Alious
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ season has descended into chaos, yet Micah Richards has delivered an unexpectedly heartfelt defence of the club that is sure to divide opinion among supporters.
The Old Gold suffered another damaging defeat at the weekend, falling 2–0 to Brentford at Molineux. For much of the contest, Wolves remained competitive and looked capable of earning something from the game. However, once Keane Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock after the hour mark, the familiar problems resurfaced. Wolves lacked the cutting edge required to respond, and their misery was compounded late on when Jørgen Strand Larsen squandered a penalty.
That result left Wolves with one of the lowest points totals ever recorded at Christmas, a statistic that sums up a truly dismal campaign. Performances have often been hard for fans to watch, with disbelief growing as defeat after defeat piles up.
Despite this grim picture, Richards believes the table does not tell the full story. Speaking on *The Rest Is Football* podcast, the former England defender argued that Wolves are not as poor as their meagre points haul suggests. While accepting results have been dreadful, he insisted the performances themselves have not always matched the dire outcomes.
Richards pointed out that Wolves have regularly been competitive during matches, often reaching half-time level or still firmly in the contest. According to him, games have typically turned on individual defensive mistakes or a failure to convert chances at the other end. Over time, these repeated setbacks have drained the squad of belief, leaving players visibly low on confidence.
He also referenced Matt Doherty’s post-match comments, which painted a picture of a dressing room struggling mentally. Richards felt the team looked deflated, with senior players acknowledging they must take responsibility and show greater leadership during this difficult spell.
The pundit was adamant that quality still exists within the squad. He rejected the idea that players such as Hwang Hee-chan, Strand Larsen, André or João Gomes are suddenly inadequate, highlighting Larsen’s previous goal record and the strong midfield partnership Wolves have shown in the past. In Richards’ view, the core issue is psychological rather than technical.
That said, Wolves’ problems extend beyond confidence alone. While there are talented individuals, the squad as a whole lacks balance. Key leaders, creators and proven Premier League performers were moved on, and the replacements have not provided the same influence or authority. Having a handful of good players is rarely enough at this level.
Ultimately, Richards’ defence suggests Wolves are better than their position implies, but survival in the Premier League requires more than effort and potential. Without experienced leaders and reliable match-winners, confidence alone may not be enough to halt a season that continues to spiral.
Alious
