Gary O’Neil has revealed he had people in his ear to take Pedro Neto off earlier during last night’s game with Brighton.
Wanderers played out a 0-0 draw with the Seagulls, taking a solid point at the Amex Stadium.
Last night’s game was always going to be tough, with Brighton having beaten Wolves in each of the last four meetings prior.
Roberto De Zerbi is a great manager and he has turned Brighton into a great outfit, but Wolves put in a solid performance away from home last night.
Key to the display was the ability to counter – and Pedro Neto was a real threat throughout for Wolves as Brighton dominated possession.
Jermaine Jenas branded him ‘probably the best player of the pitch’ towards the end of the game, but Gary O’Neil revealed afterwards that he actually kept him on longer than he should have…
Gary O’Neil makes admission about Pedro Neto after 0-0 draw with Brighton
Neto was handed his first Wolve start last night since he got injured against Newcastle United at the end of September.
The 23-year-old has made a few substitute appearances against Everton and Brentford, but last night he pretty much got a full game.
You could see that he was fading towards the end, and O’Neil has said that he actually had people in his ear about taking Neto off sooner, but felt there was a chance for him to help Wolves win the game. He said (via Wolves official): “I wasn’t careful with him today because I was getting voices down the earphone that he’s done more than he should do and he needs to come off, but I wasn’t sure we were going to be taking him off yet when he could get one-v-one again and we could do with leaving him on a bit longer.
“But he’s worked very hard to get back and we’ve been careful with him, because he’s important to us.
“It was a 12-week injury and he managed to get back in nine, but we nursed him through the first three and a bit weeks, and now he feels good and ready to go. We still need to be careful, which is why we took him off, so now let’s see how well he recovers for a big cup game at the weekend.”
Neto Wolves’ danger man
One can understand why O’Neil was reluctant to take Neto off last night against Brighton.
The game plan was very clear and Neto was absolutely key to what the team was trying to do. He was the outlet for Wolves and the best way to harm Brighton on the counter.
He had a few really good moments, really stretching Brighton, and was able to create a few chances. He also went close himself in the first-half.
Thankfully, Neto came through the game unscathed which was vitally important considering it’s West Browmich Albion up next for Wolves in the FA Cup.