Wolves were beaten 3-2 by West Brom at Molineux yesterday, and the feeling of bitter disappointment for fans is still palpable this morning.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side rolled over to hand Sam Allardyce his first win as Baggies boss, with the visitors converting two penalties in the match before Semi Ajayi headed the winner.
Wolves were a shambles defensively, with Willy Boly bringing down Callum Robinson on the line of the penalty area inside the first 10 minutes.
Ring rust perhaps, but the Ivorian – despite his contributions at the other end – did not improve much as the game progressed.
But it was his centre-back partner, captain Conor Coady, who really struggled.
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The England international looked uncomfortable all afternoon as the left-sided centre-back in the back four, and he could have no complaints about being penalised for West Brom’s second spot-kick.
Nuno acknowledged Coady’s struggles and did something he’s never done before; substituted his captain off the field seemingly to prevent any further damage.
It was a sight no Wolves fan wanted to see, but also sadly a case of needs-must in that moment.
Fears about Coady ringing true
Coady in a back four is something that has had fans worried ever since the Southampton game, which is when Nuno first rolled out the new system.
The 27-year-old had only ever featured in a back five for Wolves having arrived at the club for £2 million from Huddersfield Town (BBC Sport) as a defensive midfielder.
Coady is fantastic in that particular system, but he looks very suspect in a back four, and his showing against West Brom was really alarming.
His leadership is invaluable but there simply cannot be any repeats of Saturday going forwards, meaning Nuno now has a real headache on his hands.
The manager has suggested using a back four suits the players he has in his squad, but surely there has to be a revert to the tried and tested five-at-the-back system, amid the huge struggle for points at the moment.