Andre and Joao Gomes are two of Wolves’ most important players, but a new statistic perhaps shows they are struggling in one area on the pitch.
The Brazilian duo are consistent starters for Vitor Pereira, although the Portuguese head coach has dropped Andre for poor form already this season.
The quality of the two is unmatched in the squad, with the passing ability and relentless nature of the pair being key over the last few months.
However, despite the impressive qualities of both Andre and Joao Gomes, Wolves have often struggled to make their mark on games for long periods, and that problem is being exposed in the numbers.
Wolves dispossessed second-most in middle and defensive thirds this season
Wolves have failed to exert control in the majority of their games this season, and in turn, they have been unable to create chances for their attackers.
The struggle to dictate play has been highlighted by a new statistic revealed by The Athletic. Wolves have been dispossessed 6.9 times per 90 in the middle and defensive thirds, the second highest behind Manchester City at 7.1.
For a team such as City, there is less concern at topping this statistic. The quality and depth of their defenders means they can neutralise most counterattacks with ease after losing the ball, and Pep Guardiola has instilled a rigid defensive structure.
However, for Wolves, it is a bigger worry. While players like Ladislav Krejci have been promising this season, they are not at the level of teams who are looking to win the Premier League.
So losing the ball more often is not ideal for the Old Gold, and doing so in the defensive and middle thirds puts the midfielders under more pressure.
The situation forces both Andre and Joao Gomes to become more reactive rather than proactive on the pitch.
This is highlighted by Wolves being second in the Premier League for fouls conceded, with Joao Gomes topping the list for the Old Gold at 17.
The Athletic points out there is a correlation between the two, with most of the fouls coming after giving the ball away or from having to cover larger spaces.
Wolves’ midfield issues cause a ripple effect for the whole team
More and more in football you start hearing that teams have two separate shapes. One for out of possession and one for when you have the ball.
The constant turnovers can disjoint the team, and losing the ball in key areas can have a ripple effect on either shape.
Losing the ball in the midfield gives the team less time to resort back to their defensive shape and opens gaps for the opposition to exploit.
Whereas in attack, it means they cannot create clear chances for their attackers, as they lose the ball far too often before they can get it up the pitch.
This was noticeable when Emmanuel Agbadou gave the ball away against Manchester City and resulted in the opposition having a three versus two.
This is why control is so important in modern football. The longer you hold the ball, the better your positions will be for attacking but also for getting back and defending if possession is lost.
It is clearly an issue that Vitor Pereira noticed early on, as after the Bournemouth game in just the second week, Matt Doherty said the head coach instructed them to avoid the middle.
The new four-back formation does seem to have made Wolves more compact, and there is less reliance on both Andre and Joao Gomes in recovering on opposition transitions.
Hopefully, it will become an issue that resolves with time, and Wolves are simply near the top due to the lack of cohesiveness in the three-back system.