Nuno Espirito Santo
Ki-Jana Hoever admits Wolverhampton Wanderers’ players are having to adapt to Bruno Lage’s intense style after four years under Nuno Espirito Santo. New head coach Lage is overseeing a change in Wolves’ playing style which will see them play more expansive, attacking football with a relentless high press. Whereas Nuno would often allow Wolves to sit back during games, remaining compact and difficult to break down before using the searing speed of Adama Traore, Pedro Neto and Co on the counter-attack. The team is experiencing some teething issues in their early pre-season friendlies, but there are already signs that Lage’s message is being received. The former Benfica boss places a large emphasis on the full-backs providing the width in his 4-4-2 system and Wolves’ first goal in their 3-2 defeat to Las Palmas on Monday saw left-back Hugo Bueno cross for right-back Hoever to score. And Hoever is enjoying Lage’s adventurous brand of football.
Ki-Jana Hoever said: “I like him. Of course, it’s not a style that we were used to with the former coach, but I think it’s good, everyone in the group can play more than one style and is able to play in other positions. So, we’ll just keep improving and working hard, and hopefully when the season starts, everyone will know what to do, everyone’s ready, everyone’s fit.”
Wolves have been in Marbella for a week for their first training camp under Lage and everyone except Traore – who has been given extended leave after the Euros – has now reported for duty. Lage and his players will enjoy a few more sessions at the local football centre before heading home to complete their pre-season campaign with fixtures against Stoke City, Coventry City and Celta Vigo – the last of which is being played at Molineux on August 7.
Ki-Jana Hoever added: “It’s nice to be with the boys, everybody except Adama is here now, so it’s good to be together. We’re training a lot, working with the new coach, of course, so we’re trying to work hard. The games are good, the training is good.”
