OPINION
There have unsurprisingly been very few complaints from Wolves fans over their start to the season as they look like a side of Premier League regulars than the top flight’s new boys.
Things have only been looking up for the Molineux outfit since securing the Championship title, with a number of exciting signings during the off-season adding yet more quality to a squad who looked a cut above the second tier last season.
A 2-0 win over Southampton in their last match has left them sitting a comfortable ninth with a points tally which leaves them closer to the top of the table than the bottom, and up next is a Crystal Palace side who have been terribly inconsistent.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Helder Costa has issued a warning to the Eagles, telling the Mirror: “Goals will come with time. But I’m more focused on helping the team and doing what we need to do.
“The level of confidence is also rising. Not just me but also the rest of the team.”
With the promise of more goals to come, it should spark something in manager Nuno Espirito Santo to change things up and take a big gamble on his team selection – namely, the absence of recognised striker.
Raul Jimenez has been okay for Wolves so far but there should be the belief they can do better up top, and as such the 27-year-old should be axed, the confident figure of Costa thrown up top and either Adama Traore or Ivan Cavaleiro – both having impressed in recent weeks – brought on to have an electric forward line who can blitz Palace with their pace and interplay.
Some might question the lack of physicality up top but Wolves’ style – using wing backs and wingers – sets them up perfectly for swift counter attacks which can be finished by anyone, rather than using a central figure to lead the line.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero is hardly an imposing figure, nor is Palace’s own Wilfried Zaha, and if Costa has the taste for goals, then Nuno should set his side up to feed the fleet footed forward.
It is a gamble, that much is true, but it could be an exciting move which sparks Wolves into life and brings the best out of the front line.