The Scout Report – Wolves

A resounding 6-0 away win, the largest in over half a century, is the perfect platform for United to continue their electric form in the last few games. Five wins and five clean sheets in as many game is a sequence which today’s opponents Wolves, will look to break.
 

Wolverhampton Wanderers – A Factfile

Founded: 1877 

Nickname: Wolves

Stadium: Molineux (31,700 capacity)

Head Coach: Walter Zenga

2015-16: Championship, 14th 

Major Honours: First Division (1953-54, 1957-58, 1958-59), FA Cup (1893, 1908, 1949, 1960)

2016-17 Scout Report
Notable Signings 
– Ivan Cavaleiro – ST – Wolves’ acquisition of the Portuguese international could prove to be pivotal in their bid for a Play-Off place as the 22-year old is somewhat of a maverick. Prolific in Benfica’s B team, Cavaleiro has failed to live up to expectations and finds himself in the Midlands looking to finally jump-start his career.

– Jon Dadi Bodvarsson – ST – Another of Wolves’ summer signings is another striker. The 24-year old Iceland international played a key role in his nation’s Euro 2016 campaign which saw them reach the Last 8 of the competition. Standing at an imposing 6ft 3in tall, Bodvarsson could be a handful.

 

Notable Departures
– Kevin McDonald – CM – Fulham snapped up one of Wolves’ longest serving players this summer for an undisclosed fee. Capable of scoring goals from midfield, boss Zenga has looked to replace his influential role in the centre of the pitch.
– Rajiv van la Parra – RW – The speedy Dutch winger signed permanently for current table-toppers Huddersfield Town after impressing on an initial loan spell. The Dutchman hit the ground running upon arrival at Molineux however since then, his form dwindled and was sent towards the exit door.

 

Key Players
– Danny Batth – CB – Captain of the Midlands club at the age of 25, the ever-present Batth is a Wolves youth graduate and somewhat of a success story. Five games from totalling 150 league appearances in a Wolves shirt, Batth is a local hero, with consistent, solid displays in front of the Molineux faithful.
David Edwards – CM – 35-cap Welshman Edwards has been at Molineux since 2008 and at 30 years of age, is one of the more experienced figures in the Wolves dressing room. A veteran of Wolves last few Premier League seasons, Edwards is along with Richard Stearman, a survivor of two relegations at the club, which is a sign of excellent grit and determination to continue to fight to return to that level. 
Manager – Walter Zenga
Former Italy Goalkeeper and Inter Milan stalwart between the sticks, Zenga has a wealth of international and European experience as well as contacts all across the footballing world, making him potentially a formidable head coach. However, over the last few seasons Zenga has resided in the Middle East, leading the likes of Al Nasr, Al Jazira and Al Shaab in the Saudi Arabian and Emirati leagues, which could signal that he is out of touch with the modern game in Europe. This is further compounded by the fact that his short spell at Sampdoria in 2015 was ill-fated. On the other hand, Zenga has got off to a promising start at Wolves, losing just two of his first nine games in charge, with his team scoring 12 in the process.