Welcome to The Draft Society’s team-by-team previews, a vital part of the 23/24 Draft Kit! These articles will provide a one-stop-shop for all the important Fantasy EPL themes from a Fantrax perspective. With players to watch, players to avoid, points projections and early season fixtures analysis, we've got it all covered. Our Draft Premier League Team Previews will help set you up to dominate your draft! Here we have Lopetegui's Wolves...
Check back often! Our team previews will be updated throughout the summer as any new transfer, injury, or rotation developments come to light.
Check out our 23/24 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101, plus so much more!
Wolves Team Preview 23/24
Check out our in-depth look at Wolves' prospects for the new EPL season below. This information will form a key component to your draft prep and set you up to dominate your draft!
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Fantasy Flashback
Let's review how Wolves players fared in 22/23, with an emphasis on their Draft Premier League fantasy assets. But, we'll also discuss any pertinent info regarding managerial tactics, formation, injuries, etc. What can we learn from their performance in the last campaign?
Note: The following table is interactive. Desktop users can apply the Filter, Group, and Sort buttons to arrange the data to their preferences. Mobile users can tap on a player card to view all data points. The table can be reset to its default state by refreshing the page.
The table above makes for depressing viewing for Wolves' dens around the world. It might also be the shortest list we have for these team previews (only those players who have more than 7PPS and double digit starts are included). The obvious takeaway, to put it mildly, is that Wolves had very few fantasy relevant assets last season. The mid-season managerial change may have provided a positive impact on results, but it didn't really boost fantasy production. Ruben Neves was the constant in the midfield, one of the few pitching in with goals, but even he failed to crack 9 PPS. The other outfield players - Podence, Adama, Toti - struggled for consistent starts and ended up, like most of the team, as streamers. Meanwhile, Pedro Neto and Rayan Ait Nouri, who were likely some of the highest Wolves players on your draft board, underwhelmed all season, as did the likes of Moutinho & Semedo. The exciting late summer transfer, Goncalo Guedes, also broke our collective hearts (and FAB bank accounts) and didn't even finish the season at the club. He was loaned out to Benfica and never heard from again. The aging Diego Costa and new boys Matheus Cunha & Pablo Sarabia came in as attacking reinforcements but only scored a few goals combined. In short, as you can tell, nearly the entire team was un-rosterable last season. But hope springs eternal.
Overall Team Performance
Strange times at the Molineux. Many observers, including yours truly, had fairly high hopes for manager Bruno Lage's second campaign with Wolves. His attractive style from Portugal could be seen in dribs and drabs the previous season. But, alas, it was not to be. Results/goals did not come, he fell out with the players, and he was unceremoniously sacked in early October after a defeat at West Ham saw them fall into the relegation zone. After the failed initial pursuit of former Sevilla manager, Julen Lopetegui, Wolves handed the reins to caretaker manager Steve Davis, who largely did not get a tune out of the squad. The West Midlands club hierarchy's dogged courtship of Lopetegui then paid off and they got their man in early November.
Wolves' season ended up quite similar to that of their West Midlands neighbor, Aston Villa, in the sense that it was a tale of two halves, sparked by a new manager bounce. Despite being bottom at Christmas, Lopetegui spurred the Black Country club on to nick 13th place, picking up 30 points from his first 20 games at the helm, an incredible achievement given the circumstances. He did it by being more compact and organized, pragmatically picking off opponents and showing some tactical flexibility in alternating between a 4-3-2-1 and a 4-4-2, often mid-game. But they were far from spell-binding - despite signing some attacking assets (Cunha & Sarabia) in January, chances/goals were still a huge issue. They were dead last in goals scored with 31 - five fewer than relegated Southampton - from 40 xG. Their defense was better, taking the 9th most clean sheets in the league. If Lopetegui wants to avoid Lage's fate/second season syndrome, he's going to have to improve the attack while maintaining defensive solidity.
