Wolves FancastWolves FancastWolves FancastWolves Fancast
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • PODCASTS
  • BLOGS
  • Video Content
  • CONTACT US
  • SHOP

What A Different A Formation Makes

    Home Sam Murphy What A Different A Formation Makes
    NextPrevious

    What A Different A Formation Makes

    By Sam Murphy | Sam Murphy | 0 comment | 13 December, 2017 | 0

    Sam Murphy takes a look at how Wolves set up and the impact it’s made on the team.

    For all the expensive talent assembled at Wolves under Fosun, both on an off the pitch, there is one man that Wolves would not be top of the league without, Nuno Espirito Santo.

    Nuno has been the singular most important factor in the outstanding start to the season that Wolves have experienced. His man management has seen the likes of Matt Doherty, and Connor Coady playing some of the best football of their Wolves careers, both playing in new positions.

    Players like Ivan Cavaleiro and Romain Saiss are hungrier and have been more consistent this season than ever before. However the biggest difference and impact has come in the playing style, tactics and formation utilised by the former Porto keeper.

    At the time of writing the only match that Nuno has even slightly changed is tactics is against the Premier League leaders Manchester City. That game, although the same formation on paper, was very much a defensive performance compared with the high possession, and quick movement that we have seen in the Championship.

    Each game Wolves might win in a different way, through set-pieces or through counter-attack football but Wolves are set up always to keep possession, defend resolutely and attack with free-flowing one touch football.

    In a matter of months Nuno has taken an influx of eleven new players combined these with some Kenny Jackett era players to produce Championship contenders. Several players brought in had played under Nuno before at other clubs in similar formations.

    But to produce the levels of performance that has seen this team been described as the best Championship team ever (somewhat prematurely), Nuno has shown a masterclass in coaching a team into a playing style.

    The formation has been drilled into the squad to such an extent that even a change in players does not alter how the formation works, or the style of football. The only exception to this is probably Neves, Doherty and Bonatini where there is no direct replacement to come into the side that would offer the same level of quality. Something Wolves will look to address in the January transfer market.

    Jonathan Wilson quotes in his book Inverted Pyramid, Marcelo Bielsa the Newell’s Old Boys manager in the early 1990’s. He explained that ‘Football rests on four fundamentals… 1) Defence, 2) Attack, 3) how you move from defence to attack 4) how you move from attack to defence. The issue is trying to make those passages as smooth as possible.’

    This formation has allowed Wolves to address those four passages of the game. It offers a strong base for which to play high-tempo, possession football. It gives Wolves the ability to both defend in numbers and transition into an attacking threat quickly. Bielsa also utilised the same formation, with Mauricio Pochettino playing the Connor Coady role in centre of a back three.

    In contrast to previous seasons Wolves have a distinctive game plan and style. Key to this is the ability of wing-backs to be both attacking threats, and defensively sound. This takes an extremely high level of stamina, which the double sessions in pre-season must have helped to achieve.

    When moving forward they can be both out and out wingers hugging the touchline but also providing an overlap for the likes of Jota, like a traditional full-back. Defensively they are able to form a back four or five when Wolves don’t have the ball providing a sound base for the team to not concede.

    Between the three wing backs that have played this season, Vinagre, Doherty and Douglas, they have contributed fourteen goals and assists between them this season showing their importance to this system.

    Wolves however defend in numbers and defend deep. The high pressing of Paul Lambert has been long discarded to the waste paper bin with Wolves first choice strategy to defend is to keep the ball.

    Wing backs have contributed many of the assists for Wolves but the goals have come from the front three. The most important position for Wolves in the front three is the central striker. The position, with which Leo Bonatini has made his own since his arrival from Saudi Arabia, is fundamental to how Nuno’s system works.

    That role relies on a striker who is at the same time unselfish and hungry to get into the six yard box to score. This striker allows the likes of Jota, and Cavaleiro to run off him at defenders with pace coming onto his one touch passes, and flicks on.

    He act’s like an anchor for the other creative players to build from with an excellent first touch, and superb hold up play. His lack of pace is disguised by his ability to be in the right areas at the right time which has seen him score twelve goals this season.

    The engine of the formation is the two midfielders at the heart of this team. The majority of the time they both sit deep with one of the two protecting the defence (Roman Saiss) allowing the other (Ruben Neves) a more pivotal, quarterback role. Ruben Neves arrived at Wolves with a big price tag but has shown his quality in his range of passing like a conductor with an orchestra.

    When Neves plays well, Wolves play well. Neves ability to shift play quickly from one side of the pitch to the other allows Wolves to overload one area of the pitch. This frees up space in areas of the pitch where it is hard for opponents to recover defensively.

    The change of formation for this season has been executed better than any fan could have hoped for. It is testament to allowing a manager with a vision, the right time in pre-season and the right recruitment strategy off the field to deliver on the pitch.

    External onlookers will look to the large amounts of money spent with new owners and the well documented Jorge Mendes connections, as reasons for Wolves success. However this ignores the rapid, and successful transition Wolves have made into this formation under Nuno. Wolves are top of the Championship and it has as more to do with Nuno’s leadership and coaching than it does to the millions spent on wages and transfer deals.

