Jody Craddock is on a one-man mission to preserve Wolves’ Premier League status. Not content with trying to keep clean sheets as a dominant centre half with the top flight new boys, he has suddenly found his shooting boots as well.
The 34-year-old has only scored eight goals in six years at Molineux before firing in a brace as Mick McCarthy’s men grabbed a vital draw at Stoke in a 2-2 draw nine days ago.
And he was on target again this weekend as
Wolves were out-gunned by Arsenal to the tune of 4-1; a result that left them second from bottom in the table but only one point adrift of 15th position.
Craddock though is confident that this Wolves squad will survive and believes they are better equipped than the Wolves side that lasted just a solitary season in the top flight under Dave Jones in 2003-04.
Givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Craddock about his goal rush and gruelling fitness sessions with former England winger Tony Daley.
Q: How does this squad compare to last time you were in the Premier League?
A: We have a better squad than the last time we were in the Premier League. It is bigger, has more quality and is younger and fitter than before. We are one of the fittest teams I have seen and undoubtedly the fittest team I have ever played in.
Q: What would you put that down too?
A: We have got an excellent fitness coach in Tony Daley and the squad has got a lot of energy. I am feeling as fit as I have ever done but it doesn’t get any easier. It is harder the older you get and that is why the sessions with Tony are a necessary evil.
Q: How do you find his sessions?
A: I have always looked after myself fitness wise so it isn’t a problem but his sessions are very hard. If you have been off for a couple of weeks through injury or suspension then you know there is a session with Tony on the cards – it is definitely one to avoid!
The sessions are horrible because they hurt but it needs to be done in order to compete and all of the squad accept that and get on with it. His sessions have really benefited the team and I am sure all of the boys would agree with me.
Q: It was a great performance from the team last week to come back and draw at Stoke, wasn't it?
A: It is hard to come back in the Premier League and it is even harder to come back from a two-goal deficit, which speaks volumes for our character and fitness.
We are proving that we are not a walkover at this level and teams will have to work very hard to get a result against us. We want to stay in this division and we are giving it our best shot.
Q: You helped yourself to a brace of goals too - can you talk me through them?
A: I was in the right place at the right time. It is always nice to score goals but it is a great feeling to score two in one game. The fact that those goals helped us clinch a draw made it particularly sweet. It is a game that I will remember for a very long time.
Q: How is the confidence in the squad?
A: The confidence has been high all season after last year and the result at Stoke will only have helped that.
Prior to the Arsenal game we had reeled off three draws in a row and whilst we would like to have got a win in one of those our team spirit is excellent and the belief is there within the squad. We think that we’re a good team and believe that we can get results at this level.
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