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Speaking to the E & S Wolves podcast (08/05), journalist Tim Spiers has called out unfair comparisons between Wolves and Burnley as the former bid for European football ahead of next season.
What’s the word?
Wolves have had a tremendous first campaign back in the Premier League and the fact they’re in the frame for Europe shows just how good they’ve been.
However, things aren’t wrapped up quite yet. Although they’ve confirmed seventh spot in the league, they can still miss out on the Europa League if Watford beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
With the possibility of a European adventure on the cards, Express & Star journalist Spiers has had his say on the E & S Wolves podcast, hailing the magnitude of the club’s achievements.
Bearing in mind how excellent their performances have been, he swatted away unfair suggestions that Wolves could turn out like Burnley next season. He said:
“Newly promoted teams have done very well in the past but 2001 was the last time a newly promoted side finished this high in the table. It’s so much harder to do it now with the established top six, with all the money everyone has got around them. To finish best of the rest, in your first season in the league – and for it not to be a fluke, it’s not a one-off. That’s why comparisons with Burnley are way off the mark. This feels like a natural step in Wolves’ evolution.”
Wolves’ quality should prevail
It’s easy to be concerned about the possibility of European football at Molineux next season. Although it would be a hugely exciting adventure, they lack squad depth and as a result could suffer with the sheer increase in matches.
Burnley dropped off significantly at the start of the current term, getting off to an awful start after losing in the qualifying stages of the Europa League.
That could be a worry for Wolves, but they have far too much quality in their squad for that to happen. They also have players with European pedigree which will undoubtedly help. Therefore, Spiers is absolutely right to suggest comparisons with Burnley are way off the mark.
In terms of the way the Midlands club play, they’re perfectly suited to European football. If they can add in some extra depth over the summer then they should have no troubles.