Wolverhampton Wanderers

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mario Lemina's decision to apologise for making himself unavailable for Wolves was necessary and offers him a road to redemption - however brief.

There is no suggestion the midfielder now wants to stay at Molineux - the expectation remains that he will leave this month - but he has at least recognised the error of his ways.

The reigning player of the season had a turbulent and emotional year, having lost his father in December 2023, after which his Wolves team-mates lifted his shift up when celebrating a goal while he was away from the club.

He was crucial to the success of last season, when Wolves comfortably survived under Gary O'Neil, but emotions have often taken over in 2024-25.

The 31-year-old cried on the pitch after September's narrow loss to Liverpool and then scrapped with Jarrod Bowen in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham last month, which pushed former boss O'Neil closer to the exit.

There is nothing wrong with showing that you care but it has to be channelled in the right way and Lemina surely sees now his decision not to play against Newcastle was wrong.

Something O'Neil and his coaches were acutely aware of was trying to manage an emotional squad properly.

Vitor Pereira has that job now and could certainly use Lemina at Chelsea on Monday.

Wolves are still mired in their battle against relegation and a fit and focused Lemina can help them win vital points.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pereira confirmed Matheus Cunha has been "a bit sick" and out of training, but there is a "possibility" he can be ready for the game.

• He also confirmed Nelson Semedo is training, Toti Gomes is "recovering well" and could return in a week, while Boubacar Traore is "working with us now" and Sasa Kalajdzic is working with the medical department.

• After Mario Lemina asked to be left out of the squad for the midweek match, Pereria explained: "What I learn in my life, if we speak every time truly then we don't have problems. Because what happens? Last time I came to the press conference I thought he was in for the game, then he asked me to be out of the game because mentally he wasn't in condition [to play]. Today he came to me, he asked to apologise to me and the team. He said he is ready to do his best for the team until we have a solution and decision."

• On if the apology has been accepted by himself and the midfielder's team-mates: "We can make mistakes in life, I did some mistakes in my life. We must give him the opportunity to show in the act not with words. I believe he spoke with his heart and he will try, I am here to see if he can or not, if he can help - OK. If he cannot, I prefer to go with another one who is committed."

• The Wolves boss said the club are "doing our work" and is hopeful they can bring "one or two" players in before the end of the window.

• On what kind of player he is hoping to bring in: "More solutions, more solutions to help. I'm very happy with the team and players I have, but we need more solutions in midfield, maybe another defender. We are trying to understand the market, it depends what we find. If we find the right players to bring – OK. If not, it is better to bring no-one."

• On if he would be accepting if they did not sign anybody new: "It will be the reality and I must face my life with reality, not with dreams. I will face with the same energy and looking for a good future. We know to be more comfortable with this fight, difficult fight, we need at least two more players."

• Pereira said absent forward Cunha brings the "creativity" to the side as he is "unpredictable" and can "take a rabbit and magic in the moment on the pitch and create something special".

• He said there is a "clear picture" for the squad and in this moment they "need to improve offensively and defensively".

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Manchester United will move for Wolves' 23-year-old Algeria full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri if their Netherlands defender Tyrell Malacia, 25, moves to Juventus. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tom Gayle
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It's been a dramatic fall from grace at Wolves for Mario Lemina. Last summer he was named the new club captain ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. His popularity amongst the fan base was unquestionable. They had voted him their player of the 2023-24 season, with the then head coach Gary O'Neil describing the midfielder as the "standout choice" to wear the armband, adding Lemina has "big respect from the players, and drives standards".

Fast forward six months and the man once viewed as Wolves' leader now appears to be trying to force his way out of Molineux. Following a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle, Vitor Pereira was keen to focus on the positive aspects of his team's display during the post-match press conference. It was a performance similar to the home defeat to Nottingham Forest nine days earlier. The scoreline didn't fairly represent their competitiveness, and it could have been a lot different if they were as clinical as the opposition in front of goal.

When the topic changed to explaining Lemina's absence, this was no animated outburst from Pereira. His delivery was firm, calculated, and rather cold. It pricked the ears of all those in attendance, including the Newcastle press pack who were fine tuning their reports and analysis ahead of Eddie Howe's arrival. Quotes of "he wants to leave" and "I don't need him" provide succinct clarity of how the head coach views the situation, both now, and moving forward.

