Lee Naylor believes Wolves have a player who’s actually much more effective coming off the bench than starting.
Wanderers fell to a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, with the players and Rob Edwards coming in for boos from the South Bank after the game.
Thoughts on that display, Wolves fans? 🙄
Rob Edwards and the players were greeted by boos from the South Bank after the full-time whistle…
It was by no means Wolves’ worst display of the season. But it was one that lacked quality to get any points.
Wanderers were poor in the first-half. Despite a bit of an improvement in the second, it was Spurs who took all three points to claim their first Premier League win of 2026.
Edwards made several changes for the game, with the manager looking to mix things up potentially with next season in mind.
One man who came in was Rodrigo Gomes, but it wasn’t the best of outings for the star.
Rodrigo Gomes better coming off the bench for Wolves, insists Lee Naylor
It’s been a dismal season as a collective for Wolves.
But Rodrigo Gomes is perhaps one of a few who can hold his head high. Certainly higher than a lot of others at least.
He’s five goals in 23 appearances, with only Tolu Arokodare scoring more. The Nigerian has played nearly twice the amount of minutes though.
He was given a rare start, but lacked impact – and former Wolves defender Lee Naylor has suggested he is actually more effective when he comes off the bench.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “He doesn’t have the (same) impact as when he comes on.
“He’s so positive when he’s coming on in games. Whether it’s on 60 minutes or 70 minutes, he’s super positive.
“He’s always giving people a problem, always asking questions of the opposition. I just think when he starts, he’s a bit more reserved. If he’s in a one-vs-one situation, he’ll turn back out.
“Whereas when he comes on, he has no other option in his head but to go at that defender. It’s just a different mentality. If you can change that for when he starts…”
Against Spurs, Rodrigo completed just 5/9 (56%) passes, had just 16 touches of the ball (least of all Wolves starting players), and won zero of the nine duels he contested (via Sofascore).
Rodrigo Gomes could leave Wolves
There is an argument to say that Rodrigo does cause more problems when he’s brought on to stretch tired opposition legs.
It’ll be interesting to see how regularly Rodrigo starts games next season – if indeed he does actually stay put.
Wolves want nine players in particular to stay, with Rodrigo one of those, to form the core a new-look squad.
But it was recently suggested that other clubs are looking at Rodrigo heading into the summer.
So it’s not out of the question that he could depart.
There is no word yet of an asking price. But he cost around £13 million and Wolves would probably expect to make some money on him if they were to sell.
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