Chapter 8: A Crucial Transfer Window
We had to balance our fixture list this month with the most vital of windows. We need to do our best to both keep hold of key players whilst bringing in crucial reinforcements. The next four weeks could make or break our season and determine whether I'm still in a job come the end of it.
EPL Matchday 19: Southampton vs Wolves
We began the month by collecting a huge three points away at Saint Mary's against Southampton. It was Max Kilman's first half header that proved the difference and we held out for a massive result.
A couple of days after the victory and I was met with the news that the confidence had been improved, and subsequently, I was not getting sacked, at least not for now.
Not long after, though, and one of our key players was out the door...
It was the Mexican striker Raul Jimenez. He'd been a faithful servant to the club for a few seasons now, but we agreed to sell him for just over 25 million. I would likely have accepted such an offer for a 31-year-old regardless of who it was from, but the fact that it was from Real Madrid meant I could not afford to reject it.
However, soon after I made a bold decision to reject a major bid...
I turned down Newcastle's offer of 60+ million for Ruben Neves for two reasons. One, he was willing to negotiate for a new contract and wasn't looking to force his way out. Two, he is simply too crucial to our team for me to let him go. Yes, the offer was decent, but the calibre of midfielders interested in joining just was not at the same level. We need Neves here, and I made the decision to do all I can to keep him.
FA Cup 3rd Round: Sunderland vs Wolves
It's not too often we enjoy comfortable results, but in our first FA Cup outing of the season we did just that, beating Sunderland 3-0 with a slightly rotated squad.
But another name was soon out the door in Adama Traore. He had no interest in signing a new deal, and came to me to say that he would explore his options at the end of his contract. Therefore, when Spurs' offer came in, I accepted because we wanted to at least recoup some money for him, rather than lose him for free.
And with one sale comes two, with Hwang Hee-Chan off to Mexico with Club America. I was looking to sell him from day one really, and he never impressed in the appearances he did get under my tenure, meaning he's the next one shipped off.
With no recruitments up till this point, it meant our squad was even thinner going into our next game against Everton...
EPL Matchday 20: Wolves vs Everton
Where we unfortunately fell to a relatively late Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal. Perhaps it could have finished 0-0, but it was a tight game and Everton just about edged it overall.
And just like that, Ruben Neves agreed a new contract on 93k per week, keeping him at the club until 2027. Even though it's not a new signing, it's still a huge move for the club.
But we did soon welcome a new arrival...
20-year-old right-back Tiago Santos was our first signing of the window. He may not be a familiar name, but the full-back is a bright prospect who can contribute now and improve in the future. Nelson Semedo is looking to force his way out the club, so we've made the proactive move to buy someone in to replace him.
Santos has all the making of a good quality right-back who can develop into an even better one. Look forward to seeing how he develops and hopefully the signing proves a successful one.
Our next signing was a more expensive one, with Joao Pedro costing us close to 30 million to bring in. One of my aims in the market this January was to bring versatile players in to give us more depth options. Joao Pedro will be a starter, but his ability to play all across the frontline will likely come in handy where injuries may arise.
As you can see, the Brazilian is fully accomplished in four attacking positions. He, much like Santos, has significant future potential and should be an asset at the club for years to come.
It's a good thing Santos is coming in too, with first-choice full-back Jonny being out injured for almost a month.
EPL Matchday 21: Nottingham Forest vs Wolves
Monumental. With the score at 0-0 and Nottingham Forest down to 10 men, this was a huge opportunity for us to collect another crucial three points. But, despite our constant pressure, we were wasteful and it looked like we were destined for a frustrating draw. Thankfully, though, Rayan Ait-Nouri's late cross is met by Forest's own Scott McKenna, who can do nothing but help it into the back of his own net. Our players leap into raptures and we celebrate a vital win.
Whilst we are light in midfield, I felt that Connor Ronan was still expendable. The Irishman failed to impress me over the first half of the season and moves to Germany for just under 5 million.
Tiago Santos enjoyed a very solid debut, but unfortunately, he now will sit out the next 6 weeks with a knee injury. It's extremely unfortunate, but we'll have to do as best we can now. It's a good thing Semedo hasn't found a buyer just yet, because with Jonny out too, he's really our only fit right-back.
To bolster our midfield, we bring in Sander Berge from Sheffield United. He's one of the better quality players in the Championship, and will be a great depth option for us to have here.
Berge is still just 24 years old, giving him room to grow as well. Like I addressed earlier, versatility is key, and Berge provides that, being able to drop back or move forward in midfield when required.
FA Cup 4th Round: Wolves vs Reading
It's another comfortable FA Cup win, which I am happy about. It's quite coincidental how in both FA Cup games, Kalajdzic and Traore scored the first two goals, before the 3rd came in stoppage time. Regardless, it is good to keep our progress going in this competition.
We just are not having off-the-pitch luck at the moment. Sasa Kalajdzic has struggled for us, but with Jimenez gone, Diego Costa is now our only natural striker, and he has not netted or provided a single goal in a Wolves shirt. Not great news.
Deadline day was fast approaching, and with next to no money left, I turned to the loan market.
To combat those striker deficiencies, I loaned in Danny Namaso from Porto. I included a relatively small optional future fee which we'll activate should the 22-year-old perform. It's a relatively risk-free signing, and he gives us some more important depth.
Namaso provides a similar versatility to that of Joao Pedro, and will likely play the back-up to the Brazilian.
I mentioned earlier that Semedo was our only fit right-back, so Timothy Fosu-Mensah also comes in on loan with just a few hours remaining in the window. Like Namaso, he comes with an optional future fee, but unless he transcends my expectations entirely, I doubt very much that he'll come in permanently.
I feel like I've said it a million times already, but we have brought in another player that provides a range of options. He can play right-back, centre-back or sit in midfield. I agreed to Bayer's request of him being a regular starter, but in truth he'll play the back-up role.
We were unable to find a buyer for Semedo, which I have mixed feelings about. It's good in the short-term because he's our best right-back right now, but when Jonny and Tiago Santos return to fitness, it'll mean he's stuck on the bench more often than not, unless he decides that he wants to stay after all.
Player of the Month
Amidst a very hectic and busy month, we actually had one of best months on the pitch. A lot of that was down to Rayan Ait-Nouri. Never have I had an easier choice for Player of the Month, and the Frenchman, in a slightly more attacking full-back role, was absolutely fantastic.
League Table
We're sitting in mid-table for now, but still just 2 points off 18th. The bottom half is extremely close, and we have to be careful to not go on losing streaks. Even just picking up points will be vital over the remainder of the season.
