One of Gary O’Neil’s stars has been urged to take a lesson from a rarely-used Wolves dynamo to improve in one key area.
Wolves finally broke their poor run of form on Saturday afternoon as the Old Gold beat Luton Town 2-1 at Molineux, recording their first win in seven games.
Gary O’Neil’s side have experienced an incredibly tough time of late, with lack of squad depth becoming detrimental to their Premier League results.
A host of key injuries made it increasingly difficult for Wolves to play their usual standard of football, however, the need for rotation allowed the manager to assess some players that have been around the starting XI this term.
One player who has shone in recent weeks is Boubacar Traore, who came into midfield alongside the usual pairing of Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina and impressed many with his displays.
Having only secured five starts in the Premier League this season, the 22-year-old’s game time could now increase as a result of his promising performances, with him even being backed to teach one first-teamer a thing or two.
Joao Gomes told he can learn from Boubacar Traore after recent form
All season, O’Neil has found sanctuary in playing a midfield pivot of Lemina and Gomes, however, the Brazilian has now been advised to learn something from Traore when playing in the engine room.
Speaking on the E&S Wolves Podcast, journalist Nathan Judah hailed the recent form of Traore, adding that his intelligence when making tackles is an element of his game that Gomes must look to replicate.
“He won the ball back so many times, the tackles he made were really intelligent and I think Joao Gomes can learn from that because I think at times, Gomes is guilty of making tackles in bad situations that lead to bookings.”
Judah is correct in his analysis that the former Flamengo star is too rash when diving into challenges, with only Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher committing more fouls in the Premier League this season than Gomes, who has committed 58 fouls in 31 appearances.
It’s a compliment for Traore, who at just 22 years old, is showing a maturity to his game that has been fundamental to Wolves’ performances in recent weeks, giving O’Neil something to think about over future selection.
Boubacar Traore could impose himself at Wolves before the end of the season
With just three games left to play this season, the Mali international could find himself securing a much-needed dose of playing time before the summer.
READ MORE: What Gary O’Neil thought of Boubacar Traore’s performance v Luton Town
It’s been a difficult campaign for Traore, who has been limited to game-time standing as Wolves’ fourth-choice midfielder behind the likes of Gomes, Lemina and summer arrival, Tommy Doyle.
O’Neil would have seen in the past few games just what the £55k-a-week gem can offer to the Old Gold when at his best, with there still time to prove to the boss that there is a space in the starting XI for him to occupy in the future.