Saturday 18 April 2009

Wolves Promoted to the Cash League

Six years ago Wolves had to battle through the gruelling playoff elimination process, which saw them enter the Premiership after 19 years of lower league action, but this year they do it in style.

No nervous times lay ahead for Mick McCarthy and co, as Wolves sealed their Premiership place with just two matches remaining. Although fans may be excited at the prospect of regular clash’s with the Premiership ‘big dogs’, reality may be hit home when the results struggle to come in.

Back in 2003/04 when Wolves were in England’s top flight, results were very hard to come by. Their season started off bad, not winning a single match in their opening seven games and ended up worse, being relegated back to the Championship finishing bottom.

Their time in the Premier League did have its ups, they overcome a heavy armoured Manchester United with a one nil victory, but it did have its downs as well, they failed to win a single away fixture throughout the season. Dave Jones, the manager at the time, had a difficult season from the start as the Black Country side looked destined to return from where they came. No funds were made available for Jones, not a great start when Roman Abramovich spent over £100million on players that season, never a fair contest.

This year it seems Wolves are prepared for the 2009-10 Premiership season. An impressive Championship campaign has meant McCarthy’s Wolves have been the leader of the pack the majority of the season. It helps when inform strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo can score 39 goals between them, more than any other strike force in that league.

Funds have never been a problem at the Molineux, despite others opinions, as come match day a full house is guaranteed, today’s attendance was a sell-out…no real shock to be fair. Profit from the sale of players such as Seyi Olofinjana, Jay Bothroyd and Freddy Eastwood has made the figure in the Wolves kitty more healthier.

McCarthy has had the added bonus of players wanting to stay at a club and in other cases has managed to hold on to certain players. Despite Michael Kightly’s injury being the only real downer in what will be seen by many as a very successful year for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

From the top three clubs that safely secure promotion into the Premiership, they are immediately ranked as the favourites to go back down, but one thing is for sure, Wolves will be looking to do better than their neighbours West Bromwich Albion…maybe that’s not much of a target after all!

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