What did we learn from Wolves' first pre-season defeat? | OneFootball

Wolves lost 2-1 to Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly, handing Cesar Peixoto his first defeat of the summer. Rodrigo Gomes chased down a loose pass from the goalkeeper to put them in front, before the visitors scored in both halves to turn it around.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the display underlined Peixoto’s aggressive, high-pressing ideas and the growing pains that come with them.

Wolves pressed high with energy and forced mistakes, which directly led to the opener as Peixoto urged the press from the touchline. There is a reluctance to go long from the back and, with Dan Bentley currently the only senior goalkeeper, the club look in need of a new number one to make this plan work.

They tried to break quickly in transition and, against last season’s Spanish cup winners, were competitive. Sloppy spells, however, brought two frustrating concessions.

In attack, injuries and staggered returns are biting. Rafiki Said is sidelined, Fer Lopez is recovering from a knock and some World Cup players are still coming back, leaving the forward line light. Tom Edozie struggled out of position as a nine, Tommy Doyle looked more effective deeper, while Mateus Mane had mixed moments and Gomes is still bedding in, so inconsistency may creep in.

The midfield shape is adjustable, with a lone six, a box-to-box eight and a 10 who can join the box. Andre appears more assured as the single pivot than in his previous, sometimes muddled, partnership with Joao Gomes.

Marshall Munetsi’s athleticism has stood out in pre-season and, if he leaves the technical moments to others, he has a role. Even so, the squad still need a midfield addition to raise quality.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com