Without England international Jarvis, our main attacking outlet minus the injured Kevin Doyle, the nail biting threat of the derby seemed ever more intimidating. With West Brom safe and under no pressure and with Wolves struggling for points, goals and steady nerves I regrettably felt like we’d already lost. How wrong could I have been?
With Jarvis parked on the Wolves bench, up stepped his replacement Stephen Hunt who went into the game like a caged tiger (sorry, wolf). His stuttering Molinuex career has thus far been disrupted by injuries but from the very first echoes of the referee’s midday whistle Hunt quickly epitomised everything required from a player in officially the fiercest derby in England (cheers Colin Murray). Demonstrating effort, fight, heart and pride, it felt like Hunt was on a one man mission. He’s never going to set the footballing world alight with champagne moments a la Jarvis’ dashing runs, but on Sunday a fully fit Hunt applied his pest-like (cheers 'Arry) qualities in abundance making him now an automatic choice for our remaining two games. What Hunt lacks in skill is more than compensated by his continued harassment of the opposition; repeatedly upsetting opposing players despite his diminutive size – the type of player other fans and players hate but boy were we glad to have him on Sunday. His relentless running, tracking back and niggling tackles set the standard for the rest of the Wolves players who despite a very nervous twenty minute period in the second half thoroughly deserved their 3-1 win. Photos of the increasingly inked Stephen Fletcher may cover the back pages following his two goals but it was Hunt who should be grabbing the headlines.
Hunt delivered the kind of performance that will live long in the West Midlands memory should we stay up as he took the fight to West Brom, his positive attitude clearly rubbing off on an array of team mates such as Stephen Ward while also lifting the crowd. Hunt’s hurrying of set pieces and general high tempo was a welcome addition to a previously demoralised side recently lacking ideas while also further evidencing his enthusiasm and attempts to catch the West Brom defence off guard.
In the space of two hours I’d gone from despairing at Mick’s apparent madness to applauding his bravery and leadership, but that’s why he’s a football manager and I’m merely a very nervous but now encouraged fan. A huge decision that could have gone horribly wrong, but it didn’t, he got it so, so right. Like many, I sometimes question Mick’s tactical astuteness and team selection, but here, thankfully he got it spot on. With opposing teams doubling up on Jarvis, his usual dangerous runs and improved crossing has been nullified in recent weeks especially without the outlet of Doyle. We’ve all spotted this obvious weakness to our attacking play, but probably hoped it would just go away and Jarvis could find yet another gear. It took a very brave McCarthy to do something about it before our league position worsened.
Now lying 17th and out of the relegation zone, we have our destiny in our hands against Sunderland and Blackburn, while we’re also further aided by news of star man Kevin Doyle’s return to fitness. Mick McCarthy next management masterstroke is to ensure his players don’t assume the hard work is already done, I’m sure he will but thankfully judging by Wolves’ display against West Brom there’s one player’s contagious spirit that will ensure the fight continues to the final whistle at Molineux on May 22nd.