#1 Davis to stay in charge
Ahead of this weekend’s match against Leicester, Wolves announced interim head coach Steve Davis would remain in charge of the first-team until 2023 – with the decision hoping to provide clarity to Davis, assistant James Collins and goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, so they can plan for the long-term, rather than just taking the side on a game-by-game basis. Davis masterminded last weekend’s victory over Nottingham Forest at Molineux, as well as a first 45 minutes at Crystal Palace on Tuesday night which man supporters felt was the best Wolves have played so far this season, before a couple of defensive lapses allowed the hosts to earn the win.
Boyhood Wolves fan Davis will now oversee at least the next five fixtures – which includes the Carabao Cup visit of Leeds United to Molineux – before the Premier League takes a break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and chairman Jeff Shi has praised the work Davis and his team have carried out during their period at the helm. Shi said: “In the short time Steve and his team have been in interim charge of the first-team, we have already seen improvements to the group, with the players responding well to their methods and the changes they have started to implement. Steve understands the culture and standards set at this club, and we want to give him and his team clarity on their positions and allow them the best possible opportunity for success.”
The Hugo Bueno cross 💫
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 20, 2022
The @AdamaTrd37 header 🎯
A pitchside angle of Adama’s opener at Palace. pic.twitter.com/f9E2tnCjaj
#2 A run of Molineux matches
Sunday starts a run of four matches at home in the next three weeks, which Davis believes will offer his team an advantage as they look to earn as many points as possible before the World Cup gets underway in November. Wolves were able to turn their fortunes around against Forest at Molineux last weekend and with Leicester, Brighton, Leeds and Arsenal all set to pay a visit to the golden palace in the coming weeks, the advantage a raucous Molineux could provide the side could be crucial come Boxing Day, when football returns after the break.
In his programme notes for Sunday’s match against Leicester, which is available to purchase for £4 from shop.wolves.co.uk, Davis said he and everyone in his squad are looking forwards to playing back in front of the home support, adding: “We’ve got to make Molineux a place which is very difficult for teams to come to and get something from, just like we did against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Having four of the five games before the World Cup at home will gives us that advantage we need, especially after a couple of tough games in London, so we’re all looking forward to getting back in front of our fans, putting on performances you can be proud of and picking up some vital points.”
#3 Form goes out the window
When teams are fighting it out for every point they can get, form more often than not goes out of the window, and for Wolves and Leicester, both sides who are currently sat in the bottom three – with Sunday’s hosts just a single point clear of the Foxes – points become even more of an importance than performances. Recent matches between the sides have been evenly matched, with Leicester and Wolves sharing two wins and three draws from their last seven meetings. Although it is the men from the West Midlands who can take hope from the fact they came out on top last time they went head-to-head at Molineux earlier this year, where goals from Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence secured the three points.
Important decisions will have to be made by both managers, with Davis yet to opt for a settled side. The head coach made two changes between the meetings with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, before opting for another three changes to the side which started at Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. The biggest selection choices have come in central midfield and at full-back, where Jonny, Nelson Semedo, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno have all rotated in the two possible positions.
#4 Football is for everyone
On Sunday, Wolves will join the Premier League in demonstrating their ongoing support for LGBTQ+ inclusion by celebrating Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. All Premier League fixtures between 22nd and 30th October, which also includes the visit to Brentford next Saturday, will be dedicated to Rainbow Laces. Campaign support will also be visible at Molineux to show that football is everyone’s game in a variety of ways, including rainbow-themed captain’s armbands which will be worn by Ruben Neves, while ball plinths, handshake boards and LED perimeter boards will also highlight important messages.
Wolves have been working hard to make Molineux a welcoming environment for all supporters, as we embrace differences and take pride in being part of the pack. Last month saw Birmingham Pride celebrate its 25th birthday and members of club staff and supporters were there to represent Wolves. Lifelong Wolves supporter Helen Albanese, a season ticket holder and member of the Wolves EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) group, spoke to wolves.co.uk and explained why bringing the LGBTQ+ community and the football community together is so important.
Proud to represent the pack at yesterday’s@BirminghamPride parade 🏳️🌈
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 25, 2022
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!#OnePack pic.twitter.com/yklp9SkUXp
