Wolves have drifted into the relegation zone after their 4-2 loss to Bournemouth this weekend, with Jorgen Strand-Larsen’s brace not proving to be sufficient.
Gary O’Neil’s aspect have now conceded 32 targets in 13 video games this season within the Premier League, having the worst defensive document within the division.
Wolves concede 14.7 shots per 90 (the sixth most in the division) and are in severe want of a defensive change. One man who did impress on the again, was a well-recognized face, simply in a unique place.
Mario Lemina’s efficiency in numbers
Regardless of delivery 4 targets throughout the course of the sport, Mario Lemina had a stable sport on the again, placing in a efficiency that will nicely give the supervisor choice headache.
The 31-year-old has performed everywhere in the pitch this season, being a pure midfielder, but in addition taking part in on the left and now as a central defender too. It was in that function the place he stood out on Saturday, recovering from a sloppy begin to regain his composure within the second half, notably making a significant sort out to stop the scoreline from being even worse.
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Mario Lemina vs Bournemouth |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Lemina |
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Touches |
86 |
|
Correct Passes |
58/68 |
|
Key Passes |
1 |
|
Lengthy Balls |
7/10 |
|
Floor Duels Gained |
3/5 |
|
Aerial Duels Gained |
2/5 |
|
Clearances |
7 |
|
Tackles |
3 |
|
Interceptions |
2 |
|
Final Man Tackles |
2 |
|
Stats taken from Sofascore |
|
Lemina gained three out of his 5 floor duels, gained two of his 5 aerial duels, and made two last-man tackles. The Gabon worldwide mixed his defensive duel-winning qualities along with his on-ball skill, making seven out of ten lengthy balls and one key move.
O’Neil might nicely be tempted to stay with Lemina in central defence, inflicting a range dilemma for the Wolves supervisor on who ought to companion him.
Performance in Numbers
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Choice headache on the again
Wolves misplaced Max Kilman this summer season, who joined West Ham for a fee of around £40m. Final marketing campaign, Kilman made 44 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring two targets, offering one help, contributing to eight clear sheets.
Yerson Mosquera can be unavailable via harm, struggling a cruciate ligament harm after Wolves’ 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. With KIlman gone, and Mosquera out, the 2 major defenders who might companion Lemina on this new function are Dawson and Gomes, each of whom supply various things to the aspect.
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Toti Gomes vs Craig Dawson in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 minutes) |
Gomes |
Dawson |
|
Progressive Carries |
0.51 |
0.57 |
|
Progressive Passes |
2.32 |
1.82 |
|
Passes Tried |
53.7 |
51.9 |
|
Go Completion % |
84.6% |
86.7% |
|
Tackles |
1.82 |
1.48 |
|
Blocks |
0.61 |
1.59 |
|
Interceptions |
0.49 |
0.95 |
|
Aerial Duels Gained |
1.72 |
1.93 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
||
Toti stands at 6 foot 2, is barely extra progressive on the ball than Dawson, and tries riskier progressive passes, having a barely worse move completion proportion, however discovering extra passes between the traces into the midfielders as a by-product.
Alternatively, Dawson is 34-years-old, however brings Premier League expertise, and an necessary aspect of management to the backline, which is a crucial issue to take into accounts, as Kilman, who left the membership this summer season, was the captain final season.
Contemplating Lemina has the on-ball qualities to take the first ball-playing roles from Gomes, this might imply Dawson is the right Lemina companion, sweeping up behind him, making his defensive actions, successful aerial duels, and main from the again, while Lemina has the license to be extra aggressive in duels, and progress play along with his passing skill.
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