Pundit left baffled by Wolves decision involving Jordan James | OneFootball

Cesar Peixoto has been questioned for failing to hand Jordan James a league start since he joined from Rennes on loan last month.

Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto has been questioned for not starting Jordan James after the team went two games without a win.

The Portuguese head coach had enjoyed a positive start to life in England, but a 4-2 loss at West Ham, which was followed up by a 2-2 draw at Birmingham last time out, has left Wolves outside the play-offs at this very early stage.

Of course, it’s far too soon to see how the campaign will play out, and Peixoto will rightly state that the uncertainty that came with the transfer window was a major distraction. However, Wolves fans will expect more moving forward.

Cesar Peixoto’s decision to start Marshall Munetsi over Jordan James attracts criticism

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The major problem for Wolves this season has been stopping the opposition. Even though they are the top scorers in the Championship, only Burnley have conceded more.

Naturally, people will point at the defence, but the midfield has failed to control games this season as well, and many fans believe starting James ahead of Marshall Munetsi could help on that front.

And, that was a view echoed by EFL pundit Tom Garratt, as he admitted on The Pyramid podcast that he can’t grasp why James, who was named Young Player of the Year in the league last season, is yet to start a game in Old Gold.

“They’ve conceded too many goals. That’s not going to run," Garrett said.

"In the second half (against Birmingham), they didn’t have a kick, it was all Blues. And, Krejci’s back now, so there’s no excuse.

“I still don’t understand why Munetsi is playing - James has to start. I don’t know if it’s a lack of fitness.”

Wolves are lacking the right balance in midfield

It’s hard to be too critical of Munetsi individually, as he gives his all in every game he plays, and he has also scored two goals already.

But, he struggles on the ball, and, whether it’s on the manager or the player, he often seems to vacate the middle of the park by bursting forward.

That has made Wolves vulnerable to counter-attacks, and it seems a reason as to why they can’t control games in the way they want.

There’s no denying that James is a major upgrade in terms of his technical ability, so fans want the Welsh international to partner Andre in the belief that it will help the team.

Jordan James will be a big player for Wolves this season

To be fair to Peixoto, it’s easy to see why James was on the bench initially, as he had barely featured for Rennes during pre-season, and Wolves didn’t announce his signing until August 19.

So, patience was going to be required, although it now feels the right time to give James a start, as he has made four sub appearances, which means he has built up his fitness.

The 22-year-old has already given supporters a glimpse of what he can do, as he scored an excellent goal in the win over Stoke, and, as outlined above, he is a proven Championship performer over the years.

Wolves travel to Sheffield United on Sunday as they look to get back to winning ways, and it would be no surprise if James was in the XI, and it will then be down to the player to keep his place in the team with a big performance.