Bruno Lage has revealed he was spoken with Ki-Jana Hoever, after blasting him publicly after the defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Dutchman came in for scathing criticism on Saturday evening, having gone off injured against the Eagles.
Lage suggested his preparation wasn’t right, and that the youngster sometimes doesn’t work with the intensity he wants.
He also took a pop at some of the club’s other young players, but did not drop any more names.
Lage’s comments caused quite a stir, and people are generally split over whether he was right or wrong to make the comments he did.
Today, Lage appeared before the media for the first time since making those comments.
And he revealed he has spoken to Hoever and also the other players about what he said.
He said (via Birmingham Mail): “A word for Ki, because the work he’s been doing since the beginning, it was a big chance for him and he deserved to play these games and show people the work he’s doing.
“Ki didn’t take a good chance for him to show (that). Everyone wants the opportunity to show their potential and the work they are doing.
“The good thing is the next day I talked with Ki and the group. They understand my work. It’s not about just working hard, because I am happy with the way they work. But every day I want more and more. From kids to guys like Raul (Jimenez) and Joao (Moutinho).
“I am here every day, except on days off. I am here working eight to eight.”
Lage throws down the gauntlet, and now Hoever must prove his worth at Wolves
Hopefully Hoever and the players responded well to Lage when he spoke to them about Saturday.
Ultimately, Lage just wants his players to match his own work ethic. We know he is very intense and holistic in his approach.
People will have their opinions about Lage saying what he did in a public setting.
But he’s now thrown down the gauntlet to Hoever and the others, and it’s on them to prove their worth at Molineux.
If they want to be a part of his squad, they need to show that.