Some have questioned why Pereira decided to reveal the contents of what appears to have been a private conversation with one of his players. The availability of Lemina has been a constant debate amongst the media and fans since Wolves made their managerial change. The Gabon international has only been selected for one match day squad across the six fixtures Pereira has been in charge of, with injury and illness being given as explanations for separate absences.

It's been a difficult 13 months for Lemina. In December 2023 he lost his father. Part of the grieving process saw Wolves request and receive Premier League approval to change the name on the back of his shirt to Mario Jr. as tribute to his Dad's legacy. This was followed up by the arrival at Molineux of Lemina's youngest brother, Noha, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Lemina also praised the club's psychologist Martin Littlewood for the help he provided during this time.

Lemina had a strong relationship with O'Neil. The previous manager was publicly vocal with his support of the player to take as long as he needed before returning to work following his father's death.

Ahead of this season Lemina said of O'Neil: "I just think that the gaffer gets the best from me, and he's allowed me to do something that I've never been allowed before. He really trusts me when I go forward and when I defend. I'm really comfortable with where I am right now."

With the club bottom of the table after seven games he launched a staunch defence of his head coach saying only "liars and cheaters" would blame O'Neil for their poor start. It couldn't have been an easy conversation for either of the two men when the decision was made to take the captaincy away from Lemina following a post-match flare up with West Ham's Jarrod Bowen last month. O'Neil departed his role just two days later.

Given the turbulent past year or so, Pereira's reference to Lemina revealing how he's not in the "mental condition to help the team" shouldn't be taken lightly. While some Wolves fans will welcome a swift exit during the January transfer window, others will want an explanation from the player himself as to exactly why he feels an apparent desperate need to leave the place he called "home" back in August.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: The whole team is solid with no weaknesses. The bench also looks strong. With no Champions League or European distractions we will challenge for two cups and the league this year. Our owners, Eddie and his back room staff are getting it spot on.

Alvin: Six straight Premier League wins and nine in all competitions! I'm delirious with a level of irrational exuberance not felt since the days of Kevin Keegan. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon seem to share a telepathic, goal-producing link, and the Tonali-Bruno partnership just keeps getting better. And do we sell Dubravka now that he suddenly looks like prime Buffon? Does he stay as No.1 or does Nick Pope come straight back in when he's fit? Guess we'll cross the bridge when we get there, but in the meantime I'm in dreamland.

Utsav: It has been an incredible run and Eddie Howe deserves immense credit for this transformation. He has masterfully devised a system that maximises the potential of every individual in the team, ensuring they perform at their absolute peak. The unity and determination in their gameplay is evident, and the results speak for themselves. Looking at their January fixture list, there's every reason to believe this outstanding form will continue. They have scored 26 goals while conceding just three in that run which is no small feat—it's a testament to their attacking flair and defensive solidity. They are truly on a roll. If fans and pundits believe Forest and Arsenal are legitimate contenders in the title race, then Newcastle must absolutely be included in that conversation now. Their consistency, resilience, and hunger for success make them serious challengers. Howe's men are showing they belong at the top.

Wolves fans

Col: Utterly toothless. It was like watching a cup game between two teams in a different division. Strand Larsen is a prolific misser of chances and the defence is leakier than a sieve. Relegation looms.

Geoff: At the moment Wolves are, in all but name, a Championship side. There certainly isn't 90 minute signs of a Premier League side. There are maybe two or three players only of that quality!

Tom: Despite the result, Wolves are creating enough chances but just cannot convert these efforts into goals. Newcastle have a world class striker who took his chances and knows where the net is. Silly mistakes are the story of our season, and we were punished again. VP will get us over the line come May.

Watch highlights and analysis from eight midweek Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool

• Everton 0-1 Aston Villa

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Facing a Newcastle team brimming with confidence was always going to be a tall order for a Wolves outfit with the worst defensive record in the division, but they were a little unfortunate to be behind at the interval at St James' Park.

Goncalo Guedes had a shot deflected narrowly wide by Lewis Hall with the score goalless, before Jorgen Strand Larsen was thwarted by the upright after Isak's opener.

Matheus Cunha, who started on the bench after returning from a two-game suspension, was unfortunate not to cap an energetic display with a goal, but Wolves' attacking endeavours were undermined by familiar defensive frailties.

