Wolves have endured a difficult few weeks due to the current injury crisis in Gary O’Neil’s squad, not helped by one star failing to perform when needed most.
For all the incredible work that Gary O’Neil has put into his Wolves side this season, the manager now faces a battle to ensure his squad finishes as well as they can.
The Old Gold’s squad has been stripped bare of resources due to their current injury woes, with a host of key players absent with no depth to cover.
It’s set to be a difficult run-in for the Midlands club, who have resorted to fielding underdeveloped academy jewels in the hope that they can show their worth against the odds.
Such a prospect is easier said than done, particularly if those around the youngsters aren’t pulling their weight, with one Wolves gem earning a host of criticism for his recent displays.
Pablo Sarabia has not been ‘good enough’ for Wolves recently
Pablo Sarabia was pinpointed as one player who failed to impose himself against Burnley on Tuesday night, with his display on the night not his only questionable performance of late.
Speaking on Episode 334 of the E&S Wolves podcast, journalist Liam Keen had a lot to say about the 31-year-old’s lack of conviction when his club needed him most.
“When he’s not performing and you’re relying on him to turn up, it’s just not good enough and I think it has to be said that he’s not been anywhere near, his fairly consistent best, to give him credit.”
“He’s a luxury player, he’s a player that’s got incredibly good technical ability, physically he’s nowhere near Premier League physicality.”
Keen went on to hammer in on the Spaniard’s inability to stand up as one of the most experienced players in O’Neil’s squad, failing to set an example to the youngsters around him.
“The biggest criticism for me is that you need players who are going to improve those around you, and I don’t think he necessarily does that, I think he needs other players around him to be at his best.”
“This is an experienced Spanish international who’s played for PSG and big clubs and he just hasn’t done enough for me in the last two or three games and I think it deserves at least mild criticism.”
Pablo Sarabia has not been good enough for Wolves
Sarabia has gone from hero to zero in recent weeks at Molineux, with his high-performance levels at the start of the year now simmering out.
The £90k-a-week Real Madrid academy product should be one player that O’Neil can have confidence in to make a difference, playing in a dangerously makeshift attack.
Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and 18-year-old Leon Chiwome joined the former PSG whiz in attack against Burnley however, it was Sarabia who was identifiable as the most absent member of the trio.
Aside from setting up Ait-Nouri’s goal, the Spain international showed little interest in pushing outside of his comfort zone to impose himself on the game, a fixture that could have been so easily won by Wolves had they had a full squad available.
In times of need, O’Neil must be able to at least rely on his senior players to lift the squad, something that he is not getting from Sarabia who with over 500 domestic appearances to his name, has failed to hit the mark.
There’s time for the 31-year-old to turn things around and return to his previous form, with West Ham set to visit Molineux on Saturday afternoon.