Conor Coady has branded Nelson Semedo ‘a fantastic player’ who is ‘a credit to have at this football club’, after the full-back endured a tough debut against West Ham United.
Semedo was thrown in straight away by Nuno Espirito Santo against the Hammers, just four days after completing his move from Barcelona for a reported £37 million (BBC Sport).
The 26-year-old was deployed as the right wing-back as expected, allowing Adama Traore to move further upfield to support Raul Jimenez.
Hopes were high Semedo could make an immediate impact, but it was an evening to forget for the 14-cap Portugal international as West Ham romped to a 4-0 win at the London Stadium.
Semedo was unable to provide much creativity down the right and some were critical of his performance, but captain Coady came to the new signing’s defence.
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He said (Birmingham Mail): “It’s tough for him in a game like that when all of us are playing like we were. It’s tough, but he’s a fantastic player, a fantastic person and he’s a credit to have at this football club.
“But we need to help him, and tonight, we’ve not helped him as a team.”
Good words from the skipper
Semedo was by no means the worst Wolves player against West Ham, but he was disappointing.
But it is as Coady suggests, a better collective effort might have prompted a better performance from the new signing.
It’s good that the skipper has moved to defend Semedo, and hopefully the full-back can shine the more he gets used to his new teammates, system and league.