Wolves earned four points in the Premier League last week, but some believe it should have been more.
Wanderers played two games at Molineux, first against Burnley, then against Nottingham Forest.
Wolves defeated Burnley 1-0 at home, courtesy of yet another Hwang Hee-chan goal.
However, after a dismal performance against Forest on Saturday, points were dropped.
Four points isn’t awful, but others believe this was a wonderful opportunity for six, as both teams performed poorly.
Of course, Pedro Neto is a major loss for Wolves, but there is another player whose absence has been felt recently…
Wolves are missing Rayan Ait-Nouri just as much as Pedro Neto
Saturday’s match against Forest marked Wolves’ third consecutive game without Rayan Ait-Nouri, who sustained an injury during the early stages of their 3-2 loss to Fulham in November. Ait-Nouri appeared to injure his ankle against Fulham, attempting to continue before ultimately having to leave the field due to the injury.
Fortunately, his absence isn’t expected to be prolonged, which is a relief given how much Wolves have felt his absence. Ait-Nouri has been a standout player this season for Wolves, reclaiming his spot in the starting lineup after being sidelined by former manager Julen Lopetegui. He’s been a crucial asset, particularly excelling in his preferred wing-back role since O’Neil’s tactical shift.
However, his replacement, Hugo Bueno, has struggled since stepping in for Ait-Nouri. Despite Bueno being a promising young talent, his recent return from injury seems to have affected his form, as he appears slightly out of sync. Last season, Bueno played in a more daring manner, but this term he’s been more conservative, while Nelson Semedo has taken on a more attacking role on the opposite flank.
Ait-Nouri’s absence has been strongly felt due to his attacking prowess and ability to advance the ball effectively down the left side. His dynamic forward play and exceptional dribbling, even earning praise from Dan Bentley as one of the best dribblers he’s witnessed, have been sorely missed. Dave Edwards, a former Molineux midfielder, recently highlighted Ait-Nouri’s significant impact on Wolves’ left side, a presence that is currently being keenly felt in his absence.
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