Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League table, currently sitting in 20th place. The team is yet to win this season and has only managed to collect three points from ten games. This alarming start brings back memories of a similar misery two seasons ago, when Wolves were in 18th place after 17 games with just three wins and 13 points. However, they managed a remarkable turnaround this year, eventually finishing in 13th place, seven points clear of relegation.
Last season wasn’t much different in terms of inconsistency. While Wolves enjoyed a commendable run for much of the season, reaching 9th place after 29 games, their finish was nothing short of disastrous. In the last ten games of the season, Wolves managed just one win, which saw them drop to 14th place. This ongoing battle with inconsistency has clearly raised concerns about the team’s ability to sustain performance throughout the season.
Immediate action is needed for Wolverhampton to turn the tide. The recent draw against Crystal Palace showed a dismal result: Wolves have only managed one win in their last twenty league games. Combined with a disappointing finish to the 2023/24 season, the club’s management did not significantly strengthen the team during the transfer window. Additionally, they lost several key players including Pedro Neto and Maximilian Kilman, further weakening their squad.
A glaring problem for the Wolves this season is their defensive abilities. The team struggled greatly in this area, conceding an incredible 27 goals – making them the worst defensive team in the league. What’s even more worrying is that these goals were scored despite an expected return on investment (xGA) of 19.1. This means that Wolves have allowed eight more goals than was statistically expected based on the quality of the chances conceded. Their defenders are allowing too many shots on goal and both goalkeepers, Jose Sa and new signing Sam Johnstone, haven’t done the job needed to prevent their opponents from scoring.
The statistics are meaningful; Wolverhampton has a post-shot Expected Goals Compared to Goals Allowed (PsxG-GA) value of -4.6, the worst in the league. This worrying figure reflects the team’s difficulties in the penalty area, as both goalkeepers have failed to show the stability required to inspire confidence in their defence. Coach Gary O’Neil appears unsure about picking his starting goalkeeper, further complicating the situation for the defense.
When it comes to their attacking abilities, the stats show a mixed picture. Despite ranking second-worst in the league in expected goals (XG), the Wolves have shown some efficiency in front of goal with 14 goals. However, this success is overshadowed by the lack of chance creation. Wolves rank 19th in passes into the penalty area and touches in the final third, suggesting they desperately need improvements in attack if they are to stay out of the relegation zone.
Luckily for the Wolves, signs of a potential turnaround are emerging. They have a string of favorable games ahead of them, starting with a crucial home game against Southampton this weekend. Facing another relegation candidate, getting all three points is vital to Wolves’ Premier League survival chances.
As the season progresses, Wolverhampton will need to address both their defensive deficiencies and their difficulty generating attacking opportunities. Resilience and tactical adjustments will be crucial as they look to fight their way back up the table. With important games looming, the players and coaching staff are under pressure to turn their current plight into a chance for survival.