WATCH FOR OUR THOUGHTS FOLLOWING WOLVES DEFEAT TO WEST HAM
It’s another tough night for Wolves fans, as the team’s struggles in the Premier League continue with a 2-1 defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium. A performance that showed glimpses of fight but ultimately highlighted the same old issues that have plagued the team all season. Let’s break it all down – the goals, the controversies, and what this means for Wolves moving forward.
.Same Issues, Different Day
Once again, Wolves were undone by their Achilles’ heel: defending set pieces. The first West Ham goal came from yet another unmarked man at the back post, this time Tomas Soucek, who punished Wolves on a corner that shouldn’t have been awarded in the first place. That brings the tally to 14 goals conceded from set pieces this season – a staggering and worrying trend.
It’s not just the defensive lapses that frustrate fans, though. As one supporter put it, “What are we doing? No man marking, no plan – it’s just chaos.” The team’s inability to address these fundamental issues has not gone unnoticed, especially after having sacked the set-piece coach earlier in the season. Since then, things have only deteriorated.
Missed Opportunities and Controversial Calls
There’s an old saying in football: when it rains, it pours. Wolves not only struggled defensively but were also on the wrong end of some key decisions.
In the second half, there was a strong penalty shout when Sasa Kalajdzic appeared to have his foot stepped on. However, VAR didn’t deem it a clear and obvious error, leaving fans furious. “What’s the point of VAR if it can’t spot that? He trod on his foot – it’s a penalty,” was the mood from the fans, who still can’t fathom why the referee wasn’t sent to the monitor.
To compound the frustration, a golden chance to equalise fell to Tommy Doyle late in the game, only for him to sky his effort over the bar. It summed up Wolves’ lack of composure in crucial moments.
Fighting Back but Falling Short
To the team’s credit, there were flashes of resilience. After going a goal down, Wolves responded with a well-taken equaliser from Matt Doherty, who continues to show his experience and commitment. The move was a bright spot on an otherwise disappointing evening.
But, as has been the case far too often, Wolves couldn’t hold on. Within minutes of levelling, they allowed Jarrod Bowen to glide through their defence and restore West Ham’s lead. It felt like déjà vu, with heads dropping and organisation evaporating.
Leadership Questions and Managerial Uncertainty
It’s clear the issues at Wolves run deeper than what’s happening on the pitch. Captain Mario Lemina showed his frustration at full-time, getting into a heated exchange – a sign of just how broken things feel within the team.
Manager Gary O’Neil appears to be a “dead man walking,” with reports of the club already exploring other managerial options. Julen Lopetegui’s sudden departure before the season began has left a void, and O’Neil hasn’t been able to fill it. Fans are calling for someone with “real gravitas” to step in, someone who can rally the team and reignite the club’s ambitions.
But time is running out. Every game under the current regime feels like a step closer to relegation. A new manager must come in soon if Wolves are to salvage their season.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming fixture against Ipswich Town is now a must-win game. If Wolves can’t pick up three points there, they risk being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. With confidence already at rock bottom, the team needs a spark – and fast.
The club’s “self-sufficiency” model, while admirable in theory, has left Wolves unprepared for a fight at the bottom. Fans fear the soul of the club is being stripped away, with jobs, players, and even supporters at risk of being lost if relegation becomes a reality.
Man of the Match and Performance Ratings
Not much to celebrate, but Matt Doherty stood out for his effort and well-taken goal. It was a glimpse of quality in an otherwise forgettable performance. Overall, the team’s performance couldn’t be rated higher than a 4/10 – marginally better than recent outings, but still riddled with the same old mistakes.
A Bleak Outlook
Wolves feel like a club in freefall. The problems stem from the top, with poor decisions piling up, and the team now looks like a shadow of its former self.
The fans who travelled to London deserved better – they deserved fight, organisation, and maybe a little luck. Instead, they were served another dose of frustration.
If action isn’t taken soon, it’s hard to see Wolves clawing their way out of this mess. A new manager needs to come in quickly, and they need to bring both tactical awareness and something Wolves have lacked for some time – belief.
For now, though, it’s another long week for Wolves supporters. As always, we hope for better days ahead. Always Wolves.