“Do We Wish to Be Remembered for Our Tenacity or as Cowards?”
Matt Doherty posed a critical question for Wolves amidst their imminent relegation from the Premier League.
A Grim Future for Wolves
The team faces the prospect of becoming the worst in top-flight history, with Derby’s all-time low points record of 11 from the 2007-08 season now within threat after Wolves’ recent 10th consecutive defeat, marking 15 losses in their last 17 matches. The grim statistics continue to pile up, and current performances suggest Rob Edwards’ squad shows no signs of reversing this downward trend.
The latest setback came on Saturday with a lackluster 2-0 defeat against Brentford—perhaps the lowest point yet in a tumultuous season marked by crisis after crisis. With unrealistically slim hopes of survival, Wolves find themselves at the bottom of the league table as they head into Christmas.
Unwanted Records and a Call for Resilience
Wolves’ current tally of two points is indicative of one of the worst starts ever at Christmas in Premier League history, alongside Sheffield United’s experience in the 2020-21 season, which had fewer matches played due to the pandemic. The 14-point gap from safety is also a record, surpassing Sunderland’s 11 points from the 2005-06 season.
Compounding the situation, Wolves have secured the longest winless streak at the start of a Premier League season, previously set at 17 matches by Sheffield United. Following another dismal performance that resulted in boss Vitor Pereira’s dismissal after a defeat to Fulham, the situation only worsened.
Despite an executive chairman’s exit alleviating some tension, the atmosphere at Molineux remained bleak, with players leaving the pitch to a dwindling crowd and chants criticizing their performance. “This is the worst I’ve felt in a long time,” expressed defender Doherty, highlighting an alarming lack of confidence among the squad.
Edwards Faces Uphill Battle
Rob Edwards, who has yet to win any of his six matches since departing Middlesbrough’s promotion challenge, emphasized the need for his team to come together and confront their challenges. Despite some encouraging performances, the underlying reality is that Wolves are simply not performing at the required standard.
“We cannot afford to give up,” he stated firmly after a recent game. He urged the players to eliminate basic errors that have frequently cost them wins, emphasizing an earnest attempt to fight through their struggles. Edwards defended striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who faced backlash from fans following a miscalculated penalty attempt, asserting that commitment and tenacity can turn the tide.
Opportunity for Rebuilding in January
Despite the disheartening situation, Edwards has approached the challenges with both optimism and realism. His coaching staff notes improvements in training but acknowledges a disconnect in translating that effort to match performances.
Moving forward, the January transfer window offers a critical opportunity for rebuilding the team. Wolves must boldly confront their fall to the Championship while also planning for the future.
Edwards understands the necessity of addressing the squad’s needs without succumbing to the inevitability of relegation. He recognizes that while players may harbor their ambitions—like Joao Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan seeking World Cup spots—the team must focus on collective improvement.
Doherty acknowledged that a successful transfer window is paramount: “We need something, whether from the loan market or elsewhere. Fresh energy is essential as we’re in a significantly worse state than this time last year.”
In summary, the coming months will be pivotal for Wolves, and their ability to rise from this challenging situation depends on both immediate action and long-term vision.
