Why Wolves remain 'on their way back' even after FA Cup semi-final defeat

A dejected Nuno Espirito Santo walks off the pitch at Wembley
Nuno Espirito Santo's fine work at Wolves should not be disregarded Credit: AP

“We’re Wolverhampton, we’re on our way back”.

That chant has reverberated around Premier League arenas all season and, while this defeat is going to hurt, in time Wolves will consider this as another forward step under Nuno Espirito Santo.

The ambition of Wolves owners Fosun is to ultimately break into the top four and challenge in semi-finals on a consistent basis, but Nuno’s Molineux revolution remains well ahead of schedule.

This was their first FA Cup semi-final since 1998, when players such as Steve Bull, Don Goodman and Steve Claridge took to the field in the famous Old Gold.

A seventh successive win at Wembley appeared likely after 62 minutes, as Wolves seemingly took control after moving into a 2-0 lead.

But there is something about this Watford team that Wolves find difficult to overcome.

Nuno has taken points off Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, and beaten Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Maurizio Sarri this season, but Javi Gracia seems to have a hold over Wolves.

Dejected Wolverhampton Wanderers players after Troy Deeney of Watford scored a penalty to make it 2-2 during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium 
Wolves have taken points off Man City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs this season Credit: Getty images

After the tactical masterclass at Molineux, in which Watford won 2-0, this was another afternoon when Gracia underlined how he cannot be ignored when the Manager of the Year award is decided.

Nuno will also be in contention and this bitterly disappointing defeat, tossing away the prospect of a first final since 1960, cannot tarnish their remarkable journey under the Portuguese. Wolves’ progress over the last seven years is also admirable.

There were the abysmal two relegations in a row, when Wolves dropped from the Premier League into the third tier under a succession of managers and a squad crammed with underachieving players. The relationship between club and supporters was broken, the spirit at rock bottom.

Afternoons out at Wembley appeared far off, as Wolves completed a tour of remote outposts in League One including Crawley, Stevenage and Swindon.

Kenny Jackett sparked the revival by guiding Wolves back into the Championship, but it is Nuno, their brilliant and brooding head coach, who has provided the jump leads.

 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matt Doherty reacts after the match
Matt Doherty was unfortunate to be on the losing side Credit: reuters

He has a built an exciting squad and established a recognisable identity, with a team possessing no regard for reputations and a hunger to upset the odds.

Nobody epitomises their progress more than wing-back Matt Doherty.

For all the focus on Wolves advisor Jorge Mendes, and his all-star list of Molineux clients including Nuno, Ruben Neves and João Moutinho, Doherty has been one of the key men in their remarkable rise.

That £75,000 paid to Irish club Bohemians in 2010 must be one of the bargains of the century. It was Mick McCarthy, now his Republic of Ireland manager, who spotted him playing against Wolves in a pre-season friendly, and nobody could have predicted his impact.

Doherty was a crucial figure here at Wembley for the semi-final, scoring his fourth goal in the competition and sending over a wonderful cross for Raul Jimenez to volley in the second.

He ended up on the losing side, but his personal journey proves that anything is possible.

For Wolves, the future remains bright and there can be little doubt that they are indeed on the way back.

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