This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more... 

Wolverhampton Wanderers' season so far has been going swimmingly, they are competing at the top end of the Premier League table once again, while they have also advanced into the knockout stages of the Europa League.

It hasn't been easy either as Nuno Santo continues to operate a tight-knit squad and his faith in them was epitomised when he failed to make a single substitution against Sheffield United last weekend.

He has also had to contend with injuries to key players like Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett while some of his most trusted players have been found faltering in recent weeks.

On the Chalkboard

One of which is Diogo Jota, who Transfermarkt value at £31.5m, he's been playing well below half that since returning from an injury of his own.

The 22-year-old has failed to score or assist in eight straight matches now, which has to be up there for his worst ever run in an old gold shirt considering he scored ten goals and assisted seven more last season.

But what is behind is poor run of form? Looking at statistics alone, it is hard to tell as they paint a different and rather encouraging picture.

The Portuguese international is averaging more shots per game, increasing from 1.8 last year to 2.2 this term, more key passes per match as that has increased by 0.2 from 0.8, and even more dribbles per game going from 1.7 to 2.3, via WhoScored.

Jota is also fouled more, by a similar margin to the latter above, which suggests he is getting even more involved and becoming even more of a threat in attack - yet, he hasn't been able to score or assist?

It is all quite perplexing - in the last six matches alone, he has managed 18 shots at goal, 11 dribbles and eight key passes, so the blame can't entirely be down to him as the numbers are there.

Either he's not getting the rub of the green right now or his teammates aren't capitalising on what he's actually producing. Time will tell if he can turn it all around.

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