Match

Four things we learned from Wolves’ loss vs Nottingham Forest, including the Tchatchoua problem

Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at Molineux, putting in one of their very worst displays of the season.

Rob Edwards, buoyed by the performance against Aston Villa, oversaw a third defeat in his third game – and Wolves’ toothlessness up top was exposed once again.

Forest scored in the second-half through Igor Jesus, and that would prove to be enough for the visitors.

Because Wolves barely threatened in the game. There was one top chance for Jhon Arias from a Jackson Tchatchoua cross, but he again fluffed his lines.

Many Wolves fans believe there’s no hope now, and that relegation is a certainty.

Here are four takeaways from Wolves’ pitiful performance.

Wolves have no attacking quality

What has happened to Jorgen Strand Larsen at Wolves?📉

Jorgen Strand Larsen stats for Wolves vs Nottingham Forest
Credit – SofaScore
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We knew it beforehand, but it was exposed even more against Forest.

Wolves are decent between the two boxes and can keep the ball well. But once that ball reaches the opposition’s third, it is a totally different story.

Wolves have lost their creative talents and game-changers, and every attack just seems to fizzle out into nothing.

Although the service hasn’t been good for him, the drop-off in Jorgen Strand Larsen’s form is truly alarming.

Joao Gomes is now suspended

Joao Gomes picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Forest.

That now means he will be suspended for Wolves’ next game against Manchester United.

As one of Wolves’ best players, this will make that game even harder than it already was.

Given Gomes has been linked with United, he may be quietly disappointed to miss the chance to audition in front of the Red Devils.

Joao Gomes’ yellow card vs Nottingham Forest means he is suspended for Wolves’ next game vs Man United 😔

Do Wolves stand any chance at all against United without Gomes?

Joao Gomes on the ball for Wolves.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
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Mateus Mane deserves to start

Vitor Pereira was reluctant to use Matheus Mane this season, despite hailing him as ‘special’ last term.

Edwards has given him a couple of opportunities already, and it has to be said, Mane does look to have something about him.

Against Forest, he put some of his more senior teammates to shame with his lively cameo.

Relegation awaits for Wolves, and Edwards might as well start turning to the 18-year-old more often to prepare him for next season.

Jackson Tchatchoua is levels below Nelson Semedo

Tchatchoua gave a decent performance against Aston Villa and fans hoped he would kick on.

But his display against Forest was one we have seen so often from him. It was tepid, and he was extremely wasteful in possession.

It is a travesty that a player as quick as he is seemingly does not want to take on his man.

Jackson Tchatchoua puts in a cross for Wolves.
Photo by Brett Patzke – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

And at times, you can even see that some Wolves players don’t trust him enough to give him the ball. This is a real problem.

Nelson Semedo left Wolves in the summer, and that exit is looking more and more significant for Wolves as the weeks go by.

The Portuguese was just a dependable player, and was certainly a much better outlet than Tchatchoua, despite not being quite as fast.