Tim Nash – who runs the Wolves Bite website – gives the opposition view on tonight’s game 

If West Ham’s inconsistent form resembles ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’, Wolves are more ‘Tales Of The Expected’.

Wolves are currently on their longest unbeaten run in the top flight – nine games – since glam rock was at its height in 1973.

To their huge credit, they have successfully combined the intense demands of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League on top of their Premier League commitments, and all with the smallest squad in the division.

In those two competitions, their run without loss stands at 12 matches, and with a record of eight draws in the Premier League – the highest of any team – they have learned how to stay in games and avoid defeat.

That staying power is underlined by the fact that no team has scored more goals from 75 minutes onwards in games than them.

They have a settled way of playing – always three centre backs with wing backs – with the only variation between 3-4-3, which they are currently playing, and 3-5-2.

Their spine is strong. In contrast to the Hammers’ struggles between the sticks with Roberto, Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio is one of the cleanest handlers in the league.

Ruben Neves

Captain Conor Coady, the sweeper, is closing in on 100 consecutive league appearances – he’s currently on 87 – while the mercurial Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves are first picks in central midfield.

Up front, Raul Jimenez has already scored 15 goals this season and just been named Premier League’s player of the month.

No Premier League player has scored more goals in all competitions than the Mexico international.

But Wolves are also a danger down the flanks, which is where they carry much of their attacking threat.

On the right, wing back Matt Doherty scored the equaliser against Sheffield United on Saturday and has a habit of arriving into the box unnoticed by the opposition, as his record of eight goals last season testifies.

On the right side of attack, West Ham will not need reminding of the threat of Adama Traore, who scored the only goal when the teams met last season at the London Stadium.

The only apparent selection dilemma for boss Nuno Espirito Santo is at left centre back, where he has Romain Saiss available again after suspension.

The Morocco international is expected to be recalled in place of Max Kilman, who made a confident first Premier League in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the Blades.

With opposite number Manuel Pellegrini under pressure and following the recent sackings at Tottenham and Arsenal of Mauricio Pochettino and Unai Emery respectively, Nuno defended the West Ham manager and others such as Everton’s Marco Silva.

Asked how he viewed the managerial situations at West Ham and Everton, he said: “That’s a question I cannot answer. That’s a question that should be made to the clubs, because when we go to clubs and we sign, normally we sign for longer than one year.

“When we sign and speak and have conversations, the words time and patience are always present, so that’s why we’re confident as managers and feel we can grow and say we want to build and to do this, that and improve.

“So that question is not for us managers. Why speak about time, patience, step by step growing, if, in the end, we’re seeing that this is not the truth?”

Nuno is a big admirer of the talent in West Ham’s squad and believes they will prove to a hard nut to crack.

“It’s going to be very tough. West Ham are a very good team with fantastic players and a fantastic manager,” he said.

“They had a good result at the weekend and it’s going to be very hard.

“The quality of West Ham’s squad is there for everybody to see.

“They have very good players and we have to know that and prepare ourselves well.

“But we’re playing at Molineux, I expect a full house with Molineux buzzing and giving us all the support they can give us.”

Wolves did the double over the Hammers last season, and Nuno believes his team’s organisation was the key.

“The first one was the beginning of the season, when we scored in the last minute and we stayed organised for most parts of the game,” he added.

“At home, also, it was all about the organisation, the way we play and try to make our chances, but sticking to our task and respecting the game.

“We did what we had to do, and then played, and tried to improve.”