It has been a terrible start to the new season for Wolves and Steve Bull is adamant it is time for a change.
Wanderers are bottom of the Premier League table so far with just one point from a possible 21.
It was always going to be tough because of the fixtures. But Wolves fans are have been very concerned with what they have seen – especially from the defenders.
Wolves have conceded 21 goals so far, and the fragility at the back has meant the contributions of the forwards so far have counted for very little.
After the latest defeat to Brentford, Gary O’Neil hinted that he could now move back to a back three.
That is something many would like to see, and Molineux legend Steve Bull is no exception.
Steve Bull calls for formation change at Wolves
Last season, O’Neil started with a back four and it didn’t work.
In 2024/25 so far, the same system has failed again, and the Wolves manager is now facing calls to revert to a back three and wing-backs.
Interestingly, the next game is against Manchester City at Molineux. Last term, it was this fixture that O’Neil made the system change – and it proved to be the catalyst for change.
Steve Bull has been speaking about the struggles of Wolves in his latest column for the E&S, and feels it’s now time for a back three.
He said: “In my opinion, we have to change to a back three now.
“When we played that formation in the past we always looked more comfortable and solid.
“We’re currently playing wing-backs at full-back and it’s making us more vulnerable.”
Bull is right – Gary O’Neil must make system change now
There are now very few arguments for Wolves to keep playing the system they have been.
Ultimately, Wolves have conceded far too many goals this season and the manager needs to make Wolves harder to breach.
Historically, Wolves have been more comfortable in a back three with wing-backs. Last term, we saw how it worked and the defensive improvements did not really lead to a decrease in attacking threat.
Given the personnel available to O’Neil, it’s a change he needs to make.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 6 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 5 |
| 17 |  IpswichIpswich | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 4 |
| 18 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 3 |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 1 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 1 |
Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri are both very attack-minded and are better suited to playing as wing-backs. Toti Gomes is also much more comfortable on the left of a three, than on the left of a two.
Wolves also have players suited to playing on the counter, like Matheus Cunha.
Rodrigo Gomes could also become more of an option if Wolves change formation, with the youngster having featured very little so far. He played as a wing-back on loan at Estoril last season to great effect.
Bull’s claim comes after Andy Thompson recently urged Wolves to become more ‘horrible’, with the former Molineux full-back feeling the team needs to become more direct.
Few would disagree at this point, as it’s now all about getting some points on the board and relieving pressure.