Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a strong begin to the 2023/24 marketing campaign and are at present on a five-game unbeaten run within the Premier League, a streak that features a 2-1 win over champions Manchester Metropolis in addition to a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
The membership had many high-profile departures through the summer season switch window, together with head coach Julen Lopetegui, whereas key gamers akin to Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins and Raul Jimenez all moved to pastures new.
The job appeared like a frightening job for any incoming supervisor however ex-Bournemouth coach Gary O’Neil has actually shocked just a few pundits and followers alike because the Wanderers at present sit twelfth within the desk, one spot above final season’s end.
Nonetheless, that does not imply O’Neil has been flawless along with his decision-making to this point and will have made an enormous blunder throughout pre-season by omitting a participant from the first-team squad that has been scoring for enjoyable this season, even outperforming Wolves’ star man Pedro Neto in objectives.
Pedro Neto’s stats this season
Towards the Magpies on Sunday, Neto claimed his seventh help of the season in a Wolves shirt within the thirty sixth minute after his nook discovered the top of Mario Lemina to stage the sport at 1-1.
Sadly for Wolves supporters and head coach O’Neil, the Portugal worldwide pulled his hamstring and was changed with little over ten minutes remaining.
The 23-year-old was taken off the sector on a stretcher and is anticipated to be out for six weeks, in line with The Day by day Mail, though the membership are hopeful that Neto can return earlier than the congested Christmas interval begins.
O’Neil admitted that Neto’s damage is an enormous blow for the staff, claiming that “he is been an enormous a part of what we have managed to take action far”, but additionally believes that the aspect will be capable to adapt with out the Premier League’s prime assister.
One participant who might have changed Neto within the beginning lineup is £17m man Daniel Podence. The attacker moved to Molineux from Greek Tremendous League staff Olympiacos in January 2020 for £16.9m when Nuno Espirito Santo was head coach and bagged 16 objectives in simply over 100 appearances for the west Midlands membership.
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old fell out of favour with the brand new Wolves boss, with O’Neil revealing only a few days earlier than the summer season switch window ended that “the squad’s ambition and the place we’re attempting to get to and Daniel’s aren’t aligned.”
O’Neil had additionally omitted Podence from Wolves’ pre-season squad again in July, leaving the door open for an exit which ultimately got here within the type of a return to Olympiacos on mortgage however signed a new three-year contract earlier than jetting off.
Nonetheless, Podence’s type this season in Greece could go away egg on O’Neil’s face, notably in mild of Neto’s long-term absence.
Podence’s stats this season
Podence has discovered the online 5 instances within the Greek Tremendous League this season, registering seven purpose contributions in complete underneath Diego Martinez. No participant has scored greater than the Wolves loanee.
The winger is averaging a purpose as soon as each 76 minutes on the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, in line with FotMob. Neto has 5 extra assists than Podence this time period of their respective leagues however 4 fewer objectives. The Portuguese ahead helps his teammates rating too, having created ten possibilities this season, as per FotMob once more.
FBref place Podence within the prime 8% for non-penalty objectives per 90, the highest 3% for photographs on track per 90, the highest 9% for passes into the opposition’s penalty space per 90 in addition to the highest 12% for profitable take-ons per 90 over the 12 months when in comparison with Europe’s prime 5 leagues and main continental competitions. Spectacular numbers certainly.
Podence is extra goal-oriented than Neto, with the latter possessing higher artistic instincts, however the loanee might have stuffed the large gap in Wolves’ ahead line in his compatriot’s absence and O’Neil could reside to remorse his resolution.