Fan column: Ambition a concern as Wolves lack investment on and off pitch

Wolves, whether by design or negligence appear to have drifted towards this disconcerting route. 

This is no premature reaction on the back of a mere couple of poor results. More a recognition of a gradual decline over a sustained period since the exceptional first couple of seasons after promotion. 

It’s easy to dole out criticism and misunderstand the actions of the club. For example, losing Matheus Cunha was inevitable. He negotiated a contract with a get out clause that saw Wolves pocket over £60m when it was possible we could have lost him for nothing. 

Bigger clubs than Wolves have been pragmatic enough to accept that selling their best assets is sometimes unavoidable. And when the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City set their sights on the likes of Jota, Neto and Ait-Nouri respectively and the players wish to leave, then our priorities have to shift. Cash in as best that we can. 

Losing Ruben Neves left a huge void but the Saudi Pro League offered him a massive financial incentive. 

It could also be argued that the club did some excellent business when Max Kilman joined West Ham; a deal beneficial to all parties. Could the club have stalled any of these deals? Maybe, but the real question is how well the incoming finance has been invested in recruiting suitable replacements.

The fact is that we have been left with a disjointed squad due to being short of numbers which has led to restricted options and a weak bench to provide alternatives. 

The three most recent Head coaches, Lage, Lopetegui and O’Neil all had genuine cause to express frustration. Vitor Pereira has strongly hinted that he is similarly concerned. 

Supporters expect transfer transactions to be uncomplicated and straightforward. For clubs of our size with the prospect of a difficult season, negotiations can present all manner of complications. 

But moving so late during the window is fraught with danger; any deal that breaks down leaves a club with restricted alternatives and integrating overseas players into a team when the season has already begun is inevitably a handicap. 

Above all, how good are the newcomers? We know exactly the capabilities of the players who have left us; are we replacing like with like or settling for significantly less? I think the answer might be unanimous amongst Wolves’ fans.

Above all, you simply want your club to aspire to be better. 

The chairman was refreshingly candid during his extended interview prior to the season. He felt Molineux’s capacity was ‘good enough’ with ‘more hospitality for business,’ his priority. 

Okay, but a thriving team would sell the place out. The Steve Bull stand is approaching its 50th birthday and clearly showing its age. Patched up where renovation is sorely required. 

On and off the field, we seem unclear about our future destination and its end point and that’s a real concern.