Wolves comment: Burnley thrashing had been coming for quite some time

There have, unfortunately, been many well below-par performances over the course of the 2020/21 campaign.

None as bad as the abomination on Sunday afternoon, obviously, but the warning signs have been there for ages.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have flitted between two systems all season, their identity has become confused and along the way they have conceded goals at a rapid rate while scoring very few.

That is always going to spell trouble, and the abysmal 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Clarets highlighted all of their flaws.

Although they have had an extremely rough time with injuries this season, forget that for a second.

Wolves have undoubtedly suffered from the lack of fans as well, but put that aside.

After all, what a lot of it boils down to is that some of these players are no longer good enough – as regular starters, at least.

And if Wolves do not seriously improve a stagnating squad over the summer, they will be looking over their shoulders next campaign. Make no mistake.

It has been a very strange season, unlike any other across the board.

Having finished seventh twice in succession, too, this term was always likely to be something of a let-down in comparison to those.

But the defeat to the Clarets, and the embarrassing manner of it, made things clear.

There is no hiding from the fact that the spine of this Wolves team needs upgrading.

Yes, the pandemic will have taken a hit on finances, but owners Fosun must find a way to bring in credible, proven players.

If that means a change in tack and going down the domestic route, so be it. Some might have to be moved on, but they must get significant deals done.

Losing 4-0 is something Wolves had already done twice this campaign, to Liverpool and West Ham.

But being trounced at home by Burnley and outran by 6km – the largest margin of any top-flight game this season – takes things to a whole new low.

Did Wolves take their foot off the gas? Were they on the beach? Nuno says not, but that statistic is damning.

They are safe in the Premier League and there is not a huge amount to play for.

There is always the badge, though. You can never sit still in football.

With fives games left to play, and fierce rivals Albion coming up on Monday, some are playing for their futures. They simply have to perform.

Nuno, as well, has to make the decision as to what he wants his team to look like moving forward.

His comments post-Sevilla at the end of last season – making reference to that his group was largely the same as the one he had in the Championship – pointed towards an evolution this campaign, but it has not happened.

If anything, they have taken a step back.

Does Nuno want to move away from three in defence?

Is the summer going to be geared towards a shift in system?

Will his goal of having more possession, also stated before, be realised or will they continue being set up as more of a counter-attacking team?

Hopefully, we will all look back on this humiliating loss as Wolves’ nadir. The day which set the wheels in motion for a successful summer window, bringing in players that can swiftly do the job, not experimenting with youth as they did last year – a decision which has firmly come back to haunt them.

The defence, first and foremost, has to be improved.

The midfield, also, has to be looked at closely.

And the attack cannot escape scrutiny either.

Going out and getting the players required is easier said than done. But Wolves have to act as things are heading in the wrong direction.