Wolves failed to score against West Ham United yesterday, losing the game 1-0 at the London Stadium.
That was the 12th time that has happened in the Premier League this season. Only relegation candidates Norwich City (16) and Watford (13) have failed to score in more games.
It had looked at the start of 2022 that Wolves might be starting to turn a corner.
In January, Wanderers scored nine goals – albeit three of those came against Sheffield United in the FA Cup.
But Wolves were looking a bit better up top.
But now the team is struggling again, and the quality of the chances created against West Ham was poor. As was the finishing.
Raul Jimenez was bound to find things tough coming back from his injury. He’s managed five goals so far, and his understudy Fabio Silva has yet to find the net.
Perhaps there is just something in the water at Wolves.
Striker Willian Jose joined the club on loan midway through last season. And he only managed to scored one goal in 18 appearances.
The Brazilian underwhelmed, and Wolves understandably didn’t move to sign him permanently.
But wouldn’t you know it, 2021/22 been a much more productive campaign for the South American.
Jose is already up to 10 goals for Real Betis (across all competitions). He has also chipped in with five assists too.
His contributions have helped Betis to reach third in La Liga, and the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, which they are currently 2-1 up in after the first leg against Rayo Vallecano.
Frustration for toothless Wolves with Willian Jose enjoying better times at Betis
15 goal contributions for Jose so far this term is a hard one to take.
He arrived at Wolves with quite a solid reputation after scoring at a decent rate in La Liga with Real Sociedad.
It just didn’t work out for him though as he sought to cover for the injured Raul Jimenez.
Wolves were right not to exercise their £22 million purchase option (Express & Star) as he simply hadn’t shown enough.
But it’s difficult not to ponder how he might have fared in this version of Wolves.
He’s actually got a 41% conversion rate in La Liga, which is the joint-highest of all the players on the top scorers list (via BBC Sport).
That would suggest he’s definitely relocated his shooting boots having frustratingly lost them in the Black Country.