Wolves fans planning to don Jorge Mendes masks in big derby at Aston Villa
While all and sundry seem to be having a pop at Wolves and their relationship with Jorge Mendes, the club's supporters feel rather differently.
Indeed, in what may be a football first, fans were proudly singing the agent's name during Wolves' 3-0 win at Leeds United on Wednesday night.
And one fan has taken the Mendes love-in a step further ahead of tomorrow's big derby at Villa – by printing off hundreds of Jorge Mendes masks for supporters to wear.
Season ticket holder Jon Hague has printed 300 full-face masks which he plans to hand out at Villa Park, in a show of defiance to Wolves' detractors.
He's also encouraging fellow fans to print off their own in what he and the 2,700-strong Wolves army will hope is another happy away day for Nuno Espirito Santo's team.
"Like everyone I'm a little bit sick of the digging and the gripes," Jon said.
"We’re trying to stick up for the bad press we’re getting and take the mickey out of the clubs like Leeds, Derby and Villa and take a few hundred masks.
"We've printed off 300 and within a couple of hours of putting it on Twitter it's gone viral amongst Wolves fans, I've had 30 or 40 saying they're printing off their own.
"I thought perhaps it's not totally the right message as we're trying to play down the links but it's just a bit if humour and we’re protecting our own
"If nothing it’ll be a bit of a laugh before kick and everyone's been a bit tense since our recent poor form.
"I've never know it this good as a Wolves fan and we want to enjoy the run-in. After one defeat it shouldn't be a case of 'here we go again', so let's just enjoy it.
"The last agent I remember was Willy Mackay and the Henri Camara business – I never thought I'd be singing the praise of one!
"But we're fortunate to have these connections and it's a pleasure to be watching this team."
