West Ham vs Wolves: The 'Inside Track' on the opposition

West Ham have had a topsy-turvy start to the season, wins in the League Cup and losses in the Premier League. Next up is a tricky visit from Wolves.

The West-Midlands side, unlike West Ham, has been very active in the transfer window, continuing their Portuguese revolution. To get the ‘Inside Track‘ on Wolves, GSH spoke to Joe Edwards the Wolves correspondent for the Express and Star.

How have Wolves started the season, and who are the new faces to look out for?

They got off to a brilliant start at Sheffield United, scoring both goals inside the first six minutes, and you couldn’t have asked for any more than that. But against Manchester City last time out, the first-half display was poor.

The second period was much better but they will want to bounce back from that defeat, no doubt. In terms of who to look out for, new signing Nelson Semedo – snapped up from Barcelona – should come straight in at right-wing-back.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Wolverhampton Wanderers Unveil new signing Nelson Semedo at Molineux on September 22, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/StewartManleyPhotography/WWFC via Getty Images ) /

What are the expectations amongst Wolves fans for this season?

To be pushing towards the top six again, given they do not have the distraction of Europa League football this time around. Having dipped out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle, too, they are able to focus solely on the league until the FA Cup comes along in January. It is a far cry from last season when it was pretty much two games every week.

Wolves have gone from strength to strength since the new owners came in, what is the end goal?

To become one of the elite, both as a team and as a brand. Club owners Fosun have a long-term plan to make Wolves into a top-tier outfit. They want to break the proverbial top six mould and become recognised as a true force themselves. They know it will not happen quickly, but that is the plan.

On the other hand, West Ham continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons, from afar what do you make of the club’s situation?

It is difficult, especially with two players and the manager having tested positive for Covid-19 this week. To be honest, even though I expect West Ham to give Wolves a good game, it is hard not to see them towards the bottom of the table this campaign. The squad is not actually that bad but if you do not make signings and everyone else does, you are fighting an uphill battle.

Which players in the West Ham side worry you the most ahead of the game?

Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel (L) tackles West Ham United’s English midfielder Michail Antonio (C) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 19, 2020. (Photo by Will Oliver / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by WILL OLIVER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Michail Antonio has always been a handful against Wolves and I expect nothing different this time around. He leads the line very well and Conor Coady will be keeping a close eye on him. Tomas Soucek is a big danger from set-pieces, of course, too, so they’re the main ones.

What kind of football can the Hammers expect from Nuno Espirito Santo on Saturday?

Solid, robust and in shape defensively, as is always the main aim of Nuno, but with more fluency in attack now. Wolves have been playing with Daniel Podence and Pedro Neto just off Raul Jimenez and it has looked promising. Adama Traore may replace one of those two at the London Stadium – moving further forward after Semedo’s arrival – but the forwards have more freedom these days.

Who are the Wolves dangermen West Ham need to look out for

Podence has probably been the pick of the bunch from the first two games but could perhaps drop out for Traore. It is a tough one to call, but I am leaning towards Traore being used as an impact sub as he was against the Hammers last season. Jimenez should definitely start, though, and just loves scoring. Two in two already this season, he will take some stopping.

Predicted Wolves line-up?

(3-4-1-2): Patricio; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Dendoncker, Neves, Vinagre; Neto; Jimenez, Podence

Next. West Ham star Declan Rice could be Chelsea’s missing piece. dark

West Ham vs Wolves: The ‘Inside Track’ on the opposition

By Henry Tomlinson | Sep 25, 2020