Wolves picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest – and Andy Thompson believes one of Gary O’Neil’s top performers from last season may have taken a knock to his confidence.
Wolves and Forest shared the spoils at the City Ground, in what was probably a fair result.
After Chris Wood opened the scoring, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde then equalised in style for the visitors, finding the top corner from around 25 yards out.
Wolves may well have lost the game had it not been for Sam Johnstone putting in a solid performance on his debut.
But there were also opportunities for Wolves to get their noses ahead in the game.
The likes of Craig Dawson and Mario Lemina had good games, but there was another slightly below-par display from Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Rayan Ait-Nouri may have suffered a knock to his confidence, says Andy Thompson
Ait-Nouri came in for a lot of criticism following his performance against Chelsea last weekend.
The Algerian really struggled up against Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, and it was most definitely an afternoon to forget. For the whole team as well.
Ait-Nouri was much better in midweek in the Carabao Cup game against Burnley, and O’Neil gave him another start against Forest on Saturday.
But Ait-Nouri couldn’t really build on his midweek display, and Andy Thompson – who last week questioned the decision to loan out Hugo Bueno to Feyenoord – believes the player’s confidence has been knocked.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “I think he was finding his feet a little bit today after the defeat last week.
“He played in the cup game in midweek, he was the only one out of the 11 that played. I wouldn’t say it was a punishment, but maybe an opportunity for him to get a little bit of positivity in his game again or a bit more confidence.
“But just for me today, a little bit unlike him, hesitant when he got the ball going forward. He seemed to slow the game down or stop the game. Usually when he’s got it, he’s off and he’s got his quick feet. He didn’t today.
“That hesitation – it’s very unlike him. It might have knocked his confidence a bit, the last three games.”
Ait-Nouri has had a poor start
Ait-Nouri was superb for large parts of last season But he has been disappointing in these opening games for Wolves in 2024/25.
But the system change has not really suited him. He played higher up against Forest on Saturday, perhaps to just relieve him of defensive responsibilities slightly. Unfortunately, it was a somewhat subdued showing from the 23-year-old.
As Thompson suggests, he was a bit hesitant at times and one did just get the feeling that his horror show against Chelsea was still playing on his mind a little.
He is a fantastic young talent, and fans will back him to bounce back. O’Neil is bound to put an arm around him to try and help him rediscover his mojo.