Wolves could only draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace, but one player who’s been getting a bit of stick recently really caught the eye.
Wolves are still winless in the Premier League, again failing to see out a game in which they were winning.
Wanderers did well initially to come from behind to lead 2-1. But more poor defending was Wolves’ undoing, meaning the wait for a first league win goes on.
It is now just one win in the last 20 in the league.
Gary O’Neil is under mounting pressure, and may well need to beat Southampton to stay in a job at Molineux.
There is no overstating how big Saturday’s game with the Saints is, and it will be very interesting to see if the manager recalls his captain for the clash.
Impressive Mario Lemina stat emerges after Crystal Palace draw
O’Neil benched Mario Lemina for the first time in the Premier League against Palace.
It was a change that many fans had wanted to see, because the Gabon international has arguably not been close to his best level so far this season.
Lemina will no doubt have been disappointed about the decision. But he really seemed to use the setback as fuel when he came on in the second-half.
Because Lemina was really lively after replacing Tommy Doyle, which some fans inside Molineux gave O’Neil stick for.
According to The Other 14, Lemina was among the most industrious Premier League players last weekend. He made an impressive three tackles and three interceptions.
To do that in just 28 minutes is really good going, and exactly the response he needed to give after being benched.
O’Neil hailed Lemina as ‘excellent’ after the draw with Palace, and Lemina must now try and build some consistency if he can.
Lemina could start v Southampton
Lemina has struggled at times this season and the decision by O’Neil to drop him against Palace was probably justified.
Especially since Joao Gomes and Tommy Doyle both impressed against Brighton.
But Lemina may now have put himself in contention to start this weekend’s huge game against Southampton.
Southampton are likely going to want to try and dominate the ball, so Wolves are going to spend quite a bit of time pressing.
£10 million ace Lemina is one of the best players Wolves have at doing that. So it would be no surprise if the captain was recalled alongside Gomes, who is also a brilliant presser and ball-winner.