Wolves played their first home game of the Premier League season at Molineux on Saturday, welcoming Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton in what promised to be a difficult game.
The visitors took the lead early, scoring through Kaoru Mitoma in the 15th minute following a brilliant solo run which split Gary O’Neil‘s defence apart.
Some good Wolves play ultimately meant little as Brighton doubled their lead through Pervis Estupinan early in the second half just a minute after the break.
Then just five minutes later in the 51st, it was game over, as Brighton again scored with Solly March making it 3-0.
March scored again making it 4-0 as Brighton made Wolves look poor, hopefully a kick to start the board into action.
Hee-Chan Hwang got one back in the 61st minute, through a header to pull the score back to 4-1.
The game was summed up as Matheus Nunes received his second yellow in the 95th minute of the game.
Dangerous on the counter
One thing which was evident against Manchester United, now appears to be a feature of O’Neil’s Wolves side.
A consistent threat counter-attacking against a solid-in-possession Brighton side, Matheus Cunha in particular suits this plan to a T.
Despite the atrocious defensive display for those 10 minutes, positive signs can be seen in an attacking sense.
Goalscoring issues continue
Last season’s lowest scoring Premier League side have continued in the same vein this season.
The issues aren’t creating chances but putting the ball in the net, with the side missing four big chances throughout the game, compared to Brighton’s five.
Goals aren’t the only issue in this team however it plays a huge part of the problem, with some end quality desperately needed.
Signings needed
We all know the dire financial position Wolves are in right now, however they need to figure out a way to bring some players in.
A defender and striker are desperately needed here as soon as possible as the squad as things stand, could find itself seriously in trouble.
Nico Elvedi is the obvious signing in defence as Craig Dawson isn’t good enough, and Max Kilman needs a different partner.
Caught napping in the second half
Going into half-time, a point or a win looked within reach due to the two big chances Wolves had, this hope quickly vanished.
Conceding three times in in the first 10 minutes of the second half (46th, 51st, 55th), Wolves didn’t stand a chance.
The two sides emerged from half time so differently, Brighton sprinting out of the tunnel, while Wolves strolled out looking uninterested.
It showed, which is how Brighton scored those three goals prompting Tim Sherwood on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, to label the display a ‘capitulation’.
Gary O’Neil has a huge job on his hands
While both games has seen Wolves look dangerous at times, ultimately two losses from two is a serious sign to be worried.
O’Neil now needs points in the third game otherwise it will begin to look bleak at such an early stage.
The board need to give him some backing to any extent we can afford otherwise we could be a Championship side next year.
Such a heavy defeat at home is awful and changes and improvements are needed for next week, and he will have to do it without Nunes who was sent off in the 95th minute after frustration for shoving multiple Brighton players.