Following the last 2 games (Wolves v Southampton and Slovan Bratislava v Wolves) There has been a lot of criticism on social media (twitter) from Wolves fans for one player in particular.
I am not looking to make scapegoats here but it seems plain to me that we have some under-performing players in the squad.
Accepting the fact that they are very young for this level do we think that it has been a mistake to introduce Patrick Cutrone (21), Morgan Gibbs-White (19) and Jesus Vallejo (22) into the senior squad?
They have all shown potential when playing at a lower level but can we afford this 'on the job training' to get them up to the required standard for the Premier League? With such a small squad we can surely not afford to carry passengers.
Vallejo was awful in the Southampton game and MGW was rightly subbed against Bratislava. Cutrone has yet to show just why he was brought in and although well thought of in Milan has always seemed out of his depth in the Premier League.
So what does everyone think about these three players:
Persevere with them?
Ditch them?
Play them with the U23's?
Put them out on loan?
Thoughts?
Under Performing Players
posted on 24/10/19
My inclination would be to persevere with these young and inexperienced players. None of them have a high number of first team appearances behind them and it’s a minority of players that come into a team and immediately start playing well on a regular basis.
Cutrone’s touch is poor at the moment and hasn’t improved since the start of the season. But to me he should be providing cover for Jiminez not playing with him. If Jiminez got injured I would have no hesitation putting Cutrone in and play him alongside Jota or Neto and having the centre forward position to himself I think we would see much better from him.
In terms of natural ability I don’t think there are much better players at the club than Gibbs White and to me it would be criminal not to persevere with him. He will eventually find his best position and start making more of an impact. And I would play him every time in the Carabao and FA Cups and regularly give him parts of games in the Premier League and Europa League. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t become a good player.
Vallejo is another matter because whereas the other two need to do more, with him he really doesn’t look good enough. The only thing that gives hope is that he has come through the Real and Spain ranks so surely can’t be as poor as we have seen so far. But unless he shows significant improvement I can’t see us wanting to keep him
posted on 25/10/19
We need to persevere with these young players. The fact we are persevering, shows that Nuno and the coaching staff have seen something in their game worth the wait.
Traore is proving to be worth the wait. We moved on the right 2 players in Costa and Cav, and kept the right one.
Cutrone. MGW and Jesus will all improve, we need to nurture our young talent not throw the baby out with the bath water.
posted on 25/10/19
I think you're always going to get some inconsistency with young players, unless they are exceptionally talented individuals and the only one I've seen that comes in to that category in my lifetime is Robbie Keane.
That said, Cutrone bagged 18 goals in all comps as a 19 year old at Milan two seasons ago, so there is definitely something there. I would most definitely persevere with him.
Gibbs White just doesnt seem to be able to establish himself, Im still not sure what his best position is and he doesn't seem to fit in to our system very well. He's not a wide man, doesnt have the pace. His passing isn't good enough (at the moment) for the central midfield roles, his shooting isnt good enough for the forward roles. He would seem to suit a central role playing behind two strikers in a 4-3-3, being busy, making space and laying off short passes which is not how we play. Sadly I think he might be better served moving on for his own development.
Vallejo seems to get pulled all over the place in to strange positions. Killman by contrast kept things fairly simple last night and was tidy. Vallejo probably needs to bed in better to the system, jury's out.
posted on 25/10/19
They are all young and will get better.
Cutrone I believe will be a very good player, just needs time and experience in the Prem.
MGW has been around the first team for a couple of years and has had lots of opportunities to step up, but has not yet grabbed the chances. Still feel it is too early to get rid, but perhaps a loan might do him good.
Vallejo is young, in a new country and environment and needs time. He must have promise or we would not have bought him in. Maybe a loan?
Keep all three and see where they are at the end of the season.
COYW
posted on 25/10/19
Maybe a spell in the U23's rather than a loan at a different club?
The U23's play the same formation and the same system as the senior squad but obviously, at a lower level. I sometimes wonder at the benefit of sending a player to another club to work under a different manager, playing a different system.
posted on 25/10/19
Think a loan to the champo would probably do MgW well, he needs the full 90 every week at this stage I think. He has been very poor with us this season.
Cutrone is doing ok as well and should improve.
Vallejo won't stay and I wouldn't be that surprised if he left in January.
posted on 25/10/19
I know it's not easy to do business in January, but after a disappointing summer I would be really surprised if we're not looking at bringing in one or possibly two fresh faces in.
We have got an excellent opportunity to reach the next stage of the Europa, that's a good enough reason on it's own to strengthen.
Come on Jorge, do your stuff.....
#wideloadwolfgang