Is turning around Wolves' disastrous Premier League campaign an impossible feat? That's the burning question on everyone's minds as new manager Rob Edwards steps into the spotlight at Molineux. For a fleeting moment, the air buzzed with hope when Edwards was unveiled to the home supporters amid thunderous cheers, igniting a spark of optimism for the struggling side. But alas, that optimism fizzled out quickly as Crystal Palace dominated the match, securing a well-earned victory in a quiet stadium. This result starkly illustrates the monumental challenge Edwards faces in guiding Wolves away from the relegation zone and into safety. And this is where it gets really intriguing—can a team with such a bleak record truly stage one of football's greatest comebacks?
With zero wins in their opening 12 fixtures, Wolves have amassed just two points, a tally that puts them in perilous territory. No squad in Premier League history has ever survived relegation with only two points at this juncture. Sure, Everton managed it in the 1994-95 season, but they had four points after the same number of games—highlighting just how dire Wolves' situation is. Edwards himself reacted with a touch of humor when pressed about potentially breaking Derby County's record for the lowest points tally in a Premier League season (a mere 11 in 2007-08), quipping that it felt like the grim Midlands weather had returned. Yet, it's a fair query to pose, isn't it? We're deep into November, Wolves languish at the bottom of the table, and they haven't tasted victory in the top flight for a full seven months. They've dropped 10 out of 12 matches this term, netting a paltry seven goals while shipping 27, and they're a whopping nine points behind the safety mark. To make matters worse, they're even eight points adrift of 19th-placed Burnley, offering scant signs of a miraculous turnaround. But here's the part most people miss: despite these grim statistics, Edwards insists there's potential in his squad, describing it as his dream role despite the odds stacked against him.
'We've got talent that can deliver in crucial moments,' the 42-year-old explained after the defeat. 'I know the losses have hit hard, and emotions are running high, but I've only been here for five or six days—no magic wand here. Feelings and outcomes can distort perspectives, so I try to stay objective. Palace outperformed us in the first half, we rallied in the second, but small errors cost us—that's football for you.'
Diving deeper into the numbers, Wolves' two points from 12 games rank as the third-lowest in top-flight history after 12 matches, surpassed only by Manchester United's 0 in 1930-31 and Sheffield United's 1 in 2020-21. This is also their longest winless streak in the league since a 19-game drought in the Championship (then the second tier) from December 1984 to April 1985. They've lost their last five Premier League encounters, with the most recent three under different managers (Vitor Pereira, James Collins, and now Edwards). Extending that, they've endured 16 straight top-flight games without a win (drawing three and losing 13) since a six-match winning spree in March and April 2023. Wolves are the first team since Newcastle in 2021-22 (who went 14 games without a win) to fail to secure a single victory in their first 12 league matches. For beginners in football stats, this means they've started the season without even one positive result, which is extraordinarily rare and highlights the lack of momentum.
No one questions Wolves' effort—they gave it their all under Edwards—but the team clearly lacks the flair, skill, and self-assurance needed at this level. This dip in confidence is undermining players like Jorgen Strand Larsen, who bagged 14 goals last season, or the dynamic midfield duo of Andre and Joao Gomes, who've shown real class in the past. Edwards and his coaching team must rebuild that faith, though they weren't aided by forward Hwang Hee-Chan's costly mistake just three minutes after his substitution, which directly led to Palace's second goal via Yeremy Pino's exquisite finish, propelling them to fourth place. 'Some players are visibly low on belief and confidence, which is totally understandable given our plight,' Edwards admitted, reflecting on his 111 appearances for Wolves from 2004-2008. 'We have to manage the pressure from the fans, handle that frustration when goals fly in—it's palpable in the air. The supporters have been fantastic, though. Heads drooped a bit after goals, but the effort didn't wane; we pushed forward and showed intent.'
Edwards emphasizes the need for more aggressive running and physicality. Before facing Palace, Wolves had covered an average of 119.46 kilometers per game in the Premier League this season—a metric that places them in the bottom six compared to rivals. Saturday's performance underscores that sheer distance on the pitch isn't enough for survival; they require more than that, even if Edwards remains upbeat. 'I told the players that dominating duels and pushing harder and faster than the opposition will yield results,' he said. 'It didn't happen today, but there are positives to build on. We won more duels, sprinted with more fire, and I've seen the data. We need to refine the basics, avoid frustrating turnovers like the one for the second goal, and keep the fight going. They punished our mistakes—that's the ruthlessness of the Premier League.'
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Edwards the right savior for Wolves, or is the club's long-term decline too deep-rooted for any manager to fix? Some might argue that with such a talented roster on paper, the issues point to deeper problems like squad morale or strategic missteps from previous regimes. Others could contend that Edwards, fresh from Luton, brings fresh energy that could spark a revival. What do you think—can Wolves defy the odds and stage an epic escape, or is relegation inevitable? Share your thoughts in the comments below; do you agree with Edwards' optimistic tone, or disagree on the feasibility of this turnaround? Let's discuss!
