Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was back in Wolves’ starting XI against Burnley – and now he must stay there.
Wanderers crashed to a 3-2 defeat against the Clarets to leave supporters both at Molineux and everywhere fuming.
Wolves conceded in the last minute to Lyle Foster, and then there were scenes of major frustration as Vitor Pereira and the players exchanged words with fans in the South Bank.
It was a grim day for the football club. But for the time being, it seems Pereira’s job is safe. Defeat against Chelsea though, or potentially Fulham at the weekend, could change the picture.
Although Wolves lost and it was another shocking day, there was one positive of the afternoon and that was the performance of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
And now, Pereira has got to keep him in the team.
- READ MORE: Four things we learned as Wolves lose late to Burnley and unsavoury scenes unfold at Molineux
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde should be a regular fixture of Wolves’ starting XI
Bellegarde has been in and out of the team again this season, but on the basis of his performance against Burnley, he needs to stay in the starting XI.
Pereira must find a place for him, because he is now the only proper ball-carrier Wolves have.
The Haiti international was really good against Burnley, and his retention of the ball in the build up to the Wolves equaliser was very impressive work.
He then continued to probe in the second-half and be direct, and it was just a positive performance.
There were times he did frustrate – mostly in the first-half. But all in all, Bellegarde gave a solid account of himself, and former Old Gold full-back Lee Naylor dubbed him Wolves’ best player on Matchday Live Extra, and the player who tried to make things happen.
Amid an ongoing creativity problem, it is surely sensible for Pereira to be fielding the players who are going to try and make things happen.
Last season, Bellegarde really stepped up when Matheus Cunha was out of the team through suspension.
He played as that inside number 10 on the left side, and there is scope for him to be playing as either a sole number 10 now, or as a box-to-box midfielder alongside Joao Gomes, with Andre sitting.
Either way, Bellegarde – who was praised by Jorgen Strand Larsen for his display against Burnley – has unique traits that shouldn’t be overlooked now.
Is he Matheus Cunha level? No. But Wolves need Bellegarde in and around the opposition penalty area more than any other midfielder or forward right now.
Last term he got seven assists, as well as a couple of goals, with most of those actually coming under Pereira.
Wolves need a Bellegarde purple patch
These are desperate times now for Wolves, with the prospect of relegation a serious concern.
Yes there is still a lot of time left to turn things around, but Wolves cannot allow themselves to get cut too far adrift. The bigger the gap, the harder everything becomes.
| Jean-Ricner Bellegarde under Vitor Pereira at Wolves |
| Appearances – 34 |
| Minutes played – 1642 |
| Goals – 1 |
| Assists – 5 |
Bellegarde is capable of impressive purple patches and Wolves now need one from him more than ever.
He, like most of the players in the squad, has fallen short of his best level this season, but his display against Burnley was a reminder of his quality.
If he can get some consistency in terms of minutes, then Wolves might just start becoming more of a threat in and around the final third.