Fantasy Forecast
Past is prelude, as they say. So, turning to the 23/24 season, we've got Wolves player projections, 3 key players to keep an eye on, 3 players we're staying away from, 3 question marks surrounding the club at this moment, and an analysis of Wolves' early-season fixtures.
23/24 Player Projections
Below, you'll find our season projections for Wolves fantasy assets. Our projections are created using a number of contributing factors such as past performance, fixture difficulty ratings, anticipated minutes played, and more. PPS (Points Per Start) and ProjTotFPts (Projected Total Points) refer to Fantrax Default Scoring.
The projections can't forecast miracles, they go with the data, which we know hasn't been kind to Wolves. So it's no surprise that not a single Wolves asset is expected to crack 8+ PPS. According to the figures, Pedro Neto, Matheus Nunes, & Daniel Podence have the best chance. But all have questions marks. Neto has injury issues to overcome, Nunes needs to be played forward, and Podence is likely out the door. The rest have even bigger question marks, which I'll delve into below.
3 Players to Watch
We've highlighted 3 players (and some honorable mentions) from Wolves that we're keeping an eye on. Some players mentioned below may be sleepers. Some may be up-and-coming youngsters. Some may be vying for a spot in the XI. Whatever the case, we'll tell you why we're watching these 3 in EPL Draft Fantasy this year.
New Attacking/Creative Midfielder
Position: N/A
22/23 Points: N/A
22/23 Points Per Start: N/A
Recommended Draft Pick: Potentially in the 9th or 10 Rounds of a 12 Team League
Analysis: Aside from a 20 goal scoring forward, there is a glaring need for a set piece taking creative force in the midfield - a combination of Ruben Neves & Joao Moutinho. The rumor is that Wolves are in for Alex Scott, the young #10 currently plying his trade at Bristol City. Reportedly a target of Brentford and others, the English maestro would be a very interesting proposition fantasy-wise. If he/any new creative midfielder wins over sets and gets this team playing with a bit more attacking verve, the fantasy points would flow. And he would likely fly relatively under the radar and provide great value in the draft (or on the waiver wire). This one is worth monitoring.
Pedro Neto
Position: Forward
22/23 Points: 86.5 (50th best forward)
22/23 Points Per Start: 5.2 (13 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 100-110 (12 Team League: Mid Round 9/Early Round 10)
Analysis: I just don't have the words. From flogging him for $7 early in the 21/22 season in which he ended up a top 15 fantasy scorer to drafting him in the 4th round last campaign when he failed to crack 15 starts or 6 PPS, I haven't had the best of luck with Pedro Neto. He is truly a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. To be fair, it has largely been injuries that have ruined what would otherwise be a stellar career. At 23, he is still young and yet to peak, but can he stay fit and does he fit the Lopetegui system?
The fact that he dropped over 12 points per start just a few seasons ago and that he reportedly is fit and will have a full preseason make for a compelling argument in favoring of drafting ole Pedro Neto. The counter argument, of course, is that we have all been burned before, he can't stay injury-free, and even when he did play under Lopetegui last season he was beyond mediocre. Add to that, Wolves don't score goals, so how can one contribute to attacking returns and boost fantasy scores? This one comes down to whether you feel frisky/need an upside FWD punt around Rounds 9-10. Well, do you?
Hugo Bueno
Position: Defender
22/23 Points: 63 (95th best defender)
22/23 Points Per Start: 3.5 (16 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 160+ (12 Team League: Round 15-16)
Analysis: The LB spot was supposed to be manned by Rayan Ait Nouri but the young Spaniard, Hugo Bueno, staked a claim over the course of the season and seemed to be the favorite of new manager Lopetegui. He ended up starting 16 games and taking some set pieces but still failed, like so many of his teammates, to score enough points to warrant rostering. He did have a habit of getting subbed off around the 60 minute mark, which is a killer, especially for defenders as they will then not be credited with clean sheets if they don't eclipse the 60 minute mark.
