Gary O’Neil is still under immense pressure at Wolves despite recording his first win on the board of 2024/25 before the international break.
Wolves fans called for Gary O’Neil to be sacked after the 2-0 victory over Southampton as they weren’t impressed by the performance.
The Wanderers rode their luck at times and relied on the quality of Matheus Cunha to drag them through the game, with the Brazilian scoring and assisting.
O’Neil has many critics at Wolves for how the club have endured a downward spiral in 2024 but how he’s transformed the 25-year-old into an incredible talent is amazing.
Cunha isn’t the only player who has benefitted from the managers’ tactical advice, as he’s formed a stunning partnership with one of his teammates.
Rayan Ait-Nouri’s incredible partnership with Matheus Cunha
Wolves started the season with a four-man defence as O’Neil attempted to implement more of a possession-based style.
The decision to change from the successful three-at-the-back system couldn’t have gone much worse, as the Wanderers leaked goals for fun, including six against Chelsea.
Rayan Ait-Nouri was one player who struggled in a four-man defence. The Algerian isn’t known for his defensive expertise but more so for his attacking prowess, so playing him as a left-back saw O’Neil’s side get open down the left flank.
It was the 5-3 defeat to Brentford which prompted the manager to return to his three-man defence with wing-backs and Ait-Nouri has looked far more comfortable.
O’Neil deserves credit for playing the 23-year-old higher up the pitch, as he’s developed a brilliant understanding with Cunha.
As per Opta Analyst, Ait-Nouri has created eight chances for Cunha this term – the same number as Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka for Kai Havertz.
Clearly, one positive to come from this season is how the Wolves duo have become even more pivotal in an attacking sense.
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Ait-Nouri’s 2024/25 statistics
In terms of what you want from a left-wing-back, Ait-Nouri possesses almost every tool in the locker, including his ability to glide past defenders and create chances for his team.
Ait-Nouri does need to improve his decision-making but, he has enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign, with the statistics painting a clear picture.
| Rayan Ait-Nouri 2024/25 Premier League stats | Statistic |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Tackles per game | 2 |
| Balls recovered | 4.3 |
| Interceptions per game | 1 |
| Accurate passes per game | 85% |
The above statistics prove he’s influential in the work Wolves get through in defence and attack, with Chelsea and Liverpool unsurprisingly interested in Ait-Nouri as a result.
This weekend, Wolves will want to build on their 2-0 win against Southampton when they visit Fulham, and the silky Algerian should have a huge say on the outcome.