Wolves Special: Inside Wolverhampton Wanderers with Johnny Phillips & Tom Collomosse

Wolves at a Turning Point: The Season Opener and Club State

The countdown begins: Wolves take on Manchester City on Saturday at 5:30pm. It’s not only the curtain-raiser for what promises to be a challenging campaign, but also a poignant occasion. Fans are asked to arrive early at Molineux for a powerful tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. The ground will be packed, emotions running high. Supporters are being called on to fill their seats early and show the best of Wolves’ community spirit right from the

Wolves’ Recent Journey: Survival, Sales, and Squad Gaps

Last season, Wolves edged away from the relegation scrap, ending 16th under Vitor Pereira. The relief was short-lived. This summer has brought sweeping changes, with a host of key departures and only a handful of new faces. Here are the main moves:

Players Out:

• Matheus Cunha
• Rayan Aït-Nouri
• Pablo Sarabia
• Nelson Semedo
• Tommy Doyle
• Other squad members (with speculation swirling about more to follow)

Players In:

• Jørgen Strand Larsen (permanent deal, already at the club)
• David Moller Wolf (left wing-back, to compete with Hugo Bueno)
• John Arias (noted for being in ‘team of the tournament’ at the Club World Cup)
• Fer Lopez (young, energetic prospect)

Concerns remain loud and clear. The squad feels thin, especially considering the intensity of Premier League competition. Depth and first-team quality look short, even after changes to the football management set-up. Just six days before the opener, the big question for many isn’t excitement for the big occasion, but worry about whether the club are ready on the pitch—never mind off it.

Behind the Scenes: Insight from Johnny Phillips and Tom Collomosse

Two Wolves experts, Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips and national journalist Tom Collomosse, joined Dazzling Dave to share what’s really happening at Molineux.

The “Penny Has Dropped” Myth: Clearing Up the Club’s Realisation

Fans have debated a catchy phrase this summer: has “the penny dropped” for Wolves’ owners? Johnny Phillips set the story straight. He never wrote an article stating the penny had dropped. Instead, during a BBC WM interview, he answered a question about whether he felt the club’s hierarchy had realised the need for change after football chief Matt Hobbs’ exit. He replied that ‘yes’, there had been some recognition of mistakes. Suddenly, the phrase stuck—shared and debated across social media.

Johnny emphasised there’s no sudden “Newton’s apple” moment at Wolves. It’s more a slow realisation:

“There’s probably a recognition over a number of years that what they have been doing needs to change…they’re not going to find wonderkids on the cheap every window.”

He highlighted the recent trend: restructuring, involving Jorge Mendes more closely again, giving Vitor Pereira more sway, and clearing out underused players. It’s now about signing players who can immediately fit Pereira’s plans, not stockpiling talent for tomorrow.

Tom Collomosse on Wolves’ Realistic Position and Recruitment

Tom Collomosse, who covers Wolves for The Daily Mail, offered a national perspective. Wolves find themselves in the vast middle of the Premier League, facing the same squeeze as clubs from roughly 8th to 15th. There’s the elite, who pull away in spending and success, and a group of clubs simply trying to stay up. Charitably, Palace bucked the trend with a cup win and run—something Wolves’ fans crave—but the odds are tough.

Tom explained the overhaul in structure: the addition of Domenico Teti as a go-between, connecting Vitor Pereira’s vision to recruitment meetings and rest of the staff. The aim is clarity and discipline, avoiding the chaos of last summer when there weren’t enough checks and balances. Unlike before, Pereira won’t have players he can’t use foisted on him—he must be content with each signing.

Tom urges patience: the club are working on deals, but supporters rightly feel nervous given the current squad size.

Vitor Pereira Staying: Sorting Truth from Rumour

With so much instability in recent years, chatter has grown that Vitor Pereira might walk away. Both Johnny and Tom dismiss that scenario right now. Pereira has invested in his own staff, including two coaches and Teti, and the hierarchy have given him more input. While he wants more players, especially before City, there’s no real sign he’s about to leave. The reported unrest is more noise than fact. As Tom put it:

“Everything suggests Pereira is here for the challenge and wants to make a mark in the Premier League.”

However, football changes quickly. Both journalists admit you can never say never, especially given Pereira’s record for short stints elsewhere.

Transfers Completed and Still Needed

Departures and Arrivals So Far

Player turnover has been dramatic. Out have gone established names needing to be replaced, and the influx hasn’t yet matched up.

Many fans are concerned it’s all too little. Wolves have lost proven quality and only brought in one player (Jhon Arias) with obvious Premier League credentials. Others are talented but untested.

