Wolves beat Fulham at Molineux in the Premier League on Saturday and there was a rare start for summer signing Santiago Bueno – and Andy Thompson believes his performance may have given Gary O’Neil food for thought.
Bueno has found minutes pretty hard to come by in his first season in English football so far.
The central defender has warmed the bench for most of the season, making just nine appearances so far.
Gary O’Neil has really settled on the trio of Craig Dawson, Max Kilman and Toti Gomes, with Wanderers looking more solid defensively with a back three.
Chances have been few and far between for Bueno, but Thompson reckons his display against Fulham may have given Gary O’Neil something to think about moving forward…
Andy Thompson suggests Santiago Bueno is pushing to become a starter for Wolves
Bueno has had to be very patient since his £8.5 million transfer from Girona last summer.
The Uruguay international hasn’t really had a look in due to the form of Dawson, Kilman and Toti.
Just lately though, he’s been given some chances by O’Neil.
He’s played three of Wolves’ four FA Cup matches so far, playing every minute of those three games.
Bueno is starting to find his feet and with Dawson nursing a groin injury, O’Neil may well decide to play him against Coventry this weekend.
In the eyes of Thompson, O’Neil has a potential selection dilemma on his hands. He said (via Wolves offcial): “I thought he didn’t do anything wrong. Bueno had a good game. He seems to be getting better.
“If you’re looking at it, players coming in and getting better, performing, he’s going to have a headache if Dawson is fit, but it’s a nice headache to have.”
O’Neil will want to play Dawson against Coventry
Bueno has fared well in the FA Cup, and he is definitely in contention to start again this weekend.
His peformance against Brighton was especially good, and then he gave a good account of himself against Fulham and is looking more and more comfortable in the Wolves shirt.
That said, O’Neil will probably really want to play Dawson this weekend.
Ultimately, the 33-year-old has been a rock at the back for Wolves and given it is such a big game and occasion, the manager will want his leader of men in that backline, as promising as Bueno has looked recently.
Dawson has been nursing a groin injury, but if he recovers fully then you would imagine he’ll be thrown straight back in.