After what has been a brilliant tenure in the Premier League, from an outside perspective, it feels like Wolves have been let down by recent transfer windows in not replacing players effectively. What would you say have been the key factors in your relegation?
A series of unfortunate events: years of mismanagement, consistent selling of quality players (especially attackers) and not maintaining a manager for more than 18 months since 2021.
Heading into the season, we had replaced the likes of Matheus
Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Pablo Sarabia by gambling on inexperienced young signings, decisions which proved fatal.
The continued poor form after sacking Vitor Pereira – and the revival he has subsequently initiated at Nottingham Forest – demonstrated to us fans that whilst he may not have been the best for us at that moment, the quality in the squad is the major issue.
Vitor Pereira was replaced by ex-Wolves player Rob Edwards back in November and has delivered much better results. Does that give you hope going into next season?
The predominant issue for the club at the moment is undoubtedly the distinct lack of quality in the squad, an issue which any manager is going to be heavily tasked with a rebuild over the summer.
Since Edwards has arrived, results have been better (not that they could get any worse) but the most significant improvement has been the overall morale of the club, partly down to Edwards’ commendable determination and attitude.
Going into the Championship – a division Edwards is all too familiar with – Wolves fans can go into it with an air of optimism about the direction of the club, but many are also sceptical of the owners intentions and hoping that they will not be plagued by the same old mistakes.
Having said that, Wolves are on a run of three consecutive defeats, conceding eight without scoring. Has that momentum now burst?
Since an upturn in form and optimism in February and March with a satisfying 2-2 comeback draw against Arsenal and back to back wins at the expense of local rivals Aston Villa and Liverpool, Wolves were looking upwards.
Since the international break however, Wolves have returned to their uninspiring selves with a worrying lack of creativity and defensive instability.
The momentum that was being garnered has almost definitely collapsed; the side look deflated and like they have lost the ability to come up with new ideas and ways to win.
In what has been a difficult season, which Wolves players will still come out of it with some praise?
Very few players have the required quality for the Premier League – by no fault of their own – but the effort levels have been commendable from the majority of the squad.
New sparks have emerged in the shape of youngsters Mateus Mane and Rodrigo Gomes who have brought some dynamism and much needed energy to the stagnant squad, but the crown jewels of the side are undoubtedly the midfield duo of Andre and Joao Gomes; Andre’s composure and eye for a pass can control a game and Joao Gomes’ tenacity, ability on the ball and defensive strength (1st most tackles completed, 3rd most duels won in the Premier League) can cause problems for oppositions.
Sadly, us Wolves fans are resigned to the reality that we are most likely going to lose what little quality our side has in the summer…
On the flip side, which areas would you look to expose if you were Regis Le Bris?
In all honesty – as the league table very well reflects – there are very few areas for Wolves which have not been damaging to the side this season.
Defensively we are very easily broken down and offer very little in the attack and even though there is great quality in the midfield, it is not enough to counter the rest of the squad.
Wolves have been susceptible to conceding a couple of goals in quick succession due to some lapses in concentration and slow transitional play, an aspect that could definitely be pounced on by Le Bris.
I read that big-money summer signing Tolu Arokodare had a dressing room bust-up with young star Mateus Mane. What happened there and what has happened since?
It was alleged that Tolu was the ‘sole aggressor’ in an altercation, although Edwards has acknowledged that it did indeed occur he claimed that he has no problem with either of the players and that the issue has been buried.
Mane appeared to confirm this by posting a picture of the two of them together on Instagram with the caption ‘Big Brother.’ Both have since played together and there seems to be no traces of bad blood.
How do you expect Edwards to set up tactically at Molineux?
Edwards has chosen to use a 5-2-3 (or 3-4-3 depending on how you look at it) system for the majority of the season, presumably in the vain hope of having a level of defensive strength by numbers but also probably also a contributor to our poor defensive output.
Whilst I would assume that this trend will continue however I also would not rule out the idea that Edwards may do something completely left field in the name of experimentation and with the hope of landing on something stronger going into next season or just to start introducing a new way of playing.
Are any players missing and who do you expect to start?
Krejci and Johnstone stand as the only first-team injuries at the moment which could be damaging for the defence certainly – however even with Krejci included we have been susceptible anyway.
I would hazard a guess at a very similar starting line up to our last game out against Tottenham with perhaps some slight adjustments. Jose Sa is a staple in goal, as are Santi Bueno, Hugo Bueno and the midfield partnership.
There may be some experimentation in the line up as well with some younger players being given an opportunity to play or some different players to star because of the absence of stakes.
Sunderland won 2-0 in the reverse fixture – what is your score prediction for this time around?
As much as I would like to have faith in my side, I’m not that naïve anymore: 3-0 to Sunderland.
