Wolves column: Conor Coady does club proud in TV spotlight

Not only a great player but a top ambassador for Wolves too, he did the club proud once again as Sky’s latest special guest for Monday Night Football.

Joining Jamie Carragher in the studio to analyse the draw between Crystal Palace and Brighton, the Liverpudlian took to the format like a duck to water.

The transition from on-pitch presence to TV pundit was as seamless as the one he made from midfield to defence when Nuno Espirito Santo walked through the door at Molineux two and a half years ago.

Coady spoke about that switch when answering a series of questions from both presenter David Jones and fans on social media.

Carragher then revealed he told Coady, a product of Liverpool’s youth system, he saw him more as a defender than a midfielder when he was 16. Nuno, of course, has reaped the rewards for making that idea a reality.

Coady also offered an insight into life as a sweeper in the top flight, saying how Brighton striker Neal Maupay likes to operate – get tight to a defender and then drop off into space.

That way of working was then there for all to see at Selhurst Park as Maupay put the Seagulls ahead before Wilfried Zaha levelled for the hosts.

Coady then assessed Palace forward and ex-Villa man Christian Benteke’s way of working – looking to rough up defenders and use his physical attributes.

It was fascinating stuff, hearing him talk about coping with the top flight’s wide range of players as it is not often you get to hear current players go into such tactical depth.

He also had kind words for team-mate Adama Traore who scored a stunner in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham, and expressed his gratitude to boss Nuno for helping him grow so much as a player.

Coady looked the part and talked the part – new viewers would not have suspected the 26-year-old was a newcomer to the punditry game.

He is thoroughly likeable and very knowledgeable, and those are key qualities for both a captain and pundit.

The game was not that bad either. Brighton were by far and away the better side in the first half and thoroughly deserved the lead which finally came in the 54th minute as Maupay hammered home after a first-time cross from Leandro Trossard.

Palace, though, then woke up from their slumber and saw Zaha find the net with a similarly powerful strike. It was a moment of real quality from the winger, but the true star of the show was Coady.