Wolves form over the last few games has not been great. Despite playing extremely well at the Emirates and earning a point, we came back after the international break with the expectation that a similar level of performance would continue against Huddersfield at home. We could not have been more wrong, huge credit must go to Huddersfield whose tactics and desire was spot on, we could not cope. I was impressed with Aaron Mooy and Philip Billing who dominated the midfield. The performance and desire from Wolves were outright shameful and was the worst showing since Nuno took charge. Changes are surely ahead and there is plenty to consider so is it time to stick or twist with some of your Wolves assets?
Rui Patricio 4.6M- The Portuguese international has not had a clean sheet since Wolves last win away at Palace and he was arguably at fault for Mooy’s free-kick going in. If you already have Patricio, I think it is best to hold onto him unless are you are significantly upgrading your keeper to somebody like Ederson or Lloris who has great fixtures on the horizon. As many have said before Patricio provides great value as a set and forget keeper so unless he is injured, or you are upgrading significantly then stay put.
Matt Doherty 4.9M- The Irishman was everybody’s favourite player for a while and saw his price rice considerably during that time, the wing-back even provided three double digit returns in four weeks at one point. Since then however, Doherty has only returned six points and people expected more given the home fixtures against Watford and Huddersfield. Realistically though Doherty achieving those points in hauls in such a small-time frame was always going to be unsustainable. There is always a period where players go through dry spells and Doherty is just doing what every non- elite defender does. Given his price, natural game and being virtually un-droppable to me it is a no brainer to keep Doherty if you have him. Only one defender has had more touches in the penalty box and for 4.9M can you really complain?
Ryan Bennett 4.2M- One of the only real rivals to the legendary budget defender that is Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka but that time could be coming to an end. His whole career at Wolves has been about proving people wrong and he has been amazingly consistent for a long period of time. Sadly, all good things come to an end and I feel his time in the starting eleven is over. His form has dipped considerably and to me he seems to be struggling and getting exposed by our opponents more frequently. Bennett also is likely to pick up bookings as can often be quite cynical. Leander Dendonker has been patiently waiting for his chance since arriving in the Summer and I would not be surprised to see him start on Friday in place of Bennett. If you have him sell for Wan-Bissaka.
Ruben Neves 5.0M- The Portuguese maestro has not been at his best in the past few games as our results show and that is no coincidence. Teams are finding ways to hold back his influence, so Wolves will need to find the answers quickly as without Neves at his best we will struggle. Ever since his opening day haul against Everton, the 21-year-old has only had one attacking return and that was a goal against Tottenham. He is always a threat from free-kicks and will take shots during a game but as I said at the very start of the season, he is not a good FPL asset. He is also one booking away from suspension, so I would be selling sharpish for someone like David Brooks who is around the same price but a genuine attacking threat.
Helder Costa 4.9M- A truly perplexing case this one, as Costa has had some great games this season and then some stinkers and has still managed no attacking returns what so ever. It is very strange as sometimes he looks a world beater going past people, other times he is invisible. I would have thought scoring on his senior international debut would have put him in a good position to finally break his duck, but it just has not happened. His display against Huddersfield was the worse of the lot and he will surely pay the price and be benched against Cardiff. He appeared to be hiding most of the game and going down at the slightest touch. If you have him sell, if you do not have him do not buy that’s all that needs to be said.
Morgan Gibbs-White 4.3M- The teenager has been around the first team squad for a year now and he is very firmly knocking on the door. His cameo against Spurs drew national attention and he created a big chance for Costa who somehow missed the chance. He came on against Arsenal and impressed again and was so unlucky not to win the game with a superb strike that hit the bar and bounced down and out. He got a run out in the second half against Huddersfield subbed on at half-time for Joao Moutinho. He largely did ok and provided a different dynamic. He has a lot of ability on the ball and unlike Neves and Moutinho he will travel with the ball and make more attacking passes. If he does indeed start against Cardiff, then he could be become a fantastic fifth choice midfield pick.
Raul Jimenez 5.9M- Short and sweet this one. The Mexican is the best budget forward in the game, the Wolves player most involved in goals, on penalties and is guaranteed to start. Keep if you already have, he is a great enabler.