Wolves confirmed Rob Edwards as their new manager on Wednesday – and fans are already looking forward to that first game against Crystal Palace after the international break.
Edwards has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Wolves, replacing the recently sacked Vitor Pereira.
Wolves forked out around £2 million in compensation to land Edwards from Middlesbrough and there has been a lot of controversy about the appointment.
But Edwards is now in the building, and the work has already begun for him at Compton Park.
Are you confident Rob Edwards will help Wolves avoid relegation?
Of course at the moment, it’s the international break, meaning fans will have to wait a while for Edwards first game as Wolves manager against Crystal Palace.
But it’s still worth taking a look at how he could set up for that game against the Eagles.
How Rob Edwards may set up in first Wolves game vs Crystal Palace
At Middlesbrough this season, Edwards has alternated between formations, like Pereira was doing at Wolves.
He’s used both three-at-the-back and wing-backs, and a typical back four.
Dave Edwards has said on The Official Wolves Podcast that Edwards will likely play to the strengths and suitability of the players.
And given Wolves’ squad was initially constructed with a view to playing with a three-at-the-back system, then that could be the go-to system for Edwards to begin with.
Sam Johnstone will probably keep his place having seen an upturn in his form this season.
With Rodrigo Gomes and Matt Doherty injured, Jackson Tchatchoua looks likely to feature at right wing-back, with Hugo Bueno surely playing from the left.
The three centre-backs could be Yerson Mosquera, Ladislav Krejci and Toti Gomes, with Santiago Bueno’s form having dipped of late. The benefit of having Mosquera and Toti on the left and right is that they both offer decent pace to get out and defend the wide areas in needed.
In midfield, Joao Gomes and Andre surely both start.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde could be a third midfielder, and is one of only a few decent ball-carriers Wolves have in the squad. He needs to play, and the number 10 role suits him best.
Up top, since there are three midfielders, this would mean the need for a partnership – and that partnership should be Jorgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-chan.
We saw Hwang work well with tolu Arokodare against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, and the South Korean is the fastest attacker at Edwards’ disposal.
He surely has to play as this kind of system would potentially be conducive to a counter-attacking style, and the mobility of Hwang is good in that sense.
Edwards must galvanise his Wolves players
There is no overstating how big a job this is that Edwards has in front of him.
Opta have given Wolves a 91% chance of being relegated, and plenty of fans still aren’t very optimistic that the club will survive.
When Wolves came calling, the decision was clear for Rob Edwards
The appointment of Edwards is positive. And one of the reasons for that is his ability to connect people.
Phil Hayward and Matt Jackson both believes Edwards’ personal skills stand out, and the new manager has been tipped to restore confidence through his personality.
He has made no secret of this being his dream job, and hopefully it will prove to be a match made in heaven.