After a slow start under new manager Bruno Lage, things seem to be improving for Wolves who will hope they can sustain their recent upturn in form heading into the infamously challenging Christmas period.
Position: 8th
Top scorers: Hwang Hee-Chan (4), Raul Jimenez (2)
Verdict:
It’s been a mixed bag for Wolves this season. They started with three consecutive 1-0 defeats at the hands of Spurs, Leicester and Manchester United. Since then though, they’ve won five in eight, including a thrilling victory against midlands rivals Aston Villa where they came from 2-0 down with ten minutes to play to win 2-3 at Villa Park.
With Jimenez still finding his feet again after last year's horrendous head injury, Adama yet to find his creative edge and deprived of a full complement of players at their disposal, I'd be quietly optimistic for the year ahead.
Fans Verdict:
@LittleDanKMT of the @wolvesfancast
11 games in, five wins, five losses, one draw... We're so middle of the road in all aspects of feelings, performances, atmosphere, that we might as well change our name to Malcolm. The high point so far would have to be our comeback away to Villa. We've not seen a more heroic comeback against all the odds since Audley Harrison beat Michal Sprott with one arm, for the European title, in the 12th round, when losing on all the judges' cards.
An absolute phoenix from the flames performance. The low point of the season so far would be the 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace. Atypical Wolves turn up, a chance to push ourselves into the top six, and a woeful performance cast our eyes.
Manager Verdict:
Not much was known of Bruno Lage before his announcement. He had led Benfica to a Liga NOS title in 18/19, managing the likes of Ruben Dias, Abel Taarabt and Joao Felix and he’ll be looking to replicate that winning form here in England, although top 6 could be their biggest victory this year. Lage previously had a stint in England as assistant manager at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City which may have slipped under the radar for most.
Fan’s Manager Verdict:
How do we fairly judge Mister Bruno 11 games in taking into consideration that he wasn't backed by the owners, after publicly declaring he needed four players? He started off with uncharacteristically gung-ho football for Wolves, only to find us with no points after three games. He has turned the tide with the good results in recent weeks, but he still hasn't really bonded with the fans who would love nothing more than a bit of one-to-one engagement at the end of a game. The jury is still out, but he's been fighting battles from within from day one and we wish him well.
Mid-term Grade:
B - Given the slow start, the lack of summer signings and key players returning from or still being injured, it’s fair to say that sitting in eighth place just three points off fifth is a decent platform to build off.
