Dave Edwards: What Wolves’ Stoke win tells us about the Cesar Peixoto revolution

Wolves produced a dominant display against Stoke City to make it four wins and a draw from the Portuguese head coach’s opening five games. I am sure Peixoto would have taken that start in a heartbeat.

But this was about more than another three points. Wolves had to show they could respond to adversity.

Sam Gallagher scored an outstanding goal early on for the Potters, but I was hugely impressed by the way Wolves reacted.

We saw in the opening game against Blackburn that going behind caused a few panic stations. Wolves seemed to lose their way after Blackburn took the lead early in the second half and it became a difficult period, even though they eventually rescued a point.

This was very different.

Wolves were professional. They worked their way back into the game, remained pragmatic and waited for the right opportunities to come.

Rodrigo Gomes provided the spark.

There is a real tenacity to the way he plays. He is always on the front foot and makes sure he is in the right areas. He followed up a shot to score the equaliser and then found himself in the right place again to put Wolves ahead.

It was great to see him back on the scoresheet after a spell without a goal, particularly with the pressure of Wolves wanting to recruit another winger.

Adam Armstrong is also waiting in the wings and can play on that right side, so Gomes knows he needs to perform if he is going to keep his place. He certainly repaid his manager with a terrific performance.

Fer Lopez was another standout.

After the early mistake that contributed to Stoke’s opener, he grew into the game and was outstanding. Away from that error, it was another star performance from the Spaniard.

He looks increasingly confident and physically impressive, and he played a big part in Jordan James scoring his first Wolves goal.

That was a great moment for James, who looked lively after coming on and will now be pushing hard for a starting place.

The goal showed exactly what he can bring. He got on the ball, switched play, drove into the box, scanned his options and then finished superbly. There is plenty more to come from him.

Now Wolves can head to London with real confidence. A trip to West Ham presents an opportunity to make a statement and continue this impressive start.

They are a wounded animal at the moment, with plenty of pressure on former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. They have not found the momentum that Wolves have, so Peixoto’s side can go there believing they can take advantage.

They have a chance to establish themselves as the early pace-setters and show this start is no flash in the pan.

The key will be finding the right balance. Wolves need to be intense at the right moments, but they also have to accept that West Ham will have plenty of possession.

When that happens, they can fall back into the defensive shape that has been so impressive under Peixoto and then look to strike when the opportunities come.

The defence has improved considerably in recent weeks. Nasser Djiga was excellent again against Stoke, and if Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno are still at the club when the transfer window closes, Wolves will have some very strong defensive options moving forward.

There is plenty to like about this Wolves side right now.