Saints Marching
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Wolverhampton vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

By Edward Waugh

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Jan Bednarek of Southampton and Nouha Dicko of Wolverhampton Wanderers battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Jan Bednarek of Southampton and Nouha Dicko of Wolverhampton Wanderers battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Mary's Stadium on August 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on September 22, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on September 22, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /

Joao Moutinho – Midfielder

So just like Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho shares an awfully lot in common, bar his age. Once again a former-FC Porto star, the Portuguese midfielder joined Wolves due to the influence of their current manager and has recorded the exact same goal involvement rate so far this campaign.

Operating as the second midfielder in Wolves 5-2-3 system, in six appearances Moutinho has recorded one goal and one assist – his first Wolves and Premier League goal coming against Manchester United in the most recent fixtures of games that saw Wolves claim a massive point at Old Trafford.

Just like his counterpart, Moutinho is a very technically gifted player for an eye for deadly-ball-playing passes and the ability to score if given the chance. Like as mentioned, the addition of an anchor man in Oriol Romeu could really help neutralise the threat offered by Neves and Moutinho and build a platform for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mario Lemina to try play their game.

To add, cutting out passes from these two, to stop creating chances for the next player is vital.