DAVIS BOYS GO OVER TO DARK SIDE
WOLVES have admitted they employ the “dark arts” after revealing they even teach them to their Under-18s.
Wanderers new boss Julen Lopetegui (inset, below) will be in the stands for tonight’s clash at home to Arsenal ahead of him starting as Bruno Lage’s successor on Monday.
The Spanish coach will be introduced to the crowd before the game and can expect a fiery clash.
Arsenal beat Wolves 1-0 on their last visit to Molineux, despite having Gabriel Martinelli sent off with more than 20 minutes to go.
Wolves’ style was evident during last month’s 1-1 draw with Brentford
when keeper Jose Sa feigned injury to waste time while Max Kilman was off the field getting stitches.
And caretaker boss Steve Davis, in charge for the final time before returning to coach the Under-18s, candidly admits they are willing to use various tricks.
Davis said: “Last season I was at the home game, I remember it was 1-0 and there was a lot of diving around and bits going on.
“Sa going down at Brentford was one. It was very professional. These sort of things I teach the kids and the Under-18s.
“I teach them about how the game is played and professional fouls, it happens. If you don’t learn it, you will never be able to do it.
“The ‘dark arts’ are massively important in professional football and top football.
“The quicker they can learn them, the better they can implement them.
“It is not something I have thought about for this game but it is part of development and player learning. Ultimately they will get it done to them and they can deal with it if they have been told about it.”
Kilman has even been told he needs to be nastier if he wants to get England recognition.
Davis, a former lower league defender, added:
“Max needs more aggression to be a centre-back.
“If he can do that there’s no reason why he couldn’t play for England.”