WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

FANS WANT LAGE TO FIELD A FRONT- FOOT, ATTACK- MINDED SIDE ON A REGULAR BASIS

THE PLAN

As drastic as this may sound, it’s time for spinal surgery at Wolves. Jose Sa has been a revelation – the Portuguese goalkeeper had the Premier League’s best save percentage last term – but those in front need mixing up. Boss Bruno Lage has hinted he’d like a pacy back four capable of playing a high line – Romain Saiss has already left, after 200 appearances, but it’ll be intriguing to see where linchpin Conor Coady fits into such a plan. In midfield, energy has been required for some time and it’s an area where Wolves are light on numbers. A decision may have to be made on Raul Jimenez, too, who has understandably been a shadow of his former self since his skull fracture. His reserve is £ 35m Fabio Silva, still yet to show his potential and without a goal for a year. There’s work to do, all right.

LESSON FROM LAST YEAR

If expenditure on the first team isn’t going to be what supporters hope for or expect, then offer some expansive and exciting football as compensation. Wolves failed to score in half of their home games last term ( nine of 19) and the football was a struggle to watch at times: over the campaign, only Norwich created a lower xg. Prolific goalscorers are at a premium around Molineux – so much so, even Coady felt forced to chip in with four goals, having netted two in 275 Wolves appearances before last season. Lage showed in the first three games that he has the ability to field and coach a front- foot, attacking side, and fans will want to see more of it on a regular basis if breaching the Big Six is deemed unrealistic. And with Ruben Neves’ departure seeming likely, that’s another sizeable gap to be plugged.

THE MOOD

Morale is arguably at an all- time low during Fosun’s six- year tenure, despite the huge strides they’ve made. A battle to qualify for the Champions League first turned into the Europa League and then the Europa Conference League, before the season ended with no wins in seven games. The entertainment on offer didn’t help matters, producing a paltry goal tally that was better only than the three sides who got relegated.

ONE TO WATCH

Yerson Mosquera was signed last year, but a string of injuries reduced him to nine minutes in the League Cup and then appearances with the under- 23s. The Colombian centre- back has great pace, which could suit a new- look side.

MOST LIKELY TO...

Have a relatively disappointing window followed by a campaign that surpasses all expectations – or sign a Portuguese guy whose name pronunciation splits the commentating fraternity.

LEAST LIKELY TO...

Improve the stadium in the short- term future. The Steve Bull Stand remains in its original 1979 format, while other areas are in need of expansion. Those in the hierarchy continue to assure fans that redevelopment is on the cards; however, the pandemic has seemingly delayed plans even further.

FFT VERDICT 13TH

Wolves have enough to dodge trouble, but the latter months of 2021- 22 were bleak. Improvements might be small.