Wolves are back in Premier League action against Bournemouth this weekend – and Andy Thompson believes Vitor Pereira will make two changes to his starting XI.
Wolves lost to Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield.
Wanderers gave it everything but fell just short on Merseyside, but the second-half performance was very encouraging.
Liverpool didn’t have one shot against Wolves in the second-half, which has happened in the Premier League at Anfield since 2003/04.
One of the main reasons Wolves improved so much in the second-half is because of the changes Vitor Pereira made at half-time – and Andy Thompson believes we could see them from the start against Bournemouth.
Vitor Pereira told Bellegarde and Munetsi should start for Wolves against Bournemouth
Some felt Jean-Ricner Bellegarde being dropped to the bench against Liverpool was harsh, given his brilliant performances against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
Pablo Sarabia was chosen ahead of him against Liverpool, but was hooked at half-time at Anfield. Wolves fans certainly did not rate Sarabia’s performance against Liverpool.
Another change Pereira made was to put Marshall Munetsi on for Goncalo Guedes.
Micah Richards found it ‘weird’ that Munetsi was effectively playing as a striker for Wolves, but the star did a decent job.
For Andy Thompson, these two players could now both be starting against Bournemouth.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “The team he sent out second-half, I think there’s a good chance of that being the team that starts next week. I think so.
“They looked like they had more legs than the other two. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not having a go at Sarabia or Guedes. They both struggled to get into the game.
“I think Bellegarde came on and played really well again,. Looked strong, looks like he had a lot of energy going forward. Munetsi is on that borderline, always look a threat running. He had a great opportunity to score again.
“I think the team that came out for the second-half could possibly be the team that starts next week.”
Bellegarde should start for Wolves against Bournemouth
Wolves were brilliant in the second-half against Liverpool and Bellegarde and Munetsi were big reasons for that.
Pereira arguably got it wrong selecting Sarabia and Guedes, and perhaps Bellegarde and Munesti would have been better bets from the start given they are more workmanlike.
Bellegarde should start for Wolves against Bournemouth this weekend.
He’s been really good form in recent weeks, and deserves to be starting games right now. Especially over Sarabia.
Pereira definitely ought to consider a midfield three against Bournemouth, with Bellegarde the furthest player forward.
We saw how well he took his goal against Villa which came from an advanced position, so hopefully Pereira does consider it.