In a season of uncertainty for Wolverhampton Wanderers, there have been only two constants: finding themselves in the lower reaches of the Premier League, and similarly in the Football Association’s bad books.
For three seasons under Nuno Espirito Santo, there was a case to be made that Wolves were the most boring top-flight team. And that is not meant negatively. Under the pragmatic Portuguese, they were solid rather than spectacular, achieving back-to-back seventh placed finishes and at worst, a mid-table slump.
That changed with the departure of Nuno, although his successor Bruno Lage would hardly draw the biggest crowds with his press conferences. But after the appointment of the fiery Julen Lopetegui, Wolves are becoming big news - despite not all of it being positive.
Yes, the Spaniard has chalked up some memorable victories. Thumping Liverpool was the highlight of a pretty miserable season, while the win over Tottenham and the dramatic comeback at Southampton were notable bright days.
But it has been Lopetegui’s public battle with Premier League officials which has already earned him a reputation in English football and his rival managers. Wolves remain in a desperate fight for their Premier League survival - a fight those of an old gold persuasion feel isn’t being helped by some unfavourable decisions.
It all started for Lopetegui in January, just four matches into his new role. Wolves battled tooth and nail with Liverpool in a dramatic FA Cup tie at Anfield, but were denied a late winner when a mysterious VAR malfunction meant Toti Gomes’ effort was unable to be checked.
Wolves had to settle for a replay, but Lopetegui quickly showed that while his football may err on the cautious side, he was happy to go on the front foot with the media. “Of course I have seen the images on the internet. I have my opinion, we have sent our comments and we are waiting for an explanation,” he said.
The Molineux outfit sent footage to the PGMOL and Howard Webb in hope of receiving some kind of apology. But just four days later, the anger intensified. On that occasion, Wolves were denied what looked like a strong shout for a penalty during the Carabao Cup quarter final with Nottingham Forest.
“It was a very clear penalty on Matheus – very clear, but the referee is the only one with the power so we have to accept it,” Lopetegui fumed. “If you see the replays, it's impossible to think anything else, but the VAR was not in use today and that was a pity for us.”
Lopetegui would hold face-to-face talks with Webb that week, in the hope of turning the tide when it came to contentious officiating decisions. But while those talks were ongoing, the FA were drawing up their first case against the Wolves coaching staff, a clash on the City Ground pitch would cost them £45,000.
Wolves overcame their next bout of ‘unfortunate’ officiating, winning at Southampton despite Mario Lemina seeing red for having the temerity of questioning a decision. They would only have to wait a month for some more however, when they were denied - what appeared - a stonewall penalty during the defeat at Newcastle.
Raul Jimenez had knocked the ball past a flailing Nick Pope with the goal at his mercy, only to be clipped by the Magpies keeper. But after a lengthy VAR check, the on-field decision of ‘no penalty’ was upheld, a call even Alan Shearer admitted was fortunate.
More frustration and another Webb apology. "They have apologised to us - it's happened and now it's passed," the Wolves boss said. "This year we have been very unfortunate with some of the decisions but we have to continue to trust in them."
Remarkably, the controversies have only continued. Against Leeds, Wolves weren’t given a spot-kick Lopetegui felt was “very, very clear”, before a contentious late Leeds goal was allowed sparking angry touchline reactions. Nunes was shown red - a decision which was then overturned, but the FA slapped Wolves with another fine. This time to the tune of £57,000 for failing to control their players.
April marked a new month, but it was more of the same. Another touchline spat between Lopetegui, his coaching staff and the opposition - with Forest again the opponent. Assistant Pablo Sanz and his opposite number in the home dugout, Alan Tate, were given their marching orders, with Steve Cooper making no secret of his own thoughts.
“We know, and I don’t say this disrespectfully, but there has been a lot of ill-discipline on the Wolves touchline since the change of manager,” the Forest boss said. “But at our stadium we cannot let opposing staff dominate officials and try and influence the game.”
Daniel Podence also finds himself in the docket after being charged for allegedly spitting at Brennan Johnson during the tempestuous 1-1 draw. In a new, fun twist for Wolves and their relationship with the officials, ESPN report that the decision by the FA to charge the Portuguese winger for allegedly spitting is an almost unprecedented one.
Podence was cleared by match officials, with VAR reaching the same conclusion. Even Johnson played down the incident and said it "didn't happen" in his post-match press conference.
"I think it's just high emotion," Johnson said. "I don't remember it clearly. I don't want to talk about it too much. I saw a motion come from him but they looked at it and it didn't happen."
However, the FA - unlike VAR - do not need clear and obvious evidence and can instead reach a judgement based on the balance of probabilities. That likely means the club's top scorer will be ruled out for the majority of the remainder of the campaign, despite video evidence failing to show the incident in the first place.
Lopetegui has only been in English football for less than half of a season, but has already become a thorn in the side of officials. “I think Steve Cooper is absolutely right though. Lopetegui is looking for a fight. I think Cooper dealt with it well,” the quiet and retiring Martin Keown said this week.
“He’s not going to be drawn into a row. But Lopetegui wants to have a row. You can see it, every game, he’s like that.”
Lopetegui has done all he can to fester a Jose Mourinho-esque ‘us vs the World’ mentality at Molineux and few would argue that Wolves have had the rub of the green. But the ex-Real Madrid coach may also need to take another leaf out of the Special One's playbook and suggest he 'prefers not to speak'.
Otherwise Wolves may continue to find themselves fighting the top brass when all of their attention should instead be on the fight for Premier League survival.
