Wolverhampton Wanderers

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

No, I do not mean relegation. That has felt inevitable for a while now. I mean rubbish.

Because that was what Wolves were against Leeds. Rubbish, flat and nowhere near good enough.

There have been games this season where you could at least point to effort, shape or a bit of fight. This was not one of them. The performance was woeful from start to finish and Leeds deserved everything they got. Wolves looked second best in every area. Loose in possession, weak out of it and short of belief when it mattered most.

That does not just happen by accident. Yes, the players have to take their share of the blame. Yes, Rob Edwards has tried to steady a broken side and has at times looked like he is managing a group that is already halfway down the tunnel. But this mess goes far beyond one bad afternoon, one poor squad or one manager who some believe may be out of his depth.

This is the end result of a managed decline that has been building for years.

Fosun have taken a club with real momentum and slowly drained the life out of it. Bad decisions, failed appointments, poor recruitment and a constant sense of drift have left Wolves here. The warning signs were there long before this season turned toxic. We have watched standards slip, ambition fade and the club get weaker.

There are some green shoots of hope with Nathan Shi replacing Jeff Shi. It feels like maybe, just maybe, someone at the top has finally seen the damage being done.

The summer has to bring real change. Not another reset in name only. Not another promise to learn lessons. Real change. Until then, Wolves fans are left with the same painful truth.

The defeat by Leeds was terrible, but it was also familiar. And that is the biggest problem of all.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The front doors at Compton broke one Friday afternoon.

For a few minutes a number of people at Wolves' training ground were locked out before the problem was fixed. It feels like an appropriate metaphor for the club's season.

Wolves were broken and manager Rob Edwards has been trying to piece them back together since November. Handed a near impossible task, he has been unable to save them.

Relegation from the Premier League was confirmed by West Ham's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Failure to replace their best players after selling Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri over the past few years has been central to Wolves' downfall.

None of the summer 2024 signings is a regular, with only Rodrigo Gomes and Sam Johnstone part of the matchday squad.

Emmanuel Agbadou, Nasser Djiga and Marshall Munetsi joined in January 2025 to help keep Wolves up, but Agbadou was sold to Besiktas last month with Djiga and Munetsi sent on loan this season.

Of last summer's signings, winger Jhon Arias has been sold to Palmeiras in Brazil for just over £20m after arriving from Fluminense, while Fer Lopez returned to Celta Vigo on loan.

It is evidence of the regret surrounding the transfer business, with no Premier League experience added after losing Cunha to Manchester United and Ait-Nouri to Manchester City, with Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia leaving for free.

That point was made to former director of professional football Domenico Teti, who left days after Victor Pereira's sacking, but he signed off on the signings.

Pereira was unhappy at how slowly business got done and felt he did not get his first-choice players - to the point where he regretted staying and signing a new contract - but they were still players he approved.

At the time Wolves felt there was value in the European market - Ladislav Krejci's loan from Girona has been their best business - but David Moller Wolfe, Tolu Arokodare and Jackson Tchatchoua arrived for a combined £45m with minimal impact.

There was certainly no expectation Wolves would tank this season because of the transfer business, but sources say the lesson has been learned and there is a sense of relief for a clean slate and a desire to avoid making the same mistakes again.

Read more from Nick on why Wolves' relegation had been coming

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leeds and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

David: This team under Daniel Farke look very impressive. The number of Leeds fans against Farke have increasingly fallen silent and realised their mistake. Leeds can build on this and be taking part in the battle for Europe next season rather than the battle for relegation.

Andrew: This was the most uncomfortable 3-0 win you could wish for! After a great start to the game, Leeds were dragged into a very scrappy game. But it's the points that matter at this stage and we are nearly there. Roll on Bournemouth, then to Wembley.

Chris: It's finally paying off on a number of fronts. Leeds are getting the results that match the intensity they're bringing to the game. Noah Okafor has hit real form showing us what he can do. And Dominic Calvert-Lewin is having the season of his career. Bring on Chelsea at Wembley! Another trophy this season?

John: It wasn't fantastic, but it was a necessary confident and disciplined performance, from which one can only be satisfied that we will be staying in the Premier League.

Wolves fans

Wol: Another terrible performance away in front of us loyal fans. No passion or fight from the players. No quality in the final third again. Let us get to the end of the season and see what next season brings. Hopefully a major shake-up throughout the club and better dealings in the transfer market.

