All of a sudden, the alarm bells are ringing for Wolves.
Yesterday’s 3-2 defeat to West Brom at Molineux was their seventh in the last nine games, and the team now finds itself 10 points above the relegation zone.
Considerable ground has been lost on the teams fighting for European spots, which is ultimately where Wolves want to be, with problems at both ends being cited.
Key players Diogo Jota and Matt Doherty were sold last summer, Raul Jimenez suffered the awful injury that he did and is on the sidelines for who knows how long, Jonny Castro Otto has also been missed, and a four-man defence has been tested.
All these things have led to a rough patch and some are taking aim at the manager, but sacking Nuno is not the way to go.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
This is the first real rough patch since the 46-year-old took over in 2017, which is remarkable going considering it’s now 2021.
That would suggest he has earned time to get things back on track.
Any side would struggle losing a player that has the same influence that Jimenez does for Wolves.
The Mexican not only scores goals, but he links play superbly well and is key to the cohesion of the team.
Nuno is having to deploy Fabio Silva who arrived in the summer for big money despite having very little experience in the Portuguese top-flight.
He took his goal so well on Saturday, but it is clear to see how raw he is – he obviously doesn’t have the same in-game intelligence as Jimenez and is nowhere near the same physical presence – two other big parts of the 29-year-old’s game.
Nuno has been dealt a tough hand in 2020/21 and it’s all coming after no pre-season and the marathon 2019/20 campaign.
Some have commented on Nuno’s apparent despondency in recent weeks, but that is perhaps understandable – there have been some players guilty of missing big chances and making mistakes like on Saturday with the two penalty decisions.
There is only so much the manager can do, the rest is on the players, and some have left a lot to be desired in 2020/21.
A derby defeat was always going to prompt some strong opinions, but people need to see the bigger picture. Nuno needs sticking by, and Jeff Shi wielding the axe now would be one major gamble.