Wolves blog: Rating the goalkeepers and management at Molineux

Because there are only three goalkeepers who have played for Wolves this season, I have also rated the head coaches on their performances as Wolves yet again finished in mid-table, writes Tom Tracey.

In Wolves’ 52 competitive matches last season, they kept 14 clean sheets, conceding 65 goals in the process.

Of these, Carl Ikeme kept nine and Andy Lonergan kept four. Breakthrough academy player Harry Burgoyne kept just one clean sheet, but was a late hero in the famous win at Anfield.

Carl Ikeme

He has proven himself to be a solid Championship goalkeeper.

He doesn’t make too many mistakes – the home loss to Birmingham is a rare example – and is a physical presence in the box.

However, he has averaged between two thirds and three quarters of league games over the past two or three seasons, making it tough to rely on him for the whole season.

Grade – C

Andy Lonergan

Wasn’t very convincing in most of the games he played in.

He struggled to dominate his area and his kicking was extremely dodgy.

In fairness to him, he was asked to play intermittently and some of the mistakes could have been down to rustiness.

Really, it seemed more beneficial to give Harry Burgoyne, as one for the future, more game time.

Wolves could probably find a better deputy keeper.

Grade – D

Harry Burgoyne

Was given his first team debut in the 4-4 thriller with Fulham at Molineux, where he made a superb double save at 3-1 down to keep Wolves in the game.

He also produced a reaction save with his foot to deny Liverpool a late equaliser in the FA Cup win at Anfield.

His efforts secured him a spot in the England Under-21 training camp.

He did let in a saveable goal against Huddersfield but overall had a promising breakthrough season.

A season-long loan may do him the world of good, as he has the potential to make it at Molineux.

Grade - C

Wolves had a hectic season with incomings and outgoings, and it was no different with the head coach job.

Kenny Jackett was soon jettisoned after longstanding reports Julen Lopetegui was in the frame to take the Wolves job upon completion of the takeover.

He took the Spain national job instead, but Jackett was still removed and the next day Walter Zenga had replaced him.

However, Zenga held one of Wolves’ shortest ever tenures, being sacked after just 87 days.

His permanent replacement, Paul Lambert, seemed set to take Wolves into the upcoming season but after weeks of uncertainty, he was finally replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

Kenny Jackett

He must have known he was a dead man walking after speculation he would be replaced for a large part of last summer. However, he kept quiet and left Wolves with his head held high. In hindsight, many appreciate the work he did at Wolves, especially in League One.

Grade – n/a

Walter Zenga

Wolves’ first ‘hipster’ manager won the hearts of many fans, memorably bowing down in front of the travelling Wolves supporters at St. Andrew’s.

He began in promising fashion, winning both at Birmingham and Newcastle away, but form dropped off and he was removed after just 87 days.

In terms of interaction with the fans, he was superb, but his commitment to the club was questionable as he didn’t live in the country, or pay any attention to the academy teams.

Whether he would have utilised the academy had he stayed longer, we will never know, but he clearly was a stopgap appointment after Lopetegui fell through.

Grade - D

Rob Edwards

When he was given the caretaker role following Zenga’s dismissal, there was plenty of talk of Edwards being in with a chance of getting the permanent job.

At one point, he was even the bookies’ favourite for the role.

However, he didn’t manage to change the fortunes of Wolves in his two games in charge, including overseeing a dreadful first half performance against Derby.

Grade - D

Paul Lambert

He had an average start, picking up eleven points from his first seven games, but after hopes of Lambert being able to take Wolves on a surge to the top six, the season never really kicked on again.

He only managed back-to- back wins twice, although the second of these runs did comprise five straight wins.

The problem was that this followed on from a run which had included five straight defeats.

Fans never warmed to his style of play. In fairness, he probably didn’t do enough to get the sack, with many content to give him another chance this season, but if anything this shows Fosun’s ambition by replacing him.

Grade - D