Blogger interview: Wolves Blog
Twitter @thomasbaugh
It has been a long time since I tried to speak to a rival fan for Rival Lines. Thomas Baugh was my first stop after Project Restart got underway and he write on the Wolves Blog. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been in fine form and even have a shot at getting into the Champions League so is there any thing that isn't rosy about being a Wolves fan?
CC: As we look at the table before the restart, Wolves are in sixth place. Would that satisfy most Wolves fans if you finished there - one better than last season?
WB: That's tough to answer as the team seems like it has the potential to compete for 5th and potentially Champions League football. But I think if we're being sensible you'd have to say sixth would still represent a great achievement, particularly when you consider we'd be finishing above the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who have been amongst the established elite for so long.
CC: Nuno Esprito Santo has done a fantastic job, but do you fear he is now firmly on the go get list for other clubs?
WB: Definitely, but that's the price of success. Hopefully we can match his ambitions and keep him at the club for a long time to come. The setup at Wolves seems perfect for all involved so I would hope it would take a seriously good offer to wrench him away.
CC: Wolves are still in the UEFA Europa League's last 16. Are you keen for this competition to be played out this season?
WB: That's tough to answer as the team seems like it has the potential to compete for 5th and potentially Champions League football. But I think if we're being sensible you'd have to say sixth would still represent a great achievement, particularly when you consider we'd be finishing above the likes of Spurs and Arsenal who have been amongst the established elite for so long.
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WB: Definitely, but that's the price of success. Hopefully we can match his ambitions and keep him at the club for a long time to come. The setup at Wolves seems perfect for all involved so I would hope it would take a seriously good offer to wrench him away.
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WB: Yes. If nothing else, it's another opportunity to get into the Champions League and with second legs being eliminated Wolves are potentially just 4 wins away from lifting the trophy. We're rubbing shoulders with some illustrious clubs now and given that most of my time supporting Wolves has been in the second tier, these glory days must be savoured.
WB: Very well. I don't think West Ham are in great shape but our goalkeeper didn't make a save and once we started really attacking with some intent after Traore came on, it was fairly routine. We were keeping a lot of clean sheets before the season paused, so it was great to see that continue. We're a tough nut to crack and a threat going forward - what more can we ask?
CC: How did your warm up games go against Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City, did you get much feedback about the performances and are there any injured players?
WB: Didn't hear much about those games but the proof was in the pudding against West Ham. The lads looked fit, sharp and organised. We deservedly won the game so hopefully, it continues to be business as usual.
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CC: How did you feel Wolves did against West Ham in your first match back?
WB: Very well. I don't think West Ham are in great shape but our goalkeeper didn't make a save and once we started really attacking with some intent after Traore came on, it was fairly routine. We were keeping a lot of clean sheets before the season paused, so it was great to see that continue. We're a tough nut to crack and a threat going forward - what more can we ask?
CC: Wolves will have a big say in what happens at both ends of the table. Do you think Wolves have to take points off of West Ham, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa to stand any chance of making the top six?
WB: Possibly not for sixth but if we have aspirations of competing for fifth or higher, we probably need a return of 7-9 points. We've got 3 on the board after turning West Ham over but every game in the Premier League is tough, so I won't be taking Bournemouth or Villa for granted despite their respective struggles.
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CC: Would you be agreeable to cash in on Adama Traore if clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona are willing to pay crazy money for him, ie over £110m?
WB: I don't want him to go because he's a unique talent, so keeping him is preferable. I honestly believe this squad could get even better and challenge the top four. But if he does go, yes, it must be for silly money, so we can use that injection of cash to build out the squad and I'd obviously prefer to see him going abroad than to domestic rivals.
CC: What chance do you give for Bournemouth staying up this season and what are your predictions for the bottom three?
CC: What chance do you give for Bournemouth staying up this season and what are your predictions for the bottom three?
WB: I thought you'd stay up before the weekend but with Brighton getting that win and Palace winning fairly comfortably at the Vitality, I think you're in a spot of bother. I wouldn't like to choose between Bournemouth, West Ham and Villa. Brighton aren't completely out yet either as they've got a tough run of fixtures to come. I don't think Watford are going to drop. At present, I would say definitely Norwich, probably Villa and then 50/50 between the others. It will be interesting to see how your lads respond to that defeat to Palace.
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CC: How will you watch or listen to Wolves v AFCB and what is your score prediction?
WB: It's on BT so I shall be watching from home and based on form and league positions, I can't go with anything other than a Wolves win. 2-1.
Good luck for the rest of the season Cherries - after Wednesday!
CC: Some excellent points made by Thomas. I get the feeling he might have a bit of a soft spot for Bournemouth out of the teams that are battling to stay up, but it must be strange to be supporting a team that is on the verge of its best season for many a year and yet being held up by the lockdown up till now. I can imagine the frustration, while fans of teams like Bournemouth are hanging on to every second of being a Premier League club. Bournemouth probably need some complacency to get into the Wolves camp to have a chance of picking up points at Molineux. Can the form book be turned around in just 72 hours. I am keen to find out, just like Thomas. You can see more Wolves build up on the Wolves Blog website.
