TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has urged misfiring Wolves winger Adama Traore to follow the examples of some of the Premier League’s top wide men, after a sub-par start to 2020/21.
The Spaniard’s form has been poor this season, which has come as a surprise to many following a string of lively performances in 2019/20.
Last term Traore contributed six goals and 12 assists in all competitions, but this time around he’s scored just one goal against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
He isn’t the only Wolves player to suffer a dip in form, but his potential sees him come in for greater criticism from neutrals.
For one reason or another it just hasn’t been happening for Traore, and Cascarino believes his lack of desire to get in the box at the back post may be a factor.
He said on talkSPORT today: “He’ll come alive from a standing start when he wants to beat people, but he’s standing when the ball is on the opposite side and you want your winger to do what Raheem Sterling does and many others, Salah and Mane do it for Liverpool.
“Standing and admiring the play from the other side of the pitch isn’t going to get you goals. He’s doing it so often.”
Traore must gamble more
The whole team needs to improve, but Cascarino may be onto something.
Pedro Neto has been Wolves’ brightest spark this season and his crossing has been really dangerous.
£18 million star Traore (BBC Sport) needs to start gambling a bit more rather than waiting for the ball to skip through for him to go and retrieve and put the ball back in.
Sterling in particular has become very adept at scoring in this way, and Traore could easily increase his output if he adopts a similar tactic.