Three reasons Leander Dendoncker must start against Tottenham

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Bruno Lage is still looking for his first win in a competitive match as Wolves manager.

Tomorrow, he embarks on his first home game in charge, when he welcomes his predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo and Tottenham to Molineux.

Nuno was a fan of Leander Dendoncker, calling him ‘amazing‘ back in February.

Here is a look at three reasons Dendoncker should be part of Lage’s starting XI against Spurs…

Wolves need energy in midfield

Lage’s vision for Wolves is all about pressing and aggression; making teams know they’re in a game.

But his current midfield is too passive and Dendoncker is the best available option in terms of someone who can get around the pitch and get in opponents’ faces.

He changed the face of the pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo the last time Wolves played at Molineux.

Lage needs to cut out slow starts

Against Celta and Leicester, Wolves started slowly in the first half.

Both times, they found themselves 1-0 down at half-time and unable to claw the result back despite an improved second period.

Lage sent out the same starting team on both occasions, but they failed to learn their lesson at the King Power Stadium.

The manager has to shake it up because those slow starts aren’t acceptable.

Moutinho is struggling to press

Joao Moutinho is an unbelievable professional with outstanding technical ability.

But when he plays in midfield alongside Ruben Neves, Wolves just don’t have enough legs there.

Under Nuno, Wolves sat back and could soak up pressure. Their midfield didn’t need to run so much.

But Lage wants his midfielders pressing and unless he switches to a three-man midfield, that won’t suit Moutinho’s strengths.

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