The international break is now in session, and it seems a good time to take stock of how Wolves have fared in 2020/21 so far.
The club currently sit 13th in the Premier League table on six points having won two games and lost two.
It was a disappointing early exit from the EFL Cup, with Stoke City running out 1-0 winners in the third round clash.
There’s been ups and there’s been downs, so what can we take from Wolves’ five games so far? Here’s four early observations…
Doherty and Jota are going to be missed
Between them, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota supplied 23 goals for Wolves last term.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The duo were a bona fide source of productivity and, although Wolves have done OK so far, it has to be said they have been missed.
Hopefully Portuguese pair Nelson Semedo and Daniel Podence have it in them to deliver a similar sort of output.
Dendoncker must play
Leander Dendoncker was left on the bench against West Ham United, and the team was weaker for that.
(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
The Belgian enforcer was then recalled to the starting XI against Fulham, and produced a very solid display in central midfield alongside Ruben neves.
It might mean that Joao Moutinho is forced to warm the bench, but sometimes it’s needs must – Dendoncker is a force who has the capacity to perform all kinds of roles.
Potential Podence breakout
The diminutive winger has started really sharply in 2020/21, assisting both of Raul Jimenez goals.
(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
His nutmeg on Kevin De Bruyne was as cheeky as it was brilliant, and one gets the feeling that, having now had enough time to bed in at Molineux, he could become a serious threat for Wolves.
His acceleration, combined with that low centre of gravity, is going to make him a nightmare for defenders. A real bright spark in a mediocre start.
Lack of pre-season a killer for Wolves
Wolves only began their pre-season training on September 3 and Nuno had several key players missing thanks to international call-ups.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
There were no games played between the defeat to Sevilla on August 11 and the Premier League opener against Sheffield United on September 14, just a string of disrupted training sessions – and it’s shown.
Wolves have done well in periods – the first-half against Sheffield United and the second half against Manchester City springs to mind – but the team have largely been disjointed thus far, and it could well continue for a few weeks while the new signings get up to speed, and all of Nuno’s players get familiar with his tactics.