The best promoted side since Kenny kings
NOT since Kenny Dalglish led Blackburn into the Premier League in 1992 have I been more excited by a newly-promoted team.
Wolves have already taken a point from Manchester City and Manchester United but it is their performances in these matches which have impressed me most.
Wolves played with no fear when they hosted the champions last month. They followed that on Saturday by going to Old Trafford and taking the game to United. Had it not been for the heroics of David de Gea in goal, Wolves would have left with all three points.
When Blackburn went up, they paid an English record £3.6million to sign Alan Shearer. It was a statement that this was a club who were going places. They played like they meant business, too, and three years later they were Premier League champions. I am not suggesting that this Wolves team can win the title, but they are playing exciting, attacking football with the swagger of an established Premier League team — not a newly-promoted side trying to find their feet.
Their relationship with agent Jorge Mendes has allowed them to bring in some serious talent. Last season it was Ruben Neves, who lit up the Championship with his box-office longrange goals.
Now the midfielder is working in perfect harmony with Joao Moutinho, a player who I have admired for a long time. Whenever I saw him in action for Monaco and Portugal I thought he had the aggression and dynamism to thrive in the Premier League. He capped a dominant display with a sensational strike at Old Trafford.
Wolves may be thrilling to watch but they are resolute in defence, too. Willy Boly is a warrior and I love that they are captained by a Scouser in Conor Coady!
All of their new players have gelled quickly. Fulham, who spent more than £100m after promotion, have looked disjointed but there is a real feeling of togetherness at Molineux.
It helps that seven of their stars — eight if you include manager Nuno Espirito Santo — are Portuguese. Nuno has started an unchanged XI in all six matches this season and it is clear the players love playing for him.
Finishing in the top 10 this season would be an excellent achievement. If their owners remain patient and the club continue to attract top talents, European football is a possibility in the next few years.
They should be aiming to become top dogs in the Midlands at the very least.