O MELHOR de todos.

That is Portuguese for ‘the best ever’.

8 Nuno Espirito Santo has turned his Wolves side into free-flowing stylists Credit: PA:Press Association

The phrase is fitting because that is the question many are asking right now: Is this Iberian-influenced Wolves side the greatest the Championship has ever seen?

As an all-round team, it is probably too early to tell whether it surpasses Reading’s record breakers of 05-06 or Chris Hughton’s Newcastle of 09-10.

Yet in the three years as The Sun’s Football League reporter, I have not seen any side play as slick, scintillating stuff as I witnessed in the first half at Molineux against Leeds on Wednesday night.

The movement, skill and one-touch passing for Ivan Cavaleiro’s goal to make it 2-0 encapsulated just how gorgeous to watch Nuno Santo Espirito’s side are right now.

8 Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves has set the Championship alight in midfield Credit: Reuters

8 Ruben Neves is in the Portugal squad despite Wolves not yet being in the Prem Credit: EPA

It was football simply too good for the second tier.

Wanderers have some great players for this level. When you spend £15million on one player like they did on midfielder Ruben Neves, you would expect as much.

But so have many teams over the years. Middlesbrough blew more than £50m this summer and their style is not even comparable.

So what makes them so special?

You have to start with the manager Nuno, their X-Factor, without question.

He may not have been well known here when he arrived but his reputation abroad rings out, so with the foreign players in particular he had their instant respect.

The ex-Porto and Valencia boss is said to be not only to be an excellent man-manager but an impressive coach in training - and perhaps more importantly, an honest guy.

His Portuguese nationality obviously gives him an advantage with much of the squad, which has some big egos. He keeps them grounded where perhaps predecessors did not.

Consider the upturn in form and commitment of a player like Cavaleiro.

He gave the air of someone who did not care when sent off after 33 minutes against Derby at the back end of the last season. Now he is a fans’ favourite, and rightly so.

Aston Villa fans filmed fighting each other at Championship loss to Wolves at Molineux

Being good pals with Jose Mourinho, Nuno obviously did his homework on English football before arriving.

For all his compatriot talent, seasoned British pros like John Ruddy and Conor Coady still play a vital role in the team.

The recruitment has been immaculate for the style and formation Nuno wants to play.

Barry Douglas, whose set-piece delivery is in a league of its own, would not suit the left-back position in, say, a Neil Warnock side.

But as wing-back, and with man mountain Willy Boly backing him up, the Scot has become a potent weapon in the Wolves arsenal, scoring and assisting from free-kicks and crosses.

8 Ruben Neves fends off Millwall’s Aiden O'Brien as Wolves flourish this term Credit: Reuters

Defensively they are organised, with the three centre-backs and holding midfielders Neves and Romain Saiss meaning there is generally always five at the back.

And unlike the likes of Reading, Fulham and so many others in the Championship, they are not obsessed with playing out from the back. The do favour it, yes, but only when the situation permits.

People point to their big summer spend and of course, their wealth, backed by Chinese owners Fosun, gives them an advantage.

8 Playmaker Ruben Neves has been outstanding for Championship leaders Wolves Credit: Reuters

But I understand that while some transfer fees have been huge, the wages are not. It is a tighter ship than you might think so those suggesting FFP will be a problem, well, I would not bank on it.

Jorge Mendes, the super agent of Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, has obviously played a key part, bringing over much of the Portuguese talent.

But far from being a place he can simply dump his clients, this is a project dear to him.

He attended both the Cardiff and Manchester City games this term while Nuno is an old friend - in fact, the first-ever player on the intermediary’s books back in the mid 90s.

8 Ivan Cavaleiro celebrates with Barry Douglas in a season where both have shone Credit: Reuters

Do not expect too much business in January beyond a possible signing of the pacey, game-changing striker they were looking for in the summer.

While Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini, probably the season’s best player and biggest surprise package respectively, could well have their loans turned permanent.

Other teams may covet the likes of Neves but barring a bid in the silly money region, Nuno will expect to keep his squad together.

What will be exciting is when Wolves win promotion - and I already think they will win in by ten points or so - they will have a go financially in the big league.

8 Ruben Neves is just one of several excellent performers for Wolves this term Credit: Getty - Contributor

As for us who extol the virtues of the Championship, we will be left simply saying ‘Obrigado pelas memorias’ (‘thanks for the memories’).

Best of the weekend

MORRIS DANCING AGAIN: Scunthorpe’s super-sub Josh Morris hit two blinding goals to see off Charlton. The first was a stunning free-kick with his left foot but the second took strike of the weekend. A clever turn out wide before a ridiculous 25-yard belter on his right foot that found the top corner.

STANDS AND DELIVER: Red-hot Wolves continued to blow teams away - even though boss Nuno was sent to the stands in the first half after a touchline row with Bolton chief Phil Parkinson, who was also given his marching orders. Wanderers hit five for the first time this term but surely it won’t be the last.

VY DON’T BELIEVE IT: Matej Vydra was possibly the flop signing of the Championship last term. But this season he is one of the division’s best players as a hat-trick on Teesside from his favoured No10 position showed.

8 Record Derby buy Matej Vydra sunk Middlesbrough with a treble to reach 12 goals from 13 starts this term Credit: PA:Empics Sport

LEONID GOIN’? Time looks up for Hull chief Leonid Slutsky, who could not even rely on the Tigers’ weird record of only beating sides beginning with the letter ‘B’ this weekend. Despite taking a 2-0 lead against Bristol City, they somehow managed to lose 3-2.

GOING GETS CLOUGH: Quote of the weekend comes from Nigel Clough, claiming “There’s no particular logic why we should win a game in this league” in reference to the relatively tiny size of club and budget of Burton Albion in comparison to the rest of the Championship. He’s completely right, of course.

OFFICIAL RESPONSE: Surreal scenes at Carrow Road as an injury to the assistant ref in the 88th minute saw a ten-minute delay and a loudspeaker announcement to see if any qualified officials in the crowd could take over fourth duty. Step forward Norwich fan and local ref David Thornhill to perform the role - in his jeans!

CAPITAL, HILLL: Hats off to Rochdale boss Keith Hill, who reached 500 games as a manager this weekend with a 2-0 win over Peterborough.

TALKING POINTS: After picking up his first Sunderland win, can Chris Coleman end the Black Cats’ home woe on Saturday?

And can Darrell Clarke find a way to reverse Bristol Rovers’ miserable run?

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