Wolves have had an incredibly up and down 2023, which means the fans will have many Christmas wishes heading into 2024.
Wolves have had it all this year – from being doing well with Julen Lopetegui and achieving a 13th-place finish to that same manager quitting just days before the season started, sparking relegation talk.
To now where we have Old Gold doing really well considering the circumstances with multiple really impressive performances – none more so than the win over Manchester City.
So what should Wolves fans be wishing for this festive period? Here are five things we think Wolves fans could and should be wishing for this Christmas…
To now where we have Old Gold doing really well considering the circumstances with multiple really impressive performances – none more so than the win over Manchester City.
So what should Wolves fans be wishing for this festive period? Here are five things we think Wolves fans could and should be wishing for this Christmas…
Pedro Neto stays
Probably the biggest wish of Wolves supporters will be to see Pedro Neto remain at the club and ideally sign a new contract. Neto is probably Wolves’ biggest difference-maker maker and if he stays it’ll be something fans will be delighted by.
Before suffering a hamstring injury against Newcastle United in late October – Neto was absolutely on fire in the Premier League for Wolves.
The Portuguese winger had a whopping seven assists and one goal in just 10 games and was at times single-handedly driving Wolves to points.
However, this form inevitably led to the big clubs coming in with interest – particularly in the form of Liverpool who scouted Neto.
Hopefully, he remains at the club.
Wolves sign a striker
Wolves’ main problem this campaign in many games has been their lack of clinical finishing in front of goal.
This likely because for most games Matheus Cunha is the striker despite him naturally being more of a false nine.
This is something Wolves seem keen to solve in January as various forwards are linked – including Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi.
If Wolves have the finances available to make a signing – it’s likely that a striker is on the cards.
Wolves sign a defender
Another position which needs strengthening is central defence as Wolves need additional options.
Playing a back three means Wolves probably need five centre-halves who can regularly feature – the problem being they only have three with one of those 33 years old.
Wolves need to bring in a player who can offer Craig Dawson competition in defence, as he continues to age. They’ve seen the likes of Victor Nelsson linked with a move recently which would be a solid addition.
Top half finish
Wolves have had a decent season thus far and will feel hard done by the being in the position they are in.
VAR has played a massive role, with several points taken from Wolves by decisions made.
Despite this – Wolves sit right in the conversation to be in the race for a top-half finish in 2024 – particularly after their 2-1 win over Chelsea which leaves O’Neil’s side joint with the blues in 10th separated only by goal difference.
A few points gained as opposed to lost through officiating would be a world of difference and could see it happen.
An FA Cup run
The final Christmas wish on the list is for Wolves to have an FA Cup run this season. Old Gold have lifted the legendary cup on four previous occasions and will have a silent hope of lifting it once again here.
While there’s no real benefit to a long FA Cup run – they’re always fun and it’s something we’d like to see Wolves achieve. An FA Cup run as Leicester and Crystal Palace have found out in recent years can quickly lead to a final at Wembley, so it’s definitely worth focussing on.
Nobody’s expecting O’Neil and co to win the entire thing but reaching the quarter-finals – or possibly the semi-finals – at least would be nice.
Wolves will kick start their FA Cup run on January 5th away from home to Brentford.
