24 Oct 2026 22:18:14
Number 5
DMs
The viable options are Andre and James.
The manager sadly also selects - v v regularly Munetsi, Doyle and when fit - although that isn't that often - slow Traore.
An area that should be one of Wolves major strengths has bizarrely, due to the completely inexplicable selections of the manager, been an area of weakness.
When - which is most games - he plays Munetsi in a 4,2,3,1 it effectively leaves Wolves playing 4,1,5 and unsurprisingly Andre struggles to cope,covering the entire midfield on his own.
This has cost several goals and undoubtedly points.
The bizarre selection and formation is made even worse of course due to Munetsi adding to his lack of positional discipline with low technical ability.
Having retained Andre - surely one of the best players in the whole division - and replaced his partner Gomes J with J James - surely one of the best players signed by any championship side over the summer - things looked very promising.
Note James was also acquired on loan with a seemingly modest option fee so I expected to be reporting that Wolves had done well to be still able to put out a first class DM and without spending a penny.
However if it is because James was/is unfit - seems highly unlikely at this stage of the season - or the manager simply has a blind spot Wolves have not put out a first class DM but in fact a poor one.
Of the other options Doyle is a player who simply has not made any progress over the past few years and although neat and tidy on the ball and quite competitive is lightweight, just doesn't "do" enough and is also truly appalling in front of
goal.
Whilst slow Traore, although more physically imposing than Doyle, low bar, and more technically competent and disciplined than Munetsi, very low bar, is simply a modest/limited player who always looks uncomfortable with the ball.
Fortunately if the manager can learn to play a more sensible formation and pick the better players then this area of the team can not only be a strength in this division but may even be able to step up if Wolves are promoted.
In conclusion this is an area of the team that has been a huge disappointment but in which I still have hope.
25 Oct 2026 07:28:43
All of your analysis makes Cesar look good as you've constantly said that every area of the squad is poor but somehow we sit 4th in the table within 2 points of the automatic promotion spot. Everyone seems to think West Ham are the overwhelming favourites to go up and we are 1 point behind them.
Lets not be too hasty just yet. Yes the squad needs tweaking but the season is not a complete disaster just yet.
25 Oct 2026 10:26:02
Good - Remember I am not only looking at how they sit relative to this season but also how they sit relative to the future/Prem and what the financial implications have been from the decisions made to build the squad this summer.
So although for example Sa is adequate for this year he fails the test on both other measures. I am particularly critical of this as other cheaper and better options were clearly available and indeed discussed on this site/SM throughout the summer.
However relative to this season Gks and LBs are adequate for this division.
RBs, if Trippier can stay fit and can be protected by the formation/tactics utilised by a smart manager from fast wingers, should be better than adequate.
CBs are good and DMs should be, but aren't because of the manager, excellent.
So actually not only is the squad far from poor but you must remember just how awful the division is.
As I said before whilst the gap between the top of the Champ and the bottom of the Prem is wide but not insurmountable - although Wolves were actually spectacularly below the "normal" bottom of the Prem - the gap between the bottom of the prem - even Wolves - and the lower half of the Championship is a chasm.
The "discovery" of Djiga and Lopez which you may wish to credit the manager for or not is clearly also a major factor in Wolves relative success so far this season.
However Is it a success?
As I clearly state, if the manager had got his tactics and selection correct - for example at DM - Wolves would have far more points.
So I would postulate that the "success" is almost despite, not because of the manager, and is as a result of the relative strength of the squad versus a truly awful division.
However as I wrote in a post in response to BB the other day if Wolves had only made the simple and obvious decision to buy Lankshear and Cozier instead of Said and Bertrand - which was financially neutral, (but gave 2 HG instead of none) - as widely proposed on SM all summer, then they would have not just a few more points but would be well clear at the top of the table and to all intents and purpose home and dry.
So whilst the manager has failed to optimize what he has the club has badly failed to optimize what it could/should have had.