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Wolves 2019-20 Rollercoaster - Not Bad, but what could STILL be!
Kashmire Hawker • 1 August 2020
Reflections of A CRAZY season, which despite the Ifs, Buts and Maybes - COULD still have a fairytale ending!
The above selfie at Molineux, ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 UEFA Europa League win against Slovan Bratislava on November 7th 2019, was one which all could have only dreamed about just 4 years ago. Such a result that evening, definately illistrates the progress which has again been made by The Old Gold and with the domestic campaign of 2019-2020 now fully complete, I wish to give a few reflections of it all.
Despite the major intruption, as a result of such a scary and invesible killer: it in my view, has been more steps in the right direction - across all embers of the club; both on and off the surface.
For starters, securing another top 7 finish - making it our best consecutive League finishes since 1960, pulling off our highest points total since 1980 in 59 points and having the least number of defeats - since our last title win in 1958-59 of just 9 blanks points wise, automatically puts Nuno Espirito Santo and his side into the good books.
Knowing that 116 points have been won, within our 1st two seasons back in the top flight - with both campaigns equalling 7th place finishes, with 101 goals having been registered and the 1st of those, resulting in a Europa League run which has raised many a brow across the globe, can and should only been seen in good light.
Having also this season, beared witness of claiming the double over the Champions in Manchester City, for the 1st time in who knows how long, alongside the most memorable wins against Torino to help secure the UEL Group Stage spot, Beskitas twice (the 2nd one, which gave me a small cheer on General Election night!) in the Group Stage and Espanyol at home in the Last 32 - on top of League triumphs against Villa at Molineux, Bournemouth at the Vitality, Southampton at St Mary's and Tottenham Hotspur at Spurs £1 Billion stadium: will forever live in the memory box due to the sheer quality and fight on display.
Draws must also be referred to, with there 14 in the top flight this term! Standouts have to be Manchester United at Molineux, thanks to Ruben Neves strike of art, Arsenal at the Emirates, the crazy 1st half against Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX and Burnley at Turf Moor, as a result of Raul Jiminez's sheer magic on prime-time. The 3-3 against Braga in the Europa League, which saw more than 6000 members of the Wolfpack make the trip to Portugal, most certainly also gets a mention, due to a 1st half which blew many away!
Seeing too that our Mexican superstar, bagged 26 in our 57 fixtures demonstrates how we are able to pull in, the kind of quality and magic we have been long for. Adama's breakthrough season, can't go without a miss neither knowing his valuable contribution he has made right from the off and the consistency of folk donning The Old Gold and Black; particuarly Mr's Moutinho, Coady, Neves, Boly, Denonker and Patricio, is a big part of the success. Also our signatures of Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto, have been very well justifed - thanks to the excellent way there play, has blended into Nuno's style and brand of football.
Such memories to live through, do feel a little tainted through moments which demonstrate the sheer inability of those at the top - to effectively undertake such duties as required. Video Assistant Referee's implementation was always going to be controversial, but the lonny level it has resulted in negativity towards us, has without doubt shattered confidence and affected on play and results.
The outrageous number of points lost, due to the total incompetance of using a much needed system, has ultimately cost the club, the city and the West Midlands; in the region of an additional £200 Million. The two decisions against Leicester City in both games, Liverpool at Anfield, and Burnley at Turf Moor - in the most inexcusable of decisions; quite probably ever made in Premier League history, has strengthened the view of the system being used, all for the benefit for "The Big Six."
The HQ of The Premier League at The Brunel Building, will have surely feared the economic impact being major, if the likes of Wolves, Leicester City and Sheffield United had succeeded in reaching the Champions League and one genuinely presumes, that Richard Masters and co instructed officals, to protect those who gather the most money. The sickening nature, of such measures seriously being taken, clearly shows the legitimate need: for the wholesale reform of The Football Association, The Premier League and Professional Games Match Officals Limited, with the way in which affairs have been occurred and the knocking of the door - of a new batch of clubs wanting to reshape the order of English Football.
Of course, one would be foolish not to acknowlege the fair number where the boys simply didn't show up, went to deep late on or simply played for a draw - all of which bit us up the backside. 6 Points were lost from points winning positions, against Brighton away, Liverpool at home, Sheffield United away and Burnley away (the last one in extraordinary circumstances); along with us not proving ourselves in the opening 6 games with no wins, by playing much too deep within a fair few fixtures (see the draws and losses list for understanding) and Nuno's nature of being conservative - in changing the team to reflect players form, adjusting the formation for lineups and even using subs during games.
These are things which have very much been the case, within these two seasons and probably will continue to occur next season, as the gaffer's style is his choice. But for progression and smashing the elite, a more radical thought of a boss would be welcome, within the areas referred to, along with stronger squad depth and that IMO means another 3/4 signings (at Centre-Back, Right Wing-Back, Attacking Midfield and Striker) in the window between now and October 5th.
Some understandably consider missing out on 3rd place, by just 7 points as Wolves "bottling it", whilst others see the bad luck and stupidness of officials as the key. I see both elements being creeping in, through expectation getting to the boys sometimes, which thus has meant negative play, coupled with qualifed referees simply not doing there job.
It does feel a little deflating, that such a combination of those dropped 6 points in the mentioned 4 games, plus 7 points being lost through VAR decisions in another 4 fixtures, meant being 13 points away from where we ought to have been. 72 Points would have meant 3rd place - a position no doubt deemed out of reach come kick-off against Everton on August 11th 2018!
But, it again reflects the huge strides made by this giant - now back awake following many years of hibernating - further relfected by what COULD still certainly be. The Europa League run has been marvellous and with the 2nd Leg of the Last 16 on Thursday, a free hit if you like appears, for the lads to attempt something out of the ordinary.
