Vitor Pereira has shown he is not stubbornly set on one formation this season for Wolves, often changing the setup in search of results.
Typically, the Portuguese manager sticks to his back three even when switching up the rest of the team’s positioning.
Vitor Pereira has used both a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-2-1 across the games this season. However, in Wolves’ Carabao Cup win against Everton, he opted to use four defenders.
The Old Gold ran out as 2-0 winners with both Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare on the scoresheet as Wolves used a fresh system, and the former was praised by Dave Edwards for his performance.
The formation change has brought up a lot of interesting questions, and there are multiple players who could benefit from the switch in system should it be used, and Pereira has hinted he could play a four-back more often.
Three winners as Vitor Pereira uses a back-four vs Everton
Jhon Arias
Jhon Arias has struggled to adapt to English football so far, as the Colombian awaits his first goal or assist in competitive action.
However, the forward has been used as a wide number 10 rather than in his usual right-sided winger role.
The back-three system meant that Vitor Pereira had to force Arias into an unfamiliar position, but with the Portuguese using a 4-3-3 against the Toffees, that could be a catalyst for the former Fluminense man’s Molineux career.
Being set out wide as a winger will be news to make the 28-year-old’s eyes light up, and the Old Gold faithful may now see Jhon Arias at his very best.
Marshall Munetsi
Marshall Munetsi is another player who has often been played in an unnatural role.
The Zimbabwean joined Wolves in January as a central midfielder, but Pereira has more often deployed him in a three-pronged attack.
Munetsi revealed this was to make Wolves more defensively resolute, but either way, the 29-year-old would be much better suited to a midfield role.
The former Stade Reims player has faced criticism for his attacking role, but if used in a deeper position, he could become an important player.
He started in midfield against Everton, and Munetsi managed to get himself on the scoresheet.
Hwang Hee-chan
Hwang Hee-chan is Wolves’ most natural left-sided attacker, although Rodrigo Gomes could make a case to be played further forward.
The South Korean was linked with a move away in the summer after a period of poor form for the Old Gold since Pereira arrived.
However, with the Portuguese now using a system that plays wingers, Hwang could see his minutes across the season increase more than he anticipated.
In 2023/2024, Chan showed he could be a dangerous Premier League threat by scoring 12 goals and hopefully this formation change can revitalise him.
Wolves could do with more goalscorers in the side.