Premier League: How Much Further Can Wolves Go?

WolverhamptonWanderers vs Newcastle

From where I’m sitting, it’s actually hard to imagine Wolves making major Premier League strides this season.

That is not to detract from the fine job Gary O’Neil did last term.

Remember, he took over on the eve of the 2023/24 season with the club predicted to be in a relegation scrap following a summer of turmoil only to steer them to a comfortable 14^th place finish.

He was duly rewarded with a new four-year contract to see through a period of transformation at the club.

Yet that is the word: Transformation. How much further, realistically, can he take them?

 

Talking Points

They have already lost a couple of key players this summer, with winger Pedro Neto moving to Chelsea for a fee of £54 million and centre-back Max Kilman heading to West Ham United in a £40 million switch. 

That was on top of Matheus Nunes moving to Manchester City 12 months previously.

Whoever was in charge, the progress they made under Julen Lopetegui and Nuno Espírito Santo was always going to be hard to follow.

They had been a club on the up for a few years after Santo brought them into the top flight in 2018 and the following two seasons saw them impress at home and abroad, even reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

However, that was always likely to be the benchmark without further significant investment.

Don’t get me wrong, Wolves have not been frugal in the transfer market but other clubs with much deeper pockets make their task that much harder.

One such club which have not been shy of strengthening over the past two and a half years are Newcastle.

Since the Saudi-led consortium takeover in late 2021, it has gone from battling at the wrong end of the table to challenging for Europe and, of course, even qualified for last season’s Champions League.

The side may have done so again but for a sequence of injuries and that has been followed by more frustration on Tyneside this summer with a lack of further investment amidst the backdrop of financial fair play.

When the window closed, Newcastle’s only outfield signings were the defender Lloyd Kelly—a free transfer from Bournemouth—and William Osula, a raw ‘project’ forward bought for £10 million from Sheffield United. Manager Eddie Howe also ended up with five goalkeepers.

Furthermore, I am just not totally convinced that everything is settled behind the scenes.

You cannot avoid the fact there is the seemingly delicate relationship between Howe and their new sporting director, Paul Mitchell.

As the Athletic observed this week, you can deduce that the accord isn’t perfect on the basis that Howe had next to no warning of Mitchell’s appointment when the latter came on board in July.

Strip that all back though and perhaps their followers protest too much.

Indeed, most Premier League managers can only dream of a first-choice midfield of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, complemented by Alexander Isak at centre-forward.

With no European football to contend with this term, the Geordies could use that to their advantage and avoid the inevitable congestion which last season’s top six, plus FA Cup winners Manchester United, will encounter.

How Wolves wish they had such selection options.

Already defeated by Arsenal and Chelsea, they host the Tynesiders knowing failure to take at least a point would result in their worst start to a season since promotion six years ago.

As they look to deliver some Premier League highlights, it could be ideal timing to unleash their newest Brazilian recruit.

Andre arrived late on in the summer transfer window in a £21 million move from Fluminense and made his debut as a late substitute against Nottingham Forest before the international break.

The midfielder is now set to take a big role in Wolves’ set-up. As far as the home faithful are concerned, this Sunday would be a good time to start.

 

History

Wolves traditionally have the upper hand over the Geordies with 42 victories to 35 and an additional 30 draws.

That included the first-ever meeting in the former Division One at St James’ Park in September 1898 when they were 4-2 winners.

One of their most famous meetings since the turn of the millennium came in 2003 when Wolves, then of the Championship, upset the Geordies in the third round of the FA Cup at Molineux.

A star-studded visitors’ line-up included Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas who were on target but goals from Paul Ince, Mark Kennedy and George Ndah sealed a five goal thriller in favour of the hosts.

Last term, this encounter finished 2-2 with the home side twice fighting back through Mario Lemina and Hwang Hee-chan to cancel out a Callum Wilson double.

Newcastle won on home turf, though, as they secured a third consecutive home win over their opponents from the Black County for the first time since September 1973.

The 3-0 victory was sealed with goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento.

 

Betting Tip

A Geordies’ success is tipped with the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds.

Eddie Howe’s men can be backed 1X2 @ 2.09 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.09. For Wolves, how about a home win 1X2 @ 2.98 or Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.09.

A re-run of the corresponding meeting from last season is on offer @ 11.50 with Correct Score 2-2.

For goals aplenty once more, how about total goal 2-3 @ 2.19, 4-6 @ 2.50 or over 3.25 @ 2.06. It’s been six games since Wolves last defeated Newcastle and, while I expect that record to be extended to seven, I think they will make life difficult for the Tynesiders as they look to ease the memory of a miserable 6-2 home defeat to Chelsea last time out at Molineux.

   

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