Wolves could hand West Brom advantage if Cesar Peixoto overlooks this Marshall Munetsi concern | OneFootball

Marshall Munetsi's passing stats show that the midfielder is not helping Wolves control games right now, which could be a problem against West Brom.

Wolves have had a positive start to the season as they prepare for their first Black Country derby of the campaign when West Brom visit Molineux on Sunday.

The rivalry between the two clubs is well-known, with the previous game suspended due to crowd issues, which Wolves won 2-0 away from home in the FA Cup.

At the time, Wolves had an advantage as a Premier League club, but they will go into this clash behind their rivals, although they can overtake Albion by picking up three points.

That will be the aim for Cesar Peixoto, and the resources Wolves have, combined with home advantage, means they will still start as favourites.

Marshall Munetsi’s passing stats highlight his lack of involvement

Yet, Peixoto’s side haven’t always convinced this season, and one problem has been their failure to control games in the middle of the park. And, a reason for that is the regular selection of Marshall Munetsi.

The Zimbabwe international has qualities, and he has already chipped in with goals against Blackburn and West Ham.

However, he is very poor on the ball, and his lack of involvement in the build-up is quite remarkable.

As per FotMob, in the past three games, he has completed 14 passes against West Ham, eight at Birmingham and nine at Sheffield United, which was comfortably the lowest total for any midfielder who started.

Munetsi played at least an hour in all of those games, and, for comparison, substitutes Kieran Trippier and Tommy Doyle beat his total number of completed passes at Bramall Lane despite playing the final 20 minutes.

This isn’t all on Munetsi, as he is always looking to crash into the box, and it may be a tactic from the head coach, but the reality is that it is preventing Wolves from dominating in the way they want.

As well as that, the former Reims man has a tendency to vacate the middle of the pitch due to his willingness to get forward, and that has left Andre needing to cover a lot of ground.

Cesar Peixoto has very good alternatives to replace Marshall Munetsi

Again, this might be an instruction from Peixoto, and Munetsi’s two goals show that he is capable of making an impact in the final third.

But, it’s difficult to see why Jordan James, or even Tommy Doyle, haven’t been utilised to give Wolves more control.

In James, Wolves boast someone who was named as Young Player of the Year in the Championship last season, and he scored 11 goals in 34 games for a Leicester side that were relegated.

That would suggest he offers a similar goal threat to Munetsi, and he is clearly far more capable in possession, as he displayed with his strike against Stoke last month, that came following a superb crisp pass out to Fer Lopez.

So, the reluctance to hand James a start since his summer move from Rennes is difficult to understand, but, even if Peixoto is not fully sold on the Welsh international, for whatever reason, Doyle would also seem to be a better fit for this Wolves side.

The ex-Man City man lacks physicality, but his quality on the ball is clear to see, and his ability to play forward quickly would benefit the likes of Lopez and Mateus Mane, who could receive possession in more advanced roles.

Wolves must look to control possession against West Brom

One argument Peixoto may have for starting Munetsi recently is that Wolves’ last three games have been away, at very difficult places in West Ham, Birmingham and Sheffield United.

Therefore, you could understand the logic of opting for Munetsi due to his strength, power and set-piece threat in both boxes.

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But, it will be a different game against the Baggies, as Wolves will have to force the issue from the first minute, as you would imagine James Morrison’s side will be happy to soak up pressure and play on the counter-attack.

That will put real pressure on Wolves’ midfield to move the ball quickly, and they will have to be inventive in how they try to break down a low block.

So, Munetsi’s recent stats indicate he could be a hindrance on that front, as he is not capable, or in the right position, of helping Wolves in their build up.

Marshall Munetsi could still have a role to play for Wolves this season

Ultimately, this is a squad game, and Munetsi does bring qualities to the table that no other Wolves midfielder can match.

He is very physical, he can dominate in both boxes, and he is a willing and strong presser, which can be important in certain games.

Yet, Peixoto has chosen to put Munetsi in every XI for a league game, and his inclusion has caused Wolves major problems at times.