Massive bonus for Wolves players while Mike Stowell calls for depth
Wolves’ stars have landed a bumper £12million bonus for getting into Europe – as ex-Molineux favourite Mike Stowell called for more depth for the continental stage.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad have reportedly received around £650,000 each after they finished seventh in the Premier League and sealed a Europa League opportunity.
Wolves face three two-legged qualifiers to get to the group stages, and Stowell – who was between the sticks throughout the 1990s, playing 378 times for the club – says some fresh faces are needed to make it there and then thrive.
“Absolutely. It’s not doing a disservice to the players who have got you there,” said Stowell when asked if a bigger squad is required.
“You’re not replacing them by buying, you’re helping them.
“If you’ve got a lad playing every week, and then you’re going to Azerbaijan on a Thursday night, he’ll need a rest.
“It’s not dropping him. It’s resting him, and you need like for like.
“You want players of similar quality, strength in depth. It’s a squad game nowadays. That’s the way forward.”
Wolves currently have 19 senior outfield players, and Stowell is speaking from experience having been part of Leicester City’s Champions League foray in 2016/17 following their shock Premier League title win.
Since 2007, Stowell has been a coach for the Foxes, who reached the quarter-finals, eventually bowing out at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
“The Champions League drained us, absolutely drained us,” said Stowell.
“To compete in the Champions League, even though we had a good group, you need a huge squad.
“We didn’t have that, so we would come back after travelling and play on a Sunday in the league, and every time we got beat.
“We couldn’t sustain that level. That’s why you need two in every position.”
