The best Wolves keeper in a long time

Wolves blogger Nathan Lloyd believes veteran goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann could go on and on at Molineux after his Player of the Season standard performances.

"Oh he is American, I expected him to be Dutch" – That was my lovely girlfriend Heidi's reaction to hearing Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann being interviewed by the BBC's Jacqui Oatley, live from the world-famous Molineux catwalk at the 'Everyman' charity event.

It was a good night. although the club could have done with a few more corporate 'suits' to be in attendance to boost the coffers, the kind of blokes who get blind drunk and end up bidding £8,000 for a Wayne Rooney boot or something.

Hats off to the Wolves players for being such good sports, although you could tell most of them absolutely loved it especially when they flocked round the laptop at the end of the night to see the footage.

Moment of the evening for me was the audible gasp that resonated from the female contingent as 'big' Chris Iwelumo stepped onto the catwalk wearing just his briefs and 87 tattoos, I don't think we need to ask his team-mates who's the longest in the shower!

When we got home Heidi mentioned Hahnemann again and how she didn't think that the Yanks were any good at football - she does have a point. I can't exactly name an abundance of soccer talent that have come from across the pond.

You'd be mistaken for thinking that Hahnemann was Dutch and not just because of his surname, which origins are more Volkswagen Van than Van Gogh.

For me his recent performances against Arsenal and Everton have to be up there with the very best we have seen from a Wolves goalkeeper in years.

Since coming into side in December, Marcus has galvanised the defence and has been imperious game after game.

As well as being a great shotstopper, he's not afraid to bellows orders to the defence, something we never see Wayne Hennessey do enough of.

He also comes for crosses, gets stuck in where it hurts and for what he has added to the team he gets my vote for the club's player of the season.

I would expect that his room-mate, Kevin Doyle, is currently leading the charge for that particular honour and not many could argue at his importance to the team's performance this year.

But for me it has to be Marcus and not just because he constantly tops the OPTA stats with his great performances.

On Wednesday evening, his ubiquitous presence filled the room as much as he fills his goal. In a world where a Premier League footballer is all about the hair-straighteners, perma-tans and bling, Marcus seems to keep it real.

Marcus will be 38 by the time next season rolls around, which if that old adage is to be believed, means he should be at his peak for a keeper. Who knows, if all goes well he could be challenging a fit again Matt Murray for that No 1 jersey in the top flight next season.

If he keeps himself fit, he may even go on to become the oldest player to represent the club, although he has a few years yet to catch up with Archie Goodall who pulled on the Old Gold at a staggering 41.

So, whilst we wait our mathematical safety, I thought I would see if we could poll to see who you think have been our best three players of this Premier League season.

My top three would be Hahnemann at number one, Doyle at number two and the artist still known as Jody Craddock at number three.

I'm pleased Jody will be here for another season, he has been a fantastic servant to the club and has come in to the side time and time again to shore up the defence. For this campaign he has so far slotted home five vital goals, making him the second highest scoring Premier League defender behind Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen.

Two of those goals were scored against Sunday's visitors Stoke, when Wolves came from two down to snatch a draw up at the Britannia Stadium way back in October.

Enough has been written about the Potters style of play, with those Rory Delap bombs and the Harlem Globetrotter sized players.

But they are more than just a resilient, hard-working team. There's a bit of flair in there and with Ricardo Fuller they have a striker in form.

Although it isn't likely to be pretty, I do think we will have enough to get a rare Molineux win on Sunday and, in doing so, we will nearly have enough points for safety, especially with Burnley and Hull facing each other the day before.

The Wolves team seems to be settled this days, the only question mark is who manager Mick McCarthy will plump for to replace our captain Karl Henry, who has done a sterling job this season.

My pick and probably my girlfriend's pick – but for slightly contrasting reasons, mine being footballing, hers being aesthetics – would be to bring Adlene Guedioura back in to the centre of midfield.

I don't think Dave Edwards will be fit enough to start and if he did he would probably start out on the right, meaning a move inside for Kevin Foley, which would be a bit daft.

Other contenders to replace Karl, such as Nenad Milijas and Segundo Castillo, probably haven't featured enough on the bench recently to be in Mick's thoughts.

Although I understood their reasons, the lack of fight from the club regarding Karl Henry's red card was disappointing.

If, as is looking more and more likely that we do have another term in the top-flight next season, then the club need not be frightened to fight back.

Firstly there was the ludicrous suspended fine for the game at Old Trafford and now this.

We have just as much right as the clubs in the North West and the capital to be in this league, but it sometimes feels that we are almost apologetic to be in the top flight.

Anyway, that's an argument for another day.

Thanks to everybody who added their thoughts last week regarding the pre-match and halftime entertainment at Molineux. Our good friends at SportingBet have read your replies and taken them on board, while I have also sent an e-mail with some of your recommendations direct to the club.

Enjoy the game on Sunday and remember it has a preposterous kick off time of midday.

Up the Wolves!