Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"It feels like they have been adding games on at the end," said Greg, an exasperated supporter calling the Radio WM Phone-In last week.

There was no arguing with that.

Since the elongated spring international break dissipated the momentum Wolves had briefly built, the season had become a joyless yomp to the end, a time-filler until the really serious business can begin.

It does still feel inappropriate and even insulting to their dogged supporters to refer to games that they continued to attend in good faith in this way. But the final peculiarity in a strange, dark season is that the last match signals not a pause, but the moment when rebuilding must start at pace.

At the recent forum, when asked what lessons he could draw from his previous experience - in different circumstances - of Premier League relegation at Luton, Rob Edwards said he concluded that they did not change enough after dropping back to the Championship. Edwards and the chairman Nathan Shi have both indicated they recognise the need to act upon that lesson and do it quickly.

Some supporters are sceptical, concerned about whether the club has the personnel to make the right judgements. Trust was always going to be in short supply after a season of failure, the conditions for which had been allowed to build over several seasons. But failure on this scale now creates the opportunity for a full reset under Edwards, evidently appointed in part for his proven ability to make Championship sides competitive.

Few players enhanced their reputation this season or could have legitimate complaint if the club now seek to move them on. This does presuppose buyers will come forward at acceptable fees, and the balance between holding out for a player's sticker-price and getting deals moving quickly will need to be calibrated differently to other summers. That difference is the premium to pay for a season of ignominy.

There are understandable fears, but hopes too, and you could hear them after the game at Burnley despite a poor second half. The away fans let bygones be bygones, and were generous with their applause, especially to Andre after the welcome surprise news of his new contract.

Andre's tantalising quote in the club's announcement of his new deal read: "With the players who are coming in... I believe it will be a very strong squad in which Rob Edwards will have complete control of the situation."

Very strong, you say? Now say more, Wolves, and say it soon.

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

1/10. This season has been draining. There has been very little to enjoy and far too much frustration. When Erling Haaland has scored as many goals as the entire Wolves team, it says a lot about how the season has gone.

The overriding feeling is disappointment, but also exhaustion. It has felt like one long slog. Wolves have only won three games all season, and that pretty much tells its own story.

A shoutout too to Wolves Women, who gave supporters something positive to celebrate with their promotion to WSL2. The reason it gets at least a 1/10.

Best moment and why?

Beating Liverpool and Aston Villa. It was one of the few times this season when Wolves really lifted the supporters. It felt special because it gave us a proper football moment, not just a result. For a brief spell, it reminded us what this club can feel like when everything clicks.

Player of the season and why?

Joao Gomes. He has been the one player who always kept fighting. We may not have seen the very best of him this season, but that is probably down to the state of the team around him. His energy, heart and determination have stood out. He has cared, and that has mattered.

Unsung hero and why?

Santi Bueno. He has been consistent and has tried to organise the defence. He has also looked like someone trying to become the leader this team needs.

Biggest disappointment?

The whole season. That is what hurts most. The results have been bad enough, but too often Wolves have looked flat and too easy to play against. That is hard for fans to take.

What needs to change this summer?

Recruitment has to be spot on, because it has played a huge part in why we are in this mess. The squad needs better balance, better quality and better leaders.

Major hope for next season?

That Wolves start winning again, play with more joy and give the fans something to feel proud of. This team needs an identity. Winning the Championship and getting back to the Premier League would be the dream, but first we need to feel like ourselves again.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Jerome Abbey rejected Premier League interest to stay at Wolves this season - and it is paying off.

The midfielder became the club's youngest ever Premier League player when he came off the bench in Sunday's draw at Burnley.

Aged 16 years, eight months and eight days he is second youngest player in the club's history - after Jimmy Mullen in 1939.

Abbey had already been pulled out of maths class at Thomas Telford School to become part of the squad to face Bournemouth in February.

This time the call came on Saturday from academy director Jon Hunter-Barrett to tell him he would be training with the first team, before boss Rob Edwards informed him he was part of the squad.

It came as a slight surprise but the England Under-17 international is at Molineux for the long term with the acceptance fighting for a regular first-team squad berth is around 12 months away.

