Wolves fans were finally able to celebrate their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday, although many are not going overboard.
The game against Southampton was must-win for Gary O’Neil, and he managed to do that despite a fairly average performance.
O’Neil’s job was potentially on the line. But he looks all set to continue on as manager over the international break ahead of the next game with Fulham.
Wolves managed to get over the line thanks mostly to the quality of Matheus Cunha.
He set up Pablo Sarabia to score in the early stages, before rifling in a brilliant effort from long range in the second-half.
Former midfielder Dave Edwards felt Cunha’s display against Southampton was one of the best ever from a Wolves player, and he has certainly come in for many compliments.
Gabby Agbonlahor was among those to praise Cunha, but he did make one remark that won’t go down too well with some Wolves fans.
Agbonlahor says Matheus Cunha ‘should be playing at a higher team’ than Wolves
Cunha took his Premier League goal tally to five for the season with his strike against Southampton.
He is looking good to surpass his tally of 12 from last season, and Cunha is also creating, having made two assists.
Agbonlahor has raved over Cunha following his impactful performance against the Saints. But the ex-Aston Villa man reckons the Brazilian may actually be too good for his current team.
Selecting Cunha in his Team of the Week, the talkSPORT pundit said: “The next midfielder on the left is Cunha. Plays a bit deeper for Wolves, but when you need your first win of the season, when you need to win a six-pointer at home to Southampton, you need players to turn up, and this guy turns up every week.
“He’s aggressive, he wants to get on the ball, he can dribble at pace, he can finish, and he gets the assist for the first goal. Great ball into Sarabia in the third minute.
“And then the way he takes his goal, I mean, running away from goal sort of to whip it into the opposite corner, that is a tough, tough finish. And I just think that sort of goal sums up the confidence of Cunha.
“I feel like he should be playing at a higher team. He has got a lot to offer, and there’s a reason why he gets called up to the Brazil squad because he’s an outstanding player. And he stood up and was counted for in a big game for Wolves.”
Troy Deeney suggested Cunha was better than his Wolves teammates and the Southampton players, and there is a growing feeling that the South American may not stick around for too many more years at Molineux.
Cunha could have transfer interest next summer
It is shaping up to be a very tough season for Wolves, and most fans are not expecting too much in terms of league position this season – some still feel Wolves actually may go down.
If Wolves do get relegated, then Cunha will likely be the first player to depart.
| Matheus Cunha for Wolves |
| Appearances – 68 |
| Goals – 21 |
| Assists – 11 |
But even if Wolves survive, one gets the feeling top clubs will come calling for the Brazilian, who provides those moments of magic.
Manchester United were linked with Cunha early in the summer, and they and others may well be keeping tabs.
Cunha has not been too good to play for Wolves, as Agbonlahor suggests. However, he has certainly been the big standout in a poor season so far and the club may have real difficulty keeping him next year.