Should Wolves Stick or Twist? – the Athletic

The Dire Straits of Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves in uncharted territory, with just two points after 15 games, a tally that is the joint-lowest in the history of England’s top four tiers. This unprecedented situation has thrust chairman Jeff Shi and his Fosun-owned club into an existential dilemma: should they spend lavishly to salvage this season or preserve their financial health for a potential return to the Premier League next year?

Financial Dilemma

The January transfer window looms large, offering Wolves the opportunity to make significant changes. However, deciding whether to invest in the team is fraught with complications. On one hand, spending money could potentially buy some immediate respite and hope for the supporters.

But doing so might be seen as throwing good money after bad, especially considering the club’s precarious position.

“It could be difficult,” admitted head coach Rob Edwards post a 4-1 home defeat by Manchester United on Monday. “But we’ll still need to do stuff, so we’ll see what situation we’re in. We’ve got some really difficult games coming up as well, so my focus just has to be back on that.”

Strategic Decisions

The decision extends beyond financial considerations. Wolves’ financial stability is assured even if relegated, according to chairman Jeff Shi. However, this does not preclude the club from making tough calls.

For instance, big clubs might test Wolves with lucrative offers for players like Andre, Joao Gomes, or Jorgen Strand Larsen. The question then becomes: do they keep their most valuable assets in a bid to secure next season’s stability, or do they cut their losses and sell them now?

“We are moving away from coach-led recruitment of the last 10 years,” Shi declared at a recent fan advisory board meeting. “This is club-led recruitment under Edwards and beyond, with Edwards one voice in a broader structure designed to make things more consistent regardless of who the head coach is.”

Emotional Considerations

The decision will also impact the supporters, who are already angry after seeing their team capitulate just a few years after achieving remarkable success. The prospect of writing off the second half of the season could further enrage fans and potentially hamstring Edwards’ plans for next year. “Fans are angry enough,” Edwards reflected. “Imagine their fury if they see us actively giving up on this campaign instead of trying to make it more honourable and bearable.”

Wolves face a big question with no real palatable answer: write off the season to get a head-start on next year, or try to save face by giving Edwards a fighting chance? The decision is fraught with complexities that could impact not just this season but also the club’s future plans.

By Steve Madeley

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