OPINION
Wolves look like they are really getting into their groove in the Premier League after a dominant performance against Burnley gave them their second win of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men now sit in ninth place after five games, and few can complain about such a solid start upon their return to the top table of English football.
A real test however awaits at the weekend as they prepare to travel to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, and Nuno will have to get his team selection spot on if he wants to come away with anything.
So far he has managed to do just that, with positive results following, but there is one player who has been a passenger over the past few weeks who must now see the axe: Helder Costa.
The 5ft 10in Portuguese winger [Transfermarkt] has started all five games for the club so far in the Premier League, but is yet to register a goal or an assist in the competition this season.
Nuno usually hauls him off for £18million signing Adama Traore in the second half, and it was the jet-heeled Spaniard who secured their first win of the season with an injury-time winner against West Ham.
His outings off the bench are always lively, and his increased goal threat means that he must be included in the team from the start instead of Costa against United.
The likelihood is that Wolves will spend much of the game on the back foot, so they need players who are going to exploit the few chances they do get over the 90 minutes.
At the moment, the player who looks most likely to do that is Traore, with his lightning pace and bullish strength, and having him as a weapon on the counter will be a major asset at Old Trafford.
This move is a no-brainer for Nuno after five games of disappointment from Costa, with Traore constantly breathing down his neck, and he must make the switch come Saturday afternoon.