Wolves suffered their tenth consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday, a 2-0 home loss to Brentford that leaves them rooted to the bottom with just two points from 17 matches. The result equals the Premier League's record low at this stage and came amid a week of turmoil at Molineux, including the departure of chairman Jeff Shi and the tragic death of academy product Ethan McLeod.
The defeat matched Sheffield United's dismal tally from the 2020/21 season, though Wolves have already played three more matches. With 14 points separating them from safety and only Newport's fourth-tier side of 1970/71 recording fewer points at this stage in English league history, relegation looms ominously large.
Before kick-off, Molineux fell silent in memory of 21-year-old McLeod, who died in a car accident on Tuesday while returning from Macclesfield's game at Bedford. His family, including brother Conor who plays for Wolves' Under-21 side, stood pitchside during the tribute.
Leadership change amid crisis
Jeff Shi stepped down as executive chairman on Friday night after nearly a decade at the club. Nathan Shi, no relation and in his early-thirties, was immediately appointed as interim chairman. The newcomer, who previously held a senior role at Club Med and serves as executive assistant to Fosun chairman Guo Guangchang, has no football background.
Nathan Shi met with senior staff and addressed the players on Saturday morning, conveying that Chinese owners Fosun remain committed to the club. His LinkedIn profile was made invisible on Friday night, and few at the club suspected he was being lined up to replace Jeff Shi until Friday morning.
Match details
Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter struck twice in the second half, capitalizing on defensive errors in the 63rd and 83rd minutes. Wolves registered their first shot on target only in the 32nd minute, the longest wait for an attempt in a Premier League match in six years.
Jorgen Strand Larsen had a late penalty saved by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after Matt Doherty was brought down in the box. The miss prompted loud boos from supporters already chanting «you're not fit to wear the shirt».
Fan fury
The home faithful made their anger clear throughout. In the 18th minute, fans held up 'Our Club' signs calling for Fosun to sell the club. Chants of «Fosun out» echoed around Molineux, and many supporters headed for the exits before the final whistle. The ground was half-empty at full-time, with those remaining booing loudly.
Manager pledges to fight on
Despite the dire situation, manager Rob Edwards remained defiant. «I just said it to their lads in there now 'you can't give up'. That would be mental,» he said after the match. «I said 'I'm standing in front of you now, I'm going to fight, and I know all the staff are with me and are going to fight, and I need all of the lads to come together and help each other and fight as well'. That's what we have to do.»
Edwards, in his sixth game since taking the Molineux post last month, acknowledged the «extremely difficult situation» but insisted he saw improvement in training. «We've got to stop making basic errors. We've got to keep trying to do the right things to avoid doing that,» he added.
Asked about any regrets leaving Middlesbrough, Edwards replied: «No, none at all. I knew it was going to be difficult. I'm well up for the challenge.»
What happens next
Edwards' position appears secure for now, with Fosun showing no appetite for appointing a third head coach this season. The club is actively seeking a permanent replacement for Jeff Shi, though Nathan Shi could remain for most or all of the season.
Future investment remains uncertain. If relegation is confirmed, players might be sold to fund moves for Championship-level talent. The club is unlikely to immediately revert to the early Fosun era model involving super agent Jorge Mendes' Gestifute group.
Jeff Shi's departure came after a disastrous summer transfer window that left the squad weak and widespread fan protests. A local radio interview earlier this month, where he described relegation as «not that serious», is believed to have been the final straw.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, who started his playing career at Molineux, cautioned against assumptions. «There's no divine right to win games,» he said. «This is Rob's sixth game in charge and in the previous five games they've been drawing at half-time, and they've played teams like Arsenal, Aston Villa. You've got to earn that right.»
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