There is a plan for Abbey, who joined the club at just six-years-old, to be integrated consistently into the Under-21s next season but he will join the first team at Compton at the right times.

The physical nature of the Championship is also a consideration, ensuring Abbey is not pushed into consistent first team action too soon.

It is important to recognise he is still studying for his GCSEs but is seen as a grounded and talented individual, who would be able to handle the spotlight of a senior call up.

Abbey is popular at Compton and sources have told BBC Sport he is increasingly happy at Wolves and enthusiastic about his future at the club.

His parents moved from Ghana to the Netherlands and Abbey is eligible to play for both nations but is prioritising his England future.

Brothers Jed, now at Marine, and Jez, who plays for Alvechurch, also came through the Wolves academy while twin brother Jeyden was part of the Shrewsbury set-up this season.

Wolves midfielder Rodrigo Gomes says he "will do everything" he can to help the club return to the Premier League if he stays, but did not confirm whether he would remain for their Championship fight.

"I feel the love from the fans and I really appreciate that," he told BBC Radio WM.

"I promise them that if I stay here I will do everything to help the club get back into the Premier League because it is a big club.

"It has very good people inside the club and very good fans and they deserve to be in the Premier League.

"It's been a difficult season for us and the fans. The fans are really good for us and hopefully next season we will give them more to be happy and to be with us."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds here

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Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 18th

Grim. Grim. Grim.

Wolves were another side effectively going out of the Premier League from the early weeks of the season. Their fate was sealed once they lost the real class of Matheus Cunha to Manchester United and Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City.

Vitor Pereira was sacked after failing to win any of the first 10 league games and, while successor Rob Edwards occasionally hinted at better things to come and some optimism next season, this was a miserable campaign.

Teenager Mateus Mane looks a player, but will he stay?

What I said in August: "This prediction is made with a heavy heart, but there have been some damaging departures and not enough quality incomings."

Check out the rest of my review here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views as Wolves' miserable season in the Premier League ended with a draw at relegated Burnley.

Here are some of your comments:

Mick: Go back nine years and the future was bright, promises of European campaigns and challenges at the top of the Premier League. Fosun's plans were scuppered from above and the managed decline has come to be. I truly believe the only future for this club is a change of ownership. If they stay I see another relegation.

Wol: Not a very entertaining game. Poor performances from a lot of players. Just glad the season is now over and hope that the transfer window is a success and next season provides us travelling fans with some enjoyment and victories.

Mark: We've been circling the drain for a couple of seasons now, but last summer's woeful transfer activity sealed it. Got rid of our best players and replaced them with lads who didn't have any Premier League experience between them.

Mel: So it's over to you now Rob Edwards! Another dismal performance from a bunch of overrated players. Personally I would retain no more than four of Sunday's team for the Championship fight - Sa, Mane, Armstrong and Andre. As for the rest I wouldn't let sentiment stand in the way, if the supporters can see the way forward I'm sure the gaffer can?

Finally a big shout out to the Wolves fans who have suffered possibly the worst ever season with dire football, no fight and definitely not enough pride in the old gold and black. Out of darkness cometh light.

Steve: See you in League One after next season. Again if the players wanted to play for this club then they would win. It's simple really. No pride, no heart, just picking up a pay check every week. Prove me wrong that's the challenge. After 64 years of supporting this team, prove me wrong.

Robert: Have been 65 years a Wolves supporter. No fight, no heart. They will struggle next season.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Wolves manager Rob Edwards speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started the game really well and could've been three or four up. We started the second half poorly and they got back into it. Either side could have won it. You could say a draw was a fair result, but it's frustrating with the start we had.

"Neither team wanted a draw - you could see both were going for it. Both goalkeepers had to make some good saves. We haven't been able to score the goals we need, which has been a problem for us this season.

"But we'll have a new-look group and things will be different next season."

On Mateus Mane: "Always industrious and full of endeavour and enthusiasm. There are things we can keep working on with him, but he's a fantastic young player and it's been a breakthrough season."

On 16-year-old Jerome Abbey: "He's a young player we really like. He's trained with us a number of times this season and an opportunity came up for him - we thought it was the right time. He's an exciting young player, but I want to play it down a bit so we don't put too much pressure on him. He's really, really young, so let's make sure he can enjoy the game."

