Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a forgettable season thus far. Following a challenging 2023/24 campaign where they narrowly avoided relegation under manager Gary O’Neil, the Old Gold now languish at the bottom of the Premier League standings this season.
The struggles of Wolves this term have surprised many, including BBC Sports’ chief football writer Phil McNulty, who confidently predicted they would comfortably steer clear of the drop zone. Despite high hopes, the Midlands club finds themselves in a dire situation, raising concerns for O’Neil as they prepare to face Brighton and Hove Albion.
Wolves have significantly underperformed this season, failing to secure a single win and being among the four teams without any points alongside Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, and Southampton. Their defensive fragility stands out as a major issue, having conceded the most goals in the Premier League with a staggering 23 goals, a troubling statistic that includes heavy defeats to Chelsea and Brentford.
Despite showing promise in expected goals against, Wolves have struggled to find the back of the net consistently, scoring only ten goals. Notably, newcomer Rodrigo Gomes, a talented 21-year-old winger signed from SC Braga for £12.7m, could be the key player in Wolves’ attempt to turn their fortunes around, as they aim to make a mark in upcoming fixtures.
The Portugal under-21 talent shone on loan at Estoril, with 9 goals and 8 assists last season, including 14 goal contributions in Liga Portugal. Despite limited chances at Wolves, the versatile winger poses a threat to defenses. Scouts praise his potential, foreseeing his impact in their revival. With just one league start, his EFL Cup display revealed promise. In a bid to improve Wolves’ performance, coach O’Neil may explore new tactics. Facing a tough Brighton, Gomes could prove pivotal in lifting his team out of the relegation struggle or altering their fate.
