Rob Edwards heads into this second match in charge of Wolves with tough opposition waiting for the Old Gold – Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
The Wanderers head coach has been handed a boost, with Matt Doherty returning from injury after being spotted in training.
The experience of the Irishman will be a welcome arrival in preparations for Sunday, and Doherty has already offered Edwards his support.
It will certainly be interesting to see if the defender gets the nod on the weekend, and he could have a good chance, as the Wolves boss is not shying away from making changes.
Rob Edwards not afraid to change tactics at Wolves
Wolves’ performance against Crystal Palace was improved on the defensive side of things, but the lack of creativity going forward is still a big worry for Rob Edwards.
The Old Gold are desperate to solve their goal-scoring troubles, and the head coach will not be scared to try different ways to beat the opposition.
Speaking about his tactical choices (via Express and Star), Edwards said, “I think what we’ll try and do, because we are where we are and every game now is vital, we might change.
“So the shape and things like that can change depending on the opposition and what we think gives us the best way to win a game or the best chance to win a game.”
The 42-year-old made quite a bold decision against the Eagles last Saturday. He started both Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare up front.
It was the first time the two strikers started alongside each other.
Wolves head coach Rob Edwards began his career at Aston Villa but played just nine games between 1999 and 2004. His most notable period during his playing career came at Molineux, playing 111 times for the Old Gold.
He gave everything for the shirt when he played.
However, that may not be something Wolves fans can expect every game, with Edwards stating, “I thought playing with two strikers, those two deserved it and earned it. I think when we get him (Tolu) fitter and get him going even more, he can be a real handful.
“But it doesn’t mean we’re going to go with two strikers all of the time; we’ll try and pick the right thing for the right opposition.”
Either way, no matter what formation or line-up the head coach decides on each matchweek, Edwards’ principles will remain the same.
But he will have to be careful not to fall into the same Vitor Pereira trap that has caused the Wanderers a lot of issues.
Emiliano Martinez and Sam Johnstone are the only players who have played for both Wolves and Aston Villa and are in contention to play on Sunday. There have been 23 other players to represent both, the most notable being Adama Traore, Robbie Keane, Rob Edwards and Joleon Lescott.
Both goalkeepers will be looking to get one over on their former teams…
Vitor Pereira’s mistake must not be made again
Towards the end of his time, Vitor Pereira was guilty of making too many changes each week and disrupting any rhythm that players had gained.
While he was in search of solutions, making wholesale changes each week was not ideal.
The squad needs consistency, they need to build relationships on the pitch, and they need to become aware of the natural movements of those playing around them.
For instance, if Andre and Joao Gomes cannot learn the type of runs Tolu Arokodare makes, the Nigerian will have a hard time getting any chances from his midfielders.
Changes will have to be made, and there is one player who must not start against Aston Villa.
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