Liam Keen comment: Mario Lemina's behaviour a slap in the face to Wolves that stood by him

The former captain was due to be part of the squad, but he informed Vitor Pereira that he would not travel with the team to the North East just moments before the team boarded the coach at Compton.

He refused to play. He refused to help his team. Whatever his reasons are, he has handled himself appallingly. 

When Wolves needed Lemina, the midfielder ran in the opposite direction and his behaviour is a slap in the face to the club, team-mates and fans that stood by him.

When the player arrived in January 2023 he quickly became a fans' favourite with his marauding midfield performances.

He played a big part in Wolves staying in the Premier League under Julen Lopetegui, and then last year he won the club's player of the season award after a magnificent 2023/24 campaign.

After Max Kilman was sold in the summer, Lemina was correctly handed the armband and his Wolves career was ready for the next step. He is well-liked in the dressing room, was appreciated by Gary O'Neil and looked set for a big season.

He has always been emotional, but often that helped inspire his performances. Everyone wanted the best for Lemina and his relationships at Wolves were strong.

The difficult start to the season impacted the dressing room, but Lemina lost the captaincy due to his own behaviour. His outburst at West Ham, where he pushed team-mates and squared up to first team coach Shaun Derry, was embarrassing.

For the midfielder to go through losing the armband mid-season and then, even with a new head coach in the dugout, insist on leaving the club is a remarkable overreaction.

Whatever his reasons may be, he has turned his back on a club and fan base that backed him to the hilt. It is a slap in the face and he has shown his true colours, after previous antics at other clubs.

Pereira has handled the situation well, despite only being in the job for a few weeks. With each passing press conference he has revealed more about the Lemina situation, up until his comments after the Newcastle defeat.

He has not defended the player, but also not thrown him under the bus. Now, Wolves must focus on the players committed to the cause.

Pereira said he doesn't need Lemina if he does not want to help the team and he is spot on. But, from a purely footballing perspective, Wolves do need him.

The club are in a relegation battle and need every talented player at their disposal, but when Wolves needed Lemina, he did not want to help. That is a disgrace, from a once loved captain.

Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab want to sign him and Lemina is trying to force a move. He is entitled to make his own decisions about his career, but to carry it out in this way with the club struggling, is an embarrassment.

Wolves must now find a solution to his future as soon as possible and remove any distraction from their relegation battle.

Then, their focus must be on replacing him and ensuring their squad is ready for the challenge.

On the pitch at Newcastle, Wolves' performance can be summed up in both boxes.

They once again missed good chances and then made defensive mistakes as the Magpies ran away with the game.

Jorgen Strand Larsen had some glorious chances to score but missed his usual ruthless streak, while at the back Santi Bueno was unable to contain Alexander Isak.

Wolves are targeting a defender and midfielder before the window closes, and Bueno's performance proves another centre-back is a must.

But Pereira was unwilling to criticise.

"It's difficult, we must look, not only at the way we defended, but the way they created the chance," he said.

"We were balanced in the game but they have the quality. The striker is very fast.

"I will not complain because we tried to defend well."

Fortunately for Wolves, new signing Emmanuel Agbadou did well on his Premier League debut.

He is strong, fast, physical and athletic but looked shaky with the ball at his feet against Bristol City in the FA Cup.

Against Newcastle, he kept it simple in possession and focused on what he is good at, and as a result he got Wolves out of trouble on a few occasions.

"Emmanuel, in my opinion, played a fantastic game," Pereira said.

"It's difficult to play on the left with a right foot, because if the presser comes inside to outside and attacks your best foot, it's not easy to play.

"But in my opinion, he was fantastic."

The honeymoon period is over for Pereira and they need everyone ready for a big few months.