Captain Coady leads by example as improved Wolves avoid a second dose of Derby dismay at West Brom

Conor Coady is by no means amongst the Premier League’s elite when it comes to skill, goal contributions and individual talent. But the example he sets from the Wolves backline is invaluable.

You want your captain, your leader involved for a fierce derby match. They set the standard, they help the players through; their presence is unmatched.

As soon as the front of Coady’s right boot made contact with the first blade of grass on the hallowed Hawthorns turf, the 28-year-old made himself heard. Torrential rainfall didn’t drown out the booming Scouse commands of “let’s go lads” as he made sure his ten fellow compatriots were ready for battle. It was, after all, a Black Country Derby.

Not just any Black Country Derby. The second of the season. An opportunity to redeem a humiliating 3-2 home defeat last time out against the Baggies. The chance to put their fiercest rivals on the brink of relegation. A fixture in which Wanderers have been winless in for a decade. It was also behind closed doors.

To be honest, the fact it was a derby was quickly forgotten. There was very little noise on an occasion where fans would be particularly vocal and create a deafening din, making their claim for why they’re the pride of the Black Country. Tackles and challenges were at a minimum too, with just two yellow cards brandished during the entire game.

But captain Coady made sure his team was under control; he didn’t stop shouting. Whether or not the defender was vociferous because it was a derby is a question only he can answer, but his presence in the Wolves backline is clearly of immense importance and shouldn’t be undervalued by the Molineux faithful. 

Within the space of six minutes, the defender had released two 50-yard-plus passes accurately towards Owen Otasowie first and then Ruben Semedo next, both occupying positions on the right-flank. Coady’s intentions were clear from the get go. 

The England international strayed away from any excitement created by the awarding of a set piece, remaining disciplined and holding his position as the furthest player back for the visitors. 

At six foot one, he doesn’t boast the tallest frame out of the Wolves squad which seems something he’s accepted; he feels better off defending. However, the 28-year-old couldn’t resist exclaiming, “this is where it counts lads” on one occasion before a corner kick.

This could be a strong piece of evidence as to why his low goal tally is so low. Three in 271 games since joining from Huddersfield Town in 2015.

Defending set-pieces though is a different story. The St.Helen’s-born centre-back was fully involved every time, barking orders at his players. Through the ghastly conditions, Coady was still audible to those in the press area, well above the pitch.

“Together, come on” and “let’s be f***ing strong” are examples of some of the phrases bellowed whenever Wolves were defending a West Brom set-piece. The skipper’s presence was certainly felt. 

Even when Wolves had broken the deadlock on the brink of half-time through Fabio Silva’s deflected strike, Coady didn’t celebrate extensively. Instead, the break in play was used as an opportunity to communicate, a chance to remind his teammates of the plans and tactics that had worked up until that point.

Through the game, it wasn’t just the defence that got an earful. The likes of Ruben Neves and Otasowie were instructed to not lose the ball by their skipper (they both did).

In the end, the visitors had to settle for a point as Mbaye Diagne’s header earned the Baggies a point. However, Sam Allardyce’s men are on the brink of seeing their Premier League credentials exterminated, with the West Midlands side ten points from safety with just four games to go; their fate could be sealed next weekend.

Whilst some exchanges post-match between West Brom and Wolves players were warm and ‘un-derby-like’, Coady kept it brief yet respectful. 

Every player in a white and navy shirt got acknowledged through a fist bump but nothing more. No exchanges of ‘well done’. No brief chat about the game or a joke about a controversial decision. 

In the end, the result was the one neither side wanted. West Brom needed to win to keep their faint survival hopes alive and Wolves wanted to put last weekend’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Burnley firmly to the side with a derby win. 

With four games remaining though, one thing is for sure, Wolves are a stronger proposition with Conor Coady’s presence than when they are without their captain.

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