Wolves blog: Time to fix the glitches in the system

Ten games played, four wins, four draws and two losses is a poor return, by contrast, to the form which has seen Wolves rise to 13 points ahead of the teams outside the promotion places.

There is no doubt that Wolves are not currently performing to their best – but they have the minimum of a three-game gap on Cardiff and more than a four-game gap on the rest to get it right.

The run of three games without a clean sheet is the second-longest run this season – in September, Wolves conceded in four consecutive games.

For most teams, to keep consecutive games in which they have conceded as low as Wolves have would be an enviable figure – but if we are at the top, we must be perfectionists.

In the last three games, three of the four goals Wolves have conceded have come from two corners and a wide free kick.

Conceding goals in this way was a problem early in the season, before it seemingly stopped overnight – but it appears to be reoccurring.

There is no need for panic – Nuno has so far overcome every hurdle that he has faced, albeit there have only been a few.

There are a number of minor issues that are building up and creating a slight problem for Wolves.

Wolves seem to generally have a decent first half but are struggling to close out games and are finishing on the back foot.

I felt an underlying sense of inevitability for Norwich’s equaliser, but nevertheless it is a cruel blow to lose in the last kick of the game.

Previously, even if Wolves have had a single goal lead going into added time, they have still looked comfortable and not in danger of dropping points.

Wolves have in their tanker the ability to put teams to the sword, beating Brentford and Sheffield United 3-0 at Molineux – but more often than not games are being decided by a single goal.

For Wolves to have held a 2-0 lead and not win the game is unprecedented this season – but they did not make it easy for themselves against Norwich.

There is a creeping sense of complacency – certainly among the crowd – when Wolves race to a lead, especially in the last two home games.

Wolves held on against QPR but were stung in their last game.

Wolves’ wing backs have also proven less effective in recent games – neither Matt Doherty nor Barry Douglas are performing to their usually consistent standards, although Douglas managed his tenth assist of the campaign.

Replacing Helder Costa for Romain Saiss at half time was a strange substitution – regardless of whether Costa was injured, any time Wolves change formation they generally do not look as competent as they do in a 3-4-3.

Also substituting Ivan Cavaleiro was an eyebrow raiser, as he is probably the form player in the team at the moment capable of producing a moment of magic – he is certainly playing better than Diogo Jota, who regularly completes 90 minutes, at the moment.

One man who may be able to help Wolves ease out games hasn’t featured much recently – Leo Bonatini.

His hold-up play and selflessness are key traits which make Nuno a huge fan – and we may have been missing him more than we realise.

John Ruddy’s performances are also raising questions – he is looking more uncertain than he has at any point in his Wolves career so far and calls are being made for Will Norris to be brought in to replace him.

It is probably too hasty to just drop a man who has served us well for the most part and has the most clean sheets in the league – he is simply not performing to the best of his ability.

Weeks ago, plenty joked he needs a chair to sit on in goal or a book to read, such was the level of inactivity around Wolves’ penalty box.

Now we are relying on him more again and there is more pressure.

On a positive note, Morgan Gibbs-White came on for around 20 minutes and looked superb.

He looks comfortable, controlled and assured on the ball – as well as being fast and strong.

He has fast-tracked into making regular substitute appearances and does not look out of place in this Championship-leading team.

He was unlucky in overplaying his big goal scoring chance with ten minutes to go, twisting and turning in the box instead of taking a shot.

He also took the ball into the corner late in the game but around five seconds later Norwich were moving the ball up the pitch – he cannot really take blame for this but it was frustrating how fast they were able to regain possession.

We can’t be too down though – the league table makes for pleasant viewing and despite the trip to Fulham being a tough game, when Wolves do turn it on there isn’t a fixture in this league that is too tough for them.