#1 Some welcome to the Premier League
In terms of introductions to the Premier League, they couldn’t have come much more dramatic than what unfolded on Boxing Day for Julen Lopetegui. The Spaniard will have gone to bed Christmas night dreaming of three points at Goodison Park, although he may have wished for a more straightforward way of securing them. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 95th minute winner saw Lopetegui become the first Wolves manager to win his first Premier League match in charge of the club – Mick McCarthy lost to West Ham United in 2009, Nuno Espirito Santo drew with Everton nine years later and Bruno Lage was beaten by Leicester City on his Wolves bow. Beyond the Premier League, Lopetegui took the record for the first top flight win since 1978, secured by John Barnwell.
Of course, Lopetegui is now going for three in a row in all competitions, following the success over Gillingham in the Carabao Cup, and this Saturday will be his first taste of the Premier League on home soil. He watched, without being involved, as Arsenal came to town in November, and the reception he received that night created an instant bond, which was only strengthened at Goodison Park. Winning three on the spin is what Manchester United have done either side of the World Cup break, with Premier League victories over Fulham and Nottingham Forest flanking a cup success over Burnley. A tough task awaits, but in a game Lopetegui will relish.
#2 In-game changes paying dividends
In the head coach’s opening two victories, one thing noticeable has been his willingness to change tactics and personnel mid-game, which worked to great effect on both occasions – three of the four goals scored under Lopetegui have been from substitutes. A half-time substitution against Gillingham showed Lopetegui isn’t afraid to change early, and while it took a further three swaps to break down the League Two side, he was willing to do it. Hee Chan Hwang won the penalty which Raul Jimenez scored, before the South Korean set up Ait-Nouri for the second – three substitutes combining.
That was the case at Goodison Park too. The trio of Matheus Nunes, Adama and Ait-Nouri had all come off the bench together on 60 minutes, and were responsible for the winning goal right at the death. All ten changes available to the Spaniard so far have been made, showing he values his whole squad. Now, those players so effective at the end of the game on Merseyside will be eyeing a starting position, and the head coach must decide if to stick or twist. The same goes for his formation – the successful introduction of Toti at Everton saw Wolves revert to a back three, and following the eventual win, that tweak may have given the Spaniard even more food for thought.
#3 Ready to round of 2022
The calendar year of 2022 has been a mixed one for the Wolves first-team, but on Saturday has the potential to conclude on a positive note. The year began, coincidently, against the same team it will finish – United. That night in Manchester, Joao Moutinho secured Wolves their first win at Old Trafford since 1980 and began a month where the old gold won every match in January. The back end of last season brought other enjoyable wins at Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, as well as when Leicester City and Aston Villa visited Molineux, as a top half finish was secured and fifth successive in the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
This term has been a slow starter, but Lopetegui has breathed new life into this Wolves group, as was evident at Goodison Park. With still three games to go until the halfway mark this season – after West Ham United at Molineux in mid-January – there is still plenty of potential to change. With the arrival of Matheus Cunha set to be confirmed ahead of the trip to Villa Park on Wednesday, the tide could well be turning on the old gold’s season.
Back in action tomorrow. ✊ pic.twitter.com/VcxS2Acrnt
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 30, 2022
#4 Molineux paying respect
Sadly, Saturday’s game will see both Wolves and United join together to remember the life of footballing great Pele, an incredibly gifted football who sadly passed away this week. At all Premier League grounds across the weekend, clubs will remember his contribution to the sport by holding a minute’s applause before kick-off, including at Molineux, while an image of the Brazilian legend will adorn the big screens. Furthermore, both sets of players and officials will wear black armbands.
In the 16th minute, Wolves supporters will then remember one of their own, who tragically passed away recently. Liberty was a Wolves supporter her entire life, but also attended soccer schools of Saturday’s opponents Manchester United. She first watched a Molineux game aged 10 and never looked back, getting her first season ticket back in 2017. J7 in the Steve Bull Stand will never be the same again. To remember the life of Liberty, Wolves supporters will join her father, brothers and friends by conducing a minute’s applause in the 16th minute of Saturday’s game.
