Winless Wolves Setting Records – Just How Bad Can It Get?
Wolves find themselves in a dire situation, having not secured a victory in 227 days, enduring three managerial changes, two sporting directors, and one technical director while conceding 41 goals. Currently, they sit at the bottom of the Premier League with a mere two points, which puts them 13 points away from safety, leaving their future in the top tier looking increasingly grim as they are assured to remain last in the standings come Christmas.
Monday’s match against Manchester United ended in a disheartening 4-1 defeat, marking their eighth consecutive loss in the league. This represents the longest losing streak the club has experienced within the Premier League era, equaling their all-time record for losses from the 1981-82 season. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s equalizer in the first half was a rare highlight, being their first league goal scored since October 26.
This season’s total of only two points after 15 games ties for the lowest in the history of the top four English leagues.
Frustrated supporters staged a 15-minute boycott at the start of the match against United to voice their dissatisfaction regarding the club’s management under Fosun, a move that may have left them wishing they had stayed outside.
“I completely understand the frustration,” stated manager Rob Edwards. “I won’t dictate what the fans should do, but I would love to see them support the players. They need to see effort and commitment in return. Mistakes cost us tonight, and the atmosphere reflected that anger. The players are giving their all, but the supporters are understandably upset.”
“The competition is fierce, and we inherited a team that hadn’t won since April. I wasn’t expecting an instant turnaround.”
With relegation to the Championship looming, Wolves face the risk of surpassing Derby County’s Premier League record low of 11 points. The question remains: can Wolves avoid becoming the poorest team in the league’s history?
How Did They End Up Here?
It is essential to note that the current Premier League landscape is vastly different from that during Derby’s struggles, making comparisons somewhat unfair. The downward trend is not merely a consequence of this season; after achieving back-to-back seventh-place finishes in 2018-19 and 2019-20, Wolves’ performance has steadily deteriorated.
In the past five seasons, they have finished 13th, 10th, 13th, 14th, and 16th, resorting to changing managers multiple times to stave off decline. Edwards represents the fifth head coach appointment in four years and the third in less than a year, following the dismissals of Gary O’Neil and Vitor Pereira.
The constant changes in management have coincided with significant player turnover, as Wolves have allowed many star players to leave without adequate replacements. Key figures such as Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves, Adama Traore, and Joao Moutinho played vital roles in their success under former coach Nuno Espirito Santo, including a memorable run to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020.
The new signings made last summer, excluding Jorgen Strand Larsen, lack Premier League experience and are struggling to adapt. Edwards has acknowledged the need for more seasoned players, a goal for the January transfer window, but selecting new talent will largely hinge on how far the club has fallen by that point.
Concerns also exist regarding the squad’s ability to integrate effectively, given its diverse backgrounds and fitness levels, as Edwards seeks to instill his desired intense playing style.
Robert Earnshaw, a striker who was part of the Derby team that faced similar challenges, shared insights, recalling how internal dynamics heavily influenced their performance. He noted that “the politics around the club disrupted what was happening on the pitch,” leading to a pervasive sense of hopelessness among players.
Frustration is palpable among fans, with chants like “Sell the team, now sell the club” directed toward the ownership. Despite this outcry, Fosun appears resolute in its commitment to the club, showing no immediate intention to sell while remaining open to minority investments.
Matt Jackson, the former director of player recruitment, recently took over as technical director, a move met with skepticism among supporters calling for extensive organizational reform.
Even before November’s managerial change, this season was viewed as a new phase, emphasizing cost reduction in wages and transfer fees, with a focus on acquiring homegrown talent both in January and beyond.
Can They Avoid Becoming the Premier League’s Worst Team?
The start to the season has been bleak for Wolves, who remain winless in their first 15 league matches. The record for the worst start to a top-flight season is held by Bolton, who went 22 games without a win in 1902-03, finishing last and ultimately being relegated.
Sheffield United holds the Premier League record with 17 games without a win, a streak that Wolves may equal if they fail to secure a victory against either Arsenal or Brentford before facing Liverpool and Manchester United at the end of the year.
The lowest points tally at Christmas in Premier League history belongs to Sheffield United, who had two points in 2020, although this came after only 14 games due to the pandemic altering the schedule. Sunderland recorded the lowest points total in a full season with just five points after 17 games.
West Bromwich Albion found themselves in a similar predicament in 2004, ending the Christmas period eight points adrift but did manage to avoid relegation under the management of Bryan Robson. Earnshaw, who played a pivotal role in keeping West Brom up, expressed concern over Wolves’ lack of quality and game-changing capability.
“There are moments where top players can alter the course of a game in seconds, but Wolves are lacking that,” he stated. “They aren’t generating enough goal-scoring opportunities. They have potential with players like Andre and Joao Gomes, but something isn’t right—whether it’s confidence or readiness for the challenge, it’s worrying.”