After a successful week on and off the field, things are starting to look a little rosier for Nuno Santo and Wolves.
They defeated Chorley in the FA Cup and then finally dipped their toes into the transfer market to sign Willian Jose on loan from Real Sociedad. With both of those things in mind, change is needed in their attack.
On the chalkboard
Wolves’ 1-0 win over non-league Chorley was far from pretty. Those types of cup ties are never too attractive in terms of the football, but the display that Nuno’s men put in was rather diabolical.
They had fewer chances to score than the National League North side and struggled to interlink between defence and attack.
It was torrid display that was typified by an isolated Patrick Cutrone. With Jose on the verge of arriving that day, the Italian needed to put in a convincing display.
Unfortunately, he failed to do so. Cutrone completed just 11 passes all night, finishing with a success rate of 61%.
Alarmingly, only substitute Adama Traore and John Ruddy completed fewer passes. On top of that, Cutrone’s 24 touches were exactly the same as their goalkeeper and only more than Traore and Pedro Neto. Considering the latter was also a substitute, it didn’t bode well.
Against non-league opposition, Cutrone should have been one of the stars of the show. Instead, much like his Molineux career, he struggled.
The solution
Wolves may not have too much depth in attacking areas right now but they simply have to drop the £62.9k-per-week Cutrone against Chelsea.
If he struggled against Chorley, then he’d surely also find life difficult against a Blues side with a point to prove under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
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As such, they must drop the Italy international to the bench and field someone else in attack. Nuno preferred a two-pronged strike force last Friday but on this occasion, he should go with one up top.
Whether that’s Fabio Silva or new signing Jose, both feel more equipped at this moment in time to danger Chelsea.
The club’s record signing scored against West Brom and their recent addition from Real Sociedad scored twice in his final game before coming to England.
Of course, Silva has hardly been rampant in front of goal but his confidence under Nuno is growing.
This is the ideal time to put faith in the young Portuguese – not someone who has failed the current manager on a regular basis.