MIKE LUCAS SHARES THINGS WE LEARNT FROM WOLVES DRAW AT FOREST
4-4-2
Wolves showed they are ready to stick with a 4-4-2 when in possession. This will allow Ait Nouri to push further up the pitch, which is his strength. He is a dangerous player for Wolves when attacking and allows Cunha to spend more time in the centre, which helps Wolves and Larsen. Dawson and Mosquera looked solid at the back, apart from a lapse in concentration that let Wood get a free header at the back post. Lemina and Gomes positioned themselves well to protect the back four when defending, and Lemina made some great runs going forward. I think 4-4-2 is the way forward. This shows it can work but needs a few tweaks and will take time.
A New Shot Stopper
Sam Johnstone, I believe, was a surprise starter given he only trained one day with the first team. But he looked like he’d been with us for months. It also seemed to give the team confidence knowing there is a goalkeeper with key skills we need with a back four. Johnstone controlled his area well, getting off his line, playing the ball out with his feet, and distributing the ball effectively. He made some great saves to keep us level. This was an area on the pitch that needed strengthening, and that has certainly happened. You could see the confidence the back four had, knowing there is now a goalkeeper who can play the ball out with his feet and not just send long balls out of play.
Jørgen Strand Larsen
Strand Larsen again showed what he brings to the team. He has many qualities beyond just getting on the end of crosses and scoring goals. I think every Wolves fan will know after today’s game that Larsen is a proper number 9, one Wolves have been after since Raul’s serious injury. With Larsen, we see his strength in holding off defenders and keeping the ball. This allows other players time to run off him and helps bring players further up the pitch. I still think there’s a part of his game we haven’t seen yet, and the goals will come. We will see a striker we haven’t had for years.
André
A short cameo but still time to see that he can be a very important player for Wolves. In the brief time he was on the pitch, you could see the confidence he has with the ball at his feet and his positioning to make important tackles when the opposition approaches our 18-yard box and stops their attack. I believe that after the international break, Gary O’Neil will switch to a 4-4-3 formation. This will give the back four a more solid base and cover when Wolves don’t have the ball, allowing Lemina or Gomes the freedom to push forward and support our attacks. His presence on the ball gives the team confidence going forward with key passes up the pitch to get the team attacking. This is a key signing for Wolves and will prove to be a smart move by O’Neil and Matt Hobbs for the season. I think Andre is one to watch for the rest of the season
ARTICLE BY MIKE LUCAS
I am a Wolves season ticket holder and followed Wolves since I was 5 and seen some very big highs and very bad lows.