Wolves 4 Alaves 0

Four at the back, four brilliant goals and a non-competitive debut for our new number four. Not too shabby at all. Yes, I rather enjoyed the uniform nature of that kickabout in the Spanish sunshine, not least because Wolves dominated the whole game. It doesn’t mean much in isolation but comparing that performance to what […]

Four at the back, four brilliant goals and a non-competitive debut for our new number four.

Not too shabby at all.

Yes, I rather enjoyed the uniform nature of that kickabout in the Spanish sunshine, not least because Wolves dominated the whole game.

It doesn’t mean much in isolation but comparing that performance to what we saw this time last year the team looked far better drilled and further along in their preparations.

The team that started today could conceivably take to the field at Elland Road in a few weeks so it was good to see them looking sharp and cohesive, particularly in a back four.

With more targets to hit in the final third, Ruben Neves was whacking 30-yard rakers for fun and it was his pass that set Pedro Neto away to win the penalty that Raul stroked home.

To see Neto driving towards goal, first to win that spot kick and then ruthlessly despatch the second goal was a major tick in the plus column. We need that type of aggression and ruthlessness to avoid another shot-shy campaign.

Speaking of which, if sacrificing a defender is what it takes to get Morgan Gibbs-White into the side this season then that also looks a good compromise on early evidence. He laid on Neto’s goal and was involved in other good passages of play.

Daniel Podence is the man he may end up keeping out of the side but the pint-sized Portuguese looked eager to impress himself after coming on and scored in unlikely circumstances with a pinpoint header from Jonny’s delicious cross.

Max Kilman then went full Maradona to really take the Michael out of a woeful Alaves side and cap a commanding Wolves victory.

If it is to be a back four at Leeds then Bruno Lage’s biggest decision is probably about his preferred centre-back pairing.

Any combination could win out but with Nathan Collins showing glimpses of his own ability to march out of defence and set attacks in motion it’s a tantalising prospect to consider the high ceiling of a potential partnership with Kilman.