In-form Alexander Isak was left in far too much space in the build-up to his second goal, as was Anthony Gordon for the Magpies' third of the match.

Santiago Bueno was unlucky to be denied a late consolation after the ball struck his hand and Strand Larsen rattled the crossbar, but this was another sobering evening for new boss Vitor Pereira as the Wolves slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves have lost all four of their away Premier League games against Eddie Howe's Newcastle, losing under a different manager every time – Bruno Lage in 2021-22, Julen Lopetegui in 2022-23, Gary O'Neil in 2023-24 and Vitor Pereira 2024-25.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "I am proud of my players and my team.

"This is a difficult team playing at home. We created a lot of chances to score, the difference was they scored in the key moments of the game and we missed the goals.

"For a team like us ,creating six or seven chances to score but we didn't score, this is the frustration we feel. But proud of my players, they tried everything.

"We tried everything, we scored a goal, it was cancelled. We had more chances but this is football.

"They tried everything to get a result."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

There are four Premier League fixtures on Wednesday and we will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Aston Villa - listen on the BBC Sport website and app

• Leicester v Crystal Palace - listen on the BBC Sport website and app

• Newcastle v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Arsenal v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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There was a consensus among Wolves supporters contacting BBC Radio WM last week about what they were getting in their new defender Emmanuel Agbadou.

"He's a unit."

Having met him after his first appearance for the club in Saturday's FA Cup tie at Bristol City, I can confirm they were right.

Talking to a small group of reporters, he presented as a gentle soul, quietly but genuinely overjoyed to be in England: "It's a dream. When you play football you want to play in the Premier League, because there are a lot of good players who play there. It is a dream, and today the dream has come true, so I want just to enjoy."

He is the first signing made since the arrival of Vitor Pereira, who has spoken in much the same terms over the past few weeks - refreshing sentiments at a time of the season when it is easy to become jaded, especially at a struggling club.

Agbadou shaped up well enough at Ashton Gate. There were a few moments of miscommunication with his team-mates, not unreasonable after only having met them a couple of days earlier. After each hiccup he could immediately be seen signalling to Pereira for guidance: a good sign of a busy mind and, hopefully, a quick learner.

He acknowledged there is a lot to learn, after his experiences in the top divisions in Belgium and France.

"It's not the same. Even when you play against a Championship team, the game never stops," he said. "It's transition, transition, transition. You don't have time to stop. So it's very different."

From the bench, Pereira agrees the pace is the difference between English football and the game elsewhere. On Tuesday, he related a discussion with midfielder Andre, comparing their experiences in Brazil - Pereira has managed two clubs there - with the Premier League.

"The difference is, when we have a throw-in in Brazil, we have time to do it. We breathe a bit, we rest a bit - calm, calm...

"Here, if you sleep 10 seconds, you will wake up losing the game 1-0. The game doesn't stop, never stops.

"But this is something that I love. To be, every time, connected, one step ahead... I feel that I'm playing, with my team."

At St James' Park later, Agbadou will really find out what the Premier League is like, and he has been primed about the atmosphere.

"Yes, they tell me that. But this is the Premier League, and I think every team plays like this..."

Listen to full commentary of Newcastle v Wolves at 19:30 GMT on Wednesday on BBC Radio WM (DAB/Freeview and BBC Sounds)

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

This is pretty straightforward as far as predictions go.

Newcastle are on for a domestic Treble this season - well, on current form anyway - and I do not see their eight-game winning streak stopping here.

Wolves had made a good start under new boss Vitor Pereira but they had their bubble burst by Nottingham Forest in their last league game, and I do not see them dealing with the Magpies' firepower.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been great and Jacob Murphy is absolutely flying. I am really pleased for Murphy because a lot of people forget about him - but I haven't, I have got him in my Fantasy team.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Wolves have lost their past three Premier League away games against Newcastle and have never kept a clean sheet in nine visits to St James' Park in the division.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Newcastle (19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pereira confirmed Nelson Semedo, Matheus Cunha and Craig Dawson are fit and ready for Wednesday: "They are coming back from injury and we need to be careful with minutes, but we need players with their quality."

• Pereira also confirmed Mario Lemina is available after recovering from illness.

• On the midfielder's contract, which expires in the summer: "It's an issue he must solve with the club. We know what he wants and we now have to solve the issue. I expect him to be professional."

