Gary O’Neil has singled out one Wolves player for praise ahead of this afternoon’s clash against West Ham United.
Gary O’Neil appears to have weathered the worst of his injury-hit storm, with Matheus Cunha in line to start against West Ham while Craig Dawson and Hwang Hee-Chan have returned to training.
The Old Gold are getting their important players back at the perfect time with the possibility of European qualification on their radar.
During the most difficult period of his Wanderers career, O’Neil has been forced to experiment, utilising players out of position and drafting in academy stars.
Young strikers Nathan Fraser and Leon Chiwome have played regular minutes recently, and while they’ve struggled to lead the line, Rayan Ait-Nouri has flourished in an attacking role.
Gary O’Neil hails ‘very talented’ Rayan Ait-Nouri
Naturally a left wing-back, the Algerian played as a winger in the 1-1 draw against Burnley in midweek.
The 22-year-old took responsibility in attack by scoring his third goal in four games while impressing with his quality approach play and relentless pressing.
Not only did he complete five dribbles – the most of any player on the pitch – but he also won a staggering 12 ground duels and four aerials as Wolves battled to a point at Turf Moor.
O’Neil has been impressed with how Ait-Nouri has handled the transition into a forward role and judging by his comments ahead of their clash against West Ham, the Wolves boss will continue to play him there.
“Hopefully we can see more of the same from him because he’s obviously very talented, physically good, quick, and the tricky thing with Rayan is the option to move him into different positions is there because of his ability, but how well he was doing in his own position is one that you’d ideally like to leave him in his own position and let him get on with doing that one well,” O’Neil told Wolves official.
“But since we’ve moved him, he’s continued to do well, continued to cause problems and he can definitely play across the front three now, as we’ve seen, so he will be key for us tomorrow to try to be creative and create some chances, and we’ll try to get him on the ball as much as possible.”
Ait-Nouri can play a crucial role vs West Ham
Ait-Nouri is a ball-carrying machine and his electric pace is difficult to stop.
As highlighted by FBref, the Wolves phenom ranks in the top 2% of wing-backs across Europe for successful take-ons and the top 3% for non-penalty xG.
Everyone associated with the Old Gold have recognised that Ait-Nouri is at his best when driving forward, an attribute he’s been allowed to showcase with his position change.
Praising him for his “incredible” season after the draw against Burnley, O’Neil will expect his utility king to penetrate through the West Ham defence this afternoon.
Statistically, the fourth worst in the division having conceded 55 goals, Wolves can certainly get at the Hammers as Ait-Nouri will look to demonstrate his undeniable quality.