Many Wolves fans are going to have their eyes on the top of Gary O’Neil’s teamsheet this weekend for the game with Brighton.
Jose Sa put in an excellent performance last weekend against Manchester City, keeping his side in the game until the end.
Wolves sadly came up just short. But it was thanks to Sa that Wanderers came as close as they did.
Sa was back in goal, after Sam Johnstone was ruled out with an injury. The summer signing did was not a part of the matchday squad, with Dan Bentley taking his place on the bench.
Johnstone has trained at Wolves this week after his injury and appears to be in contention to play against Brighton this weekend.
Journalist Liam Keen has made some interesting remarks about the Sa-Johnstone situation ahead of the clash.
Jose Sa could keep his place for Wolves against Brighton
Many Wolves fans have been vocal about Sa keeping his place against Brighton after such a good display against City.
After the defeat to City, Gary O’Neil made some vague comments about Sa, with believing the Wolves manager intends to restore Johnstone to his starting XI against Brighton.
He dismissed the notion of having a selection headache over Sa and Johnstone for the next game.
O’Neil’s tone was seen as ‘disrespectful’ by some, considering how well Sa had played against City.
Journalist Liam Keen has been speaking on the latest E&S podcast episode, and suggested that Sa actually may be in line to keep his place after all.
Keen said: “I think fans, hopefully as far as I understand it will get a little bit of positive (news). I say this because a lot of fans want Sa to keep his place.
“It looks more likely to me at this stage on Thursday afternoon, provided all goes well by 3pm on Saturday that Jose Sa will be lined up again.
“At the moment, I think it’s more likely than not that Jose Sa will keep his place.”
“He’s taken his chance. If, as we understand it, he does start at the weekend and continues to perform… to be honest all he’s got to do is not have an absolute clanger and he’s probably OK. It all changes again.”
Judah added: “Look, you said it’s not 100% certain that Sa is in goal for Brighton – it’s not – but the way it looks at this moment in time, he will be and I think he should be.
“I think O’Neil will be coy on the situation and keep at least the media and some people guessing going into the game. But as far as we understand it at this moment in time, Jose Sa will be in goal against Brighton.
Jose Sa starting at Brighton will delight many Wolves fans
This news will be welcomed by a lot of people.
If it comes to pass that Sa starts against Brighton, then many will feel it is the right decision, and no less than the Portuguese stopper deserves.
Ultimately, O’Neil spoke about having strong competition in the goalkeeping department after Johnstone had signed.
It would make absolutely zero sense for him not to start Sa against Brighton after his performance against City, and it would also potentially make him a bit hypocritical. You can’t talk about having strong competition and then drop someone who’s played out of their skin.
Hopefully, Sa does indeed start, and he will turn in a similar level of performance as he did against City at Molineux.