Preseason Results & What They Really Mean

Wolves’ preseason hasn’t raised spirits. Out of six friendlies, they’ve drawn two and lost four, including disappointing performances against Racing Club Lens, Girona, and Celta Vigo. The first halves featured decent passing but little threat, then the side collapsed at the back in later stages.

Johnny and Tom stress that preseason is for experimentation and fitness. Managers test players, sometimes putting them into roles where they’re likely to fail, just to confirm suspicions or create a market for a transfer.

Fans want excitement and a clear style—even in friendlies that don’t “count”—so restlessness is understandable. But history proves: preseason woes can melt away once points are on the line, given the right tweaks and squad additions.

What Wolves Still Need in the Market

Both journalists expect three or four more signings by deadline day. Wolves have funds and a clear recruitment brief: no more “development” players—they want first teamers now. The right wing-back spot, in particular, is urgent, with speculation swirling but no breakthrough. Names like Milan van Ewijk (linked but not top target) reflect Wolves’ struggles to attract first-choice options when competing with sides who offer European football.

Challenges in the Market:

• Wolves want commitment, not “stepping stone” signings. Players or agents looking for quick moves out are discouraged.
• Wolves operate at a disadvantage to clubs with bigger spending or immediate European prospects.
• Jorge Mendes, key to recruitment, prefers late-window deals—meaning much could happen close to the deadline.

Squad depth remains a particular worry if injuries strike key men like André or João Gomes. Utility players like Hwang remain important in plugging gaps, even if they don’t top the first-choice lists.

Wolves Ownership, Ambition, and the Molineux Question

Fosun’s Approach: Rich Yet Restrained

Fosun’s financial muscle is not in question—they rank among the top Premier League owners by wealth. However, spending is now much more constrained due to PSR (Profit & Sustainability Rules) and a visible shift in ambition. When Fosun arrived, statements about “emulating Manchester City” and reaching the Champions League set expectations sky-high. Now, club CEO Jeff Shi cautions with more realism, talking about trajectories rather than guarantees.

Commercial growth at Wolves has slowed almost to a standstill (just 1% last year). Fans now look at clubs like Everton (with a shiny new stadium) or Crystal Palace (with a dream cup run) and wonder: what next for Wolves’ future?

Some supporters now call openly for new owners, though others remember the bleak days before Fosun’s arrival: decades of mediocrity, empty promises, and short-lived hope.

Molineux Stadium and Training Ground Upgrades

There has been investment at Compton (training ground), including upgrades to away dressing rooms and new technology for coaching. Fans, though, are watching the lack of progress at Molineux itself. The Steve Bull Stand is showing its age. Despite talk, no concrete stadium expansion plan seems close. The club see a full, atmospheric city centre ground as a selling point. There’s resistance to an out-of-town “super stadium”—most supporters and long-time staff prefer to build on Molineux’s special place in the city.

Any major plan would need outside investment, possibly private equity or council involvement.

New Revenue Streams: Esports and More

Wolves have invested in esports, partly for brand recognition (especially in China) and long-term hopes of new income. While not a huge earner to date, it’s seen as forward-thinking, at least compared to more traditional rivals. Commercial reality means Wolves must look beyond shirts and matchdays. Esports is divisive among supporters, but club insiders see it as a necessary gamble given how uneven football’s financial playing field has become.

The Mick McCarthy Night: Supporting the Foundation

A big new event, “Johnny Phillips presents Mick McCarthy & Friends”, is set for 30 April at The Halls Wolverhampton—a celebration of 20 years since McCarthy’s arrival. Proceeds will support the Wolves Foundation, helping transform lives in the local community. The night promises stories, nostalgia, and plenty of laughter, all at a keen ticket price to ensure everyone can get involved.

The club’s Foundation work, including reaching disadvantaged youngsters and improving local wellbeing, remains a real source of pride.

Opening Day Tribute to Diogo Jota

The Man City match at Molineux will see a unique tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, with the Old Gold Pack supporters group working hard to create a display never seen before at the ground. The club will play Sting’s “Fields of Gold”, Diogo’s favourite song. All fans are urged to be in seats early, make some noise, and show the whole world the passion Wolves brings.

Final Thoughts: What Next for Wolves?

As the new season dawns, Wolves are a club in flux. There’s hope in the form of fresh leadership structure and long-awaited recognition of past mistakes, but much depends on what happens in the final weeks of the transfer window. Supporters want ambition matched by action—recruitment, entertainment, connection to the club’s roots, and a Molineux to be proud of.