Wolves are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season, with four defeats from four games, zero points, and just two goals scored. They sit bottom of the table, and history is against them: of the 17 sides to start a Premier League campaign with four straight losses, only eight avoided relegation, and just one of the last five managed to stay up – Everton last season.
The defeats have been by fine margins – 1-0 against Bournemouth, 3-2 against Everton, and 1-0 against Newcastle – but patterns are emerging: self-inflicted errors, a lack of cutting edge up front, and a disjointed structure that collapses under pressure. The summer departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri, who contributed 35% of Wolves' league goals last season, have severely weakened their attack. Wolves are the third-lowest scorers in the league, bottom in expected goals (2.6), and bottom in big chances created (just two).
Their defeat at Newcastle highlighted the problem. After a bright start, Wolves failed to register a shot in the second half until the 89th minute, finishing with just 0.09 xG despite 46% possession. Without Cunha and Aït-Nouri's creativity – they provided 13 assists last season and ranked among the league's best for take-ons and progressive carries – Wolves look static and predictable, resorting to long balls and crosses that come to nothing with target man Jørgen Strand Larsen sidelined by an Achilles injury.
Defensively, Wolves have conceded nine goals, the second-worst record in the league. Under Vítor Pereira, who took over in December 2024, the backline initially improved, becoming more compact and conceding fewer shots and goals. But that composure has faded, with errors creeping back in – from Emmanuel Agbadou's loose pass against Manchester City to a failure to close down Jacob Murphy and track Nick Woltemade's run against Newcastle. The side are conceding 13.75 shots and 2.23 goals per game this season.
Pereira has had to integrate six summer signings, with seven first-team regulars leaving. The team look unsettled, roles are undefined, and players are learning on the job – Pereira has made more substitutions (20) than any other manager. However, Wolves have a history of slow starts: they did not win any of their first 10 games last season but stayed up comfortably. With three promoted teams to face in the next five weeks, they need points quickly to avoid a relegation battle.
