Wolves new boy Nathan Collins believes his versatility will stand him in good stead ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The central defender is looking forward to getting started, with Wanderers first game just over a week away now.
Wolves will play two games in Portugal this weekend against Sporting CP and SC Farense.
It will be one last chance for Bruno Lage to experiment with different systems and combinations of players.
The suggestion has been that the manager would like his players to be comfortable in various formations going into 2022/23.
Apparently, the squad have been exclusively training in a back four, suggesting that that may be the go-to formation.
That system is most familiar to Collins, but the 21-year-old has talked up his ability to play multiple different roles.
He told the Express & Star: “I’ve played everywhere along the back four – I’ve played left-back, right-back and either side of the centre backs, I’ve played all positions in a three.
“So I don’t really have a problem. Once I’m on the pitch and enjoying my football that’s all I care about.
“For me as a centre half, I always think I should be able to play the positions around me because knowing those positions makes it easier for me to know what they want from me.”
Collins was particularly impressive against Besiktas last weekend.
He started in a back four, with Maximilian Kilman his centre-back partner.
It will be fascinating to see if they’re the pair Lage will turn to if he does use a back four.
Conor Coady has obviously been a mainstay in the Wolves’ defence for several years, so it would be a big deal.
Nathan Collins sure to get plenty of minutes for Wolves in first season
Collins being so versatile was probably one of the biggest reasons Wolves decided to move for him.
If the club are going to play different systems, then it’s going to be crucial for players to be able to adapt.
Collins has experience of playing as part back a back three or a back four, and on the right and on the left.
Potentially, he’s going to feature very heavily for Wolves in his first season.
It would be no surprise if he finished the season having played more minutes than Coady, who obviously p in tis most comfortable in that very niche position in the middle of a back three.