Wolves Left With Big Questions After Blackburn
Wolves looked short on quality and confidence against Blackburn, with several individuals coming in for criticism. The overall worry is whether this squad has enough to push for automatic promotion.
Even after the dust has settled, that Wolves showing against Blackburn Rovers still feels hard to get your head around. The main frustration is simple: the performance looked miles off what you would expect from a side talking about promotion, and it is difficult to argue Wolves deserved even a point.
There were too many passengers, too little composure, and nowhere near enough quality when it mattered. For long spells Blackburn looked the sharper, better-drilled side, and Wolves seemed to be chasing the game rather than controlling it.
Individual performances under the microscope
The criticism starts at the back. Bentley is seen as not good enough, with concerns about his reactions and overall level. Mosquera also comes in for it, not just for switching off but for the theatrical side of his game and a lack of recovery pace.
Toti takes the heaviest criticism of all. The view here is that he is not a captain, and that unless Peixoto makes a big call, Wolves will keep conceding. There is also the point that when Andre has an off night, the whole team looks worse, which speaks to how fragile the side currently feels.
Problems in the front three and a lack of service
Further forward, Armstrong is criticised for lacking the quality to function properly in a Peixoto system, especially against stronger Championship sides. Rodrigo Gomes is also labelled as not good enough, with poor decision-making and a lack of progress.
Mateus Mane is singled out for a dreadful display, with the worry that his attitude and maturity could frustrate those around him. The wider point is that Mane and Rodrigo as the outside players of a front three looks close to useless, which is why it is easy to see why Peixoto is pushing for wingers.
Raul Jimenez is also highlighted, not for effort but because he simply is not getting enough service. Even with a decent amount of time on the pitch, he barely touched the ball, and the same concern is raised about the Port Vale match too.
Who looks up to the level, and what happens next?
Not everything is written off. Fer Lopez is praised as being levels above everyone else on the night, to the point where it feels like he does not belong in a struggling Championship side. Munetsi is also credited for his work-rate and engine, even if there is uncertainty about where he fits and what kind of balance he needs around him.
There is sympathy for Moller Wolfe, who looked unfit, but the concern is that he is well behind Hugo Bueno and would not be an adequate replacement if Bueno was sold.
The bigger fear is that this is a relegated squad still short on quality and confidence, and that it has not been improved enough. If this match was meant to be a reality check for anyone thinking the Championship would be straightforward, it certainly did its job. Right now, it is hard to see Wolves getting into the top two, and even harder to see that changing without serious upgrades.
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