Wolves may still be winless in the Premier League, but there have still been some solid performers.
Vitor Pereira’s side have taken just two points from the first seven games, which has left many supporters concerned.
Wolves have come close to winning the last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, but conceded late equalisers in both.
Pereira has issued a new rallying cry to fans and insisted that Wolves will get out of trouble and that supporters will feel proud of the team again soon.
Encouragingly, Wolves have improved a lot over the last few weeks – especially in defence.
Santiago Bueno has been in inspired form for Wolves, and his level – and the way he’s come in and ousted Emmanuel Agbadou – has perhaps taken a few people by surprise.
But another major reason for the improvement at the back has been the inspired form of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, which is surely something that not many people saw coming.
Sam Johnstone is Wolves’ biggest surprise package of the season
Johnstone signed for Wolves last year for £10 million, which was a move some questioned.
It was a lot of money to pay for another goalkeeper, and it strongly suggested that Jose Sa was going to leave the club.
But he ended up staying, and he and Johnstone then battled it out for the number one position.
Sa won the battle easily last season, with Johnstone really struggling. In the end, Pereira rarely diverted away from his fellow countryman.
But this season, Johnstone has enjoyed a renaissance at Molineux and now finds himself as the number one for Wolves.
After making his first appearance of the season against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, he wowed in his first league start up at Newcastle United.
Top displays against Everton in the Carabao Cup, and Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton in the league then followed.
Last season, shots would regularly fly past Johnstone. But this term, he’s made some inspired saves – the one from Mohammed Kudus against Spurs and the one from Georginio Rutter being particular highlights.
WhoScored rank Johnstone fourth in the Wolves squad so far in terms of average match rating (6.70) – only Santiago Bueno (7.07), Hugo Bueno (6.85) and Ladislav Krejci (6.78) have higher.
Johnstone could have left Wolves
Johnstone has to be the biggest surprise package at Wolves so far this season, not only because his level is so much better than last season, but because it was widely expected he would leave the club in the summer.
Johnstone had apparently been open to leaving Wolves after his struggles in 2024/25, and there were a few links to other clubs.
Sunderland and Burnley were both said to be looking at Johnstone during the transfer window.
| Sam Johnstone in 2025/26 |
| Appearances – 5 |
| Clean sheets – 1 |
| Saves – 16 |
| Save percentage – 76.2% |
But nothing materialised and in the end, the 32-year-old stayed put and Wolves are now benefiting.
There is a new fire burning beneath Johnstone, who recently admitted he took a goalkeeper coach on his summer holiday in order to try and improve.
That step appears to be paying dividends now, and while Wolves are still struggling as a collective, he has more than played his part in helping to get those two points on the board. It is just unfortunate his excellent contributions have not counted for more.