The Daly Brief | Wolves vs Spurs

Rob Daly, official club commentator and pundit...

No great escape

Prior to the international break, Wolves picked up seven points from a possible nine - a run that started with home wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool. “It's taken a while to change things and go in the way we wanted," explained Rob Edwards after the victory over the Champions, having taken over in November. “We probably forgot how to win and how hard you have to work to win. The lads are showing that now." The result was followed up by an impressive comeback at Brentford, going down 0-2 before earning a draw. But a 25-day gap without a game perhaps saw them lose momentum, before suffering heavy defeats to West Ham (0-4) and Leeds (0-3).

Who is impressing for Wolves?

18-year-old forward Mateus Mané has been a particular standout this season. The Portuguese youth international only made his first start in December, but has since become a regular with his powerful, creative running and decision making in the final third. Defender Ladislav Krejčí was a good acquisition last summer, a real threat from set-pieces, but he and winter loan signing Angel Gomes both came off injured against Leeds - while Yerson Mosquera is suspended again. Rodrigo Gomes has scored big goals in those Aston Villa and Liverpool wins, but it was always going to be difficult for Wolves during a season when Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Jorgen Strand Larsen (January) departed. Also, we’ll see who starts in goal, with third choice keeper Dan Bentley needed due to Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone’s injuries last week - Johnstone likely ruled out for the season. It will be a late call for Edwards on Sa and Bentley.

Can Spurs up the tempo?

In the past two games, Wolves have struggled when the opposition have upped the tempo - and Spurs showed their potential to do that last week against Brighton. Rodrigo Bentancur gave the team the base from which to play during an excellent during 67-minute run out - his first appearance in 101 days after injury. Playing as the deepest lying midfielder, De Zerbi was glowing in his assessment of the partnership with Yves Bissouma - a first start together since Bilbao. “He had a great game. Like Bissouma, both are very important for us as personalities, as experience. They know, they have a great connection between them.”

Xavi's role

Xavi Simons was used out on the left against Brighton, to great effect. The average position map below shows his license to drift in field from the left – as he did to create Pedro Porro’s opener and score his own second half screamer from similar positions. In fact, he has three goals and one assist in his last two starts. “I have a special connection with all number 10s I work with. I love a number 10," said Roberto de Zerbi afterwards, having played the position himself. “A number 10 has to understand that he has to score and he has to make assists, not just play to be nice to the people – goals and assists.” Xavi got both last weekend.

Press, press, press!

It was, in fact, Conor Gallagher used in a number 10 position, operating behind Dominic Solanke. Both were pressing machines, with the pair combining to force the turnover that led to Porro’s opener. Gallagher also snapped at the heels of Bart Verbruggen in the second half to turn his clearance just wide, in what could have been a similar goal to Kai Havertz’ at Manchester City last week. "I want to see again the same Gallagher I loved in Chelsea time,” De Zerbi said upon his arrival. The standing ovation he received on his 76th minute withdrawal was a real sign the fans appreciated his performance. Crucially, the pressing didn’t stop there, with replacement Lucas Bergvall immediately winning the ball back from Jan Paul van Hecke before Xavi smashed home for 2-1. De Zerbi stated, after the game, that Spurs can press even more – and you’d suspect Gallagher will be central to that.