Bruno Lage tipped to deploy risky strategy as Wolves eye once in 40 years feat

Mark Lawrenson feels Wolves may not take the FA Cup all too seriously, as Bruno Lage is likely to have his sights set on the league for one big reason.

Wolves have been one of the more in-form teams outside the ‘big six’ in the Premier League this season. They endured a disappointing campaign last time out, finishing 13th.

However, Portuguese gaffer Lage has come in and got Wolves back to their best. They currently sit eighth in the league, just two points behind Arsenal in sixth.

Sixth place is significant, as it would guarantee the Molineux outfit automatic qualification to the Europa League. Wolves have played European football just once in the last 40 years, in 2018/19.

As such, Lage is likely to be keen on securing European football for next season.

Now, Liverpool legend Lawrenson feels Wolves’ attention will therefore be elsewhere for their FA Cup tie with Norwich City on Saturday.

“Wolves are having a great season in the Premier League,” he told BBC Sport.

“But I just wonder how seriously their manager Bruno Lage will take the FA Cup, given they have a chance of making the top six.”

Wolves’ opponents Norwich are also likely to want to prioritise league football, given relegation looms, with the Canaries one point above the drop zone.

As such, both sides may hold back and attempt to allow the other to gain momentum.

In other news, Lage was keen on Bilal Brahimi, formerly of Middlesbrough, in January. The Wolves boss wanted to take him to Molineux, but was beaten to the punch by OGC Nice.

Wolves were one of a number of Premier League sides tracking the winger.

Leeds United also held an interest in the star. However, Nice managed to lure the 21-year-old in from Angers for £6.3million.

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