Why are Wolves fans protesting?

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had one of the worst starts to a season the Premier League has ever seen.

Rob Edwards' side have picked up a meagre two points from the first 16 games - the joint-lowest tally at this point in a campaign by a club not deducted points in the history of the top four tiers.

They are also statistically on track to record the lowest points total by a Premier League club, currently held by Derby Country with 11 points in 2007-08.

From boycotts to banner displays, fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi in a number of ways.

But other than the obvious shortcomings on the pitch, what are fans most unhappy about?

The first fan protest took place during Wolves' 4-1 home loss against Manchester United, in which supporters were encouraged to delay entering Molineux until 15 minutes into the match - a reflection on having played 15 games with only two points to show for it.

Keiran Newey, from fan group Old Gold Pack, who organised the protest, told BBC Radio WM the protest was "a culmination of not being listened to for a while."

"We've sent letters, we've requested meetings... we've just heard nothing back of substantial nature."

He described the 15-minute delay as a "first step towards a visible protest" and to "show how many people are against Fosun and Jeff Shi".

Wolves' 2-1 away defeat to Arsenal set an unwanted club record of nine consecutive losses, which could extend to 10 if they lose at home to Brentford.

But Newey told BBC Sport the protests go "way beyond results on the pitch".

"Fans feel there's a deep-rooted problem with leadership, ambition and having a plan. For years, we've been told one thing and seen another, with mixed messages on investment, sustainability, and the club's direction.

"Wolves should be run with pride and ambition, but right now it feels like we're drifting. That's why fans are speaking up."

Some fans were also seen holding 'Shi Out' banners and holding Taiwan flags - possibly a provocative nod to Wolves' Chinese owners Fosun - though these displays were not organised by the Old Gold Pack.

The relationship between the two nations is contentious, as China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control - and has not ruled out the use of force to take the island.

But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.

Chairman Shi described the run of results to BBC Radio WM as "maybe... one of the worst moments in the last 10 years, but still better than where we were in the Championship," and defended the overall atmosphere at the club.

"It may sound strange but I think it's the best time in my 10 years, where we have galvanised a group of people, elite people.

"We feel we share the same views and principles. The chemistry and communication at the moment is maybe the best I have seen."

Many Wolves fans have expressed frustration at what they view as a poor summer transfer window.

Top talents like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri were sold to Manchester United and Manchester City to bring in a combined £92.5m. Club captain Nelson Semedo also left on a free transfer, with six players without Premier League experience signed in their place.

"Wolves had a terrible transfer window," Ryan Lester of the Wolves Report podcast told BBC Radio WM.

"Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Pablo Sarabia - all really talented footballers that could make things happen.

There was considerable downgrades in every position, despite spending over £100m... the players are not good enough."

Wolves technical director Matt Jackson admitted to BBC Radio WM in a separate interview that Wolves got their summer transfers "wrong".

"The players who were brought in were brought in for the right reasons, but when you have a return of two points at this stage you have to say it's wrong because whatever starting XI we have put out has not been good enough," he said.

But he insisted the club had "great belief" the players would develop and claimed it was a "tough" transfer market.

"We don't have endless resources, so we are trying to find players in markets where others aren't necessarily looking."

Chairman Shi suggested in the same interview that "maybe we sold too many players in one window."

One of the key problems fans want addressed is the lack of communication and also acknowledgement that their frustrations are beind heard by the Wolves board. There was no direct response to the 15-minute delay of support against United.

Newey said there has been a "lack of progress" since the 2016 Fosun takeover and they now need "at the very least, acknowledgement and real dialogue".

He added that if the lack of communication continued, then supporters would be happy to call for a complete overhaul of the board as they "don't feel Shi is the person to take this club further."

"If the leadership can't show ambition or reconnect with the fanbase, then yes - we believe change at the top is needed. Wolves is our club, and we won't settle for managed decline."

Fosun has been accused of not caring about the club, but Shi defended the owners.

"They care a lot," Shi told BBC Radio WM. "The owner [Guo Guangchang] watches every game, even at 3am in China."

"The owners have no plans to sell - they are looking for minority investment - meaning they will need to communicate and repair the relationship with supporters quickly," added BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor.

Ahead of Wolves's upcoming home fixture against Brentford, Old Gold Pack have established a website allowing fans to print off signs with the words 'Our Club' and 'Out of Darkness, Cometh Light'.

Nine other Wolves fan groups have supported the display plans.

Newey said he was optimistic about the demonstrations planned and added that this would not be the end.

"We're not going away," he said. "Discussions are already happening between fan groups, and plans are being looked at for the next stage. We want every action to be peaceful, visible, and impossible to ignore. The last protest was just the start - there's more to come."

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.