As if Man City at the weekend wasn’t already a daunting prospect, Wolves fans now have yet another reason to be concerned, as one key detail about Saturday’s opener emerges.
Man City in the first game of the season is a tough draw, and after a disappointing pre-season, fans have been struggling to find the positives to take into the new campaign.
But that task has been made all the more difficult, as it’s been revealed that an old foe will be returning to Molineux this weekend.
Fans react to Jarred Gillett as referee for Wolves vs Man City
In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Jarred Gillett will officiate Wolves’ opening game for the second year running.
Fans will remember the bizarre sending off of Mario Lemina in 2023 for running aggressively towards Gillett, something that left Wolves fans equal parts perplexed and furious. His appointment again this season hasn’t pleased the home support.
And Michael Salisbury isn’t exactly well-liked in Wolverhampton either.
A few users on X went straight into mourning, believing this to be enough to write off the match: “Lmao, we’ve already lost.”
“And……….it starts from the get go,” says another.
One fan sounds hopeless already: “The season that keeps giving… and it ain’t started yet”.
Gillett is clearly not a popular choice, as this fan states: “We could have signed the whole PSG squad this summer and we’d still lose the first match with this clown in charge”
Others clearly didn’t need much of a push into relegation panic: “They’re not messing this year, we’re definitely going down.”
In a similar, slightly more humorous sentiment: “Couldn’t get a worse combination… bring on the championship so no VAR.”
This fan points out that Wolves weren’t exactly favourites before the news broke, posting: “We’re getting a pummeling no matter who the referee is to be fair.”
To move away from the desperation towards something a bit light-hearted, this fan cracks a joke: “Can either of them play right-back?”
And perhaps the reaction most relatable for Wolves fans following the news, put simply: “It gets worse.”
Fans are getting fed up with Wolves ownership this summer
These reactions don’t stem from the appointment alone. It’s the result of an arduous few weeks in which there has been little for Wolves fans to get excited about.
They feel pre-season was a waste, and are increasingly concerned by Fosun’s inactivity on the buying front.
READ MORE: Ally McCoist gives one ‘massive’ reason Wolves will get relegated from the Premier League
The worries of relegation aren’t in jest, with more and more pre-season predictions sending Wolves down. The squad looks far weaker than the one that escaped the drop last season, and the promoted sides look better than in 24/25.
But all fans can do is support the team, starting this Saturday, in what is sure to be an intriguing prospect regardless of the result.