Wolves boss Gary O'Neil explains Pedro Neto's reaction to private Man Utd talk
A touchline pep talk at Old Trafford has breathed fire back into Pedro Neto - and Gary O’Neil doesn’t want him to forget it.
The Portuguese winger was told he was ‘too good to come off’ in the opening game of the season and Wolves ’ boss wants him to rediscover that form - starting today on the south coast.
Neto, who has emerged as a transfer target for Arsenal and Manchester City - with the latter reportedly eyeing him as a replacement for Bernardo Silva - is returning to full fitness following a hamstring strain.
And O’Neil said: “He hadn’t hit top form for quite a while, mainly due to injury. I felt he needed someone who could fully trust in what he could deliver.
“I spoke to him very early on - I remember talking to him during a break in play at Manchester United when I was stood next to him on the touchline and he was starting to look a little bit tired with 15 minutes to go.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
“I said: ‘You can look as tired as you want - you’re not coming off. You’re too good to come off. Get a couple of deep breaths in because it’s not happening.’
“He responded well to that faith in him and belief. In fact, I think he appreciated it. He came off an awful lot towards the end of games.
“I just felt someone as quick as he is and explosive as he is that it’s worth keeping him on because when the opposition begins to get tired, it will open up for him.
Neto has been one of the stars of an impressive first half of the season for Wolves (AP)“He will get some big opportunities. That’s why he’s never come off. I remember the fitness staff saying to me a few times during matches: ‘Pedro’s numbers are quite high.’
“I replied: ‘Yeah, that’s fine, we’ll rest him tomorrow.’ He’s important to what we do. I was excited about working with him and the challenge. I still am.”
Neto could feature from the start as O’Neil looks to swap and change his squad following a two-hour battle with Brentford to reach the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
Wolves’ boss is a confirmed fan both of Brighton ’s Roberto di Zerbi and the way in which they play. He hinted that he may swap and change his starting XI to counter the Seagull’s threat.
And he is keen for Neto, who has been used sparingly since working his way back, to pick up where he left off. He said: “I didn’t arrive with Pedro already playing like he was.
“There were some things we needed to help him with but the main part of it is how good he is and showing the world what he’s got in his locker. I want to help blend him back into the team. We’re facing that again in a different sort of way - how do we get back to that?
“That’s what he’s working on, what we’re working on and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does over the next few weeks.”
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
