Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Chris Iwelumo has come to the defence of Fabio Silva for the chance he missed against Leicester City yesterday.
The 18-year-old had the best opportunity of anyone to break the deadlock at Molineux on Sunday, but was thwarted at close-range by Kasper Schmeichel.
Some have suggested that Silva should have looked to shoot across the Danish stopper, rather than go near post as he did.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said after the game that he had to do better, and that the coaches will work on getting him to become more clinical.
Some have been quite critical of £90,000-a-week striker Silva (Spotrac) on social media in the aftermath of the game, but former Wanderers striker Iwelumo has come to the youngster’s defence, praising his movement to even have the chance to score.
He said (via Wolves official): “It’s the fine margins, the big chances, the Vardy header, fantastic movement, but it’s the Fabio Silva one for me, which could have got us the three points.
“That chance doesn’t fall to Willian Jose, it’s because of the movement of Fabio.
“He’s always on the go, he’s anticipating, and once he’s got there, he actually had that much time, he saw Schmeichel had committed himself, it’s just having that clinical idea.”
Support for Silva needed
It’s nice for Iwelumo to stick up for Silva, who has had a bit of rough ride since yesterday.
He knows he should have put that chance away and will no doubt have beaten himself up about it.
To lack that cutting edge at the age of 18 is no crime, and he will become a better and more consistent finisher in time.
He took his goal superbly against West Bromwich Albion, and also his brace against Doncaster Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy back in November.
Silva’s movement since coming to the club has been the most impressive thing about him, and once that ruthlessness comes as he gets more experience, Wolves will be laughing.