Rob Edwards will again go after his first win as Wolves manager with Aston Villa the opponents in the Premier League, and he’s been urged to make one tweak with Ladislav Krejci.
Wolves take on Villa at Villa Park, and it’s safe to say optimism isn’t too high.
Villa have been on fire recently after getting off to a poor start, and will be seeking to keep themselves inside the top four.
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.
Wolves, of course, are desperate to get their first victory on the board.
Rob Edwards cannot afford for the gap to widen any further if he is to have any real chance of keeping Wolves in the Premier League.
The team he goes with will be interesting, with only Rodrigo Gomes – who has returned to individual training – unavailable through injury.
Ahead of the game, Dave Edwards has shared an idea for his namesake to consider involving Ladislav Krejci.
Dave Edwards suggests Ladislav Krejci should play in midfield vs Aston Villa
Krejci’s level has dipped slightly in recent weeks for Wolves, but for the most part fans have been impressed with the Czech international.
Krejci has already won two Player of the Month awards at Wolves, and is the only summer signing to really hit the ground running for Wolves.
We know that he’s capable of stepping into midfield.
And for Dave Edwards, Rob Edwards should strongly consider pushing Krejci upfield to play with Joao Gomes and Andre against Aston Villa.
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…
He said on the Official Wolves Podcast: “I like Krejci. I think it’s really hard for someone like Fer Lopez, the age he’s at. The type of player he is, to come into this sort of environment, a relegation battle, confidence is low.
“It’s a lot to ask of him. You want to drip-feed him minutes but that’s not quite happening.
“I think Krejci, he doesn’t have to be an out-and-out attacking number 10. We’ve seen when he’s played in midfield, he’ll pick forward passes as well. He’ll get it and try to hit those killer passes, he has the ability to do so.
“He has the ability to slow the game down at the right time by just getting his foot on it. We saw that he can score goals as well. He scored that goal against Leeds where he made that terrific run through.
“I don’t mind that dynamic at all. I think we’ve got the defenders to then fit in. Santi Bueno or Matt Doherty can drop in. Rob Edwards will have more time to look at his squad.
Away at Villa with Joao Gomes, Andre and Krejci in midfield, against a very good midfield three with their wingers rolling in as well. I think that wouldn’t be a bad way to go, to keep your big two lads up front as well.”
Edwards seemingly feels Marshall Munetsi should be dropped
It is interesting to hear Edwards suggest this set up, because that would then mean no room for Marshall Munetsi.
Edwards has often championed Munetsi and feels his contributions are often overlooked.
So it is perhaps telling that he is thinking Wolves need to go with Andre, Joao Gomes and Andre in midfield, with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare.
Munetsi came in for more criticism after the defeat against Crystal Palace, so we will see if Rob Edwards will drop him and move Krejci forward.
There is also the option of playing one of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde or Fer Lopez to try and bump up the creativity a little.
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