Wolves supporters finally saw Mateus Mane make his first appearance of the season before the international break – and the youngster has now sent a message to new manager Rob Edwards.
It has been a peculiar season for Mateus Mane.
He came into the new season hoping – and perhaps expecting – to have had some decent minutes for the first-team.
Because last term, Vitor Pereira had branded Mane ‘special’, and confirmed that he would be with the first-team.
But the Portuguese was ultimately reluctant to use.
Pereira called Mane up for just one matchday squad before he got sacked after the game against Fulham. That was the Chelsea game in the Carabao Cup – and Mane didn’t even get on.
He did finally get some minutes in the league though against Chelsea thanks to James Collins – and Mane now has fire in his belly for the Rob Edwards era.
Mateus Mane buoyed by Rob Edwards appointment as he eyes more minutes
Fans have found Mane’s lack of involvement so far quite disappointing.
Pereira often stuck with the same players in the attacking areas, and none of those players excelled.
Many felt that Mane – who has been in fine form for the U21s – might have made a difference had Pereira just been brave enough to trust him.
But now there’s a new man at the helm in Edwards – and Mane has sent a message to him about game time.
He said (via Wolves official): “It’s 100% made me want more. I want to get more minutes and show the coach, the staff, the fans and everyone what I can do, what I can bring to the team and that I can help the team as well.
“To know that he’s worked with young players here that would have got their belief from him, it’s given me more confidence to go out and train hard and train well every day, try to do my best, and hopefully I get my chance and I can show him what I can do as well.”
- READ MORE: Mateus Mane shares what training has been like under Rob Edwards, one thing is already clear
Rob Edwards will surely hand Mane more minutes
Things need to change at Wolves and this could mean we now see more of Mane in the first-team.
As usual, Mane has been training with Wolves the first-team ahead of Saturday’s game with Crystal Palace so it could be that he makes the squad immediately.
| Mateus Mane for Wolves U21s this season |
| Appearances – 13 |
| Minutes played – 1111 |
| Goals – 4 |
| Assists – 4 |
Dave Edwards recently said Rob Edwards won’t be afraid to turn to youth at Wolves, and it just feels like Mane’s time could now come, given his status as the best prospect at Molineux.
Edwards has obviously got to prioritise getting points on the board for Wolves.
But fans would love to hope that Mane can play a much bigger part now.