Steve Davis plans to use Matheus Nunes further forward after trialling him in a deeper role for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Portugal international played in an advanced midfield position at Selhurst Park, just as he did in the victory over Nottingham Forest, after operating a little further back against Chelsea in Davies’ first game in charge. Getting the best out of Matheus will be key to Davis steering Wolves clear of the relegation zone before the Premier League stops for the World Cup next month.
Steve Davis said: “Matheus has got huge talent, it’s just about finding a place for him in the team where he’s going to be at his best. Hopefully we’ve found that position for him so he can excel and push on and be better. I see him higher up, I see him as an eight really. We tried him in a (midfield) two, he needs to learn that position – he was very loose in that position. We want him to be loose, but he’s better being loose in higher positions with his running and ability to get past people. He’s a great dribbler with the ball and travels quicker with it than without it. We’ve seen things in training that suggest dropping to get the ball a little bit deeper – not too deep – and driving at the opposition and making runs in behind without the ball. We need to see a bit more from him in terms of the end bit.”
Wolves’ other big-money summer signing Goncalo Guedes – who arrived from Valencia for £27.5m – is also struggling. Guedes was hooked at half-time in the defeat to Chelsea and didn’t even make it off the bench against Forest. He did feature in midweek but Guedes continues to frustrate Wolves’ supporters.
Steve Davis added: Guedes we know less about. He has been working hard in training and is a fantastic finisher, so we have to get him in positions around the box to finish. We probably look a bit too much at out of possession stuff with him, but in possession he’s a terrific player and can cause a lot of problems. It’s up to us to get the best out of him.”
