Bruno Lage manager
Raul Jimenez insists it is a “matter of time” before he starts scoring regularly for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 30-year-old has enjoyed spells of good form this season. He registered three goals and two assists in six Premier League starts during a two-month spell before Christmas, but the goals have dried up since. Jimenez has only scored twice from open play since that mini goal glut ended in late November, and he hasn’t been guaranteed of his starting place in recent months.But the Mexican is certain the goals will flow once more.
Bruno Lage said: “I know I can give more to the team. I know I haven’t been scoring too much this season, but I know it’s there, so it’s just a matter of time to come out again. Patience, I can never lose, I think it’s an important part in a footballer’s career. I need to stay confident and be sure that I’m going to be there again. Last season I was just watching the games in the stands, so it was a little bit frustrating. I wanted to be there on the pitch helping the team, but it was not possible. Now I’m there on the pitch, I want to give my best to forget all about that.”
Jimenez scored the most headed goals in the Premier League during the 2019/20 season, but he hasn’t netted one since his return. Bruno Lage believes the protective headband Jimenez now wears has been detrimental to the striker’s aerial prowess. He debuted a new headband against Burnley last time out and says it is an improvement on the previous one.
Bruno Lage said: “It’s lighter, so I think it’s going to be better for me – I feel more comfortable. I have to get used to it. I played almost the whole season with the other one, it was a little bit difficult, but I got used to it and now I have to get used to the new one, and I think it’s going to be easier. It’s better for me. It’s not going to make me feel compressed, the head, it’s going to make me feel more normal, more natural, it just covers the fracture, so I think it’s much better. It’s just like a band to hold the hair, so it doesn’t make the ball go anywhere. It’s going to help.”
