twice and voted man of the match twice and I reckon this is a unique achievement.

He’s been the quick and assured centre-back that Wolves have not had since Joleon Lescott left for Everton several seasons ago.

And like Jo, Michael is a sure-fire future England player, likely to become the automatic John Terry stand-in for club and country.

Despite rumours that Mancienne would be interested in a long-term future at Wolves, I don’t think we’ll ever afford a player of this class, even if (as seems likely on current form) they achieve promotion to the top flight. Wolves fans can only hope his loan can be extended for the full season.

Mancienne is super quick with terrific acceleration and has the knack of arriving in danger areas seconds before the danger culminates in a strike on goal. He can snuff out attacks without any notable panic or lack of assuredness. He rarely needs to go to ground and, in my memory, has not yet been booked or has needlessly committed any significant fouls in danger areas.

He combines supremely with team mate Richard Stearman, who’ve both played together at England U21 level and they look to be the best central defensive pairing we’ve ever had whilst playing in this division.

And with Irish right and left wing pairing, Kevin Foley and Stephen Ward applying fast and assured flank rearguard, Wolves now have a defensive team that must not be interfered with, unless through injury or suspensions.

Even though ‘Wardy’ is a centre forward converted to left winger – converted to left full-back – he’s no square-peg. He’s learnt to add closing down and tackling fiercely to his natural pace and accurate passing. And now he has to be the first choice left back in my view – even over specialists such as Matt Hill and George Elokobi when they return from injury.

Kevin Foley is Wolves most consistent player and, like Mancienne, is quick and agile and, also, capable of pinpoint long passing that consistently launches many of Wolves fast flowing counter attacks. He looks a certainty for his Republic of Ireland debut next week due to his terrific (almost man of the match) consistency at Wolves.

So Wolves are now looking the virtual complete team that I never thought it was possible to achieve. So long as this first team line-up continues without injury or suspensions there can be no doubt that Wolves will be playing in the Premiership next season.

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