Championship analysis: Five things Wolves need to address at Preston
Wolves’ opening match of the 2026/27 EFL Championship season against Blackburn Rovers was an entertaining 2-2 draw, with a late Raul Jimenez penalty helping to rescue a point.
With Preston North End next up at Deepdale, César Peixoto’s side have several areas that they will need to address if they’re to secure their first three points of the league season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Will Jones.
Should Kieran Trippier be given the armband?
Wolves have lacked leadership figures on the pitch in recent times, and one of the first things César Peixoto could do that would get fans onside would be to make Kieran Trippier club captain.
The Wolves boss admitted his side lacked composure in the second half against Blackburn, and having a calm, experienced head like Trippier as captain might be what’s needed to calm things down.
Just before the game kicked off, it was the former England international giving the instructions in the team huddle - showing he enjoys taking responsibility.
At 35, Trippier has played at the highest level both domestically and internationally, and his experience will be valuable in a Championship campaign where Wolves are favourites for promotion.
The full back was subbed off on 67 minutes - perhaps a tactical tweak from Peixoto. Wolves will have to manage the veteran defender’s minutes this season, but giving him the armband at Deepdale seems quite a favourable decision.
Fer Lopez is destined for big things
Although many left Molineux a little disappointed by what had been served up by the Wolves players, there was one shining light for the old gold and black.
Fer Lopez was excellent on the night and was Wolves’ main creative outlet.
The 6ft 2in Spaniard was key to the opening goal of the game, as his sumptuous pass found Marshall Munetsi, who scored Wolves’ first goal of the league season.
The tall attacking midfielder is capable of dictating games from the centre of the pitch, as he likes to drift inside, finding pockets of space and getting on the ball.
The former Celta Vigo midfielder picked up the No.10 position just off Adam Armstrong, and he went close shortly after the Blackburn equaliser, his shot whistling slightly over the bar.
The 5000+ Wolves fans travelling up to Lancashire this weekend will be expecting a reaction following Friday night’s performance, and the 22-year-old is someone who could excite them with his technical ability on the ball.
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Jordan James should get some minutes
Wolves have been monitoring Welsh international Jordan James for a while now - the Stade Rennes midfielder was very impressive for a Leicester City side that suffered Championship relegation last season, picking up 11 goals and four assists in the second tier for the Foxes.
The 22-year-old is widely expected to join on an initial loan with an ‘automatic’ permanent option.
The deal is set to be in the region of £10 million when it becomes permanent.
The Hereford-born midfielder is capable of playing across the midfield.
At Leicester he was deployed as a No.6, No.8 and No.10, indicating he is quite a well-rounded player.
James would complement Fer Lopez and Andre brilliantly - with him perhaps between the two, taking up a box-to-box role as Lopez adopts a position just off the striker and Andre sits in front of the back four.
However, the young midfielder hasn’t played a single minute in pre-season for Rennes, so we might only see him come on late if at all.
However, if he was to feature, it may give Wolves fans something to look forward to.
Crosses need to be defended better
Blackburn caused Wolves lots of problems from wide areas.
Both goals came down the right for Blackburn, with Wolves left-back David Moller-Wolfe giving Ryoya Morishita far too much room to put a cross in for the first goal while also being culpable for the build-up of their second too.
Despite that, it wasn’t just the Wolves left back who struggled with Blackburn’s crossing.
Captain Toti Gomes also had a night to forget, being frequently exposed when Blackburn were attacking from wide areas.
Gomes’ best games in defence have been when he’s played in a back three.
However, on Friday he struggled, being one of the two centre-backs in a back four.
His positioning and decision-making left a lot to be desired, especially with the second goal, as Andri Guðjohnsen caught him blindsided and nodded home Blackburn’s second goal of the game.
If Wolves are to pursue a back four in their next game, perhaps Peixoto may consider bringing Ladislav Krejci into the team from the off, who may be more comfortable at centre back in a four.
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Raul Jimenez must start
The Wolves hero made an immediate impact. He came on to the pitch right on the hour mark, and it was his penalty that spared Wolves’ blushes late on.
Not only would his inclusion from the off energise supporters, but Jimenez can also occupy centre-backs and bring others into play such as Adam Armstrong and Fer Lopez.
Although his minutes will have to be managed, starting the Mexican could give Wolves the attacking threat and experience they need to go to Lancashire and bring three points back to the Midlands.
Wolves got lucky against Rovers, but there were certainly warning signs for Peixoto to notice.
There’s work to be done defensively, and small tactical tweaks could make a world of difference for the Championship side when they travel to Deepdale this weekend.
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