Wolves have looked much better in recent games, as Vitor Pereira continues his effort to find a strongest XI.
The last two results have been a welcome deviation from the norm at Wolves this season.
It was the sweet taste of vengeance in the Carabao Cup, beating an Everton side that took all three points in the league meeting weeks earlier. That was followed by the best performance of the season against Spurs, where Wolves almost got the win.
The performances have improved, and that’s encouraging. But there’s still a ways to go, and some personnel decisions yet to be made.
One such decision centres around a player in flying form, who has been misused for much of the season.
Marshall Munetsi needs to be brought further back
It has been an up-and-down season for Marshall Munetsi.
His presence in the forward line has been questioned by Wolves fans, who don’t see him as an attacker who poses much threat. Pereira values Munetsi’s ability to press high, but that isn’t the only requirement for playing the 10 role in this system.
Dave Edwards has labelled Munetsi as essential to this Wolves side for his work rate and physicality, but he isn’t being utilised in the right position.
As Liam Keen writes for E&S: “In the last two games Munetsi has played a bit deeper in a midfield three and this has really suited his game.
“Pereira knows he can rely on him to bring strength and athleticism at both ends of the pitch and he is able to make an impact in this position.”
Wolves have a fantastic midfield duo in Andre and Joao Gomes, but their starting spots shouldn’t be a given. Pereira recently called out Andre for his apparent lack of effort and dropped him against Bournemouth. So we know the Wolves boss will make those tough decisions.
Munetsi could be competition for the Brazilian duo, or play alongside them
Munetsi has been the subject of criticism from many fans, who think Pereira’s insistence to play the 29-year-old is harming the side.
But Munetsi has been a standout in recent fixtures, and the issue isn’t that he plays, it’s where he plays.
Wolves have some really promising talents to play in those attacking positions. New signings Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias are beginning to find their feet after arriving in the summer.
It’s in the midfield where Munetsi should be considered. If that’s in a midfield two, he could deputise for, or replace Andre or Gomes.
If Pereira continues to use a midfield three from time to time, Munetsi could join them and form a formidable, physical midfield reminiscent of the one that has brought Eddie Howe so much success at Newcastle.
Munetsi gets a bad rap from Wolves fans, assuming most of the blame when playing in a blunt attack. But his skillset is far more suited to a deeper role, and if Pereira starts to utilise his strengths more, he could soon become a fan favourite at Molineux.