Talking Tactics: Wolves (A) — “Set Piece Party!”

Sunderland AFC manager Regis Le Bris observes during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland at Molineux, Wolverhampton, on May 2, 2026. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Sunderland returned to action down in the Black Country after a dismal showing against Nottingham Forest. Facing an already-relegated Wolves side who were already playing with next season in mind, how did yet another set play take away the opportunity to add three more points to the away tally for the season?

Sunderland lineup With a full week to recover from the disastrous result at the hands of relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, Régis Le Bris was left with several key decisions to make around how he set his side up against a Wolves team that were surely going to play without fear under Rob Edwards following confirmation of relegation to the EFL Championship. In an attempt to provide some natural defensive stability but also mirror and contain the defensive shape of the hosts, Le Bris made two changes in midfield as Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg both dropped to the bench in favour of Chemsdine Talbi and Trai Hume. With a shift back to the system we deployed earlier in the season, Sunderland set up in a hybrid 4-3-3 / 5-4-1 system with Hume acting as wide midfielder whilst in possession before dropping in to form a defensive back five when we lost the ball and looked to defend more deeply.

Elsewhere, Enzo Le Fée was able to resume his playmaking duties in the centre of the pitch whilst Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka both anchored the base of midfield when required. The positional flexibility of Hume meant that although Sunderland were unlikely to utilise him as an out-and-out winger, he could tuck inside to support play, act as a direct aerial duel winner out wide and also allow space for Nordi Mukiele to overlap and provide crossing opportunities. After shipping five goals the week prior, Le Bris was always likely to make a more defensive switch to solidify his backline and avoid further embarrassment at the hands of the side that sat bottom of the league with nothing left to play for; therefore, when the team was announced, it didn’t come as much of a surprise to fans online and in the concourse.

Wolves lineup With relegation officially confirmed during the month of April, Edwards was looking ahead to next season as he made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Spurs the week prior. Goalkeeper Jose Sá missed out through injury and was replaced by Dan Bentley. Yerson Mosquera replaced Matt Doherty in central defence, whilst Tolu Arokodare came in to replace Rodrigo Gomes in the forward line.