COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP
NICK PULLEN
Staff writer
Forgotten man Matt Hill finally got his Wolves career back on track this week with a surprise inclusion against Derby County.
A transfer deadline day signing from Preston North End, Hill had only managed to play one reserve team game for Wolves before damaging his medial ligaments in training.
Since recovering, the 27-year-old left-back has been forced to wait on the sidelines owing to the impressive form of Irishman Stephen Ward.
Manager Mick McCarthy finally gave Hill – who was part of a swap deal with striker Stephen Elliott – his chance after switching Ward to left midfield this week.
Hill couldn’t hide his delight in facing Derby and admitted: “Obviously its been a bad start for myself and I’m just pleased to get involved.
“The lads have been great to me and they’re really easy to get on with.
“But as much as you feel part of the squad, you don’t feel a complete player until you’ve been involved.
“I’ve been sitting there and waiting for my chance because Stephen Ward has been excellent of late.
“Then the manager just came up to me in training and said that I was starting against Derby.
“I’m just glad to get a taste of first team football because the competition for places is there for everyone to see.
“All I can do is go out there and do my best.
“I just hope I’ve given the boss a bit of food for thought.
“I’m really glad to have stepped in and I think I’ve got a pretty good understanding at the back with Michael Mancienne and Richard Stearman.
“I was a little bit nervous as well as excited about playing because it was my first team debut and you want to do well and not let anyone down.
“So I’m really pleased to have got that out of the way.
“I was a bit worried I might be ring-rusty because the pace between first team and reserve football is completely different, so I’m glad it went well.
“Playing Derby was a difficult game in some ways because it was important to bounce back after the defeat to QPR.
“But everyone seemed to play well and the crowd got behind us. They’ve done that ever since I’ve been here.
“Nobody can afford to take their foot off the pedal and we can’t let our standards slip because there are teams chasing us and everyone wants to beat Wolverhampton at the moment”.
