Wolves may change formation in the Premier League after boss Mick McCarthy admitted Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Bristol City had been a “reality check”.

Although Wolves’ star of the show Nenad Milijas could have had five goals, a strong side looked second best against a Bristol City team who start their season a week earlier than McCarthy’s men.

Wolves looked sluggish against the lively movement of front duo Nicky Maynard and Danny Haynes.

But it was the way they struggled against a three-man midfield – Bristol City played 3-5-2 – that prompted a rethink by McCarthy on his long-favoured 4-4-2 formation as the Premier League looms.

“I learned something about the shape of our team and how we play,” said the boss.

“In the Premier League, a lot of teams will play with three in the middle of the park and if they do, I think we’ll have to match them up.

“I left it as it was on Saturday to see how we could cope with it, but had we been playing a competitive game I would have changed it straight away.

“It was a reality check for all of us.

“We’re not a Premier League team yet – we’re a team that’s earned the right to play there, and there’s a big difference.

“Hopefully they’ll all be flying by the time we put the team together for the start of the season.”

If and when Wolves look to change things, they appear to have the ideal man to adapt in Milijas.

The Serbian playmaker oozed class on his first appearance on English soil since his £2.6m move from Red Star to suggest he could have a major bearing on Wolves’ fortunes next season.

“Nenad’s an excellent player, and, despite an indifferent performance from us, he still stood out as a very good player,” said McCarthy.

“If we have to play three in midfield, then he’s fantastic in there (behind a forward).”

First half goals from strike duo Haynes and Maynard sealed City’s win.