Wolves face a must-win trip to the London Stadium on match day 15 of the Premier League season.
In a Monday night thriller, Gary O’Neil and Julen Lopetegui go head-to-head with more than just three points on the line.
Both O’Neil and Lopetegui are under pressure from their respective clubs amid poor form, seeing both managers head into Monday’s clash with sacking a real prospect.
After Wolves’ 4-0 defeat to Everton, the boss must think heavily about where his squad can improve, with no room for error against the Hammers.
Goncalo Guedes #29 of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. is substituted by Hwang Hee-chan #11 of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. during the Premier League m...
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Hwang Hee-chan and Carlos Forbs could hurt West Ham
Lopetegui shared sympathy for O’Neil in the build-up to Monday night’s clash, sharing his experience of managing Wolves.
The Spaniard now faces an identical crisis to the Englishman, as West Ham’s trust in the former Wolves manager is running thin.
For the Old Gold, focus must be on three points, blocking out the noise surrounding the fixture which could play a significant role in the outlook of Wolves’ future.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
Focusing on the football, journalist Liam Keen looked ahead to the fixture, outlining how the visitors could punish their former boss.
“They do hold a very high line that could potentially play to Wolves’ favour on the counter, if you can get Cunha involved,” Keen said on the E&S Wolves Podcast.
The Wolves expert then went on to name two rarely-seen players who could make an impact against the Hammers, Hwang Hee-chan and summer signing Carlos Forbs.
“I don’t necessarily think from the start but if you can get a Forbs or Hwang involved on the counter, there’s potential for Wolves but you have to pick the right passes.”
Keen’s reasoning for naming the two talents was due to the pace they both possess both in and out of possession, which could break down West Ham’s high line.
Wolves fans won’t agree with Hwang claim
Forbs has had little chance to impress since arriving at Wolves from Ajax on an initial loan on deadline day.
On the other hand is Hwang, who was one of O’Neil’s shining lights last season but has quickly become a player to fall out of favour.
Hwang’s start to the campaign has been ‘disastrous’ due to both injury and form however, the Korean has still been handed the platform to impress.
Wolves fans criticised O’Neil for bringing Hwang off the bench earlier this term, believing that the forward adds very little – which is difficult to argue.
Keen’s belief that the 28-year-old can make a difference against the Hammers rings true in terms of his pace and power although, many would be outraged to see the 2021 arrival in action.
Related Posts