If he does keep his place at LB, Bueno could provide decent value. He passed the eye test and looked dangerous in many of his cameos last season. He, like everyone else, could benefit from the team improving as a whole. His crosses are just waiting to be headed by a decent forward up top, which hopefully will appear this campaign. He is probably not worth drafting but could be attractive on the wire if he ends up doing the business.
Honorable Mention(s):
The rest of Wolves is an even bigger crapshoot but there are some potential upside plays that could be had given all the negativity swirling around Molineux. Pablo Sarabia came over from Spain as a hand-picked Lopetegui guy and hit the ground running (relatively) before flaming out. But less than 5 PPS is a war crime. He has nowhere to go but up. Up front, surely Lopetegui opts for someone other than Diego Costa or Matheus Cunha (the latter will likely play just behind or right next to the other striker. So that leaves a potential spot for someone like Sasa Kalajdzic or Fabio Silva, both of whom were banished from the squad last season for different reasons. The lanky Austrian came over from Stuttgart near the end of the window last summer but tragically tore his ACL in his debut against Southampton. Let's see if he has fully recovered and/or is in Lopetegui's plans. The Portuguese starlet was loaned out twice last season - to Anderlecht in Belgium (9G/A in 20 appearances) and then PSV Einhdhoven (7G/A in 14 appearances) in the Netherlands. He will be given a proper once over by the manager this summer - if he impresses, he may get the starting nod at the tip of the spear.
In the middle of the park, Matheus Nunes (yes, there are two Matheus's at Wolves) was supposed to be the heir apparent to Ruben Neves. Another highly regarded Portuguese midfield import, he did show his quality at times but lacked consistency. He is one that has the best opportunity of breaking out of the pack this season and could warrant a draft pick if you have faith in him improving upon his CDM fantasy numbers (6.5 PPS) in his second campaign in the prem. The final mention will go to Rayan Ait Nouri. He rotated with Bueno at LB much of last season but has been tried out at LW in preseason. If he makes waves there, he could worth keeping an eye on.
3 Players to Avoid
It's not all sunshine and rainbows at the Molineux. At least, not as far as Draft Fantasy Football is concerned. Below, we will also highlight 3 fantasy assets that we're not so thrilled about. These are the 3 Wolves players you might want to avoid come draft day.
Matheus Cunha
Position: Forward
22/23 Points: 83 (52nd best forward)
22/23 Points Per Start: 5.1 (12 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 165+ (12 Team League: Late Round 14/Early Round 15)
Analysis: Brought over, many hoped, in the January transfer window to help end the Wolves goal drought, Matheus Cunha barely made a dent. Another one bit the dust. The bulky Brazilian is versatile, able to play across the front, but a high-priced forward needs to help with the goals. In 12 starts, he only bagged 2G/A. Fantasy-wise, 5 PPS (& 4.5 GPPS), also just isn't gonna cut it. While he'll likely be a fixture in the lineup this coming season, he has shown that he doesn't rise above streamer level.
Mario Lemina
Position: Midfielder
22/23 Points: 72.5 (95th best midfielder)
22/23 Points Per Start: 4.2 (17 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: DO NOT DRAFT
Analysis: The Mario Lemina of old, of Southampton fame, was a high end CDM that could ghost and nick a few attacking returns. The version that rocked up at Wolves has done neither, unable to surpass 5PPS. While he did a job IRL, he was useless for fantasy purposes. In short, he's not worth drafting.
Nelson Semedo
Position: Defender
22/23 Points: 130.5 (55th best defender)
22/23 Points Per Start: 4.0 (31 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: DO NOT DRAFT
Analysis: A former Barcelona fullback, Semedo came over to Blighty amid much fanfare. He certainly had his moments - he has some legendary ghost point performances on his CV - but he hasn't been able to put it together consistently. And his fantasy production has gotten worse and worse - from just under 8PPS the previous two seasons to half that last campaign. This didn't change under Lopetegui when he took over and Semedo has little chance of even recapturing the decent form of seasons past. Now he has Doherty competing for his spot, which means he might not even be nailed on anymore. Best to avoid him in the draft.
