As Wolves languish at the bottom of the Premier League, now is not the time for Vitor Pereira to be playing it safe.
In a concerted effort to regain form, Pereira hasn’t been shy about making wholesale changes to his side, both in terms of personnel and tactics.
It still doesn’t look like he has landed on a strongest XI, and that is making it difficult for Wolves to carve out an identity.
With how many players went in and out at Molineux this summer, the lack of cohesion is no surprise. One rare benefit, though, is that Pereira can make changes without risking Wolves getting worse. The only way is up.
And that’s exactly what he should do, especially given the trend that has taken over the league this season.
Vitor Pereira should lean into set-pieces with Tolu Arokodare and Jorgen Strand Larsen
Wolves have ignored the Premier League trend of long throws, and it has been to their detriment.
As painful as it is to watch, it’s a tactic that has been adopted by every side, and for good reason.
Pereira has some of the best attacking weapons in the league for set-pieces. Tolu Arokodare and Jorgen Strand Larsen are mountains of men. The struggle of creating from open play has been obvious from the first game of the season, and this could be a way to steal goals.
But it’s not just for set-pieces.
Pereira has said he doesn’t like playing direct, but against Chelsea, Wolves found the most joy with long balls and aerial duels. The reality is, aesthetics don’t matter in a relegation battle. Start Tolu and Strand Larsen, play route-one football and get results.
For now anyway.
If Pereira only wants one, it’s a tougher call than it appears
Strand Larsen attracted substantial bids from Newcastle over the summer, and the £60 million links made it clear that he is regarded as one of the top strikers in the league.
But form matters. Strand Larsen was playing for Wolves through injury for much of the opening weeks, but that issue is now resolved. There’s no excuse for him having no goals from open play in the league in November.
When called upon, Tolu has delivered. He has two brilliant goals in the Carabao Cup, and is patiently waiting to be unleashed in the league.
Pereira should bite the bullet and start them together. Tolu sees similarities between him and Strand Larsen, namely their size and strength. But if they could build some chemistry, they could be a striker partnership that fills opposing defenders with dread.
- READ MORE: Predicted Wolves XI to face Fulham as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare decision made
If he only wants to start one, Tolu might be ahead of the Norwegian on form.