Always Wolves
Always Wolves
Dave gives his thoughts and opinions ahead of a pivotal match with Leeds United
Wolves hit a grim milestone on Saturday. A 1-0 loss at Newcastle made it four defeats from four, a first in 127 years of league football for the club.
Lose to Leeds at Molineux on Saturday and they will join an unwanted list as only the sixth Premier League side to start a campaign with five straight losses.
Vitor Pereira’s message is clear – he has not had time with his full squad. This week is his first real chance to drill tactics with everyone present.
On the pitch, it feels like last season. Individual errors. Sloppy passing. Poor choices in big moments. Too many soft goals.
Context matters, though.
Gary O’Neil had a more settled, experienced group than Pereira has now. Wolves pushed their transfer business late to stretch a tight budget, which led to seven first-team departures and six arrivals.
The result is a team learning on the job while the league shows no mercy.
There are fixes within reach. Pereira improved the defending when he first arrived; those gains can return with a proper training week and a settled XI. Tighten the shape out of possession. Cut cheap giveaways in build-up. Move the ball faster through midfield to find runners early. Be sharper on set pieces with clear roles and aggression. And find an attacking spark to turn pressure into shots on target.
For all the good work and credit Pereira earned when he came in, Wolves have not won a league game since April and have only one win if you include cup matches and friendlies.
Pressure is mounting, the fans are restless, and three of the next five fixtures are against promoted sides. These games will define Pereira’s future and Wolves’ season.
Leeds is a pivotal game, for belief as much as points, and it must be won.
CRITICAL FEW GAMES FOR WOLVES AND PEREIRA’S FUTURE
Pukka