Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Daniel Podence was instrumental in the team’s enthralling victory over Aston Villa today.
The wide-man assisted the first of Wolves’ three goals against Villa.
Prior to his introduction, Wolves were 2-0 down at Villa Park. Their prospects of emerging with anything from the game appeared very slim.
His assist came as he played the ball across the face of the opponents’ goal.
However, his impact on the game was not just limited to the penalty area.
Podence possesses crucial weapon for Wolves
Podence could not have had a more desirable impact than he did for his boss Bruno Lage.
His composure on the ball and his forward passes allowed his team to swing the momentum of the game.
That is because it was something that the visitors showed far less glimpses of in the first half against Villa.
Lage was forced into one change because Raul Jimenez clocked up a lot of mileage whilst on international duty.
Lage opted to start Hwang Hee-chan and Adama Traore together.
Whilst both impressed in moments, they were often guilty of wasting the ball inside the final third.
The former Olympiakos star’s impact will therefore surely force Lage to include him from the start.
Lage likely to be forced into two changes
Ahead of Wolves’ next game against Leeds United, Lage will be expected to alter the forward line which started against Villa.
With Jimenez returning and Podence’s form, it is likely that both should be on the teamsheet for the game at Elland Road.
Therefore the question will be, if Wolves are to revert to playing a front three, will he drop Traore or Hwang?
Traore was the more impressive this afternoon – his run led to Wolves winning the free kick for the winner.
However Hwang will believe that he deserves the managers’strust after his brace led to the victory in their last home game against Newcastle United.