Simon: Rob Edwards, it's not worked and there is little hope it will work next season. There is no identity and no clear tactics. Crossing the ball into the box and playing a long ball constantly when you have the smallest player up front is akin to pub football methodology. See out the season and take a break from management, allow Wolves to get a manager in with a clear system and approach and enough of a profile to help recruit players.

Chris: I can't see any signs of improvement which give me hope for next season. I don't think Edwards is the man.

Rory: Wolves played OK, but going down 2-0 made it an uphill battle for them. A great save from Karl Darlow meant it was never going to be Wolves' day.

Wolves' Czech Republic defender Ladislav Krejci, who turns 27 on Monday, is wanted by Leeds. (Express & Star - subscription), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Ashley Williams and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leeds 3-0 Wolves

• Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth

• Tottenham 2-2 Brighton

Wolves boss Rob Edwards, speaking to Match of the Day: "Leeds were better in the big moments.

"The timing of the second goal is not good enough. We need to be better in those big moments.

"There was a good reaction because it could have gone away from us. Second half we pushed. I didn't think it was a penalty at the end.

"They didn't make the mistakes we made and they punished us when we did."

On Jose Sa missing: "Yesterday, it was a spasm in his shoulder/back area. We tried to give him as long as possible, but we called it just before we came down here."

On relegation looming: "We don't want it to happen, but the writing is on the wall. We have to continue trying to improve and there are things we are doing better, but we are where we are because of the mistakes.

"It is really important we fight in every single moment."

Did you know?

• This was Wolves' 22nd defeat in the Premier League this season, whilst they've only lost more matches across a single top-flight season in 2011-12 (23), 1983-84 (25), 1964-65 (25) and 1905-06 (23).

• Rodrigo Gomes made his 50th appearance for Wolves across all competitions this afternoon, becoming the 13th different Portuguese player to make 50+ appearances for the club across all competitions since their promotion to the top-flight in 2018.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has been inevitable for months but Wolves are finally at the point where they are waiting to be put out of their misery.

There was an upturn in form and some encouraging displays prior to the international break but there was no realistic thoughts that they might escape.

And their two games since then have shown why, with heavy defeats away to relegation-threatened sides.

Rob Edwards' team struggled to cope as Leeds hassled and harried them in the early stages, while every set-piece seemed to result in chaos in the Wolves box.

It was little wonder they found themselves 2-0 down so quickly - but almost more symptomatic of their season was what followed.

Leeds' intensity dropped, Wolves were almost invited into the game, but failed to lay a glove on the home side.

What little they did create came from corners and, when Joao Gomes went through for their best chance of the game, it was a fortunate ricochet rather than an incisive pass that sent him clear.

The nervousness at Elland Road when Wolves did have a short spell of pressure showed how different things might have been had the visitors got a goal back.

But this is currently a team devoid of cutting edge - just 24 goals from 33 games tells its own story - and addressing that is sure to be a priority for Edwards as the club tries to plot a way back to the big time next term.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Daniel Farke names the same Leeds XI that started Monday's memorable 2-1 win over Manchester United.

Noah Okafor was the hero as he scored both goals at Old Trafford, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin retains his place as he aims to end a six-match goal drought in the Premier League.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Justin, Bijol, Struijk, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Rodon, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bornauw, Gnonto, Buonanotte, Gruev.

There are two changes to the Wolves starting line-up from their 4-0 loss at West Ham last time out.

Jose Sa is not in the squad so Dan Bentley starts in goal while Toti Gomes comes in to captain the side, Yerson Mosquera drops out of the 18.

Rob Edwards' side could be officially relegated from the Premier League today if they lose and Tottenham beat Brighton later.

Wolves XI: Bentley, Toti, S Bueno, Krejci, Tchatchoua, Bellegarde, Andre, Joao Gomes, H Bueno, A Gomes, Armstrong.

Subs: Brooks, Wolfe, Hwang, Arokodare, Lima, R Gomes, Mane, Olagunju, Edozie.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Fulham (12:30)

• Leeds v Wolves (15:00) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Bournemouth (15:00)

• Tottenham v Brighton (17:30) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Man Utd (20:00)

Kick-off 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Brighton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Buoyed by their surprise victory at Old Trafford earlier in the week, Leeds United return to home soil on Saturday (15:00 GMT) to face bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who could be relegated to the Championship by Monday night if a combination of results go against them.

Okafor hits form at the right time

Daniel Farke's side were outstanding in the first half against Manchester United on Monday night, laying the foundations for just a second league win in 10 outings. The challenge now is whether they can they follow up their 2-1 victory with another three points to ease their own relegation fears.