On his time at the club: "It's been a challenge. In the second half of the season we've been competitive. It's a decent return, but it's not what we wanted. It's been tough, but we've learned a lot. Now I'm really excited about what we can do going forward - that's something we've been talking about with the supporters as well.

"I want to thank them for what has been a really difficult season. We'll have a fresh start now."

On squad planning for the Championship: "We're working hard on that. We don't have definitive answers on every bit of business we want to do. We want to make sure the group we want to keep is here, and that the new players we need to bring in to build this team come in as soon as possible."

Listen to more from Edwards on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Wolves finished the 2025-26 Premier League campaign with just three wins, their lowest total in a league campaign (previous five in 2011-12 in the top flight).

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves had the chance to leapfrog Burnley and avoid the ignominy of finishing rock bottom with a win on the final day.

That would have given their supporters at least something to cheer about at the end of a miserable campaign, before they start preparations for a first season in the Championship since 2017-18.

But after a strong first half where they were the much better side, generating an expected goals (xG) of 1.45, the visitors faded after the break to more resemble the side that have come up short on so many occasions this season.

They managed just one shot on target in the second half and had their goalkeeper Jose Sa to thank for preserving a point, with the goalkeeper producing a string of saves against a resurgent Burnley, who bombarded his goal with 11 shots after the break.

Manager Rob Edwards now has a busy summer as he prepares for a big rebuild. He would have already identified the players he wants to keep for next season but whether he will be able to keep hold of key figures remains to be seen.

A draw at fellow relegated side Burnley concluded Wolves' miserable season in the Premier League.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Burnley and Wolves have both made one change for Sunday's final game of the Premier League season.

Burnley XI: Weiss, Walker, Tuanzebe, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Humphreys, Florentino, Tchaouna, Flemming, Pires, Mejbri.

Subs: Dubravka, Bruun Larsen, Edwards, Roberts, Ekdal, Ward-Prowse, Amdouni, Laurent, Barnes.

Wolves XI: Sa, Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Krejci, Wolfe, Rodrigo Gomes, Andre, Angel Gomes, Mane, Hwang, Armstrong.

Subs: Bentley, Lima, Tchatchoua, Toti, Hugo Bueno, Sutherland, Abbey, Edozie, Arokodare.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Since Wolves beat Liverpool on 3 March, these two teams have not managed a single win between them out of a total of 16 games.

Wolves were showing some signs of improvement back then, but they could not sustain it. It's been a horrible season for them.

As for Burnley, well they put up a decent fight against Arsenal on Monday but they still lost - and that is probably the story of their campaign.

So, will either of them give their fans something to smile about on Sunday? Wolves have not won an away league game all season, and I don't see that changing now.

The sensible thing to do here would be to go for a draw but I have got a predictions title to win so I need to take some risks. I am going to back Burnley to edge it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Relegated Burnley and Wolves have little at stake beyond the small incentive of avoiding a last-place finish. It is only the second time two already-relegated sides have met on the final day in the Premier League era.

Burnley's effort without a cutting edge

Mike Jackson cut a frustrated figure after Burnley's narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, admitting he was "disappointed that we didn't win the game."

If you didn't know their league position, you might have assumed they were pushing for Europe rather than fighting to avoid finishing bottom.

The Clarets competed well against the now champions. They stayed organised, restricted Arsenal to just three shots on target and stayed in the contest deep into the game.

In isolation, it was a performance to build on.

But as has so often been the case, the decisive moment went against them.

A set-piece proved costly, and at the other end Burnley offered little threat. They failed to register a shot on target, underlining a recurring problem.

Across the season, they have struggled to turn effort into attacking quality – reflected in their league's fewest shot count (339), lack of accuracy and frequent blanks in front of goal.

Burnley have lost just one of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Wolves and are chasing a second league double over them. However, their home form is horrendous, with a long winless run of 14 games at Turf Moor stretching back to October.

Wolves' flashes that came too late

Wolves' season of struggle has been laid bare by the 272 days they've spent rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, the longest any side has ever spent in a single campaign.

