Wolves’ winless run has extended after a 3-0 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Before the game started, it was a strange choice for Vitor Pereira to drop Joao Gomes and Andre, which raised eyebrows, and fans made their frustrations about that decision known.
The selection backfired almost immediately. An early goal from Fulham was not what Wolves needed when Ryan Sessegnon broke through the defence to slot past Sam Johnstone.
Then a red card for Emmanuel Agbadou with 36 minutes on the clock compounded onto the Old Gold’s misery.
Wolves were favourites to go down before the Fulham game, and you can expect that likelihood to increase now.
Two second-half goals from Harry Wilson and a Yerson Mosquera own goal would give the home side all three points.
Here are the player ratings from the defeat.
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Wolves player ratings vs Fulham
Sam Johnstone – 5
Did not cover himself in glory for the opening goal and should have perhaps got more of a hand to it. Instead, it deflected down the middle of the goal. Unsighted for the second, and unlucky for the third.
Ki-Jana Hoever – 5
Really not sure why Vitor Pereira keeps starting Hoever. The defender’s attacking threat is not quite up to scratch. Subbed off at half-time.
Santiago Bueno – 4
At fault for the opening goal, as he made a rash decision to step up and try to intercept the ball. He won the ball but had no control over it, and Fulham were able to cut through the massive gap he left behind him.
Not the same level he has shown over the last few weeks.
Toti Gomes – 5
Perhaps unlucky to be subbed off, but with Toti on a yellow card, he was the most logical defender to make way.
Emmanuel Agbadou – 2
Clumsy tackle on Josh King that resulted in the Ivorian getting sent off. It was difficult to tell whether the ball hit the arm of King or the chest.
However, even if it was the wrong decision by the referee, it was still a very erratic challenge. It left his teammates with it all to do to overturn the 1-0 deficit at the time, and that task proved insurmountable.
Before that, he stepped up out of position as Santiago Bueno mistimed his interception, making the space for Sessegnon even bigger for the opener.
Hugo Bueno – 5
Not Hugo Bueno’s best game for Wolves, as his crossing was unusually poor. Defensively suspect throughout parts of the game as well.
Ladislav Krejci – 6
Started in midfield but following Agbadou’s red card, was shifted into the backline. He always looks so composed on the ball, and his teammates should look to him as an example.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde – 5
He was not terrible but, like many of his teammates, struggled to impact the game, as Wolves could not create chances against the Cottagers.
Midfield could not get a foothold or any control, making the decision to bench the two Brazilians look even worse.
Marshall Munetsi – 6
His defensive traits and ability to win duels are underrated, and he does get quite a lot of stick due to his technical quality leaving a lot to be desired.
You cannot fault his work rate, but it is strange to keep him on the pitch when chasing a goal, and he should have been one of the first to be taken off.
Jhon Arias – 5
Arias had little to no impact in the first half as Wolves struggled to create anything substantial. Quiet game and was hooked at half-time.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 5
Completely anonymous, but that will always be the case when his teammates do not create chances for him.
Attack was nowhere to be seen in this game.
Substitutes
Jackson Tchatchoua – 5
Just as poor as Hoever after coming on. Not much went right for the Cameroonian in the second half, but he still should have started the game.
Fulham got a lot of joy down the right wing.
Yerson Mosquera – 4
Brought on to provide fresh legs to the defence and more security with Toti Gomes on a yellow card, but ended up scoring an own goal instead.
He got his legs mixed up as Emile Smith Rowe put a dangerous ball into the box and looked erratic at times.
Joao Gomes – 6
Quality was evident after he came on the pitch. It was a ridiculous choice to bench him, and it was one that Pereira will likely regret.
Tolu Arokodare – 5
Felt bad for Tolu as he came on in tough circumstances. His side was not looking likely to score, and with ten men on the pitch, they were constantly under pressure.
This meant he could not have the impact he wanted.
Andre – 6
Brought on at 3-0 down and with the game already out of sight. Another mistake by Vitor Pereira to not start him, as he did not do much wrong after coming on.