Liam Keen comment: Experienced heads give Wolves the right balance

Brazilian midfielders Joao Gomes and Andre were players brought in to make a quick impact, but could yet develop into huge stars that command a big transfer fee.

Rodrigo Gomes and Carlos Forbs are first-team players who they hope will make a difference, but still have work to do, while youngsters Pedro Lima and Bastien Meupiyou are potential stars for the future – although Lima in particular is already showing plenty of promise.

Since Hobbs took over as sporting director in November 2022 Wolves’ transfer strategy has switched, with a focus on good characters as well as good players, some young talent and potential financial assets for the future.

However, Hobbs’ first transfer window in January 2023, with new head coach Julen Lopetegui in charge, saw Wolves focus on both quality and experience.

The previous summer, Bruno Lage oversaw an overhaul of the Wolves squad as he made the switch to a back four and stamped his mark on the club.

However, the soul of the dressing room was ripped out as several experienced players departed, including Conor Coady, John Ruddy, Willy Boly and Romain Saiss.

In hindsight, it came as no surprise that Wolves were caught up in a relegation battle.

Of the six signings to arrive in January, experience was a key component of the recruitment strategy, with Wolves bottom at Christmas.

Dan Bentley, Craig Dawson and Mario Lemina arrived with experience of English football, while Pablo Sarabia came in as an experienced professional in European football and Matheus Cunha and J.Gomes were the extra injection of quality.

It worked and Wolves avoided relegation.

Matt Doherty then rejoined the club last summer and Wolves eventually had a good season under Gary O’Neil after a difficult summer.

This summer, the head coach has overseen another brave switch to a back four, but he is not continuing the mistakes of Lage.

He is willing to be adaptable in his style and is not stubborn enough to watch Wolves fail idly.

A big part of that is his respect for Premier League experience.

Lage persisted with Nathan Collins and Max Kilman in defence, who at the time were still relatively inexperienced.

Just three games into this season, O’Neil recalled Craig Dawson and the centre-back was a major reason Wolves won a point at Nottingham Forest.

Dawson has 291 Premier League appearances to his name and his knowhow should be appreciated.

Club captain Lemina, who has been a reliable performer, has 131 appearances, while Nelson Semedo has 132 and Doherty 152.

Semedo will be first choice at right-back under O’Neil, but Doherty did well when Semedo was suspended and will also be an important and versatile option this season.

Sometimes, when the going gets tough, you need reliable and experienced professionals to see you through and in Wolves’ current evolution they are as important as ever.

Sam Johnstone has come in with his 67 Premier League appearances, behind Jose Sa’s 110, but as a calming influence over an emotional team.

The goalkeeper played with Craig Dawson at Albion in the 2018/19 Championship season and the pair now link up again at Molineux.

“Sam is obviously a quality goalkeeper and a great experienced goalkeeper with international experience as well,” Dawson said via the club’s Wolves Express podcast.

“He’s a great addition to the squad and hopefully he can slot straight in.

“He’s very calm, very steady and an experienced Premier League goalkeeper.

“He knows what’s needed and it’s great to have him on board.

“He’s a really good lad, very down to earth and very calm. He’s a great addition to the team.

“It’s another English boy into the team, which is nice.

“He brings great experience and great values.”

There is always a time and place for youthful exuberance and Wolves have done well shopping in that market, but finding the balance between that and strong experience and leadership will mould a balanced squad.