Former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards thinks three players will really help Gary O’Neil at Molineux this season.
It’s been a nightmare start to the 2024/25 campaign for Wolves, who are out of the EFL Cup and bottom of the Premier League table.
There were plenty of positives to take from O’Neil’s first season at the helm, with significant improvements seen all over the pitch.
The fixture list has not been kind to Wolves so far this term, having already played five of last season’s top seven in the Premier League.
- READ MORE: Former Premier League midfielder delivers honest Wolves survival verdict after ‘nightmare’ start
Wolves told three players can dictate the season
The table has also been cruel to Wolves, with the Old Gold showing far stronger performances than their 20th-place position suggests.
O’Neil’s side have a recurring issue of not staying focused for the full 90 minutes, with results thrown away in the second half on several occasions.
For all that is wrong with Wolves’ start to the season, there is also some good, as former midfielder Dave Edwards highlighted when evaluating the recent defeat to Liverpool.
- READ MORE: Gary Neville lambasts Wolves over ‘frustrating’ moment vs Liverpool that drives him ‘crazy’
Edwards drew focus to three members of O’Neil’s squad that he believes will have a huge impact on the campaign ahead at Molineux.
“The midfield three were terrific. Andre was absolutely incredible again along with Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina,” Edwards penned in his Express and Star column.
“The attributes these three have at winning the ball back and driving forward are going to dictate how Wolves are going to play this season.”
After picking Andre up from Fluminense on deadline day, it’s already clear that the Brazilian brings a sense of composure to complement the styles of Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes.
The midfield is undoubtedly the strongest part of O’Neil’s squad, emphasising Edwards’ prediction that the trio will have some say over how Wolves conduct themselves going forward.
Gary O’Neil has work to do in midfield
The talent is there for O’Neil’s midfield to do the talking this season however, some added input is certainly required from the manager.
There are several questions to be asked of the boss’ formation, particularly when it comes to understanding the role of Lemina, who has been utilised all over the pitch already this term.
Accommodating Andre was always going to disrupt the trusted pivot of Lemina and Gomes, with the combination to fuse all three players yet to be entirely figured out.
Once there is a better understanding of how O’Neil sees his midfield trio going forward, the rewards will inevitably come, given the abundance of talent on show in the engine room.