Jody Craddock defying his age for Wolves at 34

Nov 8 2009 by Bill Howell, Sunday Mercury

“He is in the gym every day, he trains hard, he is always getting massages.”

Mick McCarthy is similarly enthusiastic about a player who was deemed so far behind Michael Mancienne and perhaps even Ronald Zubar in the summer that any thoughts of a golden summer might have seemed as whimsical a notion as anything you might find on the pages of a Barbara Taylor Bradford novel.

In and out of the side this season, Craddock arrived back on the scene at Everton and Wanderers have not looked back.

“He has just been brilliant,” said McCarthy.

“It shows experience counts for a lot. It is not all about youthful legs at centre back.”

Craddock puts part of the reasoning for his remarkable form down to former Villa winger Daley whose fitness regime is tough but an essential part of preparation.

“We have got an excellent fitness coach in Tony Daley and the squad has got a lot of energy,” said Craddock.

“I have always looked after myself fitness-wise so it isn’t a problem but his sessions are very hard. If you have been off for a couple of weeks through injury or suspension then you know there is a session with Tony on the cards – it is definitely one to avoid!

“The sessions are horrible because they hurt but it needs to be done in order to compete and all of the squad accept that and get on with it. His sessions have really benefited the team and I am sure all of the boys would agree with me.”

Craddock’s first venture into the Premiership with Wolves was a horrible one. He’d just been relegated with 19 points with Sunderland and Dave Jones’ Wolves fared little better, winning seven of 38 games and finishing bottom with 33 points.

Craddock admits he is finding Premier League football far easier than six years ago, but more because of the ability, and condition, of those around him than any improvement in his own game.

“We have a better squad than the last time we were in the Premier League. It is bigger, has more quality, is younger and fitter than before,” he said.

“We are one of the fittest teams I have seen and undoubtedly the fittest team I have ever played in.”

Whether Wolves have the quality to retain their top flight status come next May appears to be in serious doubt, but not in Craddock’s mind.

“Confidence has been high all season after last year,” he said.

“We reeled off three draws in a row up to Arsenal and whilst we would like to have got a win in one of those our team spirit is excellent and the belief is there within the squad. We believe that we can get results at this level.”

Their astonishing comeback from the dead at Stoke City certainly appeared evidence of a team prepared to scrap until they drop.