Frank Munro, Dean Richards and the joy of an 'easy' victory

A lethargic ten men Blackpool provided Wolves fans with a rare opportunity to sit back safe in the knowledge that they could finally savour a tension-free forty five minutes with three points for once, an absolute inevitability, writes Wolves columnist John Lalley.

Once the admirable Jamie O'Hara had doubled our lead, we were allowed to bask in the novelty of musing just how many goals we would win by. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's classy last minute strike saw us settle on four and for a game billed by our manager as 'must win' the outcome could not have been any better.

I did not learn of the passing of our former centre half Dean Richards until I was inside the stadium and informed of his hideously young age, I speculated correctly as it happens that he was born in 1974, the same year that Mike Bailey lifted the League Cup for us at Wembley.

By coincidence, it was League Cup final weekend for Blues and Arsenal and for older supporters such as me, 1974 is and always will remain fresh in the memory by no means consigned to the depths of the dark ages. It cruelly emphasised the brevity of his life and just how quickly time slips away.

At half time on Saturday, another redoubtable central defender and a star of that 1974 Wembley triumph Frank Munro made the journey in his wheelchair along the cinder track in front of the Cullis Stand to take his half time refreshment.

Spontaneous applause broke out and Frank waved self-consciously in recognition. A female supporter of my vintage planted a big smacking kiss on his cheek as Frank happily reminisced with a group of fans speculating no doubt on that final almost thirty seven years ago.

When his carer wheeled Frank away, I noticed a small Wolves flag fluttering proudly from the back of his chair; it brought a lump to the throat. March 1974 at Wembley was my best day as a Wolves fan; I will never experience such a pitch of elation again following the club at a time when Dean Richards was just about to be born.

Frank was a colossus as a player and Richards himself exuded a towering presence in the Wolves back line. It was indeed a time for reflection.

Ah well, I left Molineux in decidedly good humour. I cannot tell you the name of Jamie O'Hara's girlfriend although I'm informed that I should because apparently she is a celebrity.

I have no idea if the lady is a pop-star, a model, a refugee from a reality TV show or a combination of all three, but I know her bloke can play a bit of football. Considering that he has seen so little match action due to persisting injury, his energy, industry and insatiable desire for hard work is quite remarkable even before you start to weigh up just what he offers to a Wolves team.

The work ethic can never be questioned in O'Hara's case, but he offers so much more; there is a vision and a subtlety to his play alongside a burning competitive streak. The almighty verbal barrage he unleashed in Christophe Berra's lughole after the Scot played a back pass to Wayne Hennessey when O'Hara was screaming for possession was indicative of his attitude. O'Hara's prime objective is to be positive and this sense of assertion may just prove enough to salvage our season.

Too often this year we have chosen to hang on for grim death instead of building on a hard earned advantage; the intense frustration we suffered at The Hawthorns was the crowning example.

If we do ultimately secure our survival, how and where we accrued the necessary points is an irrelevance but I would hate to see us relegated believing that circumspection had impeded our chances.

Loan players frequently make immediate impressions; supporters all too aware of the shortcomings of their team quickly warm to a different face and give the newcomer the benefit of the doubt in their eagerness to believe that the new guy offers all sorts of varied options.

More often than not the player drafted in sees his impact waning as the novelty of a new arrival wears off. O'Hara might just be the guy to buck the trend; I remember sitting at Fratton Park during our final match last season as the Portsmouth player of the year awards were doled out at half time.

There must have been nine or ten different supporter's sections from various parts of Hampshire giving out trophies and O'Hara scooped the lot of them. Pompey's travails scuppered any chance of a permanent move to the South coast for the player and

Wolves may be the long term beneficiaries. With his parent club Tottenham being prime movers in breaking into the cartel of Premier League aristocrats, the competition for places at White Hart Lane would likely see O'Hara merely on the periphery.

The player himself has already stated his desire for a placement that sees him settled at one club for at least 'two or three years,' and should Wolves retain their top tier status, then Molineux offers him the opportunity. He has made a terrific start here adding a zest and a sense of optimism that seemed on the verge of fading. We must take advantage of all that he can offer us.

Just to hark back to the Blackpool game for a moment; Richard Stearman preferring to stay on his feet and display not the slightest sign of discomfort after DJ Campbell pushed him full in the face was a refreshing change.

Most other Premier League players would have taken the opportunity to collapse to the ground and writhe in synthetic agony. Stearman is a fast improving player with a lot to offer this club and as he proved last Saturday he isn't a great bloody cissy either. Top man!