One Wolves player is being outperformed by only Arsenal star William Saliba in one impressive statistic.
It’s been a terrible start to the season for Wolves, who are yet to record a win in the Premier League.
The Old Gold sit bottom of the pile, with just one point to show for their efforts in the opening five games of the 2024/25 league calendar.
Gary O’Neil has to right his side’s wrongs fast as the fixtures aren’t set to get any easier, with the boss having already been told how to improve one area of his squad.
Gary O’Neil told to play Mario Lemina in a deeper position
After being named Wolves’ Supporters Player of the Season last term, Mario Lemina was named captain for his integral work in O’Neil’s midfield.
While the Gabon international remains a trusted and responsible figure in the squad, the £9m 2023 signing has come under fire for his form at the start of the campaign.
In reflection of Wolves’ 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the West Midlands derby, journalist Liam Keen questioned where Lemina fits into O’Neil’s current set-up.
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“In this system, there isn’t really an out-and-out home for him,” Keen explained on The Keen & Judah Show.
“He’s playing more of a 10 in a 4-2-3-1, I would prefer him to be slightly deeper. I don’t think he’s adding an attacking threat that Wolves need in that position.”
With Joao Gomes and deadline day signing Andre dominating the midfield, Lemina’s role has been altered slightly to accommodate those behind him, which isn’t necessarily the best decision from O’Neil.
Impressive Lemina record shows why Wolves have to rethink his role
While dropping one of Gomes or Andre is difficult to imagine, the numbers only reinforce why Keen believes Lemina should be assuming a deeper role in Wolves’ midfield.
Astonishingly, only Arsenal’s William Saliba has a higher tackle success rate than Lemina, who has maintained a tackle success rate of 90% this season.
The Wolves captain, who was called ‘solid’ by Marco Silva, has made 18 tackles and has been dribbled past only twice, telling of his stature in the midfield when it comes to protecting the back line.
As Keen explained, Lemina isn’t currently offering anything going forward for the Old Gold, emphasising the need for O’Neil to reconsider his skipper’s role if the formation is to remain the same.