One of the biggest talking points at Wolves this summer is Gary O’Neil changing system, with several players now set to benefit.
Last season, Wolves fortunes turned when they switched to a three-man defence against Manchester City, as Gary O’Neil’s men secured a 1-0 victory over the champions.
From that moment on in September, O’Neil rarely switched formation and constantly used a 3-4-3 system, notably including Max Kilman, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson as a back three while Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes struck a strong partnership in midfield.
In pre-season, though, the Wolves boss has ripped up that system completely following the additions of Pedro Lima, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes.
That trio have allowed him to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has worked a treat, with the Wanderers securing wins over West Ham and RB Leipzig.
Here are the three players who could benefit most from the change in system…
Tommy Doyle
Tommy Doyle enjoyed a solid first campaign at Wolves but the 22-year-old was often left out of the starting XI.
That wasn’t down to his quality, which he possesses in abundance, but more so the fact that O’Neil preferred Gomes and Lemina as his midfield duo.
It’s a pairing that betters Doyle in the physical department however, the Englishman is far superior technically and this change can benefit his passing range.
With O’Neil using an advanced midfielder, or a number 10, the £4.3m signing can flourish further up the pitch and become a key creative force for Wolves.
Matheus Cunha
Since O’Neil had virtually no natural strikers to choose from last term, Matheus Cunha was forced to lead the line.
The Brazilian did a fine job of becoming the figurehead of their attack, often dropping deep to link play, while stretching defences.
Cunha amassed 12 goals in the Premier League and showcased his true potential under O’Neil, having previously struggled in gold.
Now that Wolves have Strand Larsen spearheading their attack, the 25-year-old can play in a position he’s comfortable and more effective, deployed just in behind the striker.
He flourished there in a pre-season victory over West Ham, scoring a fine goal and once he returns from his most recent injury, he’ll be a ‘phenomenal’ weapon in the Wanderers starting XI.
Jorgen Strand Larsen
The arrival of Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo was arguably a key reason behind the system change.
Wolves finally signed a natural number nine, who possesses the height and physicality to lead the line on his own.
Strand Larsen is capable of holding the ball up for his teammates and linking play superbly, as seen in their most recent pre-season matches.
It’s a system that is, quite simply, built around feeding the Norwegian striker service with the likes of Hwang Hee-chan, Cunha and Pablo Sarabia floating in behind and creating chances.
Coming in from La Liga where he scored 13 goals last term, Strand Larsen could easily hit double figures in a formation that is tailor-made for him at Wolves.