Former Wolves Women player Claire Hakeman believes one star was actually ‘unplayable’ in the first-half against West Ham United.
Gary O’Neil watched his side crash to a 2-1 defeat at Molineux.
It was a tough one to take. Wolves were brilliant in the first-half and completely dominated, taking a 1-0 lead into half-time. But the players could not replicate that level in the second-half, with West Ham turning the game around.
There was frustration at the end with the decision to disallow Max Kilman‘s equalising header.
But Wolves cannot dwell, with European football still a possibility.
There were positive signs from the game with West Ham – with Rayan Ait-Nouri sparkling once again. The Algerian has become a hugely important player in recent weeks and has really stepped up.
He ended up going off injured and hopefully his issue isn’t too serious, but Hakeman was left wowed by his display last Saturday…
Rayan Ait-Nouri was ‘unplayable’ for Wolves against West Ham, as Claire Hakeman raves over youngster
It was a pleasure watching that first-half on Saturday and Ait-Nouri really was the star of the show.
The 22-year-old was again playing higher up the pitch, and often moved inside with Tommy Doyle holding the width on the left.
The star won Wolves’ penalty in the first-half, collecting a through ball from Doyle and drawing the foul from Emerson Palmieri.
West Ham really struggled to contain him and his quick feet, and Hakeman was left seriously impressed. She said of him on Wolves Weekly: “He was unplayable first-half. West Ham must have been so relieved when he went off.
“Part of me was so disappointed that it was Cunha on but Ait-Nouri off, because I thought collectively they could have been a really good outlet for us and really connected.
“He, for me, has been as effective as Sarabia when he’s been up there, and Neto and Hwang. He’s as much of an attacking threat and outlet as they’ve been this season. He must be so difficult to defend against because you don’t know what he’s going to do.
“He’s got ridiculously quick feet and gets himself out of the tightest spaces.”
Ait-Nouri has been Wolves’ main man recently
Wolves fans will be desperately hoping that Ait-Nouri is able to play at the weekend, because he’s been outstanding in recent weeks.
The £10 million youngster has taken responsibility in the absence of Cunha, Neto and Hwang and been fantastic playing higher up the pitch and offering an attacking outlet.
He’s missed a couple of big chances, but fans should be too upset because it’s a very unfamiliar role for him. He has previously not been used to cropping up in the penalty area in one-on-one situations.
Ait-Nouri is simply amazing to watch, and that ultimately is what it’s all about.