(Image via wolves.co.uk)
Wolves, eh. It’s still a bit of a dream, really.
Someone will wake me up, and the next thing I know I’ll be scrolling on my phone seeing Wolves have conceded a last minute winner to Brentford on a cold Tuesday evening, with Wolves lying in 16th in the Championship.
Yet on Saturday night, Diogo Jota slams in Wolves’ second of the evening against Manchester United in the FA Cup Quarter-Final and a new reality sets in.
The Wolves you dream about has finally arrived.
Yes there is a moment again the morning after where you think ‘Ah this is Thanos using the reality stone, isn’t it?’
Then you realise that’s just a film, grow up and yep this is actually happening.
If the media and fans outside the realms of Wolverhampton had been politely applauding Wolves season before Saturday night, they all woke up to the reality of Wolves impending rise come 10pm.
Wolves’ Landmark Moment
Jota’s thwack, preceded by Jimenez’s pot shot turned Bully’s aeroplane celebration could be the moment history looks back on and says ‘Son, that’s where it all began’.
Nuno’s men didn’t earn a plucky underdog and spirited win against Manchester United, they created a landmark victory.
Even with injuries, this was a Man Utd side filled with English talent who gave us a summer to remember, World Cup winners, charity pioneers and Chris Smalling.
Describe this in three words
Those outside can argue about the ‘tactics’ as much as they want. Wolves came, saw and kicked their ass.
I sit here, typing away and you try to put into words how mind bending this is. How can I say anything that hasn’t already been said?
I can’t, really. I can only just share the same sentiment every Wolves fan is feeling right now.
I’m walking side by side with hundreds of fans crammed into the subway behind the south bank, singing about Nuno having some kind of dream.
Just by the Civic Hall car park, someone walks past me and shouts ‘I can’t believe how happy I am right now!!!’
I’ve said many times on the podcast this season that this team, week in and out, continues to astound me.
Just when you think they have reached the peak of their abilities this season, they throw in another nugget to take you off your perch.
Now, my ritual post game call to my Dad is filled with wonder. How is Moutinho even in a Wolves shirt? Did you see that finish from Jota? How good was Boly today?
These are times that I now realise, looking back, my Dad would have hoped we would be talking about when we would be watching Wolves draw to Barnsley.
It is the times he remembers his dad telling him about when Wolves were the ‘Champions of the World’ and that he would hope he could understand the emotions at play.
There’ still more to play for
Even in the midst of all of this, Wolves remain 7th in the Premier League and fight for perhaps an unprecedented finish for a newly promoted side.
We have a lingering dream of a Europa league place, but even a top ten finish would be outstanding.
We’re going to Wembley…
Now, Wolves head to Wembley for an FA Cup Semi-Final. Fans head to the home of football knowing that this incredible season could still offer more.
Fans head to Wembley knowing that their two best strikers won’t be on the bench.
And that is just absurd.
These are the Football Manager days you have re-created so many times as a kid.
‘Look Dad, I’ve just won the FA Cup with Wolves!‘ you say with glee as you enjoy a fantasy that you know will never happen in reality (Geez, that’s a bit depressing) Yet, it’s strange to think that this could be a reality.
The Reality Stone
‘Reality’. It’s a phrase I’ve used a lot in this piece. But now it’s time to realise it.
This is a side, a club, which will only get better with age. Yes, players will naturally come and go with the immense eyes that now has its sights on our squad, but Fosun will now have a greater taste of the success they have started to create, and they will not let go.
I’m a big fan of movie trailers. The way they hype of a film and make you want to see more.
And it’s no different to the recent Avengers EndGame trailer (Hook that it my veins!). This line from Tony Stark near the start really struck a cord:
“I know I said no more surprises, but I was really hoping to pull off one last one.”
You know what… I think Wolves will.
#UpForTheCup
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