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Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has explained why he has chosen to use such a small squad this term.

What's the story?

The Midlands outfit have already played 29 matches this season, but the Portuguese boss has chosen to use the least amount of players in the Premier League.

Explaining the thinking behind his decision, he said: "The benefits of working with basically the same group of players are that it’s something that can always make us better, because the more time we spend and stay working with the same people, the more we create complicities and small societies among the players is better.

"That is possible because everybody is involved during the training sessions and the games.

"Even if you’re not going to play, you’re in the meeting, you’re inside of the game.

"Even if you’re on the bench, you have a chance to play in the game, so it’s a continuing process where nobody is ever out of the competition. That’s the idea. But it’s not 20 or 21 players."

Could come back to bite them

It is certainly an understandable way of working from some points of view. Having a small group of players is usually better for squad morale, and as he explains, it means that every member of the team has a realistic chance of picking up a fair few appearances across the campaign.

In most seasons, it would be hard to argue with the 45-year-old's way of thinking. However, this campaign is somewhat of an exception. They started the term back in July with a 2-0 victory against Crusaders in the Europa League, and as mentioned before, they have already played 29 matches. For context, Liverpool have only played 26 times, and there has already been complaints about their congested fixture list.

They are already qualified for the next round in Europe, and of course they will have at least one match to play in the F.A Cup as well. With a busy Christmas period to come, as well, there is a high chance that some injuries could be picked up. Where would that leave Santo then? With so few replacements, he needs to cross his fingers that there aren't any such issues.

Not only that, a larger squad could have allowed him to rotate and keep his star players fresh. Currently, he has no possibility to do that.

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Up until now, it has worked out, but that could change in an instant. He is already playing with fire, and it could be a choice that comes back to bite him.

Meanwhile, this Wolves youth prospect could replace John Ruddy.