Wolves’ gaffer Vitor Pereira tested some new lineups during pre-season, with mixed results.
Wolves had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their first public pre-season game against Stoke City.
Fer Lopez looked lively on his debut, close to finding the goal on a couple of occasions. It was also the first appearance for Hugo Bueno since returning from a loan spell with Feyenoord.
An early Stoke goal would be cancelled out by a second-chance opportunity for Hwang Hee Chan following a saved penalty, leaving it all square after 90 minutes.
Vitor Pereira was clearly trying out some lineups and tactical adjustments, making it difficult for the team to get into any real rhythm.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was unconvincing at wing-back in Stoke display
Following the game, journalist Liam Keen spoke with Nathan Judah for the Express and Star about the questions left unanswered at wing-back.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was picked yet again, and while the midfielder did his best to adapt to the role, the two remain unconvinced by the fit, saying: “Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was playing out there, did so against Burnley when he started and on neither occasion did he do particularly badly, but he’s clearly not suited to that position.
“It’s a slightly specialist position and Bellegarde’s not quite suited to it.”
Bellegarde has been a valuable part of this Wolves side under Pereira, possessing a brilliant engine and technical ability in the middle of the park, but as a long-term solution at wing-back? Maybe not.
The decision to play him there indicates a lack of viable options, something that will have to be addressed before the window closes.
Wolves are struggling to replace Rayan Ait Nouri and Nelson Semedo
The departure of Rayan Ait Nouri to Manchester City was always going to leave a hole in the squad, but what is alarming many fans is the absence of a replacement this close to the start of the Premier League season.
After Marc Pubill was hijacked by Atletico Madrid, concern is building over the strength of the wide back positions.
The latest reports have been linking Vladimir Coufal with a move to Wolves, which have garnered mixed reception, with many feeling that a 33-year-old free agent is not sufficient to plug the creative and defensive gaps left by Rayan Ait Nouri and Nelson Semedo.
But there are positives to take from Saturday’s match. Hugo Bueno has returned from a successful loan spell at Feyenoord and looked dangerous running up and down the left wing. Ki-Jana Hoever impressed against Stoke, and he will be hoping to carry this vein of form into the new campaign.
Wolves have been left weakened by the departures earlier this summer and need to use some of those fees to shore up at the back. There are promising signs from those returning from loan spells but more experience and quality is needed.