Wolverhampton Wanderers did the unthinkable over the weekend. The Championship leaders lost their first match in the league since October.
Wolves 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest was very uncharacteristic of Nuno Espirito Santo's team. Not only were Wolves beaten, but the team didn't score a goal. Making things even worse was the fact Wolverhampton lost at home for only the second time this term. Now just nine points ahead of second place Derby, could the wheels be coming off of Wolves' once unstoppable train?
In Wolves' last six matches the team has dropped points. The club's three wins have been tempered by two draws and a loss. It has allowed Derby to make up ground as the Rams have got hot. Worryingly for Wolves, the team could drop further points. Wolverhampton's sure promotion via winning the Championship could come crumbling down.
Out of the FA Cup, Wolves will resume their league season on Saturday away to Ipswich. The Tractor Boys have been up and down this term, but only lost to Wolverhampton 1-0 at Molineux in December. Now at home, Ipswich are two games unbeaten, and could cause Santo plenty of headaches. It isn't just Ipswich that could take points off of Wolves, however. Games against Sheffield United, Fulham, Aston Villa and Derby are all to come. The four sides are chasing promotion, and will be fighting for points.
Wolves' lead once seemed so great that it allowed the players to take their foot of the accelerator. Now, Santo must get his team back to winning ways ahead of a trip to Ipswich. New Signing Rafa Mir hasn't hit the ground running. The Spanish striker arrived from Valencia for £2 million this month. He hasn't found the back of the net, yet. In Mir's defence, Santo has played him sparingly. Top goal scorer Leo Bonatini has hit a dry spell. The Brazilian hasn't scored since December 9th. That is a run of 10 games in all competitions without a goal. Bonatini has struck the back of the net 13 times, but Santo may favour new boy Mir to start Saturday's fixture against Ipswich.
Despite giving up two goals against Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton's defence is still playing well. It is the three-man attack at the top of the formation that really needs to find form quickly.
Wolves are in a more dangerous position than some may think. A win against Ipswich on Saturday and all will be well. However, a loss could see Derby, Cardiff and Aston Villa make up ground. On paper, Wolverhampton are good enough to win the Championship. Unfortunately, football isn't played on paper. The club has lost two straight matches in all competitions. The teams below them are picking up wins. Wolverhampton need to take all three points in the coming weeks to ensure promotion back to the Premier League is achieved.