Dave Edwards: Midfield men will be key for Wolves

I’ve seen a few people say it was the same old story from last season, with Wolves not having a goalscorer to finish things off. But I actually thought it was a lot different in that where Wolves were previously a little too slow and pragmatic, on Monday they took every opportunity to drive at the opposition and as a result carved out several good chances. Keep that going and the results will come.

Brighton will be another tough game. The Seagulls are a top, top team who I think will be challenging the Premier League’s top four this season. I really do believe they are that good.

But even if Wolves have to spend a lot of time without the ball, I think it will suit them. With the players they have, I think they are made to play on the counter and Monday night was an example of that.

There’s a lot to like about the starting XI but I think the ball-winning ability of Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina in the middle of the park, in particular, is going to be key this year. Both of them were sensational against United. Wolves have such a terrific midfield this season and that is going to be a key difference between struggling and being comfortable in mid-table.

Then you have Matheus Nunes. Yes, he gave the ball away a few times but he is the type of player who will try stuff anywhere and when it comes off, you saw him just gliding past United players and running 50, 60 yards. That is what excited me. Watching the likes of Matheus Cunha too, receiving the ball in those areas and having the awareness, the skill and the physicality to transition into attack.

It was a really top, tactical performance and was played out so well from those players in the team.

Wolves deserved more and might have gotten it but for a bad call by referee Simon Hooper which was then outrageously overlooked by the VAR.

I was sat at the other end of Old Trafford. As soon as it happened, I said it was a penalty. It felt so obvious.

A number of factors go into the mistake. It is Manchester United, six or seven minutes into stoppage time. I think it is so easy not to give the decision. At the other end, I genuinely think he gives it.

I still think the game is better for having VAR but one downfall is it puts doubt in the referee’s mind. I believe they are less likely to give a decision because they have the back-up of VAR, so they know they can never really get it wrong. Unless, of course, the VAR gets it drastically wrong, as happened Monday.

If we didn’t have VAR, I think he gives it on the spot. Whereas with VAR, if he is a little overawed by the atmosphere, it is easier not to give it and wait. On Monday, his VAR team really let him down.