This article is part of Football FanCast’s Off the Bench series, which places in-game managerial decisions and squad selections under FFC’s microscope.

Wolves couldn’t make it a fourth successive win in all competitions as they endured a stalemate with Southampton at Molineux on Saturday.

Last time out, Nuno Santo’s men impressively snatched all three points from reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, but they failed to do the same here.

Although it wasn’t through a lack of trying as striker Raul Jimenez twice saw a goal chalked off through VAR.

There was also a return for Diogo Jota, who had missed the previous four outings through injury.

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Snapshot

He was introduced after his strike partner Jimenez slotted home the equalising penalty, just after the hour mark.

His appearance allowed Wolves to shape into a more natural 3-4-3 as he replaced Patrick Cutrone, who is primarily an out-and-out striker, and in doing so, he gave his fellow countryman a reminder on why it is a system he should continue to operate.

Off the Bench

Jota added fresh legs and a bit of pizzazz on the left-flank. With Matt Doherty also on the pitch, it meant that Adama Traore was pushed forward to operate as part of the three-man attack.

That’s quite a lethal front three.

The 5 foot 10 forward managed to record two successful dribbles, which was more than Cutrone and Jimenez combined and only one less than Traore, who played the entire 90 minutes, per WhoScored.

Wolves also took control of possession with him on the pitch, averaging 53.1%, so Nuno should look to operate this system more often.

The 3-4-3 formation allows the midfield to link to the attack more fluidly as the two wide forwards effectively operate in the half-spaces behind the striker.

This then enables a more coherent link between the midfield and attack – an issue that was hurting the west Midlands side early on in the season.

Jota returning also reminds Nuno that he should be starting alongside Jimenez, regardless of whether he plays 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, as the pair are a deadly duo having scored 22 together last term.

And in addition to that, Cutrone just hasn’t been taking his chances when given the opportunity.