Edwards thinks Lage could switch to 3-5-2 for crucial Wolves period

Wolves’ clash with Arsenal kicks off a crucial period of Premier League matches in terms of the race for European football.

Bruno Lage will set his side up for games against the teams in and around them and a run of victories would put Wolves in a great position to make Europe.

Former Molineux midfielder David Edwards thinks that the tougher standard of opposition may mean that Lage goes in with a 3-5-2 system rather than a 3-4-3.

In the Express and Star, Edwards wrote: “I’d written in December that it was the season-defining run against the big-hitters – but this definitely is now against teams around them.

“If they can come through these five games with a decent points return they are in a really strong position for a European place.

“Ten points would be an incredible effort. I just wonder whether that means they will go for a 3-5-2 more often and pack out the midfield.

“You can see them doing that in the big games, to stop Arsenal and Tottenham – all of these ball-playing teams – from playing. Then you can play Raul and Daniel Podence up front while trying to introduce the other boys from the bench. That makes sense to me.

“But you’re an injury away from a disaster, if you lose a midfielder or a Jimenez or Podence then it’s almost curtains for the season.”

Wolves need to bounce back from the shock FA Cup fourth round defeat against Norwich ahead of a period which could define the season.

Lage won Manager of the Month for January and the fans will be hoping that the ‘curse’ which afflicts winners of that award doesn’t hit their boss at the worst possible time.

A win tonight would go a long way to building confidence and momentum back up again and they won the corresponding fixture last season.

• Wolves fans think the next step with Wolves attacker Jhon Arias has now become obvious
• Mikey Burrows just nailed it, his impassioned speech should be played in Wolves’ dressing room
• Darren Bent gives an utterly damning assessment of Jorgen Strand Larsen after Wolves’ loss to Man United
• Rob Edwards fully agrees to Fosun’s Wolves proposal ahead of January transfer window
• Fans of Premier League club offer Jorgen Strand Larsen a way out of Wolves