The centre-back was in inspired form in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ FA Cup win at Stoke City.
It wasn’t just his nigh-on perfect positioning and supreme composure that characterised Mike Williamson in Wolves’ 2-0 win at Premier League Stoke City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
In his first senior appearance in 14 months, it’s no coincidence that the hitherto erratic Kortney Hause produced his finest performance of the campaign alongside the veteran centre-back.
Advising and gesticulating throughout, the 33-year-old utilised every single ounce of his experience to guide his young partner through an ominous encounter at the Bet365 Stadium. And he wasn’t too bad himself.
Helder Costa and Matt Doherty will dominate the headlines after netting a goal apiece en route to a bonafide classic ‘cupset’ but none of this would have been possible without Williamson’s perfection in the back four.
Manager Paul Lambert has frequently cited the need for more experience in his youthful squad, especially with 21-year-old duo Hause and Dominic Iorfa finding themselves on the wrong end of a few howlers in recent months, and Williamson looks every inch the stabilising influence Wolves have been crying out for for some time.
He may not have lifted the Premier League title or competed at the top of the European game but, on the basis on 90 minutes in the Potteries, Williamson could replicate the influence of Paul Ince and Denis Irwin on this inexperienced Wolves team.
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