There have been moments that hinted at more, though. The standout came in March when they beat Liverpool 2-1, a result that briefly suggested a late push for survival might be possible.

But the revival never materialised. Away from home, Wolves have struggled badly, still searching for a first league win on the road this season.

That has been a key factor in why they have largely remained at the bottom of the table for so long.

If they can earn that elusive victory, it would be enough to move them above Burnley and avoid finishing bottom.

For this week's edition, Daz Hale is joined in the studio by former Wolves and Walsall striker David Kelly.

The show runs from 18:00-19:00 GMT and you can listen again on BBC Sounds afterwards - find all episodes here.

And get involved by calling 08081 009956 - or text 81333, starting your message with WM.

Watch here

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before his side's final game of the season against Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday (16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Andre signing a new four-year deal: "It's very important. We love him. He's a really important player for us. I think it shows his mentality and how he sees things, which is brilliant. The great thing was I didn't have to work hard to convince Andre to sign. He is already really committed. He loves the football club and he wants to help – and that speaks volumes. We love working with him and I know he loves working with us as well. I'm delighted. Hopefully the supporters are really excited too and can see our intent."

• On his plans for the summer: "It's going to be a huge summer. Andre's signing is the first piece of business. There is going to be a lot. It certainly shows what we are trying to do. It is very exciting. It is just the beginning, I hope."

• On the fitness of his squad: "Sam Johnstone is still missing. Matt Doherty will miss this one. Other than that, we are pretty much there."

• On this weekend's fixture against Burnley: "We go into every game with the intention of trying to win. It's not the game either of us would have wanted at the start of the season, but both teams will still want to win. It's a game of football, everyone is competitive and we want to go there, perform and try to win. We want to try to finish the season well."

• On the club potentially earning an extra £2.7m if they beat Burnley and finish 19th: "There is always something riding on the game. There's the financial aspect, there's not finishing bottom – and there's just winning a game of football. We really want to do that for a lot of reasons. Of course, it's not to be sniffed at. It is a big amount of money. Like we do with every game, we go into it with the right intentions."

All the key lines from Friday's Premier League news conferences

Got a question about Wolves? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves midfielder Andre has committed his future to the club, signing a new deal which runs until 2030.

The 24-year-old has played 74 times over the last two seasons and his new agreement also includes an option on a further year.

Head coach Rob Edwards said: "Andre's a great guy and is incredibly professional – he's a dream to work with. He's grown into a leader and will continue to do that, the more he's around the football club. This is a big step for him, because he'll be experienced in England and will know how important a player he is for us.

"He's an excellent footballer, technically he's really, really good. He's got really high potential, we've seen it in the Premier League, and it's exciting that we can have him in the Championship. We can't disrespect the level, because we know how difficult it is as well, but he's certainly going to look a good player.

"If your best players, the people that you want to keep around, are willing to stay and to fight, then it shows we're serious. Continuity is important, but we want people who want to be here as well, and Andre is showing is a real commitment."

Executive chairman Nathan Shi said Andre "believes in this football club, he believes in what we are building together".

Technical director Matt Jackson added: "We're delighted to have Andre as an integral part of our quest to get back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Si, senor? They were singing Raul Jimenez's song at Molineux on Sunday, before the striker, still revered by Wolves fans three years after his departure, even took the field.

The idea has been afloat for a while that, with his Fulham contract up, he might be tempted back for a farewell tour of the Championship. As you may have read in Wolves fan Emma Milton's piece on this page yesterday, there are more than a few Wolves fans who would like to take nostalgia-ball a good deal further than that.

A Jimenez return is an appealing idea, even if we assume that, at a late stage of his career, he would have to be used in rotation. The attraction of signing him is not limited to what he would do on the field, of course.

Imagine what Mateus Mane might learn from him. A squad that has been found painfully short of leaders would immediately have a totemic figure, and the world has already heard how the supporters would be lifted by the idea. Raul no doubt heard that too, and in a brief comment afterwards said nothing to play down the notion of a return.

He is bound to have other offers, some of them probably backed by more money than Championship Wolves might be able to pay, but sentimental feelings could compensate. Who knows, and there will be ranges of opinions, but it's an idea to generate a bit of excitement.

