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Everyone has their team of the decade. Ed Marshall kicks us off with his selection of his Wolves XI of 2010-2019.
As we move into a new decade the guys at Wolves Fancast are looking at their personal
team of the decade. Here is mine.
It would have been easy to put in the current first eleven, but I have tried to fit in some of the
players pre-Nuno, some I just couldn’t ignore. Spoiler, there is no George Saville or Grant
Holt.
These are my personal choices and therefore cannot be wrong. If you find yourself
disagreeing, please revert to the previous sentence. They cannot be wrong.
Carl Ikeme
In this decade Ikeme finally got to come out the shadows and grab that number one shirt for
himself.
It could be said that Ikeme benefited from our demise. Dropping down the leagues during
this decade meant that Ikeme, for once, did not suffer from a manager bringing in a ‘better
keeper’. We watched for years this man warm up the number one, play in cup games and
basically turn up every week.
This choice is not just for sentimental reasons. What Ikeme has gone through personally is a
testament to the man we saw on the pitch, a fighter. A good shot stopper who loved the club
and the club loved him.
It can not be underestimated his role in helping Wolves ‘stop the rot’
and getting us to the position we are in now.
His longevity and dedication to the club is why he deserves to be the goalkeeper for this
team of the decade.
Willy Boly
The best defender I have seen in an Old Gold shirt since Lescott, even then, possibly better
(15-year-old me just ran off screaming). Watching him in the Championship made no sense
what a Rolls Royce of a player.
What you want in a defender Big Willy has it all and more. He may only have played a
few years in this decade, but I don’t think anyone could argue with his introduction in this
team.
Conor Coady
Show me a person who looked at this man playing as a makeshift right back under Paul
Lambert and said he would become the captain supreme that his now and I will show you a
LIAR.
Coady’s start at Wolves was bitty and as said earlier was mainly filling in as a full back.
Under Nuno, Coady has flourished and become the fulcrum of the whole club and not just
the starting XI.
It is only when he speaks, I realise he wasn’t born in Dudley. He is now synonymous with
Wolves.
Can you imagine Wolves without him? I can’t and more importantly I don’t want to.
Danny Batth
Mr Batth is a divisive figure for Wolves fans. However, his contribution to us stabilising after
the relegations, giving us a local lad to focus on. Batth was a steady hand in a difficult situation.
He may have been found wanting when Nuno began his transformation but let’s not forget what he did for us.
Matt Doherty
Another player that Nuno has revitalised and improved. It wasn’t that long ago that Doherty
was a makeshift left back. He scored goals then to be fair and hasn’t really stopped.
It could be argued he is Nuno’s biggest success. Doherty is one of the Premier Leagues best
full backs. There isn’t really any side in the league Doherty would look out of place in, no-one
saw that coming.
A signing by Mick McCarthy is now integral to a successful Europa League team. Think on
that people.
Bakary Sako
In a similar vain to Danny Batth, Sako was part of the team that halted the downward slide.
He dominated games in a way he hasn’t been able to do since. Powerful and direct. Sako
was a great player for us.
He may have failed elsewhere but Sako’s time at Wolves was invaluable.
João Moutinho
Realistically there is an argument that our number 28 is the G.O.A.T. What can I say? He’s 5
foot 7 of football heaven.
I’d have him in this team if he’s only played 10 minutes in this decade…
Dave Edwards
Maybe controversial but I loved Dave Edwards. More controversial was my love of Karl
Henry but thankfully he wasn’t really viable to be included in this debate.
I am happy to argue about how important Karl was but this isn’t about him.
He seems to have been a marmite player in a Wolves shirt but his dedication to the cause
could not be doubted. He scored goals. Important goals.
No doubt many will roll their eyes at Edwards’ inclusion in this side, but he was pivotal in so
many seasons. One of the few Wolves players I felt myself defending when I stood in the
South Bank.
A consummate professional who played above his ability so many times. Add in any football
clichés you so wish; I am grateful for Dave Edwards and his contribution to my club.
Ruben Neves
I toyed with the inclusion of K-Mac or Jack Price in this position, however, let’s be honest it
must be Neves.
40-yard volleys, free-kicks and cross-field passes. Signing this man sparked the start of our
return to glory. He may blow hot and cold at times, but he is technically amazing, he makes
you get up off your seat and some of those passes make you audibly gasp.
The mere fact that we can be annoyed at some of his more recent performances shows how
far we have come.
What a player.
Benik Afobe
For me this decade’s team cannot go without the inclusion of Benik Afobe. Initially brought in from Arsenal, he was then sold to Bournemouth before making a hero’s return on loan. After he joined, Afobe didn’t really stop scoring.
It would be easy to let his leaving to Bournemouth sully our memory of Afobe. It is true, his
leaving wasn’t great, but I was sad to see him go and really thought he’d do better in the
Premier League than he did.
He came back on loan and helped us get over the line, maybe helping his legacy at Wolves.
I write this after the news of Afobe’s 2-year-old sadly passing away. When things like that
happen, it makes football seem like a very small thing in the grand scheme. I am sure the
lads of the Fancast will be with me in offering our thoughts and commiserations to Benik and
his family.
Raul Jimenez
The Mexican sensation has hit the net scoring since joining Wolves.
His goalscoring record and performances speak for themselves. The club made an entire
third kit just because of Jimenez.
As the song goes, Si Senior, give the ball to Raul and he’ll score. If he isn’t in your Fantasy
Football team, you are missing a trick.
What is your Wolves XI of the decade? Submit your team and reasons to podcast@wolvesfancast.com and your team might make the site.
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