OPINION
After a summer of some impressive signings, there is a difficult argument to be had over who might well be the best player at Wolves this season.
Goalkeeper Rui Patricio, a regular for Portugal with 77 caps, must be in with a shout for his displays between the sticks, while at the back Matt Doherty has been in sensational form this season and deserves a mention.
The likes of Adama Traore have the potential to be up there in the future but right now the battle comes down to the duo in the middle – Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.
Teammates for both club and country, their quality shines through week in, week out and there is little arguing that without them Nuno Espirito’s side would be much weaker.
So what on earth is Molineux legend Steve Bull doing suggesting that Neves – arguably the best signing to grace the club in the modern era – is axed from the side to be replaced by a teenager without a Premier League start to his name?
Writing in his column for the Express and Star, he said: “Personally I’d bring in Morgan Gibbs-White (v Cardiff on Friday).
“He’s done well from the bench recently, looking sharp, agile and positive. Ruben Neves has had a few off-days recently – he started the season well but his pace has stepped back and I’d be looking at Morgan to replace him for this one.”
A couple of off-days? Neves ran rings around Tottenham at times in their 3-2 defeat, getting on the scoresheet via the penalty spot and was crucial in sealing a point against Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal a week later.
There is no denying Gibbs-White is a top future talent with bags of potential and that he has impressed off the bench but bringing him into the side for Neves is a step too far from Bull.
He is out of his mind if he thinks that such a shock is going to bring the best out of the side and would only dent Neves’ confidence – hardly what the club need moving forward.
If Gibbs-White is to come in it has to be for another under-performing star – maybe Moutinho or even a winger or defender to bring more bodies into the centre of the park.
What Nuno must not do is axe Neves, for Bull is wide of the mark with his verdict on the midfield talisman.