Ahead of tomorrow night’s match versus Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium in the Premier League, we have done a Q&A with one of their supporters. Thank you to Dan from Wolves Fancast for answering the questions! The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra HDR and the referee is Paul Tierney.
How long have you supported Wolverhampton Wanderers?
37 years – 30 years season ticket holder.
What were and now are your hopes and expectations for the 2023/24 season?
With Julen Lopetegui’s season opener exit, pessimism was rife, but Gary O’Neil has been serving humble pie throughout the season, and with a bit of fortune, we may sneak a top-half finish, albeit, with a productive January window, we could have reached an FA Cup semi-final and made Europe.
What are your views on your manager?
He’s massively over-achieved this season, and for me has earned the right to be backed by the club this summer to mould a team in his vision.
What are your views on your January transfer business?
Horrific. Departures were expected and needed, but 0 replenishment of squad places has in effect, ruined what could have been a special season.
Style of play and tactics – direct/passing/hybrid?
Wolves on paper haven’t changed from what brought us early success after promotion, but in reality, we’re so much more progressive and attack-minded than what Lage and Lopetegui offered.
One(s) to watch now and in the future?
Rayan Ait Nouri and Joao Gomes are future Champions League players, and if he continues his goal contribution tally into next season, it won’t be long before Matheus Cunha joins them.
Random fact about your Club?
Molineux Stadium was used as one of the filming locations in the football film, Escape to Victory.
Which were your favourite and least favourite matches involving Wolverhampton Wanderers?
This season’s win over the arch-enemy West Bromwich Albion at their place in the FA Cup, is right up there, after nearly 30 years since last winning there.
Losing to Sevilla in the Europa League Quarter Final 4 years ago hurt so much. Wolves had so much momentum at the time, but the pandemic happened, and the rest is history.
At the start of the season, which sides did you think would finish in the top four and which did you think would finish in the bottom three?
Arsenal, Liverpool and City were the bankers for the top 4 in my eyes, with I thought possibly Brighton joining them I thought, but injuries and Europa have scuppered the seagulls this season.
The bottom 3 would have been the 3 promoted sides, and it’s looking like Luton are the only one going to make a fist out of survival going into the remaining games.
What are your thoughts on Arsenal?
If Arsenal’s social media fanbase didn’t exist, I’d very much like the way they go about business, but levels of entitlement tarnish what good the current coach has built on ‘the carpet’.
If you could steal one Arsenal player for your team, who would it be and why?
Gabriel Jesus or even Eddie Nketiah, Wolves lack a number 9 figure, and for me, a front three of Cunha Jesus and Neto would be electrifying.
What is your prediction for this match?
The business end is well and truly here. Two back-to-back defeats for the Gunners and it’s all down to mentality for Artetas Arsenal now. Do they have the legs? Are they emotionally spent? Molineux, 7.30pm kick-off, under the lights, plenty of pre-match boozing – Wolves won’t make it easy and Arsenal need to get a win or their title race entry is done I think.
Wolves 2 Arsenal 1/2/3 [I can’t settle on a score!!!]
See you next season! ◣ WWFC ◢