2023 has been a year of many highs and lows for Wolves fans after an action-packed 12 months.
Wolves started the year off newly under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui. Under his wing fans hoped they could stave off relegation fears after looking almost certain for the drop.
Despite staying up fairly comfortably by the season’s end, the summer was arguably more chaotic with multiple players and staff departing. This time it looked as if Championship football was just around the corner as many pundits placed their bets on Wolves to go down.
Yet, by the end of 2023, Wolves are flying high. Gary O’Neil took the wheel at the Molineux club and has got his side ticking. At the end of the year, Wolves sit 11th, three points off seventh-placed Man United with dreams of European football once more.
With so much happening in 2023, we look back to see how it unfolded over the last 12 months.
Last season
January started as an eventful month for Wolves. Multiple players came into the club who are now some of the club’s most crucial. Mario Lemina, Joao Gomes and Craig Dawson were just three who are now the first names on the teamsheet for the side. Results-wise, January wasn’t great as Wolves crashed out of both cups and only picked up one win throughout, a 1-0 victory over West Ham.
February, was a far more memorable month. A 3-0 victory over Liverpool pulled Wolves out of the relegation zone. This was quickly followed by a fantastic 2-1 comeback away to Southampton despite Lemina’s controversial red card. However, a further three games without a win would keep relegation fears alive.
March’s first victory would come quickly as Wolves defeated Spurs 1-0 thanks to an Adama Traore goal. VAR would soon raise its ugly head however as it became the talking point of the next two games vs Newcastle and Leeds, both of which Wolves lost.
Three victories in April saw Wolves all but secure survival thanks to home wins over Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace. However, a successful month was soon spoilt by a terrible 6-0 loss away to Brighton.
May saw Wolves’ survival mission completed with a great 1-0 victory over rivals Aston Villa. The job which looked so far from reality at the start of the year was done and Wolves fans could look forward to a summer of rebuilding.
The summer
The summer was certainly not one that Wolves fans had hoped for. FFP issues plagued the club and a summer of rebuilding soon became one of dismantlement.
Some of Wolves’ best and longest-serving players left including Joao Moutinho, Adama and captain Ruben Neves. Still, despite outgoings, the club could still not afford to bring anyone into the side with only Matt Doherty and Tom King joining for free.
This lack of action eventually led to Lopetegui’s resignation and the appointment of O’Neil. However, Wolves’ business was not yet done. Matheus Nunes was next to departure but his sale allowed the club to bring in Tommy Doyle, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sanitgo Bueno.
It was certainly a summer of much change and disappointment with optimism for the new campaign at a low. However, one man would soon change that all around.
This season
It was a rough start for O’Neil, not only did the transfer window burden him but results weren’t going his way either. The manager only won two of his first eight games in all competitions. Wolves sat just above the relegation zone and had just crashed out of the Carabao Cup to Ipswich after being 2-0 up. However, fortunes were soon about to change.
A magical 2-1 win over Man City shocked the Premier League before the club then went through October unbeaten. More points could have easily been picked up as well but VAR mistakes prevented the club from getting higher.
A surprise 2-1 loss to Sheffield United in November was quickly made up with a memorable late comeback against Spurs.
In December, Wolves would collect four points from Burnley and Nottingham Forest before going on a three-game winning streak to round the year off.
Optimism going into the new year could not be higher with Wolves now playing some of their best football in years. Faith in O’Neil is at an all-time high with many fans now hoping that the club can reclaim a European spot and reestablish themselves as a force in the league.