The Whites, who sit 15th – six points clear of the relegation zone with six games to play – are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season. They are the only club in the division yet to do so.

Noah Okafor's first-half brace on Monday means he has scored four goals in his last four league games, taking his tally for the season to six. He also netted in the reverse fixture, a 3-1 win for Leeds at Molineux in September.

Only two Swiss players have scored more in a single campaign in England's top tier: Xherdan Shaqiri with eight for Stoke City (2017-18), and Granit Xhaka with seven for Arsenal (2022-23).

Leeds could do with a similar performance at Elland Road on Saturday, where they have failed to score in four of their last five league games, including the last three in a row. The only time the Whites have ever gone four home league games without scoring was in February-March 1982 under Allan Clarke in the old First Division.

Wolves on their last legs

Wolverhampton Wanderers have known for some time now that relegation is likely – they've been bottom of the table for each of their past 29 games – but this is the first matchweek in which it can be confirmed.

Wolves' fate will be sealed if they lose to Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur beat Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday or West Ham United take at least a point in their Monday night game at Crystal Palace.

Even if Wolves were to pick up a point in West Yorkshire, they could still go down if West Ham win and Nottingham Forest avoid defeat against second-bottom Burnley.

Head coach Rob Edwards is to be commended for his efforts since he was appointed in November – the Old Gold have won 15 of their 17 points since the former Wales international took charge – but he is the new owner of an unwanted Premier League record.

Among the 130 coaches to have managed 50 or more games in the competition, ex-Luton Town boss Edwards has the lowest win percentage, with just nine victories in 59 matches (15.3%).

He also has the lowest points per game ratio (0.69) and is the only manager to see his sides ship at least two goals per game - 118 goals in 59 games, exactly two per match.

Three points for Wolves would stave off relegation for at least another week, but unfortunately for those hardy fans making the trip from the Black Country their team haven't won a single league game on the road this season.

Let's get it right, Leeds could have beaten Manchester United by a much bigger margin than 2-1 on Monday night.

I had Dominic Calvert-Lewin in my Fantasy team and he should have scored a couple, while it took a brilliant goalline tackle from Lisandro Martinez to deny Ao Tanaka.

Wolves were competitive against West Ham, at least until they conceded anyway, but I can't see past another Leeds win here. There is a nice balance to Daniel Farke's side.

This one might be a little bit nervy but I think they will get over the line. If they do, they will be on 39 points which should be enough to keep them up.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Edwards confirmed goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is still not available due to a shoulder injury, while Matt Doherty is "pushing" for a comeback after training for the past couple of days and they will make a "late call" on whether he's fit enough to play.

• He added that everyone else is fit and available for this weekend.

• On whether losing 4-0 to West Ham felt like a setback: "I think in this league, everyone loses games and you're going to drop points. The result was horrible but we can't let that knock us."

• The Wolves boss believes "the fight will remain" among his squad, and if anyone doesn't buy into that then he's not afraid to play younger players who will fight for the club.

• On what he wants to achieve for the rest of the season: "Whether it's Friday night games or Monday night games, take the last one aside, I think we've shown a good side to ourselves. Won some big games, fought back against big teams. People watching would have watched and thought it's a pretty good place to be and to play. We want to try and get as many points as possible and take it as far as we can."

• Asked about Leeds boss Daniel Farke, Edwards responded: "I think he's a brilliant manager. I think he's done a great job. I actually think the performance levels consistently for a long time now are above where they are, especially in the league. "

• He added that Leeds "have a great way of playing - aggressive, very dynamic, quick, loads of intensity, so it will be a very challenging game."

• On the away day: "Elland Road is always a really good atmosphere as well. They'll be buoyed by the result last time out away at Manchester United, so it should be a really good game for us."

Listen to full match commentary of Leeds United v Wolves on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday at 15:00 BST

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Wolves? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

We asked for your views whether Wolves can bounce straight back to the Premier League if the seemingly inevitable happens and they are to go down.

Here are some of your comments:

Jacob: I believe we can bounce back at the first time of asking but it will require a fairly large rehaul of the squad. Whether we return to the Premier League depends entirely on the ambition and competency of Fosun's recruitment in the summer. Also, the task will be made that much harder if we have to compete with Tottenham for a promotion place.

Lee: Unfortunately I don't think we will bounce back. As long as the current ownership is in place we will struggle.

Ben: Given the advantage of the parachute payments and Edwards' track record of promotion, a top-eight berth should be achievable. However, a lot hinges on recruitment, an area in which we have been woefully inconsistent in recent seasons. Hopefully Fosun have learned from past mistakes and give the management team the tools and time needed to succeed.

