Mel Eves: Nuno can bring back glory days for Wolves
Mel Eves is confident Nuno Espirito Santo’s pack can imitate the success of Wolves’ stars from the 1970s and early 80s.
Former attacker Eves was part of the side that finished sixth in the 1979/80 top-flight season, as well as winning the League Cup by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Wembley.
Before the 62-year-old broke into the first team in 77, he saw Bill McGarry’s men end up fourth in 70/71, ninth in 71/72 and fifth in 72/73 – reaching the UEFA Cup final in 1972 and clinching the League Cup in 1974 as well.
And when asked if the current crop can do the same, Eves said: “I think they can.
“We’ve probably got a team that can compete the same as the Wolves did in the 70s.
“In the beginning of the 70s, of course, we were a top-four team, got to the final of a European competition against Tottenham, won the League Cup in 1974 and again in 1980, finishing in the top six that season too.
“We were used to competing at the top end, for most of the time – we got relegated in 1976, but came straight back up as champions.
“Unfortunately, we all know what happened in the 80s with the club going into receivership in 1982 and again in 1986.
“It fell apart, but it’s come back to where we are now.
“The owners have pledged their backing and I don’t think they’re messing about.”
Eves believes Fosun’s presence will be the main reason behind Wolves being a Premier League force for many years to come.
He says their backing is a massive reassurance, after being involved in the club’s financial turmoil during the 80s when they almost went out of business – twice.
“Just a couple of years after we won the League Cup and finished sixth – we had Andy Gray, the PFA Young Player of the Year who Wolves had paid a record transfer fee for, which would be the equivalent of spending £100m-plus these days – we were almost out of business,” added Eves, who scored 44 goals in 180 appearances before moving to Sheffield United in December 1984.
“I can’t see that happening with the present owners and that is the big difference and the reassurance for everybody involved with the club.
“At the top end, above the manager and the playing staff, the business side of the club should be OK as Fosun are a big, well-established corporation.”
