The Verdict: Wolves given wake-up call after Blackburn draw
· Liam Keen · 2026-08-16T10:41:57+00:00 · nguồn gốc
The Verdict: Wolves given wake-up call after Blackburn draw
Read Liam Keen’s analysis of Wolves’ draw with Blackburn.
The stars seemed to be aligning for Wolves' opening Championship game against Blackburn - but it did not go to plan.
Pre-season had gone fairly well and Wolves avoided a banana skin by beating Port Vale 3-0 in the Carabao Cup to set up what should have been their coming of age moment under Cesar Peixoto.
All of the noise coming out of the club has been about getting promoted and righting the wrongs of last season, while Raul Jimenez gifting one of a kind 'si senor' Wolves scarves to fans in the South Bank ahead of kick-off was a way of galvanising supporters and the club.
And it seemed to work as the atmosphere at Molineux by kick-off was electric - ready for the players to respond and begin Wolves' recovery and journey back to the Premier League in style.
What Wolves got instead was a wake-up call.
The start of the game was fairly subdued and, in some ways against the run of play, Wolves took the lead with a really well-worked goal created by star man Fer Lopez, as his through ball unleashed Marshall Munetsi to fire the hosts ahead.
That should have been the start of Wolves settling into the game and taking control, but they missed other chances before gifting Blackburn a way back into it with a poorly-defended goal in which Toti Gomes played a big part with his shoddy clearance and then getting beaten in the air.
Wolves were unable to capitalise on any chances before the break and the feeling at half-time was that Peixoto’s side were not at their best but still had a good opportunity in front of them.
However, within three minutes of the second half starting Andri Gudjohnsen’s finish from inside the box, following more lazy Wolves defending, silenced Molineux.
The players switched off again - another wake-up call that even one of the favourites to be relegated in the Championship can hurt teams - and Wolves found themselves trailing.
The defending for both goals was very poor, but perhaps even more concerning was Wolves’ reaction to going behind.
Blackburn naturally dropped deep and Wolves dominated possession, but they found it hard to break down a stubborn defence and with the vast majority of the half to wrestle back control of the scoreline, Wolves seemed destined to lose the game.
Frankly, Wolves lost their nerve. They were too emotional as they tried to force an equaliser and, in turn, created next to nothing and instead offered Blackburn chances on the counter. A better opponent would have scored a third and sealed the win.
We have seen this emotional and unstable Wolves before under previous managers and their tendency to lose their heads, abandon organisation and throw caution to wind needs to be controlled - and in many ways stamped out - if Peixoto wants success this season.
The head coach was also unable to impact the game from the bench due to the options available to him.
Mateus Mane had a disappointing game, while Rodrigo Gomes was too ineffective, but when replacing both wingers Wolves do not have any other quality attacking players with pace to bring on.
Instead, below-par Jackson Tchatchoua and another full-back in Pedro Lima were the only wide options. Otherwise, midfielders Tommy Doyle and Tawanda Chirewa and striker Jimenez were the other substitutes brought on.
Rafiki Said’s injury is unfortunate, but regardless of that it has been abundantly clear all summer that Wolves need more attacking options and in particular some more quality out wide. Peixoto knows this too, but it has to be addressed in the transfer window.
A lot of this frustration will understandably be directed at owners Fosun and a very small number of South Bank fans did start anti-Fosun chants mid-way through the second half, but the vast majority of supporters did not follow them.
That in itself proves fans are willing to give everyone involved a chance to get it right, but the clock is ticking and there is little time left to balance this squad.
That being said, Wolves did end the night with a point thanks to Jimenez’s last gasp penalty and although it may have been undeserved after that performance, it is a point in the right direction.
Even if Wolves had lost the game it would not have been a disaster - suggesting so after one match is far too dramatic - but it is important to highlight the obvious issues.
If these players that got Wolves relegated last season believe the Championship will be a walk in the park then they are gravely mistaken. They were fortunate to get a point against Blackburn and should now learn their lessons and take this wake-up call on the chin.
Aside from Jimenez scoring again in Wolves colours, the biggest positive was Lopez’s performance.
There is a reason Peixoto wanted to keep him and Wolves should ensure everything goes through him in the coming games to get themselves back on track.