Julen Lopetegui has just masterminded a brilliant win for Wolves over Tottenham Hotspur, but he will already be thinking about Sunday’s clash with Newcastle United – and it could be Joao Gomes’ moment.
Wanderers enjoyed a fantastic victory over Spurs on Saturday, with Adama Traore grabbing the winner.
Other results were fairly kind, and the club now currently sit five points above the drop zone.
Up next for Wolves is Newcastle, who have just been stuttering in the Premier League of late.
The Magpies are winless in their last five league games, and have lost their last two to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Newcastle were quite free-scoring in the first half of the season, but the goals have dried up a bit lately and that’s good news for Wolves.
Lopetegui will see the game as an opportunity to get three more points. And it will be interesting to see what kind of team he puts out.
The midfield will be particular interesting.
In the last game against Tottenham, Matheus Nunes put in another poor showing.
It just isn’t happening for the £38 million star at the moment, and one wonders if the manager might be thinking about dropping him to the bench.
He hooked him against Spurs and Nunes looked very disappointed as he trudged off. He knew himself it was another sub-par display.
Joao Moutinho replaced him, and by contrast put in a wonderful cameo display.
Lopetegui might be thinking about starting the veteran against Newcastle. But the Spaniard should consider throwing a curve ball on Sunday.
Joao Gomes should be considered for first Wolves start against Newcastle
Maybe this is the moment for Joao Gomes to come in for his first start.
The Brazilian was Wolves’ final January signing, and has made just a few substitute appearances so far.
Nunes really is struggling right now, and it would be a surprise if he kept his starting berth.
Moutinho is showing at the minute that he is more influential when coming off the bench.
So that potentially creates an opportunity for Gomes, who must be itching for a chance to start after sealing his £15 million transfer.
Mario Lemina and Ruben Neves are both practically certain to start. But if Lopetegui wanted a third man in there then Gomes has to be considered.
It’s possible he might want three, as Newcastle also tend to play with three.