Comment: Foundations laid for the Nuno era at Wolves

But Nuno Espirito Santo will hope that in years to come it’s remembered by Wolves supporters as the country in which the foundations were laid for his successful era at Molineux.

Maybe even in 12 months time we’ll be able to look back, with Wolves a Premier League team, and say this was a crucial week in setting the groundwork.

Predictions for the season ahead are pretty futile at this point. We can only try and judge how well the new head coach and glut of new signings (eight so far) are fitting.

But on the evidence of this Austrian excursion it’s going pretty well so far.

Nuno and his staff very nearly enjoyed the perfect week – the team won two of three matches, players bonded during what was a lengthy 10-day trip and, most importantly, the new playing style he is attempting to imprint is beginning to look like it could work.

There are plenty of refinements still to be made, not least going forward where Wolves haven’t exactly created a plethora of goalscoring chances.

And it remains to be seen just how successfully this patient, probing passing style will be in the Championship – and how the Molineux hordes will take to it. Stale Solbakken’s ill-fated era immediately springs to mind.

Wolves were, ironically, given their sternest test by Czech top flight mid-table side Jablonec, rather than Bundesliga opponents Werder Bremen or Czech Champions League outfit Viktoria Plzen. Yet it was no coincidence that Jablonec were more physical than Wolves’ other opponents and played with more intensity on and off the ball.

Still, these are bridges to cross and it must at all times be remembered that Nuno took his first session only three-and-a-half weeks ago.

He was also deprived of creative talents Helder Costa, Ben Marshall and Jordan Graham.

What Nuno certainly has brought to the table is organisation – and tactical discipline.

Many hours have already been spent marshalling his defenders and midfielders into position on the training field and encouraging them to play out quickly and on the floor.

Some players have adapted better to it than others but on the whole they’re embracing Nuno’s methods. The system and style is naturally suited to someone like Jack Price, but the likes of Danny Batth and Conor Coady have also impressed and Dave Edwards gave an accomplished ‘pass and move’ 30-minute cameo against Jablonec.

With just three pre-season games to go, there isn’t long to perfect the 3-4-3 formation. Indeed it may take months to get it down to a tee with everyone knowing their roles inside out.

But the foundations are there and the squad doesn’t look too far short of being well equipped to contend.

John Ruddy is a Premier League-standard keeper, in defence Wolves have impressed all tour and Nuno has ample centre-back options, the midfield possesses genuine class in Ruben Neves and wing-backs Matt Doherty and Barry Douglas have comfortably taken to the new formation.

Where Wolves have looked light is in the forward areas where only Nouha Dicko and Ivan Cavaleiro have made a tangible difference. A new prolific striker is clearly imperative and the sooner Costa, Graham and Marshall return the better, especially with Cavaleiro suspended at the start of the season.

Competition at left wing-back for Douglas will also be on Wolves’ shopping list. But otherwise things are looking quietly positive.

After another summer of change and instability, could Wolves have finally cracked the formula for Championship success?