Gary O’Neil is looking ahead to Wolves’ home clash against Newcastle United on Sunday, with one player, in particular, deserving of a start.
Wolves entered the international break with just one point from their three Premier League games.
Gary O’Neil’s men tasted defeat against Arsenal and Chelsea before securing a point in the clash with Nottingham Forest thanks to a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde screamer.
Following a taxing schedule on the international stage, the Old Gold will now be aiming to claim their first three points of the season at home to Newcastle United this Sunday.
The Toon have taken seven points from a possible nine available, including a 2-1 victory over Tottenham last time out, with Eddie Howe’s men posing a difficult challenge.
O’Neil will ponder making some changes for this tough match, especially when looking at the record of one player in this fixture.
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Hwang Hee-chan’s incredible goalscoring record vs Newcastle
At the start of this campaign, only a handful of Wolves players have stood out and one of those isn’t Hwang Hee-chan.
Hwang plundered 12 Premier League goals last term and was inarguably one of O’Neil’s most important attacking weapons.
In the first three matches of the 2024/25 campaign, however, the 28-year-old has failed to continue such blistering form.
Hwang was described as looking ‘leggy’ in the 6-2 defeat against Chelsea when the South Korean forward is normally one of the sharpest players on the pitch.
As such, O’Neil placed Hwang on the bench in the draw at the City Ground before the break and he may stay there for the visit of Newcastle.
However, Hwang has tormented the Magpies previously, scoring four goals in five appearances and this could sway O’Neil into starting him this weekend.
Hwang can spark season into life against Newcastle
Knowing how prolific Hwang has been in this fixture, it hands the Wolves boss a selection headache, with it difficult to say who could drop out.
Matheus Cunha has looked sharp in behind the towering figure of Jorgen Strand Larsen while Bellegarde’s goal against Forest has surely cemented his place in the starting XI, at least for now.
That leaves Rayan Ait-Nouri – who started as a left winger against Forest – as a possible replacement for Hwang.
If O’Neil does choose to start the ‘very impressive’ South Korean international, either in place of Ait-Nouri or someone else, this could be the game where his season sparks into life.
Hwang will have four days to recover after playing for his national side against Oman on Tuesday, so he will be available for selection. It’s just a case of whether O’Neil fancies starting him this weekend.
Considering he’s delivered four goals in five appearances, including a strike in a 2-2 draw last term, no one could have any complaints if the £14 million star is tasked with tormenting the Toon once more.