TIM NASH has followed the fortunes of Wolves for more than 40 years, the last two decades for regional and national newspapers and now for his own website, www.wolvesbite.com. Here’s his view of the opposition.
Wolves will be seeking more capital gains at West Ham on Sunday – but they might need a shoulder to cry on.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have a Europa League double-header against Olympiacos looming either side of the Hammers clash on Saturday.
But while the round of 16 two-legged tie gives them the chance to progress to the quarter-finals, they will see the West Ham game as an opportunity to maintain their push for a Champions League spot.
Wolves are confident travellers in London – they haven’t lost in the capital in nine visits going back more than two years to their Championship days, and have just registered back-to-back away wins against Tottenham for the first time in their history.
The last time they played at the London Stadium, West Ham fans won’t want to be reminded that Adama Traore scored the only goal.
Since then, Traore has become one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League.
Through his willingness to learn and hours on the training ground with Nuno and his coaching staff improving him, the Barcelona academy graduate has added an end product to go with his explosive pace, and Wolves have reaped the rewards this season.
The 24-year-old winger has six goals and 10 assists in 42 games in all competitions in 2019-20, as opposed to one and three in 36 outings last season.
But sadly for Wolves, he is not firing on all cylinders at the moment. Traore has dislocated his left shoulder three times in the last two months, most recently at Tottenham on March 1.
It’s a problem that is being managed and each time he has had to endure excruciating pain before his shoulder has been put back in place and he’s been able to carry on.
Head coach Nuno said on Friday they are exploring a variety of measures treat the condition to avoid surgery this summer.
But the fact he has come off the bench three times in his last six games and failed to complete 90 minutes in each of his last seven appearances suggests Wolves are using him as sparingly as they can.
The other worry is opponents will start targeting his weak shoulder – or they are already doing so.
Brighton defender Dan Burn said after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Molineux: “He complained that he thought I’d ‘done’ him, but I genuinely didn’t know which shoulder it was.
“You’ve got to get as close to him as you can because if he runs against you and uses that pace against you, you are struggling.
“I’m sure it’s something Olympiacos will look at. They will exploit it as a weakness, which is something you’ve got to do, within the law.”
During his 26 minutes on the pitch on Saturday, Traore completed six dribbles, more than any other Wolves player.
“Not many players have got out-and-out pace like that,” added Burn. “It was particularly tough.
“I was on a yellow card and I couldn’t lay a hand on him.”
Traore is Wolves’ quickest player – it has been claimed the world’s fastest footballer – but he’s not their only threat.
Mexican sensation Raul Jimenez has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season and alongside him – or often to his left – Diogo Jota is in excellent form with 15 goals this term including six in his last four outings.
Wolves have forward options on the bench too, with Pedro Neto doing a superb job recently filling in for Jota and January signing Daniel Podence able to put defences on the back foot.
Elsewhere, the defence has looked even more solid since the return of Willy Boly at the back.
Wolves have kept five clean sheets in seven games since the man known as ‘The Wall’ has been back from a broken ankle alongside captain Conor Coady and Romain Saiss.
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