Stoke City manager Mark Robins has described Molineux as “the most chaotic place to lose a match in English football” following his side’s devastating 4-1 Championship defeat at the hands of Wolves, as his winless Potters slumped to a third straight league loss.
The Potters boss, speaking in his post-match press conference after Sam Gallagher’s early opener was overturned by Rodrigo Gomes’ brace, a Raul Jimenez penalty and Jordan James’ debut goal, did not hold back when asked about the atmosphere his players had endured on Saturday afternoon. ‘Absolute Chaos’
Robins, who had watched his side take a stunning second-minute lead before collapsing to a heavy defeat, reserved his strongest words for the chaotic atmosphere created by the home supporters.
“Losing a match here is unlike anything else in English football,” Robins said. “You expect noise and passion, but when things start going against you, it becomes absolute chaos. The crowd turns on you, the players lose their heads, and before you know it, the game is gone. It’s relentless.”
He continued: “Molineux is the most chaotic stadium to lose a match in – not because of the quality of their team, but because of the sheer hostility that comes from the stands. When you concede one goal, the noise goes up. When you concede two, the whole place erupts. By the time you’re three down, it’s complete chaos. You can’t hear yourself think, you can’t organise your players, the game just spirals out of control.”
The Chants That Echoed Around Molineux
As Wolves completed their stunning turnaround, the home supporters made their feelings known with a series of chants that echoed around the famous old ground. After Rodrigo Gomes’ equaliser, the South Bank erupted with a defiant response:
“We are Wolves, we are Wolves,
Super Wolves from the Black Country,
We are Wolves, we are Wolves,
We’ll send you home in misery!”
And as Raul Jimenez converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-1, the chants grew louder still:
“You’re just a small club from the Potteries,
You’re just a small club from the Potteries,
You came to Molineux, you left with no points,
You’re just a small club from the Potteries!”
‘A Nightmare for the Away Team
Robins admitted his players had been overwhelmed by the intensity of the atmosphere once Wolves gained momentum.
“Once Molineux gets going, it’s a chaotic place,” he added. “The momentum swings so quickly. One minute you’re ahead, the next you’re being torn apart. The crowd feeds off that energy and it becomes a nightmare for the away team. My players couldn’t handle it.”
The Stoke boss suggested that the stadium’s unique atmosphere makes it one of the most daunting venues in the division.
“You think you’re in control, but the moment you make a mistake, the whole place turns on you. It’s relentless. The noise, the pressure, the intensity it all builds up until you can’t breathe. It’s not just a stadium, it’s a cauldron.”
Robins Frustrated by Performance
Despite his criticism of the atmosphere, Robins also turned his frustration on his own players, accusing them of being “authors of their own downfall” after a disastrous collapse.
“We scored a brilliant goal and then contrived to shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said. “We started really well, scored a worldie, and got our noses in front. Then we decided to do something different. Instead of doing the things which had been getting us success, we played it to Eric Bocat, who tried to take on a man and lost the ball in a really dangerous area and they went and scored.”
“That changed the whole momentum of the game. We gave them a second one and they’ve not had to work for a goal. We’ve been the authors of our own downfall for the second week running. That’s a really bad habit.”
Robins admitted his side had shown encouraging signs at times but were ultimately punished for repeated mistakes.
“We showed some good things but then we get punished for the mistakes we make. It’s a tough place to come when you give the opposition that kind of encouragement.”
Wolves had fallen behind inside two minutes when Gallagher fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner from 25 yards. But Rodrigo Gomes equalised from close range in the 19th minute and completed the turnaround three minutes later, reacting quickest to a parried cross.
Raul Jimenez made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after 55 minutes before substitute Jordan James scored on his Molineux debut with six minutes remaining to complete the rout.
The victory extended Wolves’ unbeaten start to the campaign and sent them top of the Championship table. Stoke, meanwhile, remain without a win this season after three straight defeats.
What’s Next?
Stoke face mounting pressure to turn their form around, with Robins admitting his side need to “sort things out pretty quickly”. The Potters are one of four Championship clubs yet to register a victory this season.
Robins’ explosive comments about Molineux are likely to dominate headlines, with the Stoke boss making clear just how daunting he found the atmosphere at the famous old ground. Wolves have declined to comment on the Stoke boss’s outburst.