• On top scorer Cunha's return from a two-match ban: "In the conversations that we have together, he is very comfortable. He's very happy with his role in the team. If he's happy, I'm happy. If he plays at a high level, I'm happy for him."

• However, Pereira was not drawn into talking about his striker's future: "I don't know - you must ask the club. He's my player and I won't lose sleep thinking about it."

• Pereira has been pleased with Rodrigo Gomes' attitude since arriving at Molineux: "He's small, but he has a lot of energy. He is very happy as a person, smiling every time with good energy. If he starts on the bench, he's the same and helps the team. This is the personality I like."

• On opponents Newcastle: "A team that has eight wins in a row. They play with identity at a physical level, technical level and tactical level. They are a strong team, but I don't know any perfect teams. With our game and our qualities, we have the players. We can't allow them to play how they want to."

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Commentary of Newcastle v Wolves will be available on the BBC Sport website from 19:30 GMT on Wednesday as part of our live coverage of the Premier League's midweek fixtures

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Before the FA Cup tie at Bristol City, some Wolves fans voiced a familiar opinion: prioritise Premier League survival and field a weaker side in the cup.

Vitor Pereira, however, had other ideas. Ignoring the cautious calls, he opted for a strong squad, signalling his intent to take the competition seriously.

That decision paid off, at least in the first half. Wolves treated their fans to 25 minutes of champagne football - a showcase of Premier League quality that Bristol City simply could not match. Wolves played some of their best football this season, with quick passing, sharp movement and attacking flair.

Yet, for all their dominance, Wolves failed to capitalise on all their chances, losing their flow and intensity - and the sense of control and assurance began to fade.

It highlighted a recurring issue - Wolves' inability to sustain their dominance over the full 90 minutes.

If Pereira wants to see his team push up the Premier League table and navigate cup ties successfully, he will need to focus on extending those periods of brilliance and instilling a ruthless, killer edge in front of goal.

One bright spark in the match was Rodrigo Gomes, who stood out with his energy, creativity, and potential. Once considered "not ready" for Premier League action under Gary O'Neil, Rodrigo now seems to be thriving under Pereira's guidance.

Comparisons with Pedro Neto have already begun. While their styles differ, Rodrigo's ceiling looks equally high.

Wolves' second-half dip was a stark reminder of the work still needed. Newcastle are next up in the league and one of the most in-form sides. Wolves will have to stretch that spell of brilliance into a consistent 90-minute display if they hope to secure any points.

Every victory sends a clear message: this team is capable of competing.

Success in the FA Cup offers more than just progression. It also provides a valuable break from league pressures and can build momentum that fuels stronger performances in the Premier League.

The win over Bristol City highlights progress, but unlocking Wolves' full potential remains an ongoing challenge.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

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Derby County have cut short the loan stay of Wolves attacking midfielder Tawanda Chirewa.

The 21-year-old Zimbabwe international moved to Pride Park from the Premier League side on a season-long deal last summer, but made just six appearances in all competitions in his near five-month stay with the Rams.

"Derby have opted to exercise the right to end the loan agreement during the current transfer window," said the Championship club on its website.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Bristol City and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Wol: I thought that we played well in the first half with our quick counter-attacks and pace down the flanks. The City goal changed the half-time team talk and in the second half they were more attacking and we sat back. But we could easily have scored a couple more goals ourselves. Overall, we deserved the win and it was just what we needed after the Nottingham Forest defeat.

John: Typical of Wolves this season - we could have scored five and could have conceded three! Given it was the same against Forest and we lost 3-0, sorting the clinical finishing and leaky defence is key for Vitor Peirera.

Graham: An efficient performance and a good win. Two minuses to highlight are the inability to defend set-pieces and the performance of Hwang Hee-chan who cannot keep missing golden chances.

Shaun: Wolves were predictably the architects of putting themselves under pressure, yet I felt they never got out of second gear all game. Great first 45 minutes, sloppy from that point on. Need to convert those chances.

Simon: Great first-half performance, fast football andgreat to see fluidity in attack. However one player seemed to be carried by the team and his only contribution was allowing Bristol City back into the game. Hwang is done and we need to cash in on him. He had half a good season but the rest of his career has been marred by low confidence. A nice guy but when £20m is on the table, it's time to say thank you and goodbye.