Wolves may not have beaten Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but there were still a lot of positives to take.
Vitor Pereira came so close to taking three huge points down in north London.
But Joao Palhinha’s last-gasp strike meant the game finished 1-1, with Wolves made to wait a little longer for their first victory in the Premier League.
But there were at least several great individual performances for Wolves.
Santiago Bueno has come in for much praise since the game, and he looks to have climbed to the top of the centre-backs pecking order now at Wolves.
And Lee Naylor and Andy Thompson both felt Andre was Wolves’ best player against Spurs, with the Brazilian starting to look back to somewhere near his best.
But Jhon Arias also shone, and Dave Edwards noted he was doing something fans often saw from Matheus Cunha.
Dave Edwards suggests Jhon Arias showcased Matheus Cunha trait vs Tottenham
It has been a bit of a slow start to life at Molineux for Arias.
But perhaps that was always going to be the case. He arrived having played a lot of football already this year for Fluminense and having played at the Club World Cup.
He is also likely still getting used to being in England with the language and culture.
But against Spurs, Arias produced his best display.
Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith said Arias had a ‘special’ influence against Spurs, and Dave Edwards reckons he showcased a Matheus Cunha trait at times.
He said The Official Wolves Podcast: “I spoke a lot when he joined about his ability to receive the ball in areas to take pressure off the team. I thought Matheus Cunha was amazing at that. That when Wolves struggled to get out, they could literally shovel a pass into him.
“He’d have his back against someone, he’d wriggle, he’d win a foul and have the awareness for a pass. I said Jhon Arias does that but in a very different way.
“He kind of drops his shoulders and spins really quick. Low centre of gravity. It was the first time I saw that version of Jhon Arias against Spurs, where he received the ball, back to goal in his own half, and he would drop a shoulder, twist one way and the other, and just get away from players.”
Wolves need Arias to make big impact
It was very encouraging to watch the way Arias played against Spurs.
It was undoubtedly his best display yet, and you could see him growing in confidence as the game went on.
He was at the heart of everything for Wolves, and he has likely given himself a very good chance of starting again against Brighton on Sunday.
He has been finding his feet for Wolves, that has been clear to see.
But Pereira now needs to see some final third impact from the Colombian, as the club’s fixture list throws up some good opportunities for points.