Doherty urges fight and hints January signings after Brentford defeat

Wolves' bid to reverse a troubling season suffered another setback after a 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford, leaving them on the verge of an unwanted Premier League record. If they do not win at Liverpool next weekend, they will have failed to take a victory from any of their opening 18 games, a run never seen since the Premier League began in 1992.

Matt Doherty, speaking after the Brentford match, challenged his team-mates to prove they are not cowards and to consider the January market as a source of fresh energy. He stressed that the squad must raise its level and hinted that reinforcements could be necessary to spark a turnaround. This latest setback has added to a sense of fragility around the squad, with the defender conceding that the current run has tested the players' belief and that the atmosphere at Molineux reflected the hardship on the pitch.

The defender also signaled that the club is likely to be active in the January window, noting that fresh energy could come in various forms, including loans. He added that the club will need everyone to reach the level achieved last season, a benchmark the team has struggled to meet this term.

Doherty has endured both highs and lows during his time at Wolves. He was a key member of the side during the Nuno Espirito Santo era, when Wolves finished seventh twice and made FA Cup semi-finals and Europa League quarter-finals, while he has also experienced relegation to League One.

Rob Edwards, who replaced Vitor Pereira, has overseen six straight defeats since taking charge. Edwards stressed that giving up is not an option and that he, the staff, and the players must unite and fight to arrest the slide.

The current run has underscored the scale of the challenge facing Wolves, who sit near the bottom of the table and have to confront a pivotal stretch in the early weeks of 2026. The upcoming match against Liverpool will be watched closely by supporters and analysts, who will be looking for signs that January additions can spark a much-needed revival.

Wolves’ leadership has historically pursued a proactive approach in January during difficult seasons, a pattern that fans and club officials hope will reemerge this winter. The club’s ongoing struggle to regain momentum has put pressure on Edwards and the squad to deliver a turnaround in the near term.