Just a week ago, after Wolves’ narrow home defeat by Liverpool, manager Gary O’Neil said he was unwilling to class his team’s precarious position at the foot of the Premier League table as a situation worthy of concern.
After watching his side’s desperate display at Brentford on Saturday, O’Neil may be tempted to review the matter.
“It’s the worst game I’ve been involved in as a coach,” O’Neil told BBC Match of the Day.
Wolves scored two first-half goals at the Gtech Community Stadium, but their attacking endeavours were undermined by some truly woeful defending as Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock added to Nathan Collins’ second-minute header to give the hosts a 4-2 half-time lead.
Fabio Carvalho made it five for Brentford late on before Rayan Ait-Nouri’s effort in second-half stoppage time put a more respectable sheen on the scoreline from a Wolves’ perspective – but it was one they scarcely deserved.
“It’s the furthest I’ve seen the group from what we wanted to look like,” O’Neil added.
“We were wide open. Crazy, crazy goals we gave away. [We made] crazy decisions with and without the ball. It was so loose.
“It’s an unbelievably disappointing afternoon for us.”
Wolves had responded well to Brentford’s first two goals – replying first through Matheus Cunha, then Jorgen Strand Larsen – but the Bees’ two-goal half-time lead was gifted to them on a plate by the visitors.
Mario Lemina lost possession cheaply in the build-up to Norgaard’s effort, while Pinnock was left with the freedom of the penalty area to nod home Mikkel Damsgaard’s corner before the interval.
“This is the first evidence that we need a rethink,” O’Neil told Sky Sports. “The early goal rocked us, but whatever it is [that caused the defeat], it’s not acceptable.”
The loss leaves Wolves bottom of the Premier League table with only one point from their opening seven games, with games at home to Manchester City and away at Brighton coming up after the international break.