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Gary O’Neil Made A “Shocking” Revelation About Transfer After Home Defeat To Newcastle
Gary O’Neil unveils ‘eye-opening’ chat with £9.8m Wolves star who made mega improvement vs Newcastle
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been impressed by the rapid improvement shown from one of his players.
Rayan Ait-Nouri put in a much better defensive performance for the Old Gold despite the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Algerian had a torrid time in the previous home Premier League outing as Chelsea thrashed Wolves by six goals to two. Ait-Nouri was at fault for several of the goals as his diabolical positioning allowed the Blues to run riot down his side of the field.
O’Neil swapped Ait-Nouri up to the left midfield spot and moved Toti Gomes across to left-back for the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest before the international break. A hamstring injury for Toti meant Ait-Nouri returned to full-back against Newcastle, though
There were some concerns over some potential Ait-Nouri deja vu after the team news was confirmed but the 23-year-old put in a much better shift, breaking up the play with some crucial tackles and displaying much stronger decision making.
O’Neil has since revealed he had a conversation with Ait-Nouri following the Chelsea game and has been guiding him ever since. “There were just some reminders needed really,” the head coach admitted to BirminghamWorld.
“We work hard with Rayan and he wants to become a top, top left-back. We all know how good he is going forward but that Chelsea game was maybe an eye-opener for him. Top left-backs don’t make those sorts of decisions or take up those sorts of positions.
“We’ve worked hard on him since then and I liked him today, he was good defensively and good on the ball again; Rayan was a positive. His injury is unfortunate and hopefully not serious because we’re going to need him,” O’Neil continued.
The concern alluded to is over an ankle twist that Ait-Nouri suffered on Sunday, forcing a substitution midway through the second half. The severity of the injury is unclear but Wolves will send the defender for a scan on Monday.
Regardless of the result of the scan, it’s unlikely Ait-Nouri will play against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. O’Neil has admitted there will be wholesale changes for that clash – especially in defence – as he seeks to rest players and prioritise them for the short Premier League away trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.