Yes, there's the World Cup to complicate further the usual tangled process of getting deals done, but at the forum last week Nathan Shi seemed clear about the importance of trying not to leave deals until the last days of the window.

Getting things moving might be more valuable than waiting for the best possible numbers this summer, not least to start repairing trust with sceptical fans.

On the final day of the season against Burnley, it brings a strange moment of opportunity, to swap the wooden spoon for an extra place payment, if Wolves can win and finally climb off the bottom. It would be a weird thing to celebrate. But an extra £2.7m quid could come in handy, wouldn't you say, senor?

Listen to full commentary of Burnley v Wolves at 16:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio WM [DAB Black Country]

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

Emma Milton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There are some players who leave a football club. Then there are others who leave behind something far bigger than goals, tackles or clean sheets.

Roman Saiss and Raul Jimenez fall firmly into the second camp.

When the pair returned to Molineux Stadium, the reception said it all. Loud, warm and full of affection, it was the kind of welcome only earned through hard work, graft and a genuine love of Wolverhampton Wanderers. That is why they are still so loved, and why their names still carry weight on the terraces.

It also proves a simple truth. If you leave a club the right way, you can become iconic.

Of course, football fans are never short of an opinion. For every supporter shouting "bring him back", there is another warning that returning is a risky business. Could it ruin the legacy? Is Raul too old? Is he now at that point in his career when a comeback feels more romantic than realistic?

That view is understandable. On the surface, the idea can seem a little whimsical, maybe even nostalgic. But football is rarely that simple. Put Raul Jimenez in the Championship with the right players around him, and there is every chance he would rip it up.

That is what makes the debate so tempting. If there are early talks, as Raul has hinted, then Wolves fans will allow themselves to dream a little.

Why stop at Raul and Saiss anyway? Get Adama Traore back on the wing, Joao Moutinho pulling the strings, Ruben Neves dictating everything from 30 yards - and Nuno Espirito Santo back in the dugout while we are at it.

It would be less a transfer window and more a reunion tour.

Would I have Raul back? Absolutely, without question.

Find more from Emma Milton at Always Wolves, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Wolves and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Ray: Disastrous. I don't think they have a clue how difficult the Championship is. The so-called best players could not hack it in the Premier League so we will sell them and buy real quality to play in the Championship. Dream on, and the manager is a loser.

Martin: Well we managed 45 minutes before conceding so it must be an improvement.

Chris: Awful, again! If Mr Edwards can't design and motivate the team that will most likely form the nucleus of next season's offering, how do we think the results will be any different in the Championship? We need to find a competent and capable manager now instead of waiting until the end of next season when we go down again! Might be pessimistic but certainly highly probable.

Wol: We played with some spirit but the difference of quality on the pitch between the two teams was vast. Fulham were stringing passes together when attacking but we struggled. Playing long balls to Armstrong is not going to get us goals. A lot of these players will leave in the next few weeks and the rebuild has got to be spot on as if it isn't, then we will have a tough season and will finish mid-table at most. It will take two or three seasons to get us back where we want to be, but we must stick together and hope that the transfer market is a success.

Fulham fans

Robbie: All huff and no puff in the final third of the pitch has ultimately been our arch nemesis most of the season and we haven't beaten any team convincingly all season, which was the same today. Calvin Bassey was again our standout player which says everything about our performances when a defender is making all the headlines!

David: One day the top management will go and get a first-class striker instead of waiting until the end of the transfer window to see what's left over and going cheap. Marco must be pulling his hair out. Again, the end of the season and we're slowly slipping down the table. Likewise, they let good players and managers leave over pay rather than giving them their asking price or a deal to keep them at the club.

Louis: Utterly embarrassing. Europe officially over. This happens every single season. The only goal that we can score is from a penalty - that sums up Fulham. Zero drive at all. Clumsy at the back. Zero midfield. Our striker had one shot, off target, of course.

Maurice: Silva's poor team selection again. He has to play King, and Bobb rather than the lacklustre Smith-Rowe, and Wilson. Time for Silva to move on and for fresh energy brought in for next season. But thanks for the last five years, you have been super.