Wolves came up short against Newcastle United last weekend, and one thing Vitor Pereira did may have one player feeling slightly concerned.
Wolves lost 1-0 at St. James’ Park, with Nick Woltemade scoring the only goal of the game.
It was Wolves’ fourth defeat in four games, which is something that has never happened before in the club’s 127-year history.
Fans are concerned right now. However, it’s still very early days, and Pereira is confident he can raise the level at Wolves.
And he has the belief of the board too, with Pereira set to sign a new contract with Wolves.
Against Newcastle, Pereira sprung a few surprises with his team selection – the biggest perhaps being Hugo Bueno starting at right wing-back, and Rodrigo Gomes on the left.
And this may have come as a worry to one player in the squad.
Hugo Bueno emerging as right wing-back options is a blow for Ki-Jana Hoever
Ki-Jana Hoever is a Wolves player for the season, having been out on loan for the past few campaigns.
Hoever made an impression in pre-season amid the uncertainty over Nelson Semedo, and it was decided he would stay.
After starting Wolves’ first two games, Hoever had to come off in the first-half against Bournemouth due to an injury.
And now, all of a sudden, Hoever’s situation is not looking so good.
Wolves signed Jackson Tchatchoua towards the end of the window, and Rodrigo Gomes can also operate as a right wing-back.
And now, he may have further competition in Bueno, who was deployed their against Newcastle and did well.
It was a curveball no one really saw coming, and after the game Pereira hinted we could see inverted wing-backs again: “In attack, the wing-backs and the forwards, I like the opposite foot.
“If we have the possibility to change them during the game, we can cause different problems.”
Hoever January loan already looks likely
Bueno has been one of Wolves’ best players so far this season, and looks like a decent source of creativity.
That has now emerged as an option to play on the right cannot be particularly good for Hoever’s prospects.
Hoever’s versatility suggests he could play as the right sided centre-back if needed.
But Wolves have several other options capable of playing there, meaning Hoever could now be in a tricky spot.
Hopefully he’ll prove people wrong and establish himself, having finally been given a chance to stick around.
But given the depth Wolves have, it would be no surprise if he eventually headed out on loan in January.