Wolves v Nottm Forest preview: Nuno looks to get back on track

Preamble

Wolves

For Wolves 2.0, this has been a bit of a slump.

In six matches they’ve drawn three, won two and lost one... yes, one defeat in six is a bad run for Wolves these days.

That defeat came on Wednesday night at Swansea in the FA Cup – their first loss since the clocks went back in late October.

And, while Nuno Espirito Santo played anything but his strongest team, he will be keen for them to get back on track at home to Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

There are certainly things to address, particularly up front where Leo Bonatini is goalless in nine, Rafa Mir endued a tough night in Wales and Helder Costa remains hit and miss.

The head coach will hope Diogo Jota’s lively game-changing display from the bench on Wednesday can spark him into the form Wolves so benefited from before Christmas.

It should be remembered of course that Jota is only 21, Ruben Neves 20, Mir 20 and Bright Enobakhare 19.

It’s a young, burgeoning side and Nuno spoke recently of the need to gradually integrate the next batch of youngsters coming through.

Morgan Gibbs-White started both FA Cup games, as did Enobakhare and Connor Ronan, Sylvain Deslandes and Donovan Wilson have just been sent out on loan.

And Nuno said of his philosophy on young players: “The best way to do it is to carefully integrate them in the spirit that we want.

“I think it’s the philosophy of the club to try to develop players and help them grow – if it’s possible – in the first team.

“I think we have since the beginning been using the boys on different occasions and moments and always in contact with Scott (Sellars, U23 boss), I think it’s the best way to work because Scott is the one that works with them day-by-day.

“We cannot forget Morgan is a really, really young player and he has to develop inside the philosophy of the team.

“We don’t forget (his age) and the steps that he has to do.”

Nottingham Forest

It's been another tumultuous campaign for Forest.

A bright start of three wins from four matches raised hopes that this might finally be their year to escape the Championship, after nine years at this level.

But a run of five defeats in six soon brought everyone back down to earth and after plodding around in mid table for a few months Mark Warburton became the latest in a long line of bosses to fail at the City Ground.

Forest have turned to Aitor Karanka – their 10th manager in five and a half years – in a bid to find some organisation and stability, the latter being a word not heard often at a club that is doomed to perennially fail to live up to its glorious 1970s/80s heyday under Brian Clough.

Karanka's reign began with a 1-0 defeat at home to Villa last week and the last thing he and Forest will want now is a trip to the league leaders.

"It'll be a tough game," Karanka said. "They're top of the table, it's not a coincidence – they have a really good manager and team.

"We go there thinking we can do something because it's the way we can improve and to believe

"If we go there thinking it's going to be a tough game we should stay at home."

Team news

Wolves

Ruben Vinagre serves the last of a three-match ban.

Jordan Graham could feature in his first squad since returning from a loan spell at Fulham.

Nuno must choose between Helder Costa, Ivan Cavaleiro, Leo Bonatini, Diogo Jota and Rafa Mir up front.

Nottingham Forest

Joe Worrall is available again after suspension and the fit-again Liam Bridcutt is pushing for a start.

Experienced striker Daryl Murphy is expected to miss out with a back injury.

Key player

Wolves

After a barren few weeks (by his standards) Diogo Jota was back to top form on Wednesday with a very lively cameo and a goal. Can he do it again?

Nottingham Forest

Young attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell is enjoying his breakthrough season on loan from Everton. The 20-year-old has netted nine times in 30 games and often been Forest’s creative spark.

Predicted line ups

Wolves (3-4-3): John Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas; Cavaleiro, Bonatini. Jota. Subs: Norris, Batth, N'Diaye, Gibbs-White, Costa, Enobakhare, Mir.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Smith; Lichaj, Mancienne, Worrall, Traore; Bridcutt, Osborn; Dowell, McKay, Cash; Brereton.

Past five meetings

September 16, 2017 (Ch): Nottm Forest 1 (Carayol 75) Wolves 2 (Jota 47, 81)

April 4, 2017 (Ch): Wolves 1 (Dicko 62) Nottm Forest 0

December 17, 2016 (Ch): Nottm Forest 0 Wolves 2 (Costa 40, Cavaleiro 79)

April 30, 2016 (Ch): Nottm Forest 1 (Gardner 68) Wolves 1 (Mason 58)

December 11, 2015 (Ch): Wolves 1 (Ebanks-Landell 15) Nottm Forest 1 (Blackstock 80)