Wolves: Club made transfer mistakes in Premier League survival fight

Wolves’ winless start is just two matches short of the Premier League record of 17 games set by Sheffield United in 2020-21.

It has led to unrest and several supporters’ groups organised a boycott of the opening 15 minutes of Monday’s 4-1 defeat by Manchester United at Molineux to protest against Fosun’s running of the club.

Fosun has owned Wolves since 2016, overseeing their return to the Premier League in 2018 and run to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020, but has been accused of supervising a managed decline.

Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota, Joao Moutinho, Adama Traore and Pedro Neto left after helping Wolves to early success, with fans feeling they were not replaced effectively.

Shi has been the target of supporters’ anger for months with long-term frustrations now boiling over.

“It’s a very natural feeling from the fans,” he told BBC Radio WM. “Five or six years ago we were at some heights, the semi-final of the FA Cup and quarter-final in Europe.

“When you have reached those heights fans don’t want to let it go. I feel it myself. When you lose something like that it’s a tough blow – for this I have empathy.

“I’m not only a fan, I’m the CEO and chairman in the club. I have to think about how to judge the last decade in a more factual way and think about the next 10 years.”

Former Everton and Norwich defender Jackson also wants to have dialogue with fans.

“Our fans are allowed to express their views on Jeff directly to Jeff because he doesn’t duck away from the challenge in the stadium,” he said. “The expletives directed at the directors’ box are going directly to him because he is there and present.

“Come and talk to us, express those views. Hold us to account. Protest – we understand, we get it. Try to give your energy to the team but we will listen, we will learn and try to be better.”