Wolves are set for a new era under Rob Edwards, and he'll likely be looking to make some changes to his side in order to steer them away from a potential relegation battle.
GIVEMESPORT sources confirmed at the weekend that Edwards was set to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal at Molineux, with Wolves paying a fee in the region of £3m in compensation to Middlesbrough. Edwards wasn't in the dugout for Middlesbrough's game in the Championship on Saturday, after the North East outfit gave him permission to speak to the Wanderers about a possible return to the club.
Edwards has spent time at Wolves as both a player and a coach, working with the under-18s previously, and he's now tasked with the difficult situation where the Midlands club are bottom of the Premier League. They are still searching for their first victory of the season in England's top flight, sitting on just two points.
Change in Defence and Goalkeeper Situation
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jose Sa
Although Edwards has predominantly played a variation of a back three or back five during his career, he's adapted based on the squad he has. Wolves have mostly been in a back-five setup this season, while also having a back-four in the middle of the campaign. Wolves' only two draws of the Premier League season, alongside a win in the Carabao Cup, came when Wolves played four-at-the-back.
This is something Edwards might look to implement, but he has some decisions to make.
Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa have both been involved between the sticks, with the former most recently, but we'd expect Sa to return, with Johnstone struggling of late.
In defence, Edwards could line up with a back four, with Jackson Tchatchoua, Ladislav Krejci, Santiago Bueno, and Hugo Bueno likely to make up the defence.
Goalkeeper: Sa
Defence: Tchatchoua, Krejci, S.Bueno, H.Bueno
Midfield Duo Speaks for Itself
Joao Gomes
Vitor Pereira made an interesting decision to drop both Joao Gomes and Andre before his sacking, but that's unlikely something Edwards will be doing. It was likely a desperate decision from Pereira to try and mix things up, but there's no doubt Andre and Gomes are Wolves' best midfield duo, especially in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Edwards would be silly not to start them both, and although they've clearly not made a significant impact this season, in a functioning system, they are undoubtedly Wolves' best midfielders.
No Summer Signings in Attack
Hee-chan Hwang
Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias were brought in during the summer transfer window to help bolster Wolves' options in the final third, but they've struggled to make a significant impact. Lopez wasn't even named in Wolves' squad at the weekend, while Arias is yet to produce a goal or assist in the Premier League.
As a result, we could see Edwards go back to basics, with an attacking trio behind the striker of Marshall Munetsi on the right, coming in slightly centrally while Tchatchoua provides width. Hwang Hee-chan behind the striker, offering a central attacking option who can provide support to the centre-forward while getting into the box. On the left, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, another who can come into central areas.
In attack, although he's struggled this season, Jorgen Strand Larsen is likely to be the striker option. If Edwards really wants to make a statement, then playing Tolu Arokodare could be on the cards, but Strand Larsen is likely to keep his place.
That means Edwards could be making five changes to the starting XI from Pereira's last game in charge of the Wanderers.
Attacking midfield: Munetsi, Hee-chan, Bellegarde
Striker: Strand Larsen