Wolverhampton Wanderers go into this weekend’s tie against Brighton and Hove Albion sat rather pretty in the Premier League table following our efforts so far in 2018/19.
We are in ninth place in the top-flight with a return of 15 points from our opening nine games, and Brighton aren’t too shabby either coming into the match sat in 12th place on 11 points.
Whilst few fans are complaining, despite the disappointing loss to Watford in our last match in what was a seriously bad day for everyone in the first-team XI, one issue is clear and that’s goalscoring. We’ve conceded eight so far this year, but have only scored nine and with a few players not reaching their goalscoring form from the Championship, talk of a new striker in January will only continue.
That was the topic of conversation from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson as he gave his predictions ahead of the weekend’s action.
“Wolves do not score enough goals – a return of nine goals does not read well. Sometimes I think they flatter to deceive – even I bought into it, thinking they were really great. But are they? They have got to improve their end product. What is missing might be a top-class centre-forward. The fact they have so much of the ball in games and have only scored nine, is a big worry.”
Flattered to deceive is a harsh summation based on our performances so far as nine games in, we are still adjusting to the level whether pundits like it or not as they wax lyrical before waiting to turn on us, but Merse does have a point and it’s something fans have raised themselves.
I’d fully expect Nuno Espirito Santo to retain faith in his usual selections, even if there are some changes following the defeat, but I’d imagine the club will be keeping a close eye on our goal tally ahead of the January window as they will want us to kick on if we don’t find a richer vein of form soon in front of the net.
