GEORGE LAKIN WRITES THIS WEEK'S BBC SPORT ARTICLE, AS WOLVES SLIP BACK INTO THE RELEGATION ZONE THE MESSAGE FROM FANS COULD NOT BE CLEARER
The words that echoed around Molineux on Saturday couldn’t be plainer. With Guo Guangchang, chief of Wolves’ illustrious owners, Fosun International, in attendance no less.
A clear message that speaks to the frustrations that have existed long before this season’s debacle.
Now, it seems, things are coming to a head.
Just a week prior to sacking Gary O’Neil the powers that be at Wolves made an astonishing admission. They declared the blame was not entirely his and expressed a commitment to providing O’Neil with the support necessary to improve results.
A 2-1 reversal against Ipswich quickly put paid to all that. And with the swift arrival of Vitor Pereira, there was the expectation Wolves would ‘go early’ in the January window.
Yet here we find ourselves, in the last knockings, and only Emmanuel Agbadou to show for it. Admittedly, he looks good, but he alone is not enough.
Worse still is that the noisiest rumours are potential departures- talismanic Matheus Cunha no less, who’s performances have been concerningly uninspired of late. Just why is that? He may well be asking himself if there is any place for ambition at this club. If the answer’s no: cue apathy. It’s no excuse, but he wouldn’t be the first.
Fosun’s Wolves has history when it comes to ambition (or lack thereof). Words are one thing; actions quite another. The current stagnation harks back to the frustrations of Nuno Espirito Santo, Bruno Lage and Julen Lopetegui respectively. All wanted more, all wanted this club to progress, to show ambition. All were ultimately sent packing.
The current regime at Wolves seem to believe winning lies not in climbing the table and enjoying genuine footballing success, but in surviving and continuing to enjoy a seat at the sport’s biggest table with as little outlay as possible.
It’s a dangerous game leaving just enough blood left in the club to detect a pulse, yet ‘survival by default’ may still come to their aid. As it stands, just 28 points would be enough to secure 17th place (based on current points per game averages.) Even so, without a change in strategy Wolves will inevitably find themselves in the same position again. Hopelessly dredging, with fans disinclined to dream.
The doldrums in perpetuity is no way to exist. Football is supposed to provide respite from life.
When you own a football club, you own the heart and soul of a community.
Handle it with care.
