Paul Merson believes Gary O’Neil has recently pulled off a ‘masterstroke’ at Wolves, amid several players being sidelined through injury.
It has been a tough period for Wanderers, who remain in contention for European football at this moment in time.
Gary O’Neil has been without Craig Dawson, Matheus Cunha, Pedro Neto, Hwang Hee-chan and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde recently, and has had to turn to youngsters such as Leon Chiwome, Nathan Fraser and Tawanda Chirewa.
Wolves have been faltering, and lost their last Premier League game to West Ham United. There was controversy at the end when Max Kilman had a header ruled out by VAR.
That would have resulted in a potentially crucial point, and the hope is that Wolves use that frustration as fuel this weekend against Nottingham Forest.
While key players have been out, Wolves fans have watched Rayan Ait-Nouri really step up – and Paul Merson has been impressed.
Paul Merson hails ‘outstanding’ Rayan Ait-Nouri as he praises Gary O’Neil for Wolves ‘masterstroke’
As a result of the injuries to Hwang, Neto and Cunha, O’Neil has needed someone to play up top with Pablo Sarabia and either Chiwome or Fraser.
He recently turned to Ait-Nouri – and the Algerian has really repaid his manager’s faith, scoring three goals in his last five games.
But Ait-Nouri has also been cropping up in central midfield areas, and looking totally at home thanks to his wonderful technical ability and footwork. Against West Ham last weekend, he was central a lot, with Tommy Doyle pulling out to the left side.
Merson has been casting his eye over this weekend’s fixtures, and the Algerian has impressed him.
He said (Sportskeeda): “Wolves are on a bit of a dodgy patch at the moment, but I think this
game will 2-2, which would be a huge point for Forest. They have a few injured players back and the decision to play Rayan Ait-Nouri as a midfielder has been a masterstroke – he’s been absolutely outstanding in his new role!”
Ait-Nouri has been a breath of fresh air
O’Neil deserves credit for paying Ait-Nouri higher up the pitch, although his natural qualities did make him the best candidate amid the injuries to Cunha, Hwang and Neto.
He has been brilliant in their absences, taking on responsibility and actually thriving in a position he hasn’t played very often.
He has just looked full of confidence, and he clearly loves playing under O’Neil, who brought him in from the cold after Julen Lopetegui froze him out of several matchday squads at the end of last season. That decision has looked more and more baffling as the season has gone on.
Hopefully, the youngster will be OK to play this weekend against Nottingham Forest, having limped off against West Ham.