Dave Edwards has suggested last weekend’s draw with Newcastle United highlighted how important a player Mario Lemina is for Wolves.
Wanderers drew 2-2 with the Magpies at Molineux, which is a solid result on paper.
However, there were feelings of frustration after the game following another decision that went against Wolves. In the first-half, a penalty was awarded against Hwang Hee-chan for apparently kicking Fabian Schar in the area.
Replays showed it was Schar that initiated contact with Hwang, and that the South Korean had actually stopped his motion at the last second.
Wolves were able to come from behind twice in the game. Hwang scored in the second-half to continue his amazing form and also equal the 50-year record of scoring in consecutive home games, held by John Richards.
Lemina grabbed the first equaliser for Wolves, and he’s come in for praise from Edwards…
Dave Edwards thinks Newcastle game highlighted how important Mario Lemina is for Wolves
Edwards has put in a nice word for Lemina in his latest Express & Star column.
The Gabon international was back in the starting XI for Wolves, after missing the previous match against Bournemouth through suspension.
Annoyingly, Lemina is still on four bookings so if he picks up one more he will have to serve another one-game ban.
Hopefully he can avoid going into the referee’s book for the next few games, as most fans will agree with Edwards that he is simply crucial for Wanderers.
He said: “Mario Lemina also showed how important he is after returning from his suspension. It is a blow that he is stuck on four bookings.
“If he can somehow get through these next few games against Sheffield United, Spurs and Fulham, they have Arsenal away after that and that is perhaps one game you do not mind him missing.”
Lemina is easily one of Wolves’ best players
Edwards is spot on about Lemina, whom he called ‘magnificent’ after the recent draw with Aston Villa. The Newcastle game was a reminder of just how important a player he is for Wolves.
He is such an energetic and combative player, the type of which the Wolves midfield had been missing for years before his arrival. He is also an excellent reader of the game, as evidenced by the fact he was recently top of the Premier League interceptions category.
While Wolves did beat Bournemouth without Lemina, his absence was still felt. He is just such a presence in the engine room.
Many Wolves fans talk about the impact Craig Dawson has had at the back. Indeed, Edwards also mentioned him in his column and how he has transformed the defence.
But £10 million man Lemina has also had a colossal impact for Wolves since signing at the same time. Without doubt, this warrior is one of the best and most important players at the club.