Wolves has had an extremely difficult start to the 2024–25 campaign, but following their victory over Southampton, it is hoped that the team will pick up speed. After Wolves defeated the Saints 2-0 to earn their first three points of the season, Gary O’Neil has given himself a little more time to improve.
After the victory over Southampton, some supporters still wanted O’Neil fired, but it now seems highly unlikely that will happen during the international break. Several individuals have been extremely disappointing this season, since the team has only managed six points out of a possible 33. Although the games have been extremely difficult, some players have witnessed a significant decline in their level of play from the previous campaign. Molineux News examines three major offenders who may have suffered the most.
Hwang Hee-chan
Hwang Hee-chan has been injured for the past few weeks but that aside, it has not been a good season for the South Korean.
Hwang was fantastic for Wolves last season, especially in the first half of the campaign.
He finished as the joint-top scorer alongside Matheus Cunha on 13 goals (12 in the Premier League), and he was rewarded with a new contract back in December 2023, making him one of the top earners at Molineux.
But this season Hwang has really struggled and is yet to open his account.
The star has just lacked influence and is nowhere near the same threat he was last term – and O’Neil must try and help him rediscover his mojo. Doing so could potentially help ease the pressure on him significantly.
Hwang was a transfer target for Marseille in the summer and some theorised that the speculation may have affected his focus in 2024/25.
Rayan Ait-Nouri
It perhaps seems harsh to place a player with five goal contributions in 12 appearances on this list.
But the reality is that Rayan Ait-Nouri is not performing to the same standards as he was last season. Especially from a defensive standpoint.
Ait-Nouri had two very shaky performances against Arsenal and Chelsea at the start of the season, and the Algerian’s defending has continued to be been suspect at times.
Fans really criticised Ait-Nouri for his showing against Chelsea, and that will have been a wake-up call for him.
Gary O’Neil admitted this week that Ait-Nouri can slow the game down, and that the Wolves coaching staff are working on that with him.
Journalist Liam Keen also suggested Ait-Nouri has been giving the ball away too cheaply, in an assessment that many fans will share.
Mario Lemina
Mario Lemina was voted the Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2023/24, and many rejoiced when he became Wolves’ new captain after Max Kilman.
But it’s been a tough campaign so far for the Gabon international, who’s been way below the levels of last season.
Perhaps the responsibility of being captain has weighed heavier than he imagined. His emotional reaction after Wolves’ defeat to Liverpool was something that got fans talking, and wondering if he was really up to the job.
Lemina acknowledged that against Brentford, he delivered Wolves his worst-ever performance, and just a few weeks ago, some people called for his dismissal. In fact, O’Neil did so against Crystal Palace, even though Lemina started that match on the bench. However, he did enter the game for the last half hour and did a great job. It had previously been inconceivable that Lemina would ever be removed from this squad. In fact, Lemina’s statistics haven’t been all that horrible. He is making a lot of interceptions and tackles. However, considering the character he possesses, supporters will support Lemina to get back to his best because they know he has a few more gears to go through.
Read more news on
sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply