How Bruno Lage has turned Wolves into serious top four challengers

Bruno Lage's revolution began in a nondescript room at Wolves' training ground on his first look at Compton last July.

The former Benfica manager was checking out his prospective new base and when he had been given the tour, Nuno Espirito Santo's successor asked if he could see the presentation suite. To his surprise, he was told no such room existed.

Lage made clear that if his methods were going to pay off, that would need to change. So once he had accepted the job, Wolves' staff got to work, identifying a classroom that had been previously used for education sessions for academy players.

Computers and plastic chairs were removed and replaced by upmarket leather seats and a giant touch-screen, which Lage uses to illustrate his ideas.

It has been quite a change for the players, who were used to a single pre-match meeting under Nuno. Now, these gatherings take place at least twice a day.

Lage will stand at the screen and explain what he wants. Training — with a strong tactical emphasis — usually lasts an hour, after which the defenders, midfielders and forwards will separate for meetings with different coaches. 

These analysis sessions sometimes occupy more time than the training sessions, and Lage, 45, will occasionally conduct meetings with individual players in his office to discuss a particular tactical matter.

Goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts is the only non-Portuguese member of Lage's team and is also in charge of set-pieces.

First-team coach Carlos Cachada works closely with a defence who have conceded 17 goals in 23 league games. Only Manchester City, who have let in 14, have a better record, which shows Lage has restored the mean streak that disappeared in Nuno's final season.

'Boys, when you play the other teams,