Wolves are taking on Manchester City this weekend in the Premier League – and there is one player in Gary O’Neil’s team who could be extremely important.
Wanderers got back to winning ways last weekend against Luton Town, beating the Hatters 2-1 at Molineux thanks to goals from Hwang Hee-chan and Toti Gomes.
Wolves sit 11th in the table on 46 points, and the goal will be to try and secure a top-half finish. A push for European football could be beyond Wolves now, but Gary O’Neil and the players will believe it is possible until it’s not.
Games do not come any tougher than City at the Etihad Stadium.
But Wolves have won there before, and also beat City in the reverse fixture at Molineux earlier this season. That was the game that pretty much kick-started things for O’Neil at Wolves, as he changed the formation and added Toti Gomes to the backline.
Toti has been practically ever-present since he got the nod that day, and he could potentially be really key on Saturday…
Toti Gomes could be vital for Wolves against Manchester City – he kept Phil Foden quiet last time
Back in September, Wolves beat City 2-1 at Molineux, with O’Neil carrying out a perfect plan.
He switched to a back three, adding Toti in alongside Max Kilman and Craig Dawson, and set up to counter – and it really worked a treat.
It was a brilliant effort from the three centre-backs that day, with Toti shining in particular.
The 25-year-old played on the left side, and he gave Phil Foden – who was operating in the pockets in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne – very little.
Toti got nice and tight to him, stepping out of defence to engage aggressively. He really nullified Foden, and we have seen just how dangerous he can be this season. The Manchester Evening News gave Foden a measly rating of 5/10 for his display.
Foden has 24 goals and 10 assists in total this term and will be a major threat on Saturday having been in such good form and so, Toti being on his game could be so important.
Toti has improved so much
It has been a tremendous season for Toti at Wolves, and a hugely satisfying one in the sense that, this is a player who has had to be very patient for a run in the team.
Prior to this season, Toti has a fringe player after returning to the club from a loan spell with Grasshoppers. He would play here and there and always do quite well when called upon, but he would never really have an extended run.
But O’Neil saw an opportunity for him this season, and the star has taken his chance with both hands. Max Kilman said back in March that Toti is simply ‘top quality every week’.
His great performances led to him making his debut for Portugal, and that was no less than he’s deserved. He’s kept his head down, never complained and is now making a name for himself as a solid Premier League centre-back.
Hopefully, he can enjoy another strong performance against City on Saturday.