Everybody would love to see Mateus Mane be given more first-team opportunities at Wolves right now, particularly with the ongoing struggles up front, but it may not be the right time to integrate him.
It is understandable that after a series of poor results and misfiring forwards, supporters would turn to one who has been impressing for the academy.
Just recently fans were left praising Mateus Mane for his performances in the under-21s.
Vitor Pereira is also a big admirer of Mane, but truthfully, it is more beneficial for both Wolves and the player to bide their time, and here is why.
It is unfair to throw Mateus Mane into the current situation at Wolves
At the moment, toxicity around Molineux is rightfully building. Fans are frustrated with results, they are angry at performances, and support for Vitor Pereira is waning.
With Wolves at the rock bottom of the Premier League, Championship football is a growing possibility next season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 9 |
| 16 |  FulhamFulham | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 8 |
| 17 |  BurnleyBurnley | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 7 |
| 18 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 5 |
| 19 |  West HamWest Ham | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 20 | -13 | 4 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 16 | -11 | 2 |
However, this situation is not one that would be fair to throw an inexperienced teenager into, and certainly not one that has high expectations at the club.
The talk surrounding Mane is geared towards giving him a chance to start, admittedly not all of it, and with Wolves struggling to create chances and score goals, that makes sense.
But that is immense pressure and a big jump for a young player to make from the academy to the Premier League.
While many players do step up under the bright lights and in the big moments, they are few and far between, and the Old Gold are much better off waiting for a more stable point to provide him with his chance.
Many fans will have the mindset of ‘there is not much to lose by trying,’ and while that might be the case for the club, there is a lot for Mane to lose.
If he is put into the team long before he is ready and before the team is in a better situation, that could be a confidence killer and stunt his growth as a player.
He is talented, and he has a big future in the game, but it would be irresponsible to burden him with so much responsibility at this time.
Mateus Mane should be gradually integrated
Mateus Mane believes he is ready for the first team, but believing and being are two separate things.
The youngster should be slowly integrated into the side and given minutes in less pressurised environments.
If Wolves are lucky in the FA Cup draw and face a team in a lower league, that would be an optimal moment, or if, by a stroke of luck, the Old Gold find themselves quite a few goals up, give him some minutes off the bench.
These are much better situations for the player to get experience with the team.
There can certainly be a compromise between hastily including him in games and giving him valuable experiences.
Perhaps Mane should be included in matchday squads, even if he ends up being an unused sub, just to ease him into the life of a Premier League footballer.