Pedro Neto has been one of the shining lights for Wolves this season – and Gary O’Neil has now shared something he said to the player in the first game against Manchester United.
Neto has been brilliant for Wolves this term, making 10 assists across all competitions and scoring one goal.
He has unfortunately been limited to just 13 appearances because of a hamstring injury he sustained against Newcastle United a couple of months ago.
But Neto is back now, and hoping to make his first start since returning.
Tonight it’s possible he could start against Brighton, with Wolves in action at the Amex Stadium.
Fans are hoping Neto can come back into form, and perhaps O’Neil will just have a little word with the 23-year-old, just like he did earlier this season…
Gary O’Neil shares what he said to Wolves star Pedro Neto against Manchester United
Wolves surprised a lot of people in their first game this season.
O’Neil had just come in as manager after replacing Julen Lopetegui, and nothing was really expected of Wanderers.
Wolves played United off the park at Old Trafford, but still lost the game 1-0. Sasa Kalajdzic should have had a penalty right at the end for the challenge by goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Neto was superb that evening, and O’Neil has now shared that he gave Neto a pep talk to light a fire beneath him.
He said (Mirror): “I spoke to him very early on – I remember talking to him during a break in play at Manchester United when I was stood next to him on the touchline and he was starting to look a little bit tired with 15 minutes to go.
“I said: ‘You can look as tired as you want – you’re not coming off. You’re too good to come off. Get a couple of deep breaths in because it’s not happening.’
“He responded well to that faith in him and belief. In fact, I think he appreciated it. He came off an awful lot towards the end of games.
“I just felt someone as quick as he is and explosive as he is that it’s worth keeping him on because when the opposition begins to get tired, it will open up for him.”
Neto has thrived under O’Neil
It is very interesting to hear O’Neil share this little moment he had with Neto in the very first game of the season.
He had only known the £50,000-a-week player a matter of days, but moved to put complete faith in him and essentially labelled him the team’s most important player.
Neto has responded amazingly well to that interaction and has been at the forefront of all Wolves’ good play this season.
Neto has always been a very fit player. Wanderers fans are no strangers to his pressing and work rate off the ball, but he seems to have taken that to new levels this season.
Hopefully, he can now get back to those levels he was showing just before his latest injury setback.