Wolves face a huge challenge today as they return to Premier League action against champions Manchester City.
Gary O’Neil has had a lot to contemplate during the international break, after a worrying start to the new season.
Wolves are 19th in the table after seven games, having take just one point.
The club moved up one place yesterday courtesy of Southampton losing 3-2 to Leicester City, but City coming to Molineux today, there is every chance Wolves could slip back down to 20th.
City are now the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, and will pose a huge threat today.
But Wolves beat City in this fixture last season to really kick-start their campaign, and O’Neil will be hoping history repeats itself.
Steve Bull has been looking ahead to the game, and has pointed to one player as being key.
Steve Bull talks up Craig Dawson ahead of Wolves vs Man City
If Wolves are to get anything from today’s game then O’Neil needs his backline to be solid, which is something we just have not seen this term.
City have so much attacking quality, and Erling Haaland has been in frightening form so far in 2024/25.
For Molineux legend Steve Bull, Craig Dawson could be the key man today given how important he was in this fixture last season. Bull would also like to see Wolves play a back five.
Dawson stuck tight to Haaland and gave him very little on the day, in one of his memorable performances in a Wolves shirt.
At one point in the game, Haaland even shook Dawson’s hand when he nicked the ball away from him at the last second.
Bull said in his E&S column: “I would like to see us play a back five, especially against the Norwegian beast Erling Haaland.
“He is unbelievable. He is a striker that knows where the net is and scores for fun.
“We have to keep him quiet and with Craig Dawson on the field we can go man-for-man and try to shut him out.
“Dawson has done it before and in a back five it can work again.”
The whole Wolves defence will be key
Dawson will be massively important for Wolves against Manchester City, but the others will need to be on top form as well.
City are one of the most dangerous sides in the world and can rip any side apart. Wolves cannot give them an inch if they are get anything today.
Wolves v Man City (30 Sept 2023)
| Wolves | Man City |
| Goals – 2 | Goals – 1 |
| Shots – 3 | Shots – 23 |
| Shots on target – 1 | Shots on target – 8 |
| Possession – 31% | Possession – 69% |
| Fouls – 18 | Fouls – 12 |
Dawson – who cost Wolves just over £3 million – is vital, but it is crucial that his supporting cast Toti Gomes and Santiago Bueno bring their A-games.
Toti was excellent in this fixture last season when he came into the side, and kept Phil Foden pretty quiet.
It is a big game for Bueno if he gets picked to start. O’Neil has hinted that Wolves could change formation and there is a reasonable chance that Bueno does get a chance today.