Andy Thompson says one Wolves player looked ‘totally different’ in changed formation v Man City

Wolves fans saw Gary O’Neil change the formation against Manchester City, and Andy Thompson feels it really benefitted one player in particular.

Wolves ended up losing 2-1 in cruel fashion, with John Stones scoring right at the death for the visitors after a huge effort defensively by the home side.

Gary O’Neil changed the formation – just as he did in this fixture last season – and set up with a back three and wing-backs.

The game plan was to sit deep and counter-attack, and it was largely successful. Wolves just got unlucky right at the end.

Given how the game went, most Wolves fans would now like the new (old) system to stay.

A number of players did look a lot more comfortable in it, and Andy Thompson reckons Nelson Semedo really looked much better as a wing-back.

Andy Thompson praises Nelson Semedo after performance against Man City

Semedo felt he had his best season for Wolves in 2024/25.

But prior to the game with City, he had struggled to pick up where he left off, and has come in for criticism.

Against Aston Villa, he could have done a lot better in the build-up on two of Villa’s goals.

£29 million signing Semedo was deployed as a wing-back against City – and the star really looked a lot more at home. His assist for Jorgen Strand Larsen was superb. Pundit Daniel Sturridge described Semedo’s cross as ‘perfect’.

He also might have scored himself when he sprung the offside trap to go through on goal. Sadly, he did not provide the clinical finish the situation called for.

He also did a good job defending against the tricky Jeremy Doku.

Speaking after the game, former Old Gold full-back Andy Thompson praised the former Barcelona man, feeling he’s much better in that system.

He said on Matchday Live Extra: “They just looked more comfortable. You look at the two wing-backs.

“Semedo looks totally different. By the way, how well did he defend today?

Lee Naylor added: “Defending that many one-v-ones as he did today, it’s one of the hardest things you can do. His legs must be absolutely hanging off.”

Semedo is far better as a wing-back

Semedo is far better as a wing-back than he is as a full-back, and arguably that has been the case from moment he arrived at Molineux.

The star is naturally attack-minded so the wing-back position suits him down to a tee. Because he can get forward, and the right centre-back can cover the space he leaves behind.

We saw Semedo showcase his brilliant crossing ability against City, and Wolves need him in similar positions much more often. Especially now that there’s a big out-and-out striker in the box to hit in Strand Larsen.

It would be shocking if O’Neil did not keep the same formation against Brighton, as they play in a fairly similar way to City.

Surely, the game plan needs to be the exact same, with Semedo and Ait-Nouri operating as outlets and getting forward to counter.