Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Brentford tomorrow night with a renewed sense of confidence coursing through their veins.
Of course, it’s still very unlikely that Rob Edwards’ Old Gold will pull off Premier League survival, considering they’re 12 points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th spot.
But, back-to-back victories against Aston Villa and Liverpool have rightly raised the optimism levels at Molineux, when the season had been engulfed in misery for so long.
A third win on the trot away at Brentford would surely only make the West Midlands titans believe even more that survival can somehow be achieved.
Edwards will be tempted to make some alterations for the trip to the Bees, however, as Angel Gomes possibly drops out of his starting XI, despite an encouraging start to life at Wolves.
Why Edwards could drop Angel Gomes
The former Manchester United playmaker would have welcomed a return to English football with the Old Gold, after he only ever made ten senior appearances for the Red Devils, before moving on to Lille, and then his parent employers in Marseille.
He has now returned to familiar pastures, after clinching a loan-to-buy move to Molineux in January, and he has shone in glimpses for the Premier League’s basement club, with a determined three duels won against Slot and Co. during that memorable 2-1 victory.
Yet, in the long-term, it’s unlikely that Gomes will fully commit to Edwards’ side and seal a permanent £5m switch, with reports already indicating that the Englishman will only uproot for good if Wolves somehow stay put in the Premier League against all the odds.
This will be a demoralising development, considering the 25-year-old had started both of Wolves’ last two games against Liverpool.
But, this does also allow Edwards an opportunity to see what other first-team personnel could fit into that attacking midfield role, post-Gomes’ short-term stay, as he potentially starts this long-standing Molineux servant in a different position than his usual spot, when travelling to the G-Tech Community Stadium later today.
The Wolves star who could be unleashed in a new position
Swapping out Gomes for an alternate face might not be the only switch Edwards considers for this tie in London, as Jose Sa could also potentially be back fit for the showdown with Keith Andrews’ hosts.
Bringing back in Sa wouldn’t be that bold a call, however, considering he made five big saves during that 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Whereas, starting Hwang Hee-Chan from the get-go, in an unusual attacking midfield spot on the pitch, would be seen as a far more daring switch.
Still, there is a method behind the madness, here, as Hwang deserves a start against Brentford – even if he is shoehorned in at Gomes’ more natural position – after bagging this consolation effort against the reigning Premier League champions in the FA Cup.
It’s just unlikely that Edwards will drop Tolu Arokodare as his lone striker, considering the former Genk man has impressed in flashes as a towering focal point, meaning his South Korean counterpart will have to be malleable to force his way into the starting XI.
Hwang’s career record by position
Position
Games
Goals + Assists
CF
185
64 + 37
LW
49
9 + 5
RW
33
5 + 3
AM
9
0
He’s succeeded in this department previously, with an impressive 22 career goal contributions falling into his lap down either the right or left wing, when moving away from his normal centre-forward duties.
His versatile nature has even seen him be labelled as a “fantastic” asset to possess at Molineux by previous boss Gary O’Neil, as he potentially prepares to break his goal and assist duck as a stand-in number ten, against the Bees.
Hwang has a standout goal record against Brentford, too, with three career goals next to his name against Andrews and Co. from four past meetings.
Therefore, this might be an inspired change to the starting lineup, if Edwards gambles with leaving Gomes out, as a third straight Premier League victory would really make the previously beleaguered Old Gold believe that they can dramatically stave off the drop.
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