Gary O’Neil seems to have put one key change into action at Wolves, as the squad continue pre-season training.
Wolves are currently in Marbella working in the heat to kick off their pre-season preparations.
Gary O’Neil will be eager to work closely with his squad ahead of next term, with progression now desired at Molineux.
The Old Gold have welcomed four new faces to symbolise early change, with one tactical switch now seeming to be put into play.
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Wolves spotted making formation switch in pre-season training
Ahead of Wolves’ trip to Spain, it became known that O’Neil could be tempted to make a formational change ahead of next term.
It’s believed that Wolves want to play with a back four next season, as per the understanding of journalist Alex Richards, who relayed the news after the club signed Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Now, it looks as though O’Neil is testing the waters by reverting back to his previous defensive shape, as informed by journalist Liam Keen.
Currently in Marbella watching every move, the Wolves expert took to his Express and Star column to report on what he had seen during the opening training session in Spain.
Referencing the defensive switch, Keen wrote:
“Working in both a back four and back five – similar to the hybrid system we saw last season – the team worked on moving the ball through the lines and finding space in attack, before quickly reacting to a ball in behind the defence at the other end of the field.
“Everything was done at speed and with intensity as Wolves gear up for the new campaign.”
Gary O’Neil clearly wants to play a back four
While switching to a back five came at the perfect time for Wolves last season, things could be different next year.
Having acquired Strand Larsen, O’Neil will have the target man he craved for so long, with it made clear that the manager wants his side to play on the front foot.
By having a static four-man defence, the boss can utilise his attackers to better effect, with a clear line to what each positional role will be.
Many players will benefit from the expected change and some will be disappointed, particularly the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Toti Gomes, who thrived in a back five last term.
Still, it looks like O’Neil is getting to work early on the possible switch in formation, with pre-season the time to brace his players for change.