Wolverhampton Wanderers: Why Wolves’ low scoring games this season have been far from dull

For Wolverhampton Wanderers, this season has been one of quiet confidence.

The side are quietly making their way up the Premier League table without attracting too much attention, and are picking up points against several of the teams above them.

After 20 matches, Bruno Lage’s men sit eighth in the Premier League table having won nine matches so far.

What is most commendable about their league form so far is their stringent defensive record.

Wolves have conceded just 15 goals in Premier League matches this season, which is second best only to runaway leaders Manchester City.

This stat translates into eight clean sheets for the season and only narrow one goal defeats at the hands of City and Liverpool.

At the other end of the pitch, however, goal scoring has been an issue.

With 17 goals all season, Wolves have the third most blunt attack in the division. In fact, the only two teams with worse goal scoring returns are Norwich and Burnley who are currently occupying the relegation zone.

Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Southampton was the first time since October that Wolves scored three goals in a match, and the first time since September that they had won by a two goal margin.

This record of keeping goals out has made Wolves into a tough unit, and has also shown that if you are stubborn at the back then you don’t need to score goals for fun at the other end.

There have only been 32 goals in 20 Wolves matches this season, a figure which on paper makes for bland reading at any level never mind the Premier League.

However, the reality is that Wolves have been far from boring to watch this season.

The intent shown in the 1-0 win at Manchester United before the new year and in the recent win against Southampton was that of a team that isn’t down on their luck.

Wolves are firing on all cylinders this season and are only 14 points short of the 45 points they finished with in the 2020-21 campaign.

With roughly half the season still remaining, the 13th place finish last season looks like it could be beaten easily by Lage’s side.

If this was achieved, then the bulk of the plaudits would need to go to the defensive players in the side who have helped stop Wolves from losing, especially in matches where they haven’t done enough to win.

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