Dave Edwards: Tough to read into Celtic display as season nears

In the group we’d be thinking ‘there’s no way we can play a game this evening’ and we were feeling very leggy, but Nuno expressed why we were doing it. It was to feel tired and get your fitness up, make decisions under fatigue and not so much about the performances.

Looking at the Celtic game, it could be a similar scenario where they had an awfully hard week. It’s hard to judge too much from the outside and I expect we’ll see more where Wolves are at during the Rennes friendly and going into the start of the season at United.

Analysing the poorer moments against Celtic, Wolves were alarmingly open at times in the first half. Celtic’s movement was excellent, but the amount of times they got runners in behind Wolves’ back four was quite alarming. They could have scored three or four goals in the first half as Wolves switched off.

There was some good stuff as well. They grew into it in the first half and kept the ball well, without really hurting Celtic. Matheus Nunes had that one chance, too.

They got better as the game went on and I think the 4-4-1-1 formation helped Wolves. We saw it work really well last season when you look at the Liverpool and Fulham games.

But it does mean you have to sacrifice Nunes and move him to the wing. He didn’t have his best game against Celtic but he does have freedom there and he got into good positions to hurt the opposition.

I would continue with that formation going into the season, but they are crying out for a focal point number nine. Someone to stretch the defence and make runs in behind, which creates space for others.

With Matheus Cunha playing as a loan striker, it felt like everyone was coming towards the ball and it was easy for Celtic to contain. I really like Cunha, but it doesn’t quite work with him as a lone striker. I see him as a number 10 or playing off one of the wings.

The substitutes later in the game did really well and one of those was Fabio Silva. He was more of an out-and-out number nine and his hold-up play was very good.

He was around the box and brought out the best in Cunha. Moving forward, I really hope he gets more minutes, especially with Sasa Kalajdzic not being quite ready yet. If no signings are made, Silva’s the one I’d like to see leading the line for the opening game.

I also thought Matt Doherty was brilliant. He’s unpredictable for defenders and will be such a big asset.

He got into two or three positions in just 10 minutes, which none of the full-backs probably did all of last season. You can see where he’ll add value,

It’s early doors for him getting back to the football club, and Nelson Semedo is a well-established right-back, but if things continue as they are then Doherty has to start.

He will prove a much better option in attack, in a team that won’t create loads of chances.

Overall with the game, you can’t read too much into it, but the impact from the substitutions was excellent.

Wolves’ starting XI is solid enough at the moment and if you add two players to it, it becomes a very competitive Premier League team. Those two positions I’d be looking at is a number nine and a winger.

I hope Pedro Neto can find his form, but an out-and-out winger who will be direct and exciting, is something we need.

We won’t find another Adama, but you need someone with the same direct style. Someone to stay wide and link-up with Doherty.

Those two signings will make it a strong starting XI, and then they need more depth.