Gary O’Neil shed light on his decision to substitute Mario Lemina at halftime during Wolves’ 2-2 draw against Brighton. Wolves managed to earn a point late in the game, with Matheus Cunha’s equalizer in the 93rd minute following a well-worked move by Tommy Doyle. The comeback came after Wolves had fallen behind 2-0 due to goals from Brighton’s Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s goal from a corner sparked Wolves’ resurgence, setting up Cunha’s dramatic late strike, which was met with jubilant celebrations from the away fans.
Lemina’s substitution was attributed to a minor calf issue, as O’Neil revealed post-match, adding that the injury doesn’t seem serious and the midfielder could be fit for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. O’Neil’s decision also opens up a chance to rest Lemina, who has struggled to reach the high standards he set last season, when he was named Wolves’ Supporters’ Player of the Season. Despite being a key player, there has been some debate among fans about whether a break could help Lemina regain his form, particularly as he recently described his performance against Brentford as his worst for the club.
Lemina’s dip in form has coincided with increased pressure and the responsibilities of the captain’s armband. This, along with his injury, might prompt O’Neil to consider resting him, especially as Tommy Doyle impressed against Brighton and Joao Gomes has shown good form in recent games. Such a move could allow O’Neil to adjust Wolves’ setup, potentially shifting to a two-man midfield and incorporating an additional attacker. With Wolves still seeking their first Premier League win, it might be an opportunity to try a new approach and inject fresh energy into the lineup. The decision ahead will be crucial as Wolves look to build on their spirited draw and turn it into a positive run.
GET MORE CONTENT HERE
Leave a Reply