Wolves are taking on Manchester City today in the Premier League – and there is no Sam Johnstone in the matchday squad.
Gary O’Neil is looking to get Wolves’ season started and potentially enjoy another shock result at Molineux like last season.
Wolves beat City 2-1 in this fixture in 2023/24, and it proved to be the catalyst for a good season.
O’Neil changed Wolves’ formation to a back three that day, and it worked a treat.
There have been a number of calls for O’Neil to do the same thing this time around, and O’Neil himself suggested it was something he could do after the 5-3 defeat to Brentford.
The team news is in, and O’Neil has indeed gone with a back three.
Wolves vs. Manchester City – O’Neil goes to a back three as Sam Johnstone misses out through injury
Wolves have released their team ahead of today’s game, and it is probably the XI that most fans expected to see
O’Neil is setting up with Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes and Santiago Bueno at the back, and Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri will operate as wing-backs.
But there is no Sam Johnstone in today’s matchday squad, with Jose Sa starting and Dan Bentley on the bench.
Johnstone cannot play today after picking up an injury.
✌️ Two changes from #BREWOL
➡️ Sa and Bueno come into the XIOur line-up to take on @ManCity.
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 20, 2024
It means a chance for Sa, who has not featured for Wolves since the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.
Sa came in for criticism for his performance against Brighton and has struggled since the start of the campaign.
Speaking on Sky Sports, O’Neil said: “Sam picked up a little injury in training during the international break.
“But Jose has been pushing since Sam’s arrived. He’s been working very hard. He’s ready. No worries about Jose.”
According to journalist Liam Keen, Johnstone has picked up a ‘minor adductor issue’.
A big day for Jose Sa
With Johnstone unable to play, this is a golden chance for Sa to jump above him in the pecking order.
It has been a difficult few weeks for him, after it was expected that he would leave the club following Johnstone’s arrival.
For one reason or another that did not happen, and he has been on the bench for the past few weeks in what is probably quite a strange situation for him.
But he now finds himself back in the team, and he could well stay there if he takes his chance today.
From what O’Neil has said before kick-off, it sounds like he feels there isn’t much between the two, so Sa has a golden chance today to get back in favour.