Honorable Mention(s):
There is an argument, unfortunately, for avoiding Wolves altogether....But how could we forget about the return of the prodigal son, Matt Doherty? Shockingly, it didn't work out at Spurs, and then Atletico Madrid was not a good fit, so the Irishman came home to the Black Country. Of course we remember him as a ghost point king - a top 5 defender in the glory season of 20/21 - but nostalgia will only get you so far. He is one to watch but the RB spot is Nelson Semedo's unless he leaves/disappoints in the first few games. But Doherty will go way too early given the fond memories - avoid unless it is very late/there are indications that Semedo is leaving and/or Doherty gets a ton of preseason minutes.
3 Question Marks
Not everything is crystal clear and predictable at Wolves. These are 3 questions surrounding Wolves that we’re grappling with this preseason. We’ll try to note whether or not (and how much) these questions are affecting our perceptions of Wolves' fantasy assets.
Goals, Goals, Goals - The collective failure to hit the back of the net has plagued Wolves since the glorious 20/21 season that saw the club reach European heights. One could even trace this persistent profligacy back to one game - Wolves v Arsenal in August 2021 when Raul Jimenez suffered a gruesome head injury that he has truly never fully recovered from. Multiple managers have yet to crack the code. Lopetegui got results but did it without really improving the attack as Wolves still finished dead last in the league in goals and chances created. This has to change this campaign if Wolves want to improve upon their 13th place finish and certainly if the team is to yield any fantasy relevant assets.
Replacing Ruben Neves - The departure of the Wolves talisman to Saudi Arabia is a huge blow in the midfield and in the dressing room. Lopetegui will need to find someone to plug the gap in terms of set pieces/penalties, passing range, and creativity. As mentioned above, the squad is crying out for a chance creator/midfield maestro. Matheus Nunes and/or Gomes can pick up the slack in terms of progressive passing and box to box activity but the sets/creativity mantle is up for grabs. Alex Scott or another of his ilk could plug this hole and would likely become the best fantasy outlet in this team.
Who Plays Up Front? - The attacking roles have yet to really be claimed other than perhaps Cunha, who Lopetegui sought out and started consistently last season. That means that the other 3 slots could be filled by a number of different players. Sarabia, Pedro Neto, Hwang, Daniel Podence (if he isn't sold, which is likely), Adama Traore (same as Podence), and even Nunes could play on the wings. And the aforementioned Diego Costa, Sasha Kalajdzic, or Fabio Silva can fill the #9 role. Departures and/or new signings could also further complicate things. How Lopetegui sorts this out will define their season and, more importantly for us fantasy managers, who will be fantasy relevant.
Early-Season Fixture Difficulty
The way that teams come out the gate has big implications in EPL Draft. A red hot start creates red hot trade targets. A dismal start means plummeting player values and losses for your fantasy team. Check out our thoughts on Wolves' early-season fixtures and our analysis of the fantasy implications they will have.
It's a mixed bag for Wolves early doors. Tough fixtures against Man United, Brighton, & Liverpool intersperse with Everton and Crystal Palace (good matchups albeit tricky away grounds). While it isn't the worst set of early fixtures, it also isn't a reason to take a chance on a group of fantasy assets that already fail to inspire. Use this period to monitor how Lopetegui sets out his starting XI and who shows some promise, before pouncing on the waiver wire if need be.
23/24 Wolves Predicted Lineup
The following lineup represents our prediction for the most likely line-up for the long-term for Wolves in the upcoming season. We can't account for injuries or new transfers, but this should provide a reasonable guide for who will be the preferred starters for the majority of Premier League matches this season.
It is all turmoil at Wolves with no major incoming and team leaders leaving. They have been playing a hybrid 4-4-2 system in pre-season with Silva and Nunes particularly impressing.
More Team Previews: Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brentford | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Luton | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Nottingham Forest | Sheffield United | Tottenham | West Ham | Wolves
Check out our 23/24 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101, plus so much more. Dominate your draft!
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