Old-Gold Fever

Getting back into the swing of writing regularly is something that I've decided must start now. An entire summer rich with sporting action and not one blog! I deserve nothing less as a journalist than to be put in the stocks and mocked till the cows come home. Failing that, it might be appropriate to reflect on what has so far been an explosive start to the 2010/11 season.

Swindon Town's indifferent start to the season aside, it's already apparent that pre-season expectations are already starting to crystalise; Chelsea have thus far been in an imperious and ruthless vein of form. Manchester United still rely on the sage-like influence of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs and Liverpool are still wobbling as Roy Hodgson's stewardship is yet to take flight. At the other end, all three promoted sides have settled nicely; a heavy defeat and a morale-boosting win already under their respective belts. The problems at Aston Villa and West Ham are already having an effect on their campaigns but it's another club in the West Midlands that deserves a mention.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, under the guidance of Mick McCarthy, appear to have slipped under the radar. Following promotion as champions of Division One (oh ok, The Championship for all you perfectionists), they were widely expected to plummet straight back down into the Football League. As was predicted, the stars of the previous season failed to shine. The likes of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly, so pivotal in promotion were left floundering out of their depth in the top-flight.

Wise old Mick however, brought in players like Kevin Doyle, Michael Mancienne and Nenad Milijas to stabilise the squad, adding the elements of experience, flair and penetration to the blend. This careful combination of hard-work, desire and creativity was responsible for keeping the famous old club in the Premier League.

Now the squad has had time to gel, coupled with the addition of Steven Fletcher and Stephen Hunt, Wolves have an added dimension to their play. Their start to the season was exemplified by their performance at Everton: penned into their own half for large periods of the game, a quick break in the second half ended with Ebanks-Blake stealing his side a point in a classic away performance.

It's still early doors as far as the season is concerned but with a sturdy spine through the team and Ebanks-Blake appearing to be coming back into form, the famous old-gold shirts of Wolverhampton Wanderers get my vote as the surprise package of the season. Watch this space..