Wolves have returned to winning ways in the Carabao Cup, but Vitor Pereira is still searching for solutions in the league.
While they have beaten two Premier League opponents in the cup, they are yet to pick up a single point in the league and were humiliated 3-1 at home by newly promoted Leeds.
With morale low, Wolves’ announcement of a planned light show was mocked by supporters ahead of the Everton match, but the mood has since improved following their cup victory.
After the match, Pereira claimed that Wolves’ first-half display against Everton was the best football they’ve played all season.
But now they face a dangerous Tottenham Hotspur side this weekend and we’ve identified three key changes Pereira must make to give Wolves the best chance of success in this crucial Premier League encounter.
Start Joao Gomes and Andre together
Pereira needs to reunite the midfield combo that worked so well last season.
Andre looked back to his best against Everton, while Gomes made an immediate impact off the bench, grabbing an assist.
The Brazilian duo are perfect for the Spurs clash, with their ability to cover space and press effectively.
Gomes focuses on winning the ball back and arriving in the box, while Andre’s role is to collect the ball from the backline and drive play through the lines.
Their partnership could help Wolves gain control in central midfield and create opportunities to exploit Spurs’ weaknesses.
Give Jhon Arias another start
Arias showed promise against Everton, but fans will be demanding more from him.
This could be the perfect game for him to make a real impact, offering moments of magic or set-piece expertise.
His creativity could also expose Spurs’ leaky backline and provide the breakthrough Wolves need.
Arias likes to roam and drop into pockets of space, a valuable asset for Pereira’s side against the London club.
He also frequently shoots from distance, and with Tottenham likely to dominate possession, Wolves may need to rely on his moments of magic.
Stick to one system
Pereira has experimented with three different formations this season.
The Portuguese head coach has already hinted he could switch permanently to a back-four, following the success of the system against Everton.
For the Spurs clash, he needs to stick with one system to avoid confusing his players.
Constantly tweaking the system could cause personnel issues and leave players unfamiliar with their roles.
Spurs are quick to exploit any lack of cohesion, so it is imperative that Pereira sticks with one system.