Wolves have a huge game coming up this weekend against Burnley in the Premier League, and one fringe player is being tipped for a rare start.
Wolves crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, prompting anger from the travelling fans.
It was a game many felt was a big opportunity, especially after the improvements against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton.
But Wolves fell well short against the Black Cats and the result now makes the Burnley game absolutely massive.
Lose, and Vitor Pereira is potentially under serious pressure to keep his job.
Some Wolves fans are clamouring for Pereira’s sack already, but many will struggle to back him if Wanderers lose to the Clarets at home.
Journalist Liam Keen has been looking ahead to the game and believes a curveball from the manager could be in the offing.
Fer Lopez tipped for rare Wolves start vs Burnley
So far, Fer Lopez has not featured prominently for Wolves since his £19 million summer move from Celta Vigo.
He showed promising signs in pre-season, and some felt the Spaniard was going to be an instant hit.
But the Spaniard has struggled to start games so far, suggesting there is a lot of work for him to do to impress Pereira.
Up to now, Lopez has started just one game in the Premier League – but journalist Liam Keen feels he could get the nod this weekend in the club’s biggest game of the season.
He said on the latest E&S podcast: “I think he’ll do a front three of Arias, Strand Larsen and Fer Lopez.
“Now, he’s spoken a little bit recently about Lopez, ‘His time will come, it will happen for him’. I thought he did OK when he came on (against Sunderland).
“He’s the one player that can sort of unlock a door. He’s got a little bit of creativity. Yes, he makes mistakes and he’s very raw still. But he’s got that bit of magic, if you will.
“He’s not a Cunha or an Ait-Nouri obviously. But he’s got that little bit of something. I think if Wolves are going to create and unlock Burnley and score a goal, that might be your best avenue. Particularly with it being at home, it’s easier to give him his second Premier League start.”
One of Fer Lopez or Rodrigo Gomes should start vs Burnley
It remains to be seen if Pereira will put his faith in Lopez against Burnley, but some fans will hope to see it.
Lopez is clearly still acclimatising to English football and its physicality. But there have been flashes of creative quality from the 21-year-old and at the moment Wolves are lacking a spark in and around the final third.
Data recently showed that Wolves have the lowest xG in the Premier League, and against Sunderland on Saturday, chances were created but they were low quality.
Lopez – who Dave Edwards believes should play as a sole number 10 for Wolves – has the eye for a line-breaking pass and also carries the ball quite nicely.
So it would be good to see him start.
Rodrigo Gomes should also be considered to start having been one of Wolves’ most threatening players this season.
Pereira probably won’t start both, but one of those youngsters in from the start would be most welcome.