The English football landscape has witnessed its fair share of dismal starts, but none as catastrophic as Wolverhampton Wanderers' current plight. With a mere two points garnered from 17 games, the Midlands outfit has etched its name in the record books for all the wrong reasons. The prospect of reaching the erstwhile lowly mark of 11 points, set by Derby County in the 2007-08 season, now seems a lofty goal, a testament to the team's precipitous decline.
It is perplexing to comprehend how a team that finished 16th last season, having recovered from a dismal start under Vitor Pereira, could plummet to such depths. The Portuguese manager's departure has been followed by a freefall, with the team's performance averaging a mere fraction of what it was under his stewardship. The summer departures of key players, including Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Fábio Silva, have undoubtedly contributed to the team's woes, but they do not entirely account for the sheer scale of the decline.
A Critical Mass of Talent Drain
The issue at hand is not merely the loss of individual talent but the cumulative effect of a prolonged period of talent drain. Over the past couple of seasons, Wolves have consistently sold off their best players without adequately replacing them. The likes of Pedro Neto, Maximilian Kilman, and Mario Lemina have all departed, leaving a void that has been difficult to fill. This gradual erosion of talent has ultimately reached a critical mass, where the team's overall quality and perception of decline have become insurmountable hurdles.
It's less to do with the quality of the squad per se, although that clearly plays a role, than with the perception of decline. - Matt Doherty
Doherty's words, uttered in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat, strike at the heart of the issue. The team's mental state has been irreparably damaged, with some players seemingly resigned to their fate and others considering a January exit. The environment at Wolves has become toxic, making it an impossible place for players to perform at their best.
The warning signs were there from the outset, with Wolves causing Manchester City some problems on the opening day before ultimately succumbing to a 4-0 defeat. The subsequent losses, although narrow, hinted at a deeper malaise. The 3-1 home defeat to Leeds was a turning point, and despite a brief respite with a League Cup win over Everton and draws against Tottenham and Brighton, the team's season began to unravel. The physical and mental exhaustion was palpable in the 2-0 loss at Sunderland, and the 95th-minute winner conceded against Bournemouth marked the beginning of the end.
The statistics paint a grim picture, and it is difficult to envision a scenario where Wolves can arrest their slide. The departure of chairman Jeff Shi, although unexpected, may be a blessing in disguise, as the team desperately needs a change in fortunes. Rob Edwards, the new manager, faces an unenviable task in trying to salvage a season that is rapidly slipping away. His reputation, having taken Luton down, may never recover if he fails to enact a miracle at Wolves.
As the season wears on, the question on everyone's lips is: can Wolves avoid the ignominy of setting a new low in English league football? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the current trajectory is unsustainable, and drastic measures are needed to prevent a catastrophic conclusion to the season.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
