Wolves will try again this weekend to get their first Premier League win, and there’s one change Vitor Pereira surely has to make against Brighton.
Wanderers came so close to getting their first win against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night, but were stung right at the end.
The visitors were just a minute away from beating Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium once again, having been leading after Santiago Bueno scored.
But Joao Palhinha produced an equaliser to break Wolves hearts, and the frustration for Vitor Pereira and the players at the end of the game was clear.
But Wolves must quickly pick themselves up ahead of this weekend’s game with Brighton, who will be a big test.
As ever, Pereira’s team sheet will be fascinating. But there is a strong argument for Jackson Tchatchoua to start against the Seagulls.
Wolves may need Jackson Tchatchoua’s pace against Brighton
Brighton is probably not an ideal game for Wolves to be trying to build on that performance against Spurs.
The south coast club are always a tough nut to crack for Wolves, who have won only one of the last nine meetings.
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The last time Wolves beat Brighton in the Premier League was back in 2021, when Romain Saiss scored a lovely volley from a Ruben Neves through ball.
Wolves have improved defensively since the Leeds game, but there’s one change Pereira may need to consider making against Brighton.
And that is bringing Jackson Tchatchoua in. Either in place of Matt Doherty as part of a back four, or to play as a wing-back, with Doherty on the right of a three.
Because Wolves have to face a big threat in Kaoru Mitoma, who is extremely quick. In the past, he’s been clocked at 34.02 km/h.
Mitoma has played exclusively as a left winger this season, so one would imagine that’s where he’ll be playing again this weekend.
But as we know, Tchatchoua is also rapid. In fact, Tchatchoua is currently the fastest player in the Premier League, making him the ideal counter to Mitoma. Earlier this season he was clocked doing a blistering 37.3 km/h.
To bench him for this game could be a big risk. Mitoma has two goals and one assist in five career appearances against Wolves, and it will be paramount to keep him in check at Molineux.
Fans thought Tchatchoua played well when he came on against Spurs, and Pereira can potentially nullify Mitoma by turning to the Cameroon international.
Tchatchoua can also provide attacking threat vs Brighton
Tchatchoua won’t just be important for keeping Mitoma quiet.
Wolves also need an outlet and so far we have seen Tchatchoua take up some very advanced positions, just like Nelson Semedo used to.
We have already seen Tchatchoua – who cost just under £11 million (BBC Sport) – make an assist for Wolves, which came in just his second appearance in the Carabao Cup against West Ham United.
Currently, the service to the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Tolu Arokodare hasn’t been particularly good.
Both are well over six foot tall and provide a big aerial threat, so some Tchatchoua crosses on Sunday would not go amiss.