‘Got found out’ – Joe Hart slams Wolves for tactical switch that cost them vs Brighton
Wolves have endured seven games in the Premier League without earning a win after drawing 1-1 with Brighton on Sunday.
Vitor Pereira’s men took the lead in the first half, thanks to Bart Verbruggen’s own goal, but Jan Paul van Hecke’s 86th-minute equaliser ensured that Wolves failed to win against Brighton.
The Molineux club face newly-promoted duo Sunderland and Burnley in their first two games after the international break.
Pereira was sent off against Brighton amid the growing pressure on the 57-year-old.
Wolves dropped points after switching from a back four to a back five
Wolves were initially on the front foot in their draw with Brighton, but the West Midlands side invited pressure on themselves in the second half.
On the hour mark, the hosts opted to replace Hwang Hee-Chan with Emmanuel Agbadou, changing their shape from a back four to a back five.
Speaking about the tactical switch on BBC One’s Match of the Day on 5 October, Joe Hart said: “They ended up sitting deep. They started really well. They started in a (back) four, and they looked really positive. They had a good performance at Tottenham last week. As we see them lining up, when they do line up with the four, they are able to get on the front foot, nice and congested through the middle, making it difficult for Brighton to play.
“They looked ready to pounce, they’re high up the pitch, always looking for an opportunity. Can they turn it over? Brighton need to be perfect. They managed to turn it over in this circumstance, but there’s always bodies around the ball.
“With a four there’s runs trying to get through, turning it over early, they’re able to get on the front foot again. Molineux is at its best when Wolves are on the front foot, creating chances.”
Speaking about a chance Brighton created in the second half, Hart added: “This is a big moment in the game, because this is what prompts the change. You’ve got (Hugo) Bueno playing at right-back. (Georginio) Rutter and (Brajan) Gruda have decided to double up on him.
“As the clip just unfolds, it drops to Rutter, incredible save from Sam Johnstone. Straight away, Pereira, wherever he is in the stadium he says get Agbadou on, get Hwang off.
“He (Agbadou) is saying ‘Are we playing a three, Mister?’ Absolutely not, this is a five, we’re trying to get the 1-0 win. There’s nothing wrong with that in the Premier League. If you believe in your system and you believe in your players, alright you’re not able to get bodies out, you’re going to say ‘We’re having a tough run, we need to get the win, we dig in, put in big challenges.”
Describing a defensive error made by Jackson Tchatchoua, Hart said: “This is what you can’t have. Tchatchoua communicating with Sam Johnstone and straight away, Sam Johnstone, you can see he’s not happy. Could have avoided that, but they need to switch on.
“If you’re going to play a five, not a problem, but get switched on. Fair play to Brighton, that was their one opportunity, great header.“
Wolves cannot afford to emulate Brighton error vs Sunderland or Burnley
Pereira recently signed a new contract with Wolves, but the Molineux club’s hierarchy will be highly unimpressed by his side’s current form, as they are the only Premier League side yet to earn a win this season.
| Wolves’ last three results | Premier League |
| Leeds (H) | 1-3 L |
| Tottenham (A) | 1-1 D |
| Brighton (H) | 1-1 D |
As outlined by Hart, Pereira’s men were on course for a victory until they decided to make defensive substitutions, which made them nervy and ultimately caused Brighton’s equaliser.
The West Midlands side cannot afford a similar slip-up when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 18 October.
Even though Sunderland have started the season strongly, Wolves must defeat newly-promoted sides amid their quest to secure Premier League survival.
Wolves’ next home game against Burnley on 26 October also sees them take on one of last season’s Championship clubs.
If they fail to beat at least one of the Black Cats or the Clarets, Pereira will face further sack pressure despite his touchline ban.