Liam Keen analysis: Spirited Wolves fall flat in tough Chelsea test
Despite it being a Premier League fixture, Wolves' trip to Chelsea felt like a means to an end.
The club now have 27 matches remaining to save their season, but with Rob Edwards coming in as head coach and an international break now upon us, this match felt like the end of one era and the start to another.
Whether Edwards is able to pull off a miracle is another thing for another day.
On this occasion, interim boss James Collins attempted to put importance on this match during his Friday press conference.
He insisted the team had an opportunity to start their revival now and that although Chelsea would be a tough test, it was on Wolves to prove their quality. He remained positive and said all the right things.
After the game he correctly said that Wolves' season will not be defined on a game at Stamford Bridge but for a brief spell, there was hope that Wolves would get something from the game.
They weathered an early storm as the hosts pushed for an opening goal and for once Wolves did not concede in the opening stages of a game.
Once they settled, Wolves did well at breaking up play and going on the counter attack, particularly through midfielders Andre and Joao Gomes that consistently won the ball back to release those around them.
The lack of a good final ball and genuine quality in the final third denied Wolves from making a dent on the scoreline and they did ride their luck at times at the back, but they were disciplined and organised.
That first half display - albeit not ambitious or adventurous - offered some positives that can be built on for the incoming head coach if Wolves have any hope of staying up.
But perhaps the second half will be more telling and it certainly showed this team's shortcomings.
They may not have conceded early in the match but they did early in the second half after just six minutes.
Jackson Tchatchoua offered Alejandro Garnacho too much space in the first few minutes of the first 45, but he seemed to get a grip with him after that. But in the second half he stood off him and his excellent cross was headed home by Malo Gusto at the far post.
Gusto was free to head home from close range as marker Toti Gomes completely lost his man. It was an avoidable and frustrating goal to concede.
Wolves recovered well after going behind and put some pressure on Chelsea. It was during this time in particular that J.Gomes was at his best in the match as he won countless tackles to spark attacks.
But they did not take advantage of that spell and the second came in routine fashion for Chelsea. It was well-worked, although Hugo Bueno could have done more to stop Estevao's cross.
The third was also disappointing, as Chelsea's sprung a classic counter attack and Garnacho had too much pace for Santi Bueno before crossing low for former Wolves player Pedro Neto to tap it in.
It is a side note, but Neto had the audacity to complain about criticism when he celebrated at Molineux just weeks after leaving the club, only to then go on and celebrate at Stamford Bridge on this occasion. It is fine if you want to celebrate, but do not whine about people's opinions of it.
In the end, Wolves are left with more questions than answers and nine defeats from 11 matches means they are in serious trouble.
Collins, however, remains confident in the spirit in the group.
“My main message would be this group isn’t a group to give up on this season," Collins said.
"This group can get something out of this season because there’s a togetherness and they want to do it so much.
"If the structure’s put in place, if the organisation is put in place, and work is done with them, they can improve and improve. Maybe with some additions in January we can get out of trouble.”
When asked if there is a base for Wolves to build from, Collins added: “Most definitely, with the spirit the boys showed, even at the end of the game when Joao was pressing at the top end of the pitch, having a right go at getting the ball back.
"The boys are low on confidence for obvious reasons, but there’s a spirit in there, there’s a connection in there, and they’ve got to build on that, and grab hold of that.
"That’s step one and we’ve got to do better attacking and defending better. That’s the basics of the game.”
A new dawn is upon us now and this will indicate exactly how far they can go this season and if a miracle is possible.
Crystal Palace at Molineux awaits us after the international break, before a West Midlands derby with Villa. Let's see what you are made of, Wolves.
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