On both sides of the ball, Wolves have trailed the Premier League pack to start the season, but in a refreshing twist, they are unmatched in one statistical category.
There can be a tendency in today’s game to focus too much on statistical measures of performance rather than simply watching, but whether it’s the numbers test or the eye-test, let’s just say Wolves aren’t passing with flying colours.
But instead of going into all the areas in which Wolves are behind statistically, let’s celebrate something they are doing better than anyone.
Wolves miles ahead in successful tackles made
Wolves’ 144 tackles made in six games is far and away the best in the Premier League. The next best is Brighton with 119.
Wolves are not topping this stat because they’ve been defending more than anyone. There are actually seven teams in the Premier League who have conceded more xG this season than Vitor Pereira’s side.
Expected goals can be a vaguely irritating stat when used in excess, but in order to demonstrate how much pressure is being put on goal, it works more often than not.
The next three teams behind Wolves — Brighton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth — are all having a good to great season. In fact, six of the top ten sides in this stat are in the top half.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 15 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 13 |
| 3 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| 4 |  TottenhamTottenham | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| 5 |  SunderlandSunderland | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| 6 |  BournemouthBournemouth | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 11 |
| 7 |  Manchester CityManchester City | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 8 |  ChelseaChelsea | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
| 9 |  EvertonEverton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| 10 |  BrightonBrighton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 |
Pereira will be delighted with the effort and aggression shown by his players over this winless span. It shows resilience and heart, to keep putting their bodies on the line when things aren’t going well.
Wolves also joint-top with Man United for crossing
It makes sense why these two teams are neck and neck. You have 6’5″ Benjamin Sesko in the box at Old Trafford, and the giant duo of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare at Wolves.
Both sides are getting over six accurate crosses into the opposing box per game, at a success rate of 1/3.
Since the start of the season, it has been clear that Pereira has looked to keep crossing the ball in.
With the profiles Wolves have in there and the quality deliveries the wing-backs can deliver, it should be a fruitful tactic and hopefully a consistent source of goals.