Bruno Lage believes Ruben Neves can be ‘top of the top’ after the midfielder’s majestic chip rounded off Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 4-0 win over Watford. Neves was already on course to win the man of the match award before he left spectators inside Molineux open-mouthed in the 85th minute.
Bruno Lage said: “In Portugal we say that kind of goal pays for the ticket. I thought he had missed his time to shoot when he came inside. That’s why I say to my players every day that I never played football, so for me it’s very easy. The only pressure I put on the guys is to come and do the things in training, because after the pressure comes from everywhere. What’s so important is Ruben knows what I want for him and what I wish for his career. Ruben should be the top of the top. The pressure for him is to come again on Sunday and make another performance. That’s the way he should be every time. That way he can put our team on a different level. To be on top and to be the top of the top, and I think Ruben can do that, not scoring goals like this every week, but the way he linked the game with the defenders, the way he found players between lines, that’s the Ruben I want every day.”
Lage handed first Premier League starts of the season to defensive duo Willy Boly and Jonny Castro Otto, and both produced impressive showings. Boly – who replaced the previously ever-present Max Kilman – was a commanding presence at the back, and Jonny was excellent going both ways.
Bruno Lage added: “Jonny did a good performance and Boly also. Boly played an amazing game. This is the best I have seen from Boly since the first day. That’s why we have protected him a little bit and not played him earlier. That is what I want from him, not coming back from the medical department. He produced solid work in the training, he was ready, and made a good performance. They need to understand the way we play. Some players are back after a long time without training, but I think they did good performances tonight.”
