Kyel Reid has vowed to go on giving his all for Wolverhampton Wanderers even though he looks set to miss out on a Coca-Cola Championship medal because he has not played enough games.
Reid, who is on loan until the end of the season from West Ham United, scored the goal on Saturday at Oakwell which earned Wolves a point against Barnsley in a 1-1 draw. That handed the Wanderers the Championship title to add to their promotion to the Barclays Premier League which was secured a week ago.
Reid has been with Wolves since January and his current contract at Upton Park expires next month. He hopes that Molineux manager Mick McCarthy may make his stay in the Black Country a permanent one, even if he misses out on a medal.
The 23-year-old said of his medal hopes: “I think you need to have played 11 games to qualify for a medal, so I am not sure if I will get one.
“I am on eight and if I play at the weekend against Doncaster Rovers, then that still may not be enough. I would be disappointed after scoring that equalising goal not to get one!”
Reid admitted he might have to resort to drastic measures if he does miss out. “I will probably have to take someone else’s if I don’t get one of my own!” he quipped.
“I will certainly be having a word with the gaffer this week to make sure he plays me! “I need to get the fixtures out and show him the games I have been involved with.”
Reid, meanwhile, has praised McCarthy for the way he has successfully brought on players like him in the last few months.
Indeed, the former England Under-19 star believes the Wolves’ manager is one of the best in the business. “He is unbelievable, really magnificent,” he enthused.
“You can see it from the boys and everything he puts in. He is a great manager and he certainly knows what he wants from you.
“He is determined to get what he wants out of the players and he is straightforward and straight to the point with everyone.
“There is no hiding, no beating round the bush at all with Mick. He lets you know what you need to do to improve your game. You need managers like that – not to dig you out, but to improve your game. He motivates the players really well as well.”
Wolves entertain Sean O’Driscoll’s men at Molineux on Sunday in the final game of the season knowing that they can enjoy the moment before they are presented with the Championship trophy.
There was more good news for the club this week with striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, injured winger Michael Kightly and defender Richard Stearman being named in the Professional Football Association’s Championship Team of the Year at an awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel on Sunday night.
