Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson has questioned Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo for fielding a weakened side against Southampton in the FA Cup.

As the two teams prepare to do battle in the Premier League today, there is still a sense of frustration for some Wolves fans about the manner of the defeat on Thursday night.

Goals from Danny Ings and Stuart Armstrong allowed the Saints to reach the quarter-finals, where they will now face Championship side Bournemouth for a place in the last four.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton: The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Nuno went with Fabio Silva, Vitinha and Morgan Gibbs-White in attack, a move that stunned lots of fans knowing there is little else to play for this season.

Many felt he should have gone full strength, and Merson couldn’t hide his surprise when speaking about it yesterday on Soccer Saturday.

He said (via Football Daily): “I was surprised with Wolves’ team. I don’t see Wolves going down, I thought they should have played their strongest team the other night.

“When was the last time Wolves won anything? You play the best team and then all of a sudden you get the quarter-final draw.

“I’m not saying they’re definitely going to beat Bournemouth, but you couldn’t have wished for a better draw unless it was at home.

“It just disappoints me.”

On social media, Wolves fans found it hard to disagree with the ex-Arsenal and Aston Villa maestro:

 

Have something to tell us about this article?