Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3: Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers went agonisingly close to clinching a Play Off place last season, but were pipped at the post by Watford on goal difference. Both teams finished the season on 70 points, but Watford had a superior goal differnce of +1.

Manager Mick McCarthy has done a decent jobs since taking over from former boss Glenn Hoddle, but some Wolves fans expected better than last season’s 7th place showing. That said, the club was in a right state before his appointment in 2006 and compared to our disappointments, they’ve been living the high life.

Wolves were getting through more managers than us prior to the former Republic of Ireland manager’s arrival and he has steadied the ship for the Black Country boys. Since Steve Morgan took over the club last year and became Chairman, he has invested in the squad and they have made progress although not as much as some fans would like.

Since 1984 they have only spent one year in the top division and for a club of their size that is disappointing. The last time they were in the Premiership was in 2003, but they came straight back down again.

One of the most famous encounters between the Reds’ and Wolves was the 1980 League Cup Final at Wembley, when they beat us 1-0. Their goal came from Sky Sports’ pundit Andy Gray, following a defensive howler by Reds’ defender David Needham.

There’s a long standing history between the two sides, that stretches all the way back to 1892. We’ve met each other no fewer than 119 times and they are ahead in terms of the bragging rights. Forest have won 40, drawn 24 and lost 55 of the encounters. Last time we met was back in the 2004/5 season, when we lost 2-1 at Molineux and won 1-0 at the City Ground.

Just to add a bit of spice to the upcoming fixtures, we have been linked with a couple of their players. Namely Freddie Eastwood and Jay Bothroyd. Neither are particularly wanted at Molineux and according to the message boards, they aren’t particularly wanted here. They have made one addition to their squad already and that was the signing of much fancied Bournemouth striker Sam Vokes, for an undisclosed fee. When the fixtures are announced on June 16, this will be one of the most eagerly awaited games, where a full house can be expected at both grounds.