Day 2: Wolves

Everyday, from now until Christmas Eve, we will take a look at a Premier League club and rate their season so far. Today, it is Wolves’ turn to be put under the microscope as we continue our Premier League Christmas Countdown.

Wolves have been sub-par this season but at the time of writing, manager Gary O’Neil is still in the job. After 14 games, his side have just nine points, accumulated from two wins and three draws. In fact they were the side that had to wait longest for a win, along with Ipswich. It wasn’t until they faced Southampton on the 9th November that they walked away with three points.

A Tough Fixture List

To be entirely fair to Wolves, they have the toughest opening fixture list of any team in the Premier League. They began with a trip to the Emirates in which they lost 2-0, and this was followed by a 6-2 home defeat to Chelsea. Their first point came at the end of August, when they drew against Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea have scored five goals or more in two away Premier League games this season (6-2 vs Wolves, 5-1 vs Southampton), the first time they have done so twice in a season since 2014-15

Via @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/SuH7JDQ1oR

— zeeneyblue (@ZeenyBlue) December 5, 2024

In September, they played Newcastle, Aston Villa and Liverpool, scoring in each but losing all three. It was at this point that Wolves fans began to realise why Bournemouth had sacked Gary O’Neil before the beginning of last season. Not only were Wolves losing every game, but they had no real style of play. O’Neil, if his side ever got the lead, focused on defending it rather than trying to extend it, and so the games often became boring and ultimately disappointing when they ended up losing.

Another Winless Month

October wasn’t much better for O’Niel and Wolves as they faced Brentford, Manchester City and Brighton. They lost against Brentford in an 8-goal thriller, but against Manchester City, they showed some signs that they could compete this season. The champions were held at 1-1 until the 95th minute when John Stones headed in a winner. Despite the defeat, many saw this as a sign that Wolves were progressing, however with hindsight, it was the first sign that Manchester City were collapsing before our eyes.

FT: Wolves 1-2 Manchester City.

3 POINTS THANKS TO A 95TH MINUTE WINNER, TERRIBLE FINAL RESULT FOR ARSENAL FANS, HUGE RESULT FOR MANCHESTER CITY FANS! pic.twitter.com/t8Kjx0tULb

— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) October 20, 2024

The final game of the month also suggested that Wolves had turned a corner, as they travelled to the Amex and drew 2-2 with Brighton. Two very late goals earned Wolves the point, and while the result was a positive one, it only came about due to a Brighton error.

A False Dawn

Wolves’ November can be described as a false dawn because of the way that fans and pundits were talking about them after they got their first win. By the beginning of the month, their difficult fixtures had all ended, and they only had games against teams in and around them left. They drew against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace before they ended their winless run with a 2-0 victory over Southampton.

Next up was Fulham, a difficult test, but they managed to shock everyone with a 4-1 win at the Cottage. Surely now, having not lost since the late goal against Manchester City, Wolves were going to turn a corner and slowly move up the table right?

FULL TIME: Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth.

That was so so so so bad. Defence was shocking, no fight in the players.

Giving away 3 penalties in unforgivable.

Get him gone now. #WWFC #Wolves pic.twitter.com/4nsV6173XI

— WolvesLads (@WolvesLads) November 30, 2024

Next were Bournemouth, O’Neil’s former side, who’s fanbase had been warning Wolves that O’Neil wasn’t ready for a Premier League job ever since he took the managerial position over a year ago. The match ended in an embarrassing defeat for Wolves, not because of the scoreline, but because of how bad they were defensively, conceding three penalties all won by the same player and scored by another.

Yesterday, Wolves played against Everton, a game that was probably a must win for both teams. It was Everton who walked away with three points and four goals. Wolves face West Ham next, and if both O’Niel and Julen Lopetegui haven’t been sacked by then, it will be dubbed the ‘el sackico’.

Player of the Season

Matheus Cunha is really the only Wolves player who has done well this season. Despite currently being 19th in the league, the Brazilian forward has managed seven goals and three assists in just 14 matches. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Joao Gomes and Jorgen Strand Larsen have also shown good glimpses, but currently Cunha has the team on his back.

Season Rank: F

End of Season Prediction: 19th

Check out our Christmas Countdown article from yesterday.