This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Last weekend was the first time Wolves had to endure the absence of Willy Boly since the centre-back broke his leg during training.
His season could well be over if tests prove that the 28-year-old did indeed fracture his fibula, which will come as a devastating blow to their season prospects as he’s been such an integral part of their back three this campaign.
WhoScored rank Boly as Wolves’ best player this term with a rating of 7.35 having recorded an average of 4.9 aerial duels won, 3.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game.
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Ryan Bennett was also absent through injury against Newcastle United. Still, surprisingly, Nuno elected for Matt Doherty at centre-back instead of either Jesus Vallejo or Max Kilman, who were named on the bench.
This was a perplexing move that quite simply didn’t pay off – in the second half, the Irishman moved to right wing-back with Leander Dendoncker dropping into defence from midfield.
Again, a rather strange move considering they had options.
But this goes to show just how much faith the Portuguese boss has with youngsters like Kilman, but more importantly with Vallejo.
The Spaniard has had a wretched start to life in England – he’s been blasted by his own fans on multiple occasions and has started just two Premier League matches.
It was Nuno’s decision to sign him in the summer, so maybe he is starting to regret that, most notably, when the Euro U21 winner is omitted entirely for a wing-back to play in his natural position instead.
BirminghamLive have also reported in recent weeks that the club are wanting to pursue a centre-back in January, and with Boly’s injury added to the mix, this seems all that more likely.
Last season, the Wolves chief in command primarily used a squad of 19 in the Premier League, so that only goes to show how much trust he has outside the main matchday squad.