Vitor Pereira exit danger, Jorgen Strand Larsen must stay – 5 things we learned from Wolves v Bournemouth
Wolves fell to a second defeat in as many games at the start of the new Premier League season as Bournemouth emerged 1-0 victors at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (23 August) afternoon.
Vitor Pereira’s side were thrashed 4-0 by Man City on the opening day of the new campaign last week, and will have been fearing the worst this time around as Marcus Tavernier gave the hosts an early lead.
Their task to get back into the game got a lot harder just after the interval as Toti was sent off for a last-man tackle on Evanilson, and he could have very few complaints at the decision.
Wolves had some chances to equalise throughout, but were never truly in control and always seemed more likely to concede than score late on as Bournemouth’s potent attack forced Jose Sa into some strong saves.
Here are five things learned about the situation at Molineux after a second defeat in two to kick off the Premier League campaign.
Vitor Pereira could walk away from the Wolves job soon
There have been some serious question marks over Pereira’s future in charge of the Molineux outfit, despite his impressive start last season, as his contract expires next summer and is yet to be extended.
The Portuguese boss has not been backed properly in the transfer window this summer, up to now, with key men like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri replaced by the likes of Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe, who could each come good but are cheaper, less experienced replacements.
Wolves fans will surely be fearing a relegation battle this season after their poor start, and talk around Pereira walking away from his job could start ramping up soon if they do not sign more players before now and the end of the transfer window.
Hugo Bueno must start games
Pereira chose to start the aforementioned Wolfe at left-wing-back against the Cherries, but he was disappointing in the first-half and allowed Antoine Semenyo to run riot down the wing.
22-year-old Hugo Bueno impressed out on loan at Feyenoord last season, and he was brought on in place of Wolfe at half-time here and proved his worth to Wolves with some good attacking play that led to a number of chances to score.
He has been unable to nail down a starting place over the last few years, but should be offered the chance to make that position his own from now on, especially if Wolfe continues to struggle.
Wolves will struggle for goals if Jorgen Strand Larsen leaves
Wolves’ only genuine chances to score came by way of putting it on a plate for Jorgen Strand Larsen, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Arias, Andre and Hwang Hee-chan all unable to test Djordje Petrovic.
The Norwegian had the visitors’ only shot on target as his 18th minute header was well-saved by the Cherries keeper, and losing him would very clearly be catastrophic to their chances of survival this season.
Strand Larsen has been linked with a move to Newcastle in recent days, but Wolves’ £60million valuation of his services is likely to put them off a move, as they obviously do not plan on losing him this summer.
Centre-back additions are needed as soon as possible
The Molineux outfit’s three-back formation was way too easy to break down for Bournemouth all afternoon, as they found spaces in behind and stretched their defence with nearly every attack.
Toti’s sending off summed up their struggles, as he was handed two yellows for two clear fouls, and Matt Doherty also picked up a booking, while Emmanuel Agbadou looked shaky but was clearly the best of the trio.
Pereira will want to be helped with numerous new signings over the next week, and centre-back is a clear area that needs bolstering if they are to improve any going forward.
Wolves could be better off keeping Fabio Silva for now
Strand Larsen was their only real threat in attack, but did waver as time went on and was duly subbed off for Hwang in the 78th minute, who failed to create anything meaningful and has struggled for Wolves over the last 18 months.
Fabio Silva has been linked with a Wolves exit this summer, with a move to Borussia Dortmund potentially on the horizon, and he was not named in the matchday squad once again here as a result.
With such big sides like Dortmund and RB Leipzig linked to his services, it would surely make sense to offer Silva somewhat of a reprieve in Pereira’s side, as they are massively lacking striker depth and do not look close to any new additions as it stands.