Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha has delivered a frank verdict on the club’s struggles this season, as the team finds itself mired in a relegation battle.
Despite a squad brimming with international talent, including players from Brazil, Portugal, and Spain, Wolves sit 19th in the Premier League, four points adrift of safety.
The blame game has been in full swing, with fans calling for manager Gary O’Neil’s dismissal after a dismal return of just three league wins in 25 games.
Fosun, the club’s ownership group, has also faced sharp criticism. Following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, O’Neil himself pointed to the club’s lack of spending power and a depleted squad as key factors behind Wolves’ dire position.
Yet, for all the off-field issues, performances on the pitch remain the primary concern. Defensive frailties and lapses in concentration at crucial moments have been Wolves’ undoing, with three consecutive defeats plunging the club deeper into crisis.
Wolves ‘have lost their structure’ – Matheus Cunha:
Cunha, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim season, has provided a candid assessment of the team’s shortcomings.
The Brazilian forward, who boasts 10 goal contributions this campaign and earned a Premier League Player of the Month nomination for November, believes Wolves have lost their way during games.
Speaking to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan, Cunha said:
“Honestly I feel we’ve sometimes lost our minds in the games – how to control a game, with the situation it’s very hard – we’ve lost our structure in games and conceded goals but when you are in these situations there are a lot of things more than the pitch but, the only thing we can do is go to training, fix the things we need to fix and of course, come back and perform better.”
Defensive lapses are costing Wolves dearly:
Wolves’ defensive collapse has been emblematic of their struggles this season. The backline, often bereft of discipline and organisation, has repeatedly handed the opposition opportunities on a plate.
The recent defeat to West Ham perfectly illustrated these issues. After a solid first half where Wolves restricted the hosts to minimal chances, a lapse in concentration saw them concede from a routine set-piece.
That mistake set the tone for the remainder of the match, with the defence disintegrating under pressure. Only a VAR intervention spared them from going 2-0 down when Mohammed Kudus’ strike was disallowed.
Even Matt Doherty’s equaliser failed to galvanise Wolves. Moments later, more defensive disarray allowed Jarrod Bowen to score the decisive goal.
There have been flashes of promise, such as strong displays against Southampton, Manchester City, and Liverpool, proving that Wolves can meet Premier League standards.
However, the inconsistency and mental lapses must be addressed urgently. With crucial fixtures against Ipswich and Leicester looming, Wolves must regain their composure and focus if they are to salvage their season and stave off relegation.