An interview with a Rival... Wolves

Keith Ingham spoke to family friend and Wolves mad Tony Stevens ahead of saturdays clash at the Molyneux.

Tony as we know you've been a fan for a number of years, what's your best period of this support?

Well Keith I think for me it's not really about playing in the Premier League. I look back with so much fondness to the late 60's early 70's and then the late 80's revival.

Many players have graced the 'gold and black', could you give me your top five?

Hell fire Keith am I only allowed 5! Lol Ok then I will restrict it to those I have seen play, but obviously the fabulous 50's teams had some awesome players (Wright Williams Slater Broadband Mullen Hancox Westcott etc etc

1 Mike Bailey
2. Derek Dougan
3 Peter Knowles
4.John Richards
5. And the Legend that is Steven George Bull

Could I ask for another memorable game between the clubs you've either attended or seen on TV?

Can't remember which game I picked last time! It was probably the FA Cup Semi at Maine Road so it has to be the March 7th 1998 F.A Cup game which we won 1-0 at Elland Road thanks to Don Goodman's goal and Jimmy Floyd's penalty saved by Han's Segers in the 88th minute.

Driving to tbe ground with a Wolves scarf out of one window and a Leeds out of another.
Me and my Step-Son (a 9-year old Leeds fan) in the West Stand near the Wolves away support. The banter was harsh but good natured as the Leeds fans around us realised early on that I wasn't one of them lol

Obviously, as we know both clubs have massive fan bases, do you think under the current climate with teams having so much money after being relegated, can Leeds and Wolves can challenge this season?

We can challenge Keith but it's not on a level playing field and I think that unless you can unearth a few "gems" and bring in seasoned campaigners who are winners like we did with Ince, Irwin and Rae in 2002/2003, then the best we can hope for is a shot at the playoffs.

Those relegated teams can afford to keep their top players and strengthen too. As you know we have had a "Chinese cash injection" but throwing money around and bringing a dozen or more players in does not guarantee you immediate success, it will take time.

You're a fan of the NFL, could you say the attendance of games is a better experience than watching your favourite team Wolves?

Have to say that at the moment it is. The whole fan experience is brilliant both inside and outside the stadium and football can learn a lot from the NFL if it really wants to. However nothing can match that nail biting stomach knotting stress you go through watching "your babbies" winning a tight big local derby!

What do you think of both teams start to the 2016/17 season and your most improved player?

We've both had an up and down start to the season and you were starting to get a run going but have been unlucky lately. I think that Gary Monk appears to be doing a good job from an outsider's perspective.

We on the other hand are inconsistent eg. Lose 4-0 at home to Barnsley and then go to Newcastle and win 2-0. We have a "Tinkerman" at the helm and we have rarely, if at all started the same 11 in consecutive games and that must be as frustrating for the players as it is the fans. We are out playing teams for long spells with no end product.

Both teams are in mid table, if you had a spare tenner who would you put your money on to finish highest?

Naturally I'm going to say Wolves Keith! But as it stands currently there won't be much between us come May unless one of us hits a rich vein of form and has a bit of luck too.

Your Champions, Runners Up and six Playoff teams for 2016/17?

Champions ......Newcastle
Runners up ......Norwich
Playoffs. .......... how about. ...Huddersfield Sheffield Wednesday Leeds and Wolves. ...that would keep Me and 3 of my best friends very happy until game day lol

Three for the drop?

Rotherham Burton and Wigan

Prediction and Scorers for Saturdays game?

Wolves 1....Costa
Leeds 1....Wood

Thank you Tony for taking the time to answer our questions and fingers crossed your top 6 prediction is right, two potential Yorkshire derbies!


By Keith Ingham