The numbers behind Toti Gomes’ Wolves debut

A question which has loomed over Wolves’ season so far is how best to replace Romain Saiss.

For much of the campaign, it has looked like Bruno Lage would have a direct choice between Marcal and Leander Dendoncker.

But Dendoncker was needed in midfield against Southampton, with Ruben Neves ruled out with Covid and Marcal was not in the squad.

So Toti Gomes got a Wolves debut, having returned to Molineux to get a chance to impress Lage while his loan club Grasshoppers enjoy their winter break.

Gomes’ introduction to the side did not see Wolves sacrifice much of the defensive solidity which has been the hallmark of their season.

He slotted right in despite the lack of training team he has had with his teammates and showcased his quality and temperament.

Wolves did fail to keep yet another clean sheet as Southampton were seen off 3-1 thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez and Conor Coady, either side of half-time.

James Ward-Prowse scored for the visitors to pull a goal back, and it was a cracking goal which cannot really be legislated for, before Adama Traore’s first goal of the season sealed the win.

As per WhoScored, Toti made 5 tackles on his first game in old gold, showing he is not scared of getting stuck in. Nobody else in a Wolves shirt made more, with Francisco Trincao matching him.

He also made three clearances and an interception, although one area he could improve was his passing accuracy, which was just 62.1 per cent.

Toti almost had an assist when he teed up Coady but it was ruled out minutes before the England international netted a goal which counted.

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