Wolves striker Liam McAlinden braced for Stevenage clash
Wolves' latest hero Liam McAlinden enjoyed a fairytale on Saturday – now he admits it's back to reality for him and his team-mates at Stevenage tonight.
Three days after grinding out another precious three points at Milton Keynes Dons on a bobbly pitch, Kenny Jackett's side return to action with their first visit to The Lamex. The playing surface is expected to be similar to that of the Dons at the former non-league ground, while the surroundings will be much more modest than stadium:mk.
And with Graham Westley's basement side known for being highly competitive, McAlinden – who bagged his first League goal for Wolves on Saturday after coming off the bench – sees another tough assignment in prospect.
"It's going to be a tough game," said the 20-year-old striker from Cannock. "They're in half-decent form and picking up a few points here and there.
"The pitch won't be much better than it was on Saturday so we'll have to put on another battling performance like we did at the weekend. It didn't help us or them because we couldn't get our football going on it. It wasn't great for our game because we try to pass it through the lines and get people involved, but we came through and won, which is the main thing.
"We've got enough goals and quality in our team to win any game in this league and we proved that again. We're all in it together and we're in a great position."
Watch Tim Nash preview Stevenage v Wolves
Tonight's rearranged clash is Wolves' game in hand on third-placed Leyton Orient and victory will put them 13 points ahead of the Os. But the opposition are fighting for their lives and won't need motivating for the visit of the League One leaders.
Two points from the safety line, Stevenage have only lost two of their last nine and rarely is there more than one goal deciding their games.
McAlinden admitted Wolves must rise to the challenge mentally as well as physically. But he is confident there is enough character in the squad to do it.
"It's a tough game in hand and we've got to get ourselves up for it as a team," he said.
"But we've got a lot of team spirit – we showed that on Saturday in a tough game on a tough pitch.
"And if we can get the right result, we'll be nine points ahead of Brentford, and although they'll have two games in hand, it will be up to them to try to catch us."
As for McAlinden, the youngster is happy to continue playing the long game knowing his big chance will come. Saturday's game was only his fifth League appearance for Wolves and he is still to start a League game. He is expected to be back on the bench tonight behind Nouha Dicko and Leon Clarke. But he is confident in his ability to do well for Wolves at this level after scoring three goals in nine appearances on loan at Shrewsbury earlier this season.
Even before Saturday's winner, he has proved he can be a threat, having efforts disallowed against MK Dons at home and at Brentford, while going close on his debut against Burnley last April.
"I know where I am at the minute – I'm still learning," he said. "They've got a lot more experience than me, but the gaffer knows if he does need a goal like Saturday and he wants to change it around then I've proved it at Shrewsbury that I'm ready."
"I haven't had much game time since I came back from my loan, but I think I've done as well as I can when I've come on."