    Football, Soccer, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves

    Sam Murphy

    More posts by Sam Murphy

    Related Post

    • Bristol City vs Wolves – Match Preview

      By Billy Price | 0 comment

      Billy Price looks ahead to the top of the table clash between Bristol City and Wolves. Wolves travel to Bristol City on Saturday for the late kick-off. After a tough fixture away at Milwall, WolvesRead more

    • Winning Wolves – A Sign of Greater Things to Come?

      By Billy Price | 0 comment

      Billy Price looks back at Wolves performance against Middlesbrough and if it’s set the benchmark for the season Wolves have successfully started their championship campaign with a 1-0 win over a strong Middlebrough team insideRead more

    • Changing of the Guard

      By Dan Butler | 0 comment

      With ten new players already joining Wolves this season, Dan Butler looks at what it means for some of the stalwarts of the club.   The new season is fast approaching and plenty of newRead more

    • A man to be thankful for: Sam Ricketts

      By Tom Tracey | 0 comment

      With club captain Sam Ricketts’ loan departure imminent, Tom Tracey looks back at the importance that the defender played in his time at Wolves. It appears as though Sam Ricketts’ departure from the club isRead more

    • Farewell Helder Costa, the first Fosun Superstar

      By Richard Hobbs | 0 comment

      Richard Hobbs looks back of Costa’s time at Wolves following is move to Leeds United The wait. That’s all I really remember from the summer of 2016. We all knew Steve Morgan wanted out andRead more

    Leave a Comment

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    NextPrevious

    Recent Posts

    • The Impossible Job…Except For Those That Pursue It
    • In Defence of Bruno
    • Hwang Hee Chan: The new Bull
    • Oh Adama Traore
    • Bruno Ball: Initial Thoughts on how Wolves have played under Bruno Lage

    Recent Comments

      Archives

      • March 2023
      • December 2021
      • September 2021
      • August 2021
      • July 2021
      • June 2021
      • May 2021
      • January 2021
      • December 2020
      • November 2020
      • September 2020
      • August 2020
      • July 2020
      • May 2020
      • April 2020
      • February 2020
      • January 2020
      • December 2019
      • November 2019
      • October 2019
      • September 2019
      • July 2019
      • June 2019
      • May 2019
      • April 2019
      • March 2019
      • February 2019
      • November 2018
      • October 2018
      • September 2018
      • August 2018
      • July 2018
      • June 2018
      • May 2018
      • April 2018
      • March 2018
      • February 2018
      • January 2018
      • December 2017
      • November 2017
      • October 2017
      • September 2017
      • August 2017
      • July 2017
      • June 2017
      • April 2017
      • March 2017
      • January 2017
      • December 2016
      • November 2016
      • October 2016
      • August 2016
      • July 2016
      • June 2016
      • May 2016
      • April 2016
      • March 2016
      • February 2016
      • January 2016
      • December 2015
      • November 2015
      • October 2015
      • September 2015
      • August 2015
      • July 2015
      • June 2015
      • May 2015
      • April 2015
      • March 2015
      • February 2015
      • January 2015
      • December 2014
      • November 2014
      • October 2014

      Categories

      • Alex Richards
      • Andy Gillard
      • April 2015
      • August 2015
      • August 2017
      • Ben Husband
      • Billy Price
      • Blogs
      • Charlie Meyler
      • Compton Stars
      • Craig Talbot
      • Dan Butler
      • Dan Jones
      • Daniel Hall
      • Daniel Sherriff
      • David Evans
      • David Handley
      • December 2014
      • Edward Marshall
      • FA Cup
      • fancast advent
      • Fancast Debate
      • fancast flutter
      • February 2015
      • February 2016
      • February 2018
      • Graham Large
      • Guest bloggers
      • Gulraj Kular
      • Jake Howard
      • Jamie Allen
      • Jan Hogen
      • January 2015
      • January 2016
      • January 2018
      • Joe Hill
      • Joe Williams
      • Josh Lemans
      • Luke Regan
      • March 2015
      • Match Previews
      • Match reports
      • Matt Cooper
      • Matt Guy
      • May 2015
      • Michael Spencer
      • News
      • NIck Perkins
      • November 2014
      • November 2015
      • November 2017
      • October 2017
      • Oliver Floyd
      • Ollie Lewis
      • Paul Berry
      • Premier League
      • Richard Hobbs
      • Ross Watson
      • Ryan Plant
      • Rye Hoops
      • Sam Astley
      • Sam Lamberth
      • Sam Murphy
      • Sam Pickering
      • September 2015
      • September 2017
      • Stu Hall
      • Stu Hawk
      • Tom Bason
      • Tom Tracey
      • Uncategorised
      • Uncategorized
      • Wolves Analytics

      Meta

      • Log in
      • Entries feed
      • Comments feed
      • WordPress.org
      • PRIVACY POLICY
      • COOKIE POLICY
      • CONTACT US
      Copyright 2020 | Website designed & Sponsored by Pixel Yeti Media
      • HOME
        • ABOUT US
      • BLOGS
      • PODCASTS
      • Video Content
      • CONTACT US
      • SHOP
      • PRIVACY POLICY
        • Cookie Policy
      Wolves Fancast

      We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Learn more about the cookies we use and how to control them here.

      You can control certain cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

      wolves football fancast
      Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

      Strictly Necessary Cookies

      Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

      If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

      3rd Party Cookies

      This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

      Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

      Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

      Cookie Policy

      You can find out more information about our Cookie Policy.