The Wolves relegation battle has intensified after a poor run of form that has seen them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. With two points from 10 games, no wins, eight losses and two draws, this is by far Wolves’ worst start to a Premier League season and has firmly dragged them into a relegation battle.
The team’s confidence is low, performances have dipped, and with the club searching for a new manager after the sacking of Vitor Pereira, the situation at Molineux has gone from concerning to desperate.
The lack of direction, both on and off the pitch, has left Wolves struggling to find consistency and belief. And with games coming thick and fast, especially as we approach the festive period, a solution needs to be found to steady an already sinking ship.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been in the Premier League for seven seasons consecutively since their return in 2018.
The last time Wolves were relegated from the Premier League was in the 2011/2012 season. They spent six seasons in the Championship, from 2012-2018, before earning promotion back to the Premier League under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo in the 2017/18 campaign.
The Premier League relegation battle they find themselves in now has been largely due to the constant chopping and changing of managers, having gone through three head coaches (Julian Lopetegui, Gary O’Neil, and Vitor Pereira) in just three years.
This instability has disrupted team cohesion and has prevented any long-term tactical consistency as every manager brings in new tactical ideas, systems, and philosophies that take time to adapt to. And as a result, they have found it difficult to establish an identity on the pitch – a major reason behind their current struggles and fight for Premier League survival.
The only recorded wins for Wolves this season have come in the EFL Cup, where they beat both West Ham and Everton, before getting knocked out of the competition by Chelsea.
Their defence has been extremely porous this season, conceding a league-high 22 goals, while their toothless attack – managing just seven goals, the same as Nottingham Forest – ranks among the weakest in the division.
Inside the Wolves’ Relegation Battle
Costly Transfer Window: The Price of Letting Quality Go
For an ambitious team aiming to compete at a high level and secure their Premier League survival, finding quality replacements for key players who have departed from crucial positions must remain a top priority. Failing to strengthen can negatively affect the squad’s balance, weaken overall performance, and leave the team exposed throughout the challenges of a long and demanding campaign.
On the issue of recruitment and squad depth, Wolves did attempt to replace the key players who departed, but the quality gap has been evident.
Matheus Cunha was sold to Manchester United for £73 million, Rayan Ait-Nouri joined Manchester City for £38 million, Fabio Silva moved to Borussia Dortmund for £22 million, and Goncalo Guedes signed for Real Sociedad for £4 million. The club also allowed experienced figures like Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia to leave on free transfers.
However, the replacements brought in have so far failed to match the calibre of those who left, and many of the new signings are still adjusting to the intensity and demands of Premier League football.
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Tactical Confusion and Loss of Identity
In their EFL Cup clash against Chelsea, Wolves – who had operated with a back four throughout the season – switched to a back five, aiming to sit deep, absorb pressure, and rely on set-piece opportunities near the Chelsea box to find a breakthrough.
That has been a defining issue that revealed the tactical uncertainty caused by managerial turnover. Under Lopetegui, Wolves were structured and disciplined, focusing on defensive solidity. Gary O’Neil attempted to make them more direct and attack-minded, but his tenure was cut short before the team could fully adapt. Vítor Pereira’s arrival brought another shift – one that was yet to yield any positive result before his dismissal.
The constant changing of managers will surely affect the players, causing confusion and disrupting the team’s chemistry on the field. At their best, Wolves were known for compact defending, sharp counter-attacks, and intensity. Now, they often appear disjointed, struggling to maintain shape or control games for long spells.
Without a consistent tactical identity, results have inevitably suffered.
A Defining Moment in Wolves’ Premier League Era
It’ll be extremely disappointing to see Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have been one of the best mid-table teams that cause upsets in games when no one expects them to, dragged down into the Championship after seven seasons in the top-flight would be shocking.
After years of progress and stability since their 2018 promotion, the club risks undoing all that hard work through poor decisions and a lack of direction. Yet survival might still be within reach in this Wolves relegation battle if decisive action is taken quickly.
The club must find stability in management, end the rotation of head coaches, and commit to a long-term project. A coach who can develop a clear tactical plan and focus the system to fully maximise the team’s strengths is the first step out of the relegation battle they’ve found themselves in.
They must also strengthen in key areas by reinforcing the midfield and attack during the January transfer window with proven quality.
Their poor run of form this season, which has seen them winless in six games while losing four in a row, shows that the midfield lacks control, the forward line misses a clinical finisher, and the defence has been error-prone without the leadership of a seasoned player.
Doing this might restore confidence and team spirit – Rebuild morale through strong leadership and unity in the dressing room. This Wolves relegation battle can still be won if they defend as a unit, improve defensive concentration and reduce individual mistakes that have cost crucial points.
Leadership Void and Confidence Crisis
Having someone who can rally the players and speak to them to lift their spirits, maintain focus, and drive the team forward during difficult moments is very important in the game.
Leadership on the pitch for Wolves, has almost become non-existent. Their on-pitch leadership has waned since the departures of long-serving figures like Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho.
Their absence has created a vacuum in communication and accountability, especially during difficult moments. The current squad seems to lack a vocal leader who can rally the team when things go wrong.
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Key Fixtures Ahead: Do-or-Die Moments
The coming weeks don’t get any easier for Wolves as they’ll be facing Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United. The next run of fixtures will be crucial in defining Wolves’ season.
As every dropped point will see them sink deeper into the relegation battle, with Premier League survival now the only realistic target for a side that sacked Vítor Pereira just 48 hours ago and sits rock-bottom.
On Saturday, November 8, it’s Chelsea vs Wolves at Stamford Bridge, a fixture that is a brutal reintroduction to life after Pereira. If somehow Wolves get to get a surprise win against Chelsea, that could kick-start their campaign, which would be vital for their Premier League survival.
If Wolves are to survive, their experienced players must step up, while younger stars need to shoulder greater responsibility. Momentum is everything in a relegation battle, and one good run of results can completely transform their outlook.
Conclusion
The Wolves faithful have seen their team rise before, and with renewed focus, better recruitment, and a unified squad, there’s no reason why they cannot fight their way out of danger again.
What happens in the coming months will determine whether this chapter ends in redemption or another painful relegation – but one thing is certain: with 28 games left to play in the season, the battle for their Premier League survival has only just begun at Molineux.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 26.10.2025
