Wolves have crashed out of the Carabao Cup, losing 3-2 to Brighton in the third round.
Wanderers fans watched as Gary O’Neil‘s side put in a largely very poor display at the Amex Stadium.
A response was needed after the defeat to Newcastle United.
But it was a terrible first-half display from Wolves, although a goal late in the half from the lively Goncalo Guedes gave the visitors hope.
Wolves actually then got their act together for around 20 minutes and pressed well, making Brighton uncomfortable at the back.
But Wolves could not take their opportunities, with Brighton then killing off the game through Ferdi Kadioglu. Tommy Doyle scored at the end, but it was too late for Wolves to find an equaliser.
Hwang Hee-chan really struggled for Wolves against Brighton
O’Neil fielded a team against Brighton that included some young and inexperienced players.
Alfie Pond played in defence alongside Santi Bueno, for only his second-ever appearance for the first-team. Pedro Lima also made his second competitive appearance.
So it was important that more experienced players, and those that have been at Wolves for a while now, stepped up.
But one man who really did not do that, was Hwang Hee-chan.
A real favourite of O’Neil last season, the South Korean has had a difficult start to the new season and against Brighton, it was a frankly awful display from the 28-year-old.
As per Sofascore, Hwang was largely anonymous in the game. He had just 21 touches, which was the fewest of all starting Wolves players. For context, Nelson Semedo, who played 26 minutes compared to Hwang’s 71 minutes, had the same number of touches.
Hwang made just 15 passes, with 14 of those accurate, and had just one shot that was off target.
Hwang cannot be starting games while in this form
Arguably, Hwang has been one of Wolves’ worst performers so far this season.
The former RB Leipzig man has found the going really tough so far, and has looked nowhere near the same threat he was last season.
Perhaps it is a positional thing. Some have noted that £14 million man Hwang has been more anonymous lately and not as effective when playing out wide.
Last season, as Wolves weren’t playing with an out-and-out striker, he was cropping up in the middle and arriving in the box more often. But this term, he hasn’t been doing that as much due to Jorgen Strand Larsen’s presence.
He needs to find his mojo again soon, because Wolves simply cannot afford to have passengers in games.