LIAM BERRY DISCUSSES WHAT WE LEARNT FROM WOLVES 5-0 DEFEAT AT ARSENAL
On the final day of the season, Wolves were thumped by five goals to nil at Arsenal. They avoided relegation, so the main objective was met after a difficult campaign, but many fans are now wondering what will be achieved next season. With a busy summer ahead, there could be plenty of movement in store.
1. LUSTFUL LOPETEGUI
In the past week, Julen Lopetegui has made it clear that his future is uncertain, as new issues arise apparently due to FFP, and his and Jeff Shi’s expressions in the stands watching on at Arsenal does not fill the Wolves fans with much hope.
Surely these sort of conversations are held all the time during a season, about money and what might be available, and usually they wouldn’t have been surfaced in the media. What Lopetegui is doing in his press conferences and briefings is only putting the club in a far more difficult position. Teams will look to sign our players on a cheap deal due to his comments, and it creates a really uncertain situation for everybody.
He has done very well so far in his reign, but I think he has dealt with this situation in an unprofessional way. It should have stayed behind closed doors, and if he wasn’t satisfied with the funds, he could have left, causing no overlying problems for Wolves to have to deal with. I find it difficult to believe he didn’t know this was coming after the money that has been spent over the last year.
2. RAN OUT OF VINO
Sadly, it seems more than likely that Joao Moutinho’s time at Wolves is up, and what a player he has been for us!
Incredible with the ball at his feet, intelligent defensively, and a workrate through the roof, even at his age.
It has been a pleasure to watch him and Ruben Neves boss the midfield over the years, undoubtably one of the best midfield partnerships that have put the shirt on!
Who knows what has gone on between him and Lopetegui over the last few weeks – it all feels very strange – and it’s a shame he wasn’t involved in the last few games so we could say a proper goodbye and let him know how much fans enjoyed watching him.
There has at least been the chance to say goodbye to Neves, who appears to be Barcelona-bound after an incredible six years at Molineux. With Adama Traore, who knows what is going to happen as his contract is now set to expire. Another one in a series of uncertainties around the club at the moment.
3. FINAL START FOR RAUL?
After five years at the club, it also seems like another club legend has bid his farewell.
After not being brought on at all in Wolves’ last fixture at Molineux this campaign, Raul Jimenez was in the starting 11 the week later.
He had a quiet game, as did the rest of the team. But, if he is to leave – and he does still have a year left on his contract – Wolves fans won’t remember him for this. They will remember the pre-injury Raul Jimenez, being one of the best classic ‘number nines’ in Europe. Definitely up there with the Wolves greats for me.
4. Defensive disasterclasses
Wolves are usually defensively sound, especially at home, and since Lopetegui came in, but on a couple occasions this season, they have been woeful.
This 5-0 defeat at Arsenal isn’t even their worst result this calendar year, they have also been thumped 6-0 by Brighton. These results can certainly not return next year. If we want to stray away from the relegation spots, we quite simply have to be better.
There have been rumours that the defence could be shaken up, with talk around Maximilian Kilman attracting interest. Who knows? But one thing’s for sure. Craig Dawson has been a massive plus since arriving in January and is one of the main reasons we have stayed up.
5. Huge summer ahead
Wolves spent big last summer and in January, and a similar strategy needs to happen this summer for the club to improve. But as we now know, it’s seemingly not possible.
So, the club need to spend wisely, they will have outgoings to generate revenue, but as we know FFP does pose a problem.
It’s common knowledge that the team we have can’t compete at a level most fans would want, so change needs to happen in the summer.
Recruitments needs to be clever. More deals like Dawson and Lemina, rather than Guedes and Fabio Silva. There should still be a decent squad available to the manager with a few reinforcements to replace those moving on.
It’s been a long hard season but we are still in the Premier League. And the new one will be here before we know it!
ARTICLE BY LIAM BERRY
I am a life long Wolves fan that is passionate for the club. I am a sixth form student who loves writing about things I love!
