04 Jan 2026 10:02:58
The progressive improvement in both results and performances continues which is a good thing and it's probably fair to say that the West Ham game came at the perfect time for us as they are/were pretty woeful. However, I saw a desire to get forward, compete and be clinical in front of goal, that could have been 5-0 by half time if not for their 'keeper.
What's also pleasing that on the back of two improved performances away they did that at home which was becoming a monkey on their back, no doubt. So a flash in the pan or onwards and upwards, can they maintain this improvement against sides higher up the table? I tend to think it's the latter as the team selections now make sense giving players the opportunity to play with more confidence and effect, WHC for example.
I always believed that any team needs a talisman player, someone who'll take the initiative and use their ability to inspire those around them to 'keep up'. After so much talk about Wolves failing to replace Cunha who would have thought they would find the solution within their own youth setup? Mane is a revelation and in my opinion will only get better so how long before the vultures start to circle? That will be the acid test for Fosun who claim they want to help and Nathan Shi whose comments implied a new dawn at Wolves.
Too little, too late, maybe, but good performances will enthuse the fans and reward their loyalty as God knows they've suffered enough. However, as the secondary cause of our demise has now gone, although the jury is still out for me on the primary cause, will we now see a period of steady but progressive growth? Matt Jackson is highly rated within the football world so will he get some backing, will this January window be busy or will changes be minor but effective?
As usual so many questions based around an understandable uncertainty even distrust of our owners, an atmosphere created by Fosun and increasingly aggravated by Jeff Shi before his removal. So the foundations are starting to take shape on the pitch but will the owners facilitate further improvement and create a period of stability in the management structure as we've had too much hire and fire under Shi the first both on and off the pitch, imo.
So is this window critical and should it be viewed as an indication of Fosun's sincerity?
04 Jan 2026 11:00:24
Great Post longmynd, my only questions to the 'improvement' yesterday against, and let's be honest, a very poor WH, is are/were players putting that little extra in because of the impending window and opportunity to jump ship?
Maybe RE has got his messages across and finally found the right attitude and balance?
If he has, what chance does he have of keeping/finding players to maintain it?
I'm not wanting to put doom and gloom on things so early after our first win in 20 odd prem games but equally I don't want to be over optimistic.
I don't think Fosuns stance will have changed, I can only think we'll be taking steps backward by Feb and that finding our feet again will take time.
So let's all enjoy what and when we can, let's hope we carry on the current confidence at Everton.
The goal now is get more points than Derby's low, and not finish bottom.
Whatever, COYW forever.
04 Jan 2026 20:27:52
Totally agree with that last line Abbeywolf. We need to be realistic and look at small steps. We are in a unique position in some ways now. Relegation remains the most likely outcome by far, but if we go down on a "high", fighting our fate all the way, then that will stand us in good stead for the future.