Dave Edwards: Lots to like from Wolves’ first point of the season

The way the game played out, it was very equal and very entertaining, particularly in the first half.

But I do feel that Forest looked a bit stronger in the last 10 or 15 minutes and Wolves started to lose their shape.

As the game finished, Wolves will probably have been happier with a point and it was really important they did get that point going into the international break.

It’s been a tough start for them, although performances haven’t been too bad, but they needed to get points on the board with some daunting fixtures to come.

They should take some confidence out of the first three games, despite not picking up as many points as they wanted, but they’ve shown signs they can hurt any team in this league.

I really liked the line-up at Forest. I was really happy Craig Dawson came into the team. He brings a calmness to that back line and he was absolutely fantastic.

He got his head on so many crosses, got so many blocks in and when Wolves were under pressure later in the game he really stood up to it.

I liked that Rayan Ait-Nouri was pushed further forward and Toti Gomes, who is still trying to find some confidence at left-back, still looked more comfortable there than Ait-Nouri has done.

It may be a problem position as the season goes on, but at the moment Toti can rediscover some form and bring some solidity to the defence and we can see more of Ait-Nouri going forward.

Although he didn’t have his best game, he was still quite influential in the first half. Sam Johnstone came in for his debut and, similar to Dawson, he was a calming influence.

Every time the ball went back to him he looked calm and composed. His distribution was decent and he kicked long when he needed to.

Initially I thought he’d be disappointed with the goal but it’s quite obvious that a Forest player is putting him off in front of him and it impacts his thought process.

He then made two really good saves after that. It was a really assured debut.

What he will bring to this Wolves team over Jose Sa is that calmness, taking that frantic nature out of things.

It was really a game of two halves. Wolves will be disappointed to concede from a set piece, leaving Chris Wood completely free at the back post.

But they bounced back through Jean-Ricner Bellegarde with a wonder-strike! I’m absolutely delighted for him because he puts in so much work.

Wolves played really well in the first half and Forest couldn’t live with Matheus Cunha.

His movement was excellent and it caused Forest so many problems.

He was making things happen with the way he carried the ball, he was incredible.

We’ve seen how influential he can be in the number 10 role but with the signings Wolves made and O’Neil admitted he may have to adapt the system, three of their best players will now be in midfield.

Andre will be a deeper pivot, allowing Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina to play as two number eights.

It would mean there isn’t room for Cunha as a 10, if they do switch to 4-3-3, and he would have to play out wide.

We’ve seen him do that impressively last season, so it isn’t a big problem, it just depends who plays on the other side with Bellegarde doing so well and the other options in the team.

There are lots of selection dilemmas now for O’Neil, but I like the potential 4-3-3 switch with a solid three-man midfield.

They are three excellent players at winning the ball back and so good in possession. It’s always been Wolves’ strong point and it’s now even stronger.

One player who isn’t sticking around is Daniel Podence, who has left for Saudi Arabia.

He wasn’t the only player who lost his way under Julen Lopetegui, but he had some really big moments in a Wolves shirt.

He deserves credit for coming back this summer and training the way he has. It would have been easy to down tools but he didn’t, which is commendable, and O’Neil deserves massive praise too.

I think all Wolves fans will wish Podence well. It’s a move that will make a huge difference to him and his family financially.

I wish him all the best, hope he goes on to be a success and thank him for all he has done in a Wolves shirt.

Now that the transfer window is closed, Gary O’Neil will have a vision of how he wants to move forward with this team and how he wants them to play.

The international break is a good chance for the manager to reflect, after a manic opening few weeks to the season.

I still can’t believe the transfer window shuts at the end of August when the season has already started. I feel it’s very unfair on teams trying to do business.

And for managers, like O’Neil, trying to sign players on deadline day while also preparing for a game.

Everyone will be glad it’s over and it’s been a reasonably positive one for Wolves!

There was more work to do but Matt Hobbs deserves a lot of credit, he’s done a terrific job with what was available to him.