The table might not reflect it, but Wolverhampton Wanderers have made significant improvements since the turn of the year. Rob Edwards has taken a club full of misery and dread over the future and handed them some moments to at least remember.
It hasn't been enough to take them to safety, though it's fairly clear that not much would have done, but Edwards has set the club up for an all-important summer.
They've already recruited Adam Armstrong in preparation for the Championship, but whether players of that calibre are enough to cover for the losses to come remains to be seen.
Wolves could face an exodus of talent this summer
It was tough to picture a big move for just about any Wolves player in the first half of the season. They were worryingly on course to break Derby County's lowest points record and it would be a hard sell for any agent trying to shift a player from the worst Premier League team of all time.
Rob-Edwards-Wolves
Fast-forward a few months, however, and that same side has defeated Liverpool, held Arsenal to a draw and defeated Midlands rivals Aston Villa. Wolves may be going down, but they're certainly spoiling a few parties along the way.
Players like Joao Gomes have been the main party poopers. The Brazilian has finally rediscovered the form that put him on the radar of Manchester United in January.
He particularly dominated Liverpool and he should be back on the radar of Premier League sides after such a performance. Indeed, it would not be a surprise if he kickstarted something of a mass exodus from Molineux.
Most tackles in Premier League 25/26
Joao Palhinha (Tottenham)
James Garner (Everton)
Joao Gomes (Wolves)
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
Just how Wolves would replace a player who is as physical as Gomes is the big question, but he's not the biggest player that could be heading for the exit door this summer.
Wolves heading for Gibbs-White 2.0
If losing Morgan Gibbs-White was frustrating in 2022 was frustrating, then losing a player of Mateus Mane's potential will be an even deeper blow this summer.
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates
Gibbs-White made himself the villain by leaving for Nottingham Forest four years ago, but he didn't seem like a great loss at the time. In 2022, this was a player who was on the cusp of Wolves' best side.
He certainly wasn't established enough for them to reject Forest's £42.5m offer and he certainly wasn't at the peak of his powers. Wolves clearly couldn't see the potential that their rivals did after Gibbs-White's loan spell at Sheffield United.
wolves-record-sales-neves-pedro-neto-kilman Related
Wolves' most expensive sales of all time
A look at Wolves' most expensive departures.
Now, four years later, they could be about to lose another young player before he's had the chance to reach his full potential. This time, it's Mane who could leave for big money before thriving elsewhere.
Wolves Record Mane Gibbs-White
Games 24 88
Goals 2 3
Assists 2 1
There is a slight difference in Mane's case. Unlike Gibbs-White, who was involved in just four goals in 88 appearances for the club, Mane has already shown his hand. They're not going to be shocked when he goes on to thrive elsewhere, but relegation could leave them with no choice.
Recent reports have claimed that the versatile forward is already worth £50m ahead of the summer transfer window, so it begs the question of how much he could be worth if he realised his full potential at Wolves.
Having already lost their talisman in the form of Matheus Cunha last season, Wolves are facing the same problem one year later. Even they can't deny that a player of Mane's quality, at just 18 years old, deserves to be playing in the Premier League and that is something that they simply cannot offer.
mateus-mane-wolves
Back to square one, the trend of losing young players before they've even had the chance to reach the peak of their powers looks destined to continue at Molineux.
Wolves-Matheus-Cunha Related
£14m Wolves star was playing like Cunha, now he looks finished under Edwards
He has lost his place in the side.