Wolverhampton Wanderers head into today’s trip to Preston North End knowing that the pressure is already beginning to build around their promotion campaign.
César Peixoto’s side were held to a dramatic 2–2 draw by Blackburn Rovers in their opening Championship fixture, meaning Wolves are still searching for their first victory of the new season. With promotion expected to be the ultimate objective, another dropped result at Deepdale would certainly increase the attention surrounding the team.
But while Peixoto prepares his team for an important game on the pitch, a major decision is also taking shape away from it, with several senior Wolves players now facing uncertain futures at the club.
Reports indicate that Hwang Hee-chan, Saša Kalajdžić, Ki-Jana Hoever and Boubacar Traoré have been made available for transfer, as Wolves continue to reshape their squad following relegation from the Premier League.
And for some supporters, the decision will come as a surprise.
Peixoto is making tough decisions
Wolves cannot afford to carry an oversized squad into a Championship campaign where the expectation is to challenge near the top of the table.
Peixoto has already acknowledged that changes are required, with the club working to balance the squad while also bringing in players capable of helping with the promotion push.
The reported decision to make several experienced players available demonstrates just how ruthless that process could become.
Hwang is perhaps the biggest name among the group.
The South Korea international has spent several years at Molineux and has made 150 appearances for Wolves, contributing 27 goals and 12 assists across competitions, according to reports.
Seeing a player with that level of experience potentially leave the club is therefore significant.
But Peixoto appears to be thinking about what Wolves need now, rather than what players have done in previous seasons.
Some players are already away from the first team
The situation becomes even more interesting because reports have indicated that some of the players affected are training away from the senior group.
Hwang Hee-chan, Saša Kalajdžić, Ki-Jana Hoever and Enso González have reportedly been training with the Under-21s as Wolves work towards potential exits.
That creates a very different situation from simply leaving someone out of a matchday squad.
These are senior players who would normally expect to be competing for places within the first team.
Now their immediate priority appears to be finding a new club.
And with the transfer window still open, the situation could develop quickly.
Why Wolves are making the change
There is also a practical reason behind the reshaping of the squad.
Wolves have a large senior group, while Championship registration rules place requirements on the number of homegrown players who can be included in matchday squads.
That makes squad management particularly important.
Peixoto cannot simply keep every player and hope the problem solves itself.
He needs a balanced squad.
He needs players who fit his plans.
And, perhaps most importantly, he needs a group that is completely committed to the promotion objective.
That could explain why some established names are now being moved towards the exit.
The timing is interesting
The decision comes as Wolves prepare for their first away match of the Championship season.
Preston will provide a very different test from Blackburn.
The hosts also lost their opening league match, going down 2–1 to newly promoted Bolton Wanderers, meaning both teams arrive at Deepdale looking for their first three points.
That makes today’s match particularly important.
A Wolves victory would immediately settle some nerves after the Blackburn draw.
Another disappointing result, however, could increase the pressure.
Peixoto knows that.
And his comments before the game suggest he understands that his players need to respond.
The Wolves head coach has said his team must play with their heads rather than their hearts, after believing emotions got the better of them during the second half against Blackburn.
Injuries have made things even harder
Peixoto is also dealing with problems within the squad that have nothing to do with the transfer situation.
Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera are both unavailable after suffering injuries against Blackburn, with reports indicating that they could be out for around a month.
That means the manager is already having to make difficult decisions about the players available to him.
At the same time, several senior players are being considered for departures.
It is a significant period of change at Molineux.
What happens next?
For the players affected, the message is clear.
They need to find a solution before the transfer window closes.
For Peixoto, the objective is equally clear.
He wants a squad capable of delivering promotion.
That means difficult decisions have to be made, even when they involve players who have previously played important roles for the club.
The Wolves boss is not simply preparing for today’s match against Preston.
He is building the squad he believes can take Wolves back to the Premier League.
And that process could see several familiar faces leave Molineux before the window closes.
For supporters, it will be fascinating to see whether Peixoto’s ruthless approach ultimately pays off.
A win at Deepdale would certainly help.