Gary O’Neil may be ready to shake up Wolves’ formation after a troubling start to the season.
Wolves have conceded 21 goals in their first seven Premier League matches, leaving fans deeply concerned about their defensive struggles. Despite a promising start from Yerson Mosquera, the Colombian defender has suffered a season-ending knee injury, adding to Wolves’ woes.
The club’s decision not to sign a replacement for Max Kilman is now under scrutiny, especially after their most recent match against Brentford, where they shipped another five goals. In response, O’Neil hinted at a potential system change to address the defensive frailties.
O’Neil made a similar tactical shift last season when Manchester City visited Molineux, and coincidentally, Wolves face City again in their next league fixture. However, any formation change might not suit all players on the squad, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Joao Gomes: In theory, if Gary O’Neil switches to a back three, it could result in a midfielder being dropped from the lineup. This tactical shift may affect players like Gomes, as O’Neil would likely need to sacrifice a spot in midfield to accommodate the extra defender. The change in formation could alter the balance of the team and impact how certain players are utilized moving forward.
In recent games, we’ve seen Andre, Mario Lemina, and Joao Gomes operating as a midfield trio for Wolves. New signing Andre has impressed and is unlikely to lose his spot, even if Gary O’Neil decides to change the system.
Mario Lemina, however, has struggled with form, particularly in the loss to Brentford, where he admitted to having his worst performance for Wolves. Despite this dip, as captain, it would be a bold move for O’Neil to drop him.
This leaves Joao Gomes in a precarious position if a formation change occurs. The £15 million midfielder has been a key player under O’Neil, making 38 appearances last season and eight so far this campaign. However, with O’Neil potentially opting for an extra forward in the lineup, Gomes could be the one to make way.
Alternatively, O’Neil could continue to field all three midfielders, but a shift to a back three might suggest a more attacking setup.
Pablo Sarabia, a formation switch might not work in his favor. The Spanish playmaker, known for his technical ability but lack of explosiveness, has had limited opportunities this season. A back three with wing-backs would likely mean Wolves sitting deeper and absorbing pressure, a scenario that doesn’t suit Sarabia’s methodical style of play.
Pablo Sarabia is certainly not recognized for his defensive skills, making him less effective in counter-attack scenarios. He lacks the pace to thrive in rapid transitions and is better suited for situations where Wolves can build their play to break down a low block.
Last season, Gary O’Neil found success with a 5-2-3 formation, leveraging the speed of forwards like Matheus Cunha, Hwang Hee-chan, and Pedro Neto to exploit defensive weaknesses and hurt opposing teams.
Meanwhile, many Wolves fans believe Tommy Doyle deserves more playing time. Doyle himself feels he should be a regular starter, as noted by O’Neil. However, with three exceptional players ahead of him in the pecking order, a shift to a back three with wing-backs could hinder Doyle’s chances further. In many respects, he might be the most unfortunate player in the squad, as he finds himself competing for minutes in a system that doesn’t favor his strengths.
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