Big Ron backs Dean Saunders for Wolves
Dean Saunders was today backed to inject renewed energy into a Wolves squad reeling from a disastrous season and the sacking of Stale Solbakken.
The 48-year-old Welshman is the surprise pick of chairman Steve Morgan to take the reins after the dismissal of the Norwegian coach recruited last summer.
Saunders will take up the challenge of reviving a side who have slipped to 18th in the Championship, were eliminated from the FA Cup by non-League Luton on Saturday and have now lost four in a row.
But Ron Atkinson, who once made Saunders a record signing during his reign as Villa manager, believes his former striker could have just the qualities Wolves are looking for.
"Right now, the club needs galvanising and 'Deano' is a lively and bubbly character – there is never a dull moment when he is around," said Atkinson.
"His managerial experience is not vast but he served his coaching apprenticeship under Graeme Souness at Blackburn and Newcastle and has shown a willingness to learn his trade.
"What happened at Doncaster last season, when the club appeared to become a trading post for disconnected players, was bizarre and always a recipe for disaster. But he has put in a strong showing at the top of League One this campaign."
Solbakken's demise became inevitable with this latest down-turn in results, said scoring legend Steve Bull.
"In the end, the chairman has ran out of patience and you cannot blame him," he said. "He has heard what the fans have been singing and decided enough was enough."
Former striker Don Goodman said: "He knows the Championship. He's had plenty of time in the Championship, albeit an unsuccessful attempt to keep Doncaster in there.
"But it is still one thing he has over Stale Solbakken – that knowledge of the division. But he's also a very bubbly, lively character and at this moment in time, I think that's what that dressing room needs.
"I've been in dressing rooms where managers have been sacked. Some of the players will be able to say that in every game they tried their best to carry out the manager's instructions and others, hand on heart, will not. That's what happens.
"But Wolves are currently a lower end Championship football club and that's not where this group of players want to be plying their trade.
"They need to kick on from here – because if they do that quickly, as many have when managers have changed, they are still not out of the promotion race."
