Liam Keen analysis: Worrying Wolves performances have fans concerned

The results throughout the summer are far less important than the performances, but four defeats and two draws will also raise some eyebrows.

On top of that, the performances have been tepid, underwhelming and, at times, utterly concerning.

The first half against Stoke, the second half against Lens and the start of the second half against Girona all showed Wolves' weaknesses at the back and toothless attack.

The overall performance against Celta Vigo at Molineux on Saturday was poor and did not offer value for money even for the season ticket holders that were handed free admission.

The visitors from Spain started stronger as both Pablo Duran and Iago Aspas had sights of goal. The latter was the only one to force Jose Sa into a save.

But Wolves then had the biggest chance of the half when Fer Lopez did well to bring the ball down, take on some of his former team-mates, and set up fellow summer signing Jhon Arias. The Colombian shaped onto his right foot from close range but fired straight at the goalkeeper when an effort either side of him would have surely resulted in a goal.

Celta, however, continued to press and were the sharper side. Wolves played a high line and were consistently caught out with balls over the top and in behind.

Javi Rueda almost took advantage but had a shot blocked from 15 yards, before Sa was tested again at his near post by Duran.

Moments later, Duran beat the high line again and was in, but Wolves were saved by Matt Doherty's recovery tackle.

The defence was getting opened up far too easily and the pedestrian Emmanuel Agbadou continued to struggle.

The Ivorian was fantastic last season after his January move, but throughout pre-season he has been way below par.

He has been too casual, slow to react and erratic with his passing, often giving the ball away. If he continues this into the Premier League season, Wolves will face plenty of difficulty, none more so than against Erling Haaland and Manchester City on the opening day of the campaign.

In other pre-season games, Wolves have upped the intensity after Vitor Pereira has had a chance to speak to them and, most likely, make his feelings abundantly clear.

There may have been a small improvement at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second, but it was marginal and it did not take long for Celta to take the lead.

In all fairness, it was a fantastic goal as Duran received a chip, turned and volleyed beyond Sa. Doherty also did not cover himself in glory with his defending.

Agbadou had a glorious chance from a corner but his header was straight at the goalkeeper, while late on Sasa Kalajdzic raced down the left flank but telegraphed his pass to Marshall Munetsi and made a mass of it. That summed up Wolves' day in front of goal.

Before that Kalajdzic moment, Hugo Bueno got caught up in a mess defensively and Jones El-Abdellaoui was in. He rounded Sa and had a tap-in, but somehow missed. 

Frankly, Wolves deserved to lose by a bigger margin and could not have complained if El-Abdellaoui had finished off an excellent solo goal.

The fans responded relatively positively to the players and Pereira at the final whistle, but discontent is growing among the fan base.

Chairman Jeff Shi has not been a popular man among fans for some time and the chant against him and owners Fosun, that was sung for most of last season, has continued this summer and was sung again at Molineux on Saturday.

The general appreciation for Pereira and his players comes from an understanding that they need help, which so far has not been forthcoming enough.

Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe are all positive signings for various and differing reasons, but it is arguable how much they will replace the likes of Matheus Cunha, Pablo Sarabia and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

At right-wing-back, the experienced Nelson Semedo has so far been replaced by Ki-Jana Hoever returning from loan, who has done well enough in pre-season but is clearly not ready to be a starter in the Premier League.

Wolves are working on signing a right-wing-back, left-sided centre-back, central midfielder and forward. They could even bring in more, depending on the rest of the window, if the likes of Kalajdzic and Hwang Hee-chan depart.

But the squad is not ready right now and the season starts in a matter of days. As it stands, Pereira will have an almighty job to keep this team in the game against City, let alone fight for a result.

Wolves always work late into windows, but every time they do it, they risk a bad start to the season. They are rolling the dice and the fans do not like the odds.