Wolves recorded a huge win over Aston Villa last weekend – and it was a great night’s work for Toti Gomes at the back.
Wanderers recorded a rare clean sheet, and won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Matheus Cunha.
Wolves were full value for the three points, defending brilliantly and being clinical when they got into dangerous positions.
Vitor Pereira’s men worked their socks off, and it was a result and performance that could serve as a catalyst for the rest of the season. Especially with Wolves then following up the victory with two new signings on transfer deadline day.
One man who really shone against Villa was Toti Gomes, and former Old Gold midfielder Dave Edwards reckons he showcased one thing better than he ever has done in a Wolves shirt.
Dave Edwards hails Toti Gomes’ ball-carrying against Aston Villa
Against Villa, Wolves set up with their usual back three, with Toti Gomes returning to the starting XI after a hamstring injury.
Toti missed the last few games and Wolves seemed to really feel his absence, failing to keep a clean sheet or win any of the league games he was out for.
But thee £900,000 signing (Nathan Judah) was solid as a rock on that left side against Villa.
And Dave Edwards reckons Toti – whose importance to Wolves was talked up by Pereira this week – actually carried the ball better during the win over Villa than he ever has done for Wolves before.
He told the official Wolves podcast: “Toti made so many good tackles. The best I’ve probably seen him carry the ball as well. Driving into the space. he has such a positive effect on Rayan Ait-Nouri as well and that can’t be underestimated.
“I think everyone knows Rayan is not the best one-vs-one defender. When he’s isolated out there it’s difficult. But when he has Toti out there – a natural left footer, it takes a lot of pressure off Ait-Nouri having to defend. If he’s beaten, he knows Toti is comfortable to come out into that left-back area, he’s excellent one-vs-one.”
Toti can be Wolves’ new driver from defence, just like Max Kilman was
There were a few times Toti brought the ball out of the backline really well against Villa and that kind of play should be encouraged.
It’s something that can catch teams off guard, as defenders don’t tend to maraud forward.
But Toti – who’s one of Pereira’s most important players – is a real athlete who clearly has the ability to get Wolves up the pitch.
Max Kilman was known for carrying the ball out of defence for Wolves and it would be good to see Toti taking over from the former captain as the player to do this.
He’s strong and fast, and it’s something he should be looking to do more often so long as someone can cover the space for him.