01 April 2023 , 07:30
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It seems a lifetime ago given everything that has happened since, but the build-up to Wolves ’ season was, at one stage, dominated by Morgan Gibbs-White.
After his impressive performances on loan at Sheffield United, Bruno Lage made no secret of his desire to make the youngster a crucial part of his line-up.
“Morgan is a player that in two or three years can be one of the best players in the country,” Lage declared. Unfortunately for Wolves, if that is to come true then it will never be in an old gold shirt.
When it became clear Gibbs-White was unlikely to sign a new deal at Molineux, club bosses decided to cash-in. Nottingham Forest stumped up the money, a huge deal worth an initial £25m or Gibbs-White with a further £17.5million in add-ons.
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The stance from Wolves fans was pretty unanimous - Gibbs-White had, ultimately, shown little tangible end product in a Wolves shirt to justify such a lofty fee. The consensus was that it was good business, but the fact Gibbs-White was keen to leave left a bitter taste - as did the disastrous use of the funds to sign Goncalo Guedes as a replacement.
Having been developed by the club since the age of 8, many were left frustrated that Gibbs-White decided his future lay elsewhere just as he was about to be handed a crucial role in the team. Whilst it’s fair to say predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo was never a big fan, Bruno Lage looked ready to give Gibbs-White a starring role.
Such is the way of the modern world with social media, some Wolves fans have made sure Gibbs-White knows how they feel about his exit. With Forest fans understandably gloating about their ability to tempt him from the club, and some of his impressive performances since, there has been plenty of back-and-forth between the two clubs’ supporters throughout the season.
In January, Gibbs-Wight was at the centre of the flashpoint which ultimately saw the situation boil over. After scoring in a penalty shoot-out in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the playmaker put his fingers in his ears in a taunt in front of the Wolves away end.
Morgan Gibbs-White taunted the Wolves away end after his penalty in the Carabao Cup quarter-final (Clive Mason/Getty Images)Gibbs-White opened up on that night earlier this month, insisting he never did anything wrong at Wolves but confirming what has already become clear - he is desperate to “prove a point” to his former fans after everything that has gone on.
“I never did anything wrong when I was at Wolves,” he told The Athletic : “It wasn’t my fault that I didn’t get game time. There are things I could’ve done better on the field but Wolves wasn’t the club for me. I said a nice farewell and they were giving me stick. It’s only right to give it back.
“You want to prove a point. I never got the chance to play week in, week out there. Now I have that chance. I’m looking forward to that game. I love that sort of atmosphere and I thrive off getting stick.”
Gibbs-White’s taunt didn’t go down well. It was copied by Matheus Cunha after he scored the next penalty, but when Forest progressed things turned ugly and players and staff from both sides were involved in a melee.
Wolves' January signing Matheus Cunha copied the gesture after scoring his penalty (Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)Earlier this month, the FA commission published its report into the incident, fining both sides but concluding Wolves were more to blame. It described Gibbs-White’s initial gesture as "fairly innocuous in the context of gestures” and concluded it was “unsurprising that he reacted angrily” when confronted after the game.
New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui and Cunha, neither of whom were at the club with Gibbs-White, were criticised for their role in confronting him post-match. Lopetegui was branded “unprofessional” and told he “should have realised that it was likely to cause a flashpoint”.
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Regardless of who was ultimately to blame, the situation which started with Morgan Gibbs-White in the summer has rumbled on and a new temporary rivalry between the two sides will be reunited in a huge relegation battle back at the City Ground today (Saturday, 3pm).
A mass brawl ensued after the final whistle with Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui branded "unprofessional" for his actions (Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)A win for either side would be huge in the battle for survival, and there’s little doubt Gibbs-White will receive a frosty reception from the away end and once again be looking to prove a point.
After he captained England Under-21s during the international break, Forest boss Steve Cooper said: "Getting the armband meant a lot to him and it's another step forward. We’re really pleased it has gone well and that he's come back fit and ready for a big period for us.
"We're really happy with his development. But, as always, it's about what's next.
"As long as he and we stay focused on the present then he can fulfil his potential and maximise his development. We enjoy working with him and hopefully can push him to get the best out of him.”
Ultimately, getting the best out of the hugely talented Gibbs-White was something Wolves never managed. It could now come back to bite them in the relegation scrap - or Gibbs-White’s decision could backfire with a quick return to the Championship.