Molineux legend Andy Thompson believes Gary O’Neil has ‘no alternative’ but to play a back five for Wolves against Chelsea on Christmas Eve.
Wanderers are gearing up to face the Blues at Molineux on Sunday, with the game being somewhat controversial for its scheduling.
It is the first time since the Premier League’s inception in 1992 that a game is being played on Christmas Eve, and fans of both clubs have slammed the decision.
But it’s happening, and Gary O’Neil will currently be mulling over how to set up.
In the eyes of Thompson, there is only one way he can go after the West Ham United defeat…
Andy Thompson wants to see a Wolves back five against Chelsea
Against the Hammers, O’Neil threw a bit of a curveball and went with a back four, with Toti Gomes playing left-back.
Toti had a really poor game, and could not get a grip of Mohammed Kudus, who scored two goals.
It was a real risk that did not pay off at the London Stadium, and Thompson believes the manager must now revert back to the back five system that has served him quite well this season.
He said on the Wolves Weekly podcast: “I think he’s got no alternative. He’s got to go to a five. We look comfortable, we look more at ease with the way we play in that.
“The manager has done really well, but I’d just like to be on that front foot a bit more. I’m hoping that, again, it’s a confidence thing, but we’ve got players in this side, if they’re on the front foot they’ll cause anyone a problem in this league. It’s not (negative).”
O’Neil may well revert
This will certainly be something on the manager’s mind ahead of the game with Chelsea.
Wolves were just all at sea against West Ham, although the pressure on the defence was rather invited due to sloppiness on the ball. Both Max Kilman and O’Neil spoke about there being too many transitions after the 3-0 loss.
But there is no denying Wolves looked very vulnerable, and Chelsea – as much as they have struggled this season – have some quality attacking players who could cause problems.
It may well be the way to go reverting to a back five. As Thompson says, it doesn’t necessarily mean Wanderers will be more ‘negative’.