Shedding Julen Lopetegui simply earlier than the season bought underway, alongside the sooner departures of Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Matheus Nunes, the very last thing that Wolverhampton Wanderers wanted was a gradual begin. But, that is precisely what they’ve endured underneath Gary O’Neil.
Fact be informed, the Midlands membership have been unlucky at instances – they have been denied a late penalty in opposition to Manchester United and shortly obtained an apology for the incident, earlier than being smashed by Brighton & Hove Albion, and at last getting off the mark with a victory over Everton.
Defeats in opposition to Crystal Palace and Liverpool have since adopted, however Wolves can as soon as once more look again on their performances with nice content material, significantly when in opposition to the Reds, having taken the lead and largely dominated the primary 45 minutes.
Following a sport of two halves in opposition to Liverpool, nonetheless, these at Wolves a minimum of obtained a much-needed damage enhance, as confirmed by O’Neil.
What has Gary O’Neil stated?
Watching on as his facet ultimately collapsed amid the Liverpool strain, O’Neil would have been left annoyed by his facet, who did so properly to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Alas, it merely wasn’t meant to be, and Wolves, in defeat, might have hoped to keep away from any additional blows. When Rayan Ait-Nouri was compelled off by means of damage, nonetheless, it seemed as if the Midlands membership have been set to get precisely that.
O’Neil has since squashed any considerations, saying, through Molinuex Information: “Rayan’s damage was simply muscle fatigue actually. I don’t anticipate him to have any issues. We received’t know till subsequent weekend, however he’ll most likely simply want a number of days to get well.”
The previous Bournemouth supervisor will likely be a relieved man, given how necessary it’s that he has a full squad obtainable when the Premier League fixtures begin coming thick and quick. Up subsequent, Wolves sq. off in opposition to Luton City, the place they’re going to be the favourites to select up all three factors.
How has Ait-Nouri carried out this season?
To this point this season, Ait-Nouri has been one in all Wolves’ most necessary gamers, beginning in 5 of their six video games underneath O’Neil. With that stated, it could have been a significant blow for the Midlands membership, had the fullback suffered a long-term damage. That does not appear to be the case, nonetheless, with Ait-Nouri seemingly prone to slot straight again into his beginning place.
Ait-Nouri’s rise got here as little shock, along with his early progress underneath Nuno Espirito Santo solely an indication of what was to come back. The previous Wolves boss stated, through The Categorical and Star: “There may be enchancment, and he is taking part in. Relating to the circumstances we now have within the squad, he is having sport after sport now. So, there is not any higher time for enchancment than within the sport itself. In fact, we work every single day with all of the gamers on the points that we really feel want enchancment.”
Now, a key member for his facet, Ait-Nouri will doubtless be seeking to kick on even additional. Statistically talking, he is already impressed this season, as per FBref, along with his 20 progressive passes in 5 appearances proving his potential to assist Wolves up the pitch when pressurised, and even perhaps in direction of Premier League security.
