20 January 2024 , 22:30
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Matheus Cunha doesn't see himself as Wolves No.9 - which is fine by Gary O'Neil.
The club's £44million record signing has been showing his value of late as the Molineux men continue to confound pre-season predictions.
Julen Lopetegui's eve-of-season walkout looked to have de-stabilised the club but O'Neil has calmed matters - and he's brought out the best in Hee-Chan Hwang - and Brazilian Cunha. Hwang is away at the Asian Cup with South Korea, leaving the club's spearhead to pick up the pieces in front of goal.
With two assists and a goal during the midweek FA Cup defeat of Brentford, Cunha is proving his worth - but don't call him 'a centre-forward.' The Wolves boss said: "He's incredibly talented. It's taken him and the club a while to figure out the best way to use him.
"He was signed as a No.9 and the aim was to turn him into the guy who leads the line and is the out-and-out No.9. But I haven't seen him as that - and I don't think he sees himself as that, either.
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"So, we've been trying to find the right place to put him - and find a way for the team to play that suits him and how he can help us. I do think he can play as a No.9. I prefer him dropping off the top line. I feel he does his best work dragging defenders out and being able to turn.
"That's where he's done his best stuff for us. But his numbers are getting much, much better around goals and assists. And when he travels with the ball, he’s one of the best around.”
Cunha showed the kind of grit punters love in midweek. He wrapped up his thigh during extra-time against the Bees but tore off the bandage as it was restricting his movement as Wolves booked themselves a dream FA Cup date with West Brom.
“He was able to get through it,” added O’Neil, “he scored the penalty and then we were able to bring him off. He’s in a good spot at the moment, he really is. All I’ve helped him with is his understanding - what it looks like to be part of team, the need to lead, set an example.
“He should take great pride in how he’s been able to move on from where he was when I arrived - he was incredibly talented but no one was really sure what you might get - to where he is at the moment. I’m just desperate for the ball to land at his feet so he can do something.”