The Final Eight competition in Germany, I think has the possibility of suiting us much better - knowing of the unpredictability of winner takes it all games, our massive fight against the more bigger sides before us and naturally, the opportunity of lifting the biggest (both in weight and club terms) trophy in Wolves history. A European title - in just our 2nd season back in the top flight, would define of what can be done - when good, attractive and fun football is played and write heroes into immortality.
Knowing too, that there has been an average attendance of a whopping 31,360 at Molineux; again the highest since the 1980's, the Club's incredible involvement, in ensuring we as humans stay safe during COVID-19 with Fosun providing millions of equipment across the globe - much of which has come for benefit of the heroes at New Cross Hospital and Wolverhampton NHS Trust and being named just this week, in Brand Finance Football's Top 50 powerful club brands, at Number 19, proves the only way Wanderers are heading and that towards the top of the mountain.
In roundng up: the pundits, press and opposition thought we would simply fall to pieces, due to the unbelieveable schedule that the lads had. On the whole, those assumptions were put to bed by Christmas, with the way we recovered from a slow start and when we are good on the day: WE ARE GOOD!
57 competitive games, up to now has provided a heck of a rollercoaster and knowing that the chance of Silverware still exists and an ever growing fan base right across the globe: Wolverhampton Wanderers, under Nuno Espirito Santo and Fosun International are well on there way.
And to know, that we've done it despite the full blown corruption, incompetence and hatred by referees and Video Assistant Referee: it ain't been that bad! No matter, how long it takes to reach the summit, the signs are immensely promising and many millions, apart of a ride - will sooner rather than later, see something special.
A Very Happy New Year! A few more Reflections on 2024 and a 2025 Preview
As 2024 comes toward an end, I can say that this year for me has been one of change, one of further development and one of opening my eyes in many ways. In typing this reflection, I feel immensely satisfied and proud to have made this year my first in a full-time job without a fixed end date, in an organisation of the West Midlands Combined Authority, which has plenty of opportunities for me to consider in the coming months and years and working within in an outstanding team. I also feel hugely delighted at continuing to give my time in voluntary service, not least through Parkrun, Silverstone and in the perhaps once in a generation Champions League Final at Wembley in the Summer, as well as raise £405, in two events of the Great Birmingham Run of £130 for Cure Leukemia and £275 at the Molineux Sleepout for Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and The Good Shepherd. On top, to have again sought office to serve my home city for a fourth year running and garnered 1,656 votes (even if not a winning total!), as well as contributed to successful wider political campaigning for my party’s and substantially expanded on my engagement in them gave me a privilege and deeper fire in the belly than ever before, in giving back to Wulfrunians. Finally, many more runs, seeing Taylor Swift, Kaiser Chiefs and The Darkness in concert, plus a sublime Musical about the pop heroes in Steps, marching at two Pride events, continuing engagement with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Solutions for the Planet and Changing Our Lives and completing a fantastic personal development programme on getting younger folk as Trustees in Arts and Cultural organisations, have all formed part of another busy 12 months. Naturally however, losing an Election and your best furry friend in my house’s dog Harley, alongside needing to help move my Mum to a safer place, all in the space of 7 weeks stung greatly in May and June. The death of a beloved dog and family member and Mum’s house move were not easy financially to deal with, but I managed it as has been the case with previous years. This year has also meant some greatly more honest and blunt conversations, which have burnt a few bridges with once seen trustworthy allies and pals. Being straight and upfront however is sometimes the best course and I don’t regret that for one moment, not least when the mind is burdened enough with day-to-day activity. Those things have definitely made me really realised that the world is a big and lonely place, and that sense of loneliness continues to affect my thoughts. This no doubt feels true and always will do at Christmas, with December 25th being the anniversary of Kieran’s passing in 2021 aged just 25 and I frankly will never know how to truly feel on the day itself. Knowing he is not here to share Christmas lunch will always put a size 9 boot dent in my heart. Having said that, I have good people around me and I give my wholehearted thanks to all for your continued support and good wishes, at what will forever be a sensitive and mournful point of the year, in my family’s life. In whatever way which you and your family mark this festive and new year period, I hope it is as enjoyable and peaceful as it possibly can be and that it gives a chance to rest and be with those closest to you, as well as embrace it being the season of giving, whether gifts or love. A further blog post, or two, on reflecting 2024 and looking ahead to 2025 shall come before the clock hits midnight next Wednesday.
The Co-operative Party has been a natural home for me for towards five years and gives me a brilliant platform to shout about and run on critical issues. As Chair of the Walsall, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire, Branch and as a Labour and Co-operative candidate in Local Elections in my home City of Wolverhampton since 2021, I’m proud to make an impact and with the party’s immense expansion over the years, I would be honoured to play a bigger part. And as someone with experience in Youth Representation – most recently with the West Midlands Young Combined Authority and Labour Party wise as the current Policy and Political Education Officer for the Wolverhampton West CLP, I feel ready to use that skill set to the full. Thus, if Elected as a Youth Committee Member, I will: Help to establish a WM Young Co-operative Youth Network spread right across my region, which is not just stuck within the Metropolitan centre; Work with Labour groups across my region, for them to Elect a Co-operative Rep on to their committee s; Engage with our friends In Trade Unions, Fabians Society and The Labour Party to run joint events; whether campaigning, educational or socially; Work with colleagues to ensure events are accessible as possible, not least for Neurodiverse people ; Join Young Co-operators up and down the nation in campaignin g; And be Accountable and Transparent in my work as per the Nolan Principles, so fellow Members can question me at any moment . We have a wonderful opportunity to shape the Party’s future and with a Labour and Co-operative Government now in place, it would be a huge privilege for myself to play a part. Please vote Kashmire Hawker for Youth Committee. Thank You!
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