James: I think that if anyone has the ability to get us back up it is Rob. It will be tough however. I think we can do it .

Josh: I think we will hold on to a good group of core players. It worries me if Spurs come down with us as you would presume they would take one of the automatic spots.

Gareth: It completely depends on what happens in the summer. We've shown more ability and fight since Rob took over, which is of course a positive, but some of our key players have been a core reason to that. We will no doubt have large sums thrown at us for these players, and the ones we do sell, our recruitment will need to put that money to good use. This summer will absolutely define next season.

Rob: I think it all depends on Tottenham, if they go down I am not sure we will come back on the first attempt. Staying down for a season could also allow us to build a better team. If Spurs don't get relegated we stand a chance.

Wolves' defeat at the hands of West Ham was a huge blow to any remaining survival hopes.

So, if the dreaded drop is to materialise, how confident are you of an immediate return to the Premier League?

Get in touch with your views here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, PA Media

Perhaps it was easier when they weren't playing.

In the three and a half weeks without a game, some sense of anticipation had begun to build up. There may have been only the most slender hope of survival but there was at least the prospect of some fun on the way to the exit.

After Friday's 4-0 loss at West Ham, and the careless mistakes in the second half, Wolves instead enter a period of footballing purgatory.

There will be a numbness about these final games. If they win, maybe even if they win them all, it will be too late to count. If they lose, after being bottom of the league for almost the entire season, they can be no worse off. They will be results without consequence.

But it is just this sense of futility that makes the remaining weeks of the season so dangerous. No doubt several members of the squad will be playing out their last few weeks with the club, at least in their own minds. Although there is apparently no immediate financial urgency to sell, Wolves will need to shift at least a few players out to press on with the renewal of their squad - the sooner the better to prepare for the Championship.

Whether the list of players Wolves intend to move on matches the list of those who think they should, to say nothing of the list of those likely to attract decent offers, will take some time to establish. There is a danger of drift now. For a player who thinks - or whose agent thinks - he is about to land a lucrative move away, what is the incentive to go for that tackle or to make that sprint? If Wolves expect a player to leave, is there any point in picking them now anyway?

There is some logic to leaving out a few stars. Giving young players a chance always appeals to the footballing romantics. But using the remaining games just as testbeds heightens the risk of another losing run. A string of defeats now may make no difference to the league table but would still sap morale, at a time when the club is trying hard - with more sensible pricing - to persuade fans to pay for another season.

As Wolves have found in recent years, the mood in May carries over to August. Exposing young players to the harsh spotlight of the last weeks in the Premier League, and a low moment in the club's recent history, is also a difficult thing to do.

Listen to full commentary of Leeds v Wolves at 15:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio WM (DAB Black Country)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

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Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.

Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.

It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.

Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?

Make your selection

Emma Milton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves' defeat by West Ham exposed a familiar problem that has been an underlying issue all season.

For most of the first half, Wolves actually looked the better side. But even then, the same problem kept appearing - a lack of quality and directness in the final third. That is not good enough now and it will be even less acceptable in the Championship.

The two goals conceded in quick succession also pointed to a deeper issue. Individual errors, combined with a clear lack of focus and a bit of naivety, cost Wolves badly at a key moment in the game. Those kinds of mistakes cannot keep happening.

Wolves have not had enough physical presence or enough players who can handle a proper battle. Against West Ham, that lack of size and power showed up again. In the Championship, where games are often scrappier and more physical, that weakness would stand out even more.

The squad has limited creativity and that is telling when so much is being asked of Joao Gomes, who is naturally a defensive midfielder, and 18-year-old Mateus Mane. who has already had to carry a huge amount of responsibility over half a season. That is not sustainable if Wolves want to come back stronger.

There was also a familiar lack of support around the striker. When Wolves get players close enough to combine, they can create chances. When they do not, the centre-forward is isolated and attacks break down before they begin. Adam Armstrong has at least offered movement and link play and this may have been helped had there been a second striker like Tolu alongside him.

In truth, this defeat said as much about squad balance as it did about the teamsheet. Wolves have spent too long without enough physical presence. If they are being overrun in the Premier League, that same profile will struggle in the Championship too.

Wolves need more imagination, more pace, more physicality and more players who can make the final third feel dangerous. Right now, too many promising spells fade into nothing.

This performance was nowhere near good enough.

Find more from Emma Milton at Always Wolves, external