(Photo: Action Images)
By James Andrew
HE'S suffered an injury-hit campaign, but Mike Williamson would love to stay at Wolves – and believes Paul Lambert is the right man to lead them to glory.
The centre-back has played a handful of games, all of which have come in the last couple of months, due to a troublesome hamstring and tendon problem.
The 33-year-old is out of contract in the summer but is hopeful he can extend his stay at Molineux after being reunited with manager Lambert, having previously worked with him at Wycombe.
“I wanted to play more games this season and it would be nice if there were a few more to come, but I am looking forward to pre-season already and getting that under my belt,” said Williamson, speaking at a Kits for Kids event run by Wickes, official partner of the EFL.
“It is always difficult trying to get up to speed during the season because games are coming thick and fast, so it will be good to get a foundation in my legs.
“That is something I felt I have lacked. I have been getting through games rather than being at the levels I can be. I would love to stay at Wolves. I think it is an exciting time to be here. I have spoken to the manager and he said he wants me, but there have been no formal talks as yet.”
There was a lot of excitement in the summer with the arrival of new Chinese owners Fosun International and the appointment of Italian head coach Walter Zenga.
But Zenga was sacked in November and replaced by Lambert, with the battleground initially being at the bottom of the table.
But Williamson believes there is plenty to be positive about and that Lambert is the right man to lead Wolves in a promotion push.
He added: “It has felt like a whole season of transition. We had a new manager at the start, a number of signings were made and there were high expectations, but you always need time for a new manager to bed in.
“After that, it went a little bit flat. Then there was another new manager (Lambert) and it has felt like another transition period.
“But he has had time to assess the squad he inherited and we have been on some good runs. If you spread out his time in charge over the course of the season, I think we would have been pushing for top six. I think, for that reason, it will be exciting. We seem to have all the foundations.
“I know the manager and his expectations, discipline, his work ethic, his man-management and I think it could be a very good season.
“The opportunity is definitely there, but the thing with the Championship is you never know what you are going to get.
“You can spend £15m-£20m and it equates to nothing, or you can spend a couple of million and really be pushing.”
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