Relegation threat grows with inexperienced Wolves appointment

In the aftermath of a reported three snubs from potential candidates to take over at Wolves over the past week, Mick McCarthy’s former assistant Terry Connor will now succeed him until at least the summer, resulting in Ladbrokes cutting the Midlands outfit to 8/15 to be relegated.

Connor has no previous managerial experience, serving as a coach at both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City before taking up a similar position at Wolves, and eventually being promoted to the role of assistant manager by McCarthy in 2008.

To say that the appointment is underwhelming would be somewhat of an understatement, with experienced Premier League bosses such as Alan Curbishley and Walter Smith previously touted, along with exciting young Reading manager Brian McDermott.

However, with Curbishley and Smith deciding they didn’t want to take on the role, and McDermott instead opting to sign a new deal with the Royals, the Wolves board seemed to have had their hands tied in avoiding the appointment of Steve Bruce, whom the fans had made it clear they did not want.

Now, with 13 league games remaining, it is a case of sink or swim for the inexperienced Connor, who while knowing the squad and club inside out being in the 13th year of his tenure there, will have to adapt to his new role almost seamlessly to give Wolves any chance of avoiding the drop.

With the visits of Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City still to come to Molineux, it could prove a bridge too far for the 49-year-old to carry out such a monumental task in his maiden managerial position.

Steven Fletcher’s form will be key to any survival chances, but noting the collapse of the side in a Midlands derby with West Brom in their last outing, it could be worth paying close attention to the 8/15 odds for Wolves to be relegated this season.