Wolves have the best record against the top clubs because they set traps all over the pitch and target individuals
SunSport's Analyst says Nuno Espirito Santo's side who stunned Spurs deserve their current success - as they pick on names like Kieran Tripper and City's Vincent Kompany
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WHY ARE WOLVES SO GOOD AGAINST THE BIG BOYS?
They have picked up more points against the top six than the other 13 teams in the Prem — and the key is how comfortable they are WITHOUT the ball.
Possession stats mean very little and people often believe the more you have the ball, the more you are dominating the game.
But it’s not how much you have it, it’s about what you do with it.
Wolves had 39 per cent possession on Saturday, 30 per cent when beating Chelsea and only 29 per cent in drawing against Manchester City.
They have a great defensive shape and are one of the best teams I have seen controlling a game without the ball.
Only the top four have conceded fewer in the league.
HOW DO THEY GET THE BETTER OF TOP TEAMS?
Wolves set traps all over the pitch and target individuals.
Against City it was skipper Vincent Kompany, who controls their defence, while on Saturday it was the very attack-minded right-back Kieran Trippier.
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They are more than happy to give these players time and space to come forward with the ball, knowing they will be out of position and they can exploit that space when the turnover of possession comes.
It’s a bold tactic but the whole team are in sync and know exactly what they are doing.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were exceptional in the second half at Wembley to come from behind to win. How they exploited the space behind Trippier was crucial.
Against Wolves, you are at your most vulnerable when you are on the attack.
HOW IMPRESSED ARE YOU WITH NUNO?
He put his marker down in his first game at the club, a friendly against Werder Bremen.
He moved Conor Coady from full-back to central defence — and he hasn’t looked back since.
So far this season they have only used 18 players and it has been fundamental to their success.
They are a tight-knit group where every player knows exactly what is expected from them.
Even when they were going through a sticky patch last month, Nuno would not contemplate compromising.
He really reminds me of Eddie Howe in that way — the Bournemouth boss has stuck with his beliefs ever since they were promoted and Nuno will do exactly the same.
I had managers who panicked when things weren’t going well and chopped and changed the team and systems.
Players stop believing and things can go badly very quickly. At Wolves, the exact opposite is true.
WHO SETS THE TONE ON THE PITCH?
Coady and it comes as no surprise to me how good he has been over the last couple of seasons.
He came to Sheffield United towards the end of my playing days and what struck me was just how mature he was.
There were very few players who were both young and vocal — but Coady was just that.
He is like an in-game manager and his organisation of this Wolves side is magnificent.
Nuno immediately identified this and made him a crucial part of his team from day one.
But he’s not just a good leader and defender — his distribution from the back is also outstanding.
He sets the standards at the club and nobody has done more to help Wolves’ incredible and continuing success over the last two seasons.
