A born-and-bred Wolves supporter, Hooper can regularly be seen around Molineux and at grounds across the country as she carries out her broadcasting duties for the Premier League and, since the start of this season, has joined Wolves as the matchday presenter for the club’s Europa League fixtures.
The co-founder of The Offside Rule Podcast and BBC Sport regular spoke to wolves.co.uk about her excitement of the recent win against Man City at the Etihad and how she tries – and sometimes struggles – to keep her support for the team in check while doing her job.
On a surprising win over Man City
“I didn’t expect it. Even though I know what this Wolves team are capable of and one of the words of warning that I had given to people who had been writing us off when I was on the Totally Football Show podcast earlier that week was that playing more expansive teams would really suit us.
“But at that time we hadn’t had the best start to the season, it didn’t look like it was clicking quite as well as it had been last season and so I didn’t think Man City, given that they beat us 3-0 at the Etihad last season, would have much difficulty and the best I was hoping for was a draw.
“There was part of me secretly thinking we could get a point, but no way did I even imagine it would be 2-0 and add to that Adama Traore would have the composure to finish the two chances as he did and probably have the game of his life in a Wolves shirt.
“I thought it was such a great team performance, although Traore had a 10 out of 10 performance and he seems to really be enjoying the freedom that Nuno’s been giving him and that variation in the role that he’s had.
“It wasn’t only the goals and the quality of finishing that surprised me, but how quiet he kept Sterling throughout the game. A lot of credit has to go to Traore, who I’ve not always paid the most credit to – I have to admit – but I’ve really enjoyed watching him this season.”
On being unbiased when reporting on Wolves
“I find it much more comfortable doing the matchday live job, which involves building-up to the match and doing the post-match interviews which would be used on the worldwide feed. This allows me to be more considered and not as instinctive as live reporting often is.
“The only thing I have to be careful of is goal celebrations. There was an example against Man City when Traore scored his first goal and the Wolves bench in front of me all stood up to celebrate and I did the same.
“I realised I probably shouldn’t be standing up and looking so happy, so I quickly sat back down to watch the replay on the monitor. I have to remember to keep a check on those kinds of things, so I end up doing little fist pumps under the desk.
“From being in the industry for quite a while now, people know I support Wolves, so when the City staff came down the tunnel after the game they said well done, because they know, but I had to still had to keep a lid on it and just wryly smile.”
On the challenge Wolves face this weekend
“Out of those teams in the bottom half of the league this season, I would worry more about Sheffield United than I would about Southampton.
“Although there are more elements of depth in squad this season, I don’t think the way we’re playing is ever deviating too much from the free flowing, attacking football which we've been used to seeing the last couple of years.
“From that point of view, I think a manager like Chris Wilder is who I’d be more cautious of, but I’ve seen glimpses of Southampton looking really great, but if you judge both teams at this current moment in time, they went into the international break on a bit of a low.
“Their confidence might be a little shot because they haven’t had the results they wanted, ever since I was at the Southampton-Bournemouth match and I don’t think they’ve been at the races since that defeat.
“Whereas we go into it off the back of that fantastic week, not only with Europe and Besiktas, but with Watford the week before. That set of results, added to a bit of rest for key players such as Jimenez and Coady, in particular, will see us come back after this break and we won’t have any excuses.
“I would like to see us quite comfortably beat Southampton at home because I think we have to do that in these kinds of matches this season to cope with everything that’s being thrown at us.”
Read more of Lynsey’s background of growing up as a Wolves fan before starting her broadcasting career as a teenager volunteering with Radio Wolves and helping Steve Welch, Bill Hatton and Pete Moody in Saturday’s matchday programme against Southampton.
This season’s Premier League programmes – priced at £3.50 – will be available around Molineux on matchday, as well as online by clicking here.
