Wolves won’t be too thrilled with how two of their loanees are faring out on loan after a double-sacking last week.
There are a handful of Wolves players spending the season away from Molineux, gaining valuable experience that could see them break into Vitor Pereira’s side.
The ideal scenario for such a loan is regular playing time, a stable environment, and a winning culture.
But after the sacking of Rangers manager Russell Martin and Luton Town’s Matt Bloomfield, neither club meets the last two criteria. Wolves will be monitoring how their young players fare amid so much uncertainty.
Nasser Djiga and Nigel Lonwijk will have new managers to impress
A loan is a waste of time if the player isn’t playing regularly. Wolves will want both Nasser Djiga and Nigel Lonwijk on the pitch as much as possible.
For that to be the case, the new managers will have to like what they see.
Russell Martin’s exit was down to a terrible run of form for Rangers that has them eighth in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points from the summit. The lowest point saw them concede 11 goals in three games, with Djiga starting every one.
Rangers fans weren’t pleased with the Wolves loanee in any sense, and his stock at the club isn’t very high at present, but perhaps he can turn his fortunes around under fresh guidance.
Lonwijk, on the other hand, has been quite good. He was deployed in multiple positions under his old coach, playing eight of 11 League One games for the 11th-placed side. His versatility should keep him close to contention when a new manager comes in.
Wolves’ priorities at centre-back have changed
As much as Wolves will want both players to thrive this season, tactical changes back at Molineux might have pushed one — or both — of them out of contention.
Pereira is shifting to a back four, and given the defensive improvements that decision has brought, he’s likely to stick with it.
If that’s a long-term change, Wolves suddenly have less space for centre-backs in the squad. There are solid arguments to be made for both 22-year-olds.
The versatility Lonwijk has shown at Luton could be very handy for Pereira, with the Dutchman capable of playing across the back four. But Djiga is already playing at a higher level, and has national team experience.
They are both promising talents who will do well, but the change we are seeing at Wolves will have consequences on the squad make-up, and one of the current loanees could become collateral damage.