Wolves are set to face Bristol City in the Third Round of the FA Cup, with both teams eager to make progress in the prestigious competition. As Vitor Pereira prepares his side for the trip south to take on Liam Manning’s Robins, there’s an added layer of expectation on the team. Wolves will be looking to secure their spot in the Fourth Round, but, as always in the FA Cup, upsets are a real possibility. With that in mind, Pereira is well aware that complacency could be a threat, and he’s determined to ensure his side is fully prepared for the challenge.
One of the exciting developments for Wolves ahead of the match is the likely debut of their new signing, Emmanuel Agbadou. The 27-year-old Ivorian defender, who arrived from Stade Reims, is expected to make his first competitive appearance for the club in the upcoming fixture. Agbadou’s introduction comes at a crucial time for Wolves, who have been struggling with injuries in their defensive ranks.
Pereira, speaking in his pre-match press conference, expressed his belief that Agbadou has the right qualities to make an immediate impact for his new club. The Wolves manager noted that Agbadou is a physically strong and fast defender with solid technical ability, which will make him an important asset for the team. Pereira is particularly impressed by Agbadou’s skill set in playing out from the back and initiating attacking plays, an important aspect of the tactical philosophy Pereira has been implementing at Wolves since his arrival.
“[Agbadou] can help the team,” Pereira said. “He is strong, he is fast and has technical quality. He has the qualities I like in a centre-back. He can play in all three positions in the back three. He is a defender that has skills to build play.”
This tactical approach is a breath of fresh air for Wolves fans, who have been witnessing their team struggle defensively in recent weeks. Under Pereira’s predecessor, the side conceded 12 goals in just four games, which had raised concerns among supporters. However, Pereira has worked quickly to instill a more organized and controlled defensive system, which will likely benefit Agbadou as he settles into the team.
Agbadou’s debut could also be influenced by the unfortunate injury woes currently affecting Wolves’ defensive options. With Nelson Semedo, Craig Dawson, and Toti Gomes all unavailable for selection, the door is wide open for Agbadou to step into the starting lineup. Pereira confirmed that while all three defenders are working to recover as soon as possible, they are not expected to be fit in time for the FA Cup clash. “They are working to recover as soon as possible. I don’t think they (Toti, Semedo, Dawson) will be available. Andre is back in training with the group,” Pereira noted. This means that Agbadou is likely to make his first start for Wolves alongside other defenders who are fit and available.
Wolves will be eager to avoid a slip-up against Bristol City, as the FA Cup can often provide opportunities for lower-league sides to pull off unexpected results. For Agbadou, this is a chance to make a strong first impression in a cup competition that often throws up surprises. Pereira will be hoping the Ivorian can offer the defensive solidity and technical ability needed to guide Wolves through to the next round of the FA Cup.
The match against Bristol City is scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. (UK time) on Saturday, but, unfortunately for fans hoping to watch the game live, it has not been selected for TV coverage in the UK. However, highlights will be available later on the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube, giving fans the chance to catch up on the action from the game. Wolves will be looking to progress in the competition, and with Agbadou likely to be involved, there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding how the new signing will fare in his first competitive outing for the club.