Wolves will again go in search of their first Premier League win of the season against Brighton – and one player’s starting prospects are not looking good.
Wolves got a point against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but it was so close to being all three, but for a last-gasp winner from Joao Palhinha.
But the players and Vitor Pereira can take great encouragement from the performance down in north London.
There were a number of really good individual performances in old gold, including from the likes of Santiago Bueno, Jhon Arias and Andre.
Sam Johnstone was also very solid against Spurs, meaning there is a low chance that we will see Jose Sa take to the field at Molineux this Sunday.
But Sa losing his place could actually be a big positive.
Jose Sa raised his game the last time he got dropped at Wolves
When Johnstone signed for Wolves, Gary O’Neil threw him straight into the starting XI.
Unfortunately for the Englishman, he did not really take his chance, and then O’Neil started alternating between him and Sa.
When Pereira came in, Sa got the show of faith and had a good end to the season.
Ultimately, it was felt by a lot of Wolves fans that Sa initially losing his place to Johnstone lit a fire beneath him, helping him to improve his own game and stay in the team.
Sa now finds himself in a similar situation.
He’s lost his place to Johnstone, and must respond.
But he’s done it before, and he could now do it again – and that can only be a good thing for Pereira, who needs strong competition for each position.
So while it will be disappointing right now for Sa – who is currently the lowest-rated player in the Premier League it could also be the best thing that could happen to him.
Jose Sa must be ready to capitalise on Johnstone dip
Credit must go to Johnstone for the way he’s started this season.
Not many people saw this coming, with some even expecting that he would leave the club before the end of the transfer window.
But he stuck around, and has made the most of his opportunities and now he could get an extended run.
And now Sa – who Wolves bought for £7 million (Sky Sports) – must try and respond.
There will surely come a point where Johnstone has a bit of a dip, and the Portuguese must be ready to seize any opportunity with both hands.
He did that very well last term and fans will hope he can do it again his time around.