Online Reporter
WOLVES coach Vitor Pereira says he likes Marshall Munetsi’s all-round abilities after the Warriors was handed his first start in the English Premiership on Saturday.
The Portuguese tactician was impressed by the Warrior’s display in a 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
Signed from Stade Reims for £16.6m on transfer deadline day, Munetsi had come off the bench in the last two outings − the win over Blackburn and the defeat at Liverpool.
Some noticed Munetsi playing close to the striker in those clashes but in Friday’s press conference, Pereira suggests he sees him as more of an advanced midfielder.
In the win over Bournemouth, the 28-year-old was used as one of two attacking midfielders in the first half but after Joao Gomes was substituted, he was dropped into a deeper role.
Regardless of what type of talent he’s seen as, Munetsi is relentless at both ends of the pitch, with Pereira praising his ability to attack the opposition’s box and then defend 30 seconds later.
“What I’m asking him is to help the team as a midfielder and to appear from the back into the box. And he has again a situation to score, and it was not today, but every time he appears there he has a chance to score,” Pereira said.
“But what I like in this player is the guy is the player that can miss a goal in the opponent’s box and then after 30 seconds, he is defending in our box.
“This is what we wanted when we looked for him. We wanted to find a physical midfielder who can support the other two midfielders.”
Munetsi is different in profile to the likes of Andre and Gomes, offering a more physically imposing build and a greater attacking threat.
The Zimbabwe star capped off his debut with an assist for Cunha’s strike but should have got on the scoresheet himself, shooting wide of the target in the second half despite being right in front of the goal.
This has become a recurring theme for the midfielder, as Munetsi missed a golden chance against Blackburn, and was then denied by Alisson in the loss at Liverpool.
To take his game to the next level and become a match-winner for his side, he must become clinical in these situations. If he does, he could become unplayable in the middle of the park.
Wolves entered their clash at the Vitality Stadium above the relegation zone by two points but the victory helped them open a five-point gap. − Agencies/Sports Reporter
