Cesar Peixoto is facing growing pressure from Wolves supporters ahead of Friday night’s Championship trip to Burnley, with fans now pointing to an unusual habit they believe has become noticeable under the Portuguese manager.
Wolves’ recent run has done little to calm the mood around Molineux. After defeating local rivals West Bromwich Albion before the international break, the Old Gold returned to action with consecutive defeats against Middlesbrough and Bolton, leaving supporters increasingly frustrated with the direction of the team.
Peixoto was appointed during the summer after leaving Portuguese side Gil Vicente, where he guided the club to a sixth-place finish in the Primeira Liga. His arrival came during a period when Wolves supporters were expecting major changes to the squad following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
However, much of the squad that struggled badly in the top flight has remained in place.
That has made Peixoto’s task particularly difficult, while the lack of a major rebuild has also increased the frustration among supporters who expected Wolves to make an immediate push for promotion.
Now, ahead of the Burnley clash at Turf Moor, fans have identified another issue they believe is becoming increasingly noticeable.
Fans question Peixoto’s team selections
One of the biggest talking points surrounds Peixoto’s tendency to reveal elements of his starting lineup during his pre-match press conferences.
With Adam Armstrong ruled out of Friday’s match and Raul Jimenez also unavailable, attacking options are already limited. Yet Peixoto has reportedly confirmed that Sean Neave will start in attack against Burnley.
For some Wolves supporters, this is not an isolated incident.
The manager has previously given away information about his expected lineup, with Hugo Bueno, Josa Sa, Jordan James and Toti Gomes among the players whose involvement has been discussed before matches.
While revealing one starting player may not appear significant, some supporters believe the repeated nature of the announce
One fan even joked about the possibility of “insider spying,” highlighting the growing frustration surrounding the manager.
For Peixoto, however, the bigger concern will be what happens on the pitch.
Wolves desperately need a response
Wolves have already suffered three defeats in the Championship this season, with two of those losses arriving within just four days.
Their current record shows the scale of the challenge facing Peixoto.
After nine league matches, Wolves have scored 16 goals and conceded 14, averaging 1.8 goals scored per game but also allowing 1.6 goals per match. They have kept only two clean sheets and currently sit around the middle of the Championship standings.
For a club expected to challenge for promotion immediately, those numbers have increased the pressure.
The Burnley match therefore represents an important opportunity to change the mood around the team.
A strong performance and positive result at Turf Moor could provide some much-needed momentum. Another defeat, however, could intensify questions about Peixoto and the decisions made during the summer.
Supporters’ frustration goes beyond the manager
The anger among Wolves supporters is not solely directed at Peixoto.
There is also significant frustration surrounding the club’s ownership and recruitment strategy.
Supporters had expected a major rebuilding process following relegation, particularly after previous discussions suggested Wolves would invest heavily in an attempt to return to the Premier League quickly.
Instead, the squad remains heavily reliant on players who were part of last season’s disappointing Premier League campaign.
That leaves Peixoto attempting to improve a team that many supporters already believed required substantial changes.
The Portuguese coach is also still relatively inexperienced at this level, making the pressure surrounding his early Championship campaign even greater.
Burnley clash could prove important
After Burnley, Wolves are scheduled to face Portsmouth and Watford at Molineux.
The Portsmouth fixture is particularly significant because it represents a game in hand, giving Wolves an opportunity to improve their position if they can collect maximum points.
But before thinking about the games ahead, Peixoto must find a response at Turf Moor.
The manager needs his players to produce a performance capable of restoring confidence among the supporters.
For now, Wolves fans are watching closely—not only the team’s results, but also Peixoto’s decisions and his increasingly noticeable habit of revealing parts of his starting lineup before matches.
Friday night could provide the latest indication of whether Wolves are capable of turning their season around or whether the pressure surrounding Peixoto is about to become even greater.
