Plenty of Wolves fans questioned Nuno Espirito Santo‘s decision to play Romain Saiss at left wingback during his side’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The West Midlands outfit struggled to breakdown Steve Bruce’s side during what was a frustrating encounter for the large majority of the game.
Supporters were made to wait until ten minutes from time for Raul Jimenez to strike from range, but were pegged back in the 89th minute by Jacob Murphy after he struck low past Rui Patricio to level the scores.
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The Portuguese boss went with a 3-4-3 formation with Saiss and Nelson Semedo playing as wingbacks and Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Willy Boly providing the backline.
During the 90 minutes, the £9m-rated Moroccan defender did not make any key passes, completed no long balls or crosses and lost possession 12 times (Sofascore).
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As a result, supporters did not approve of Nuno’s tactics and made their feelings clear on social media, directing their frustration towards the fact that Saiss did not have the sufficient attacking qualities to benefit their team.
Nuno in the spotlight for the wrong reasons
Sticking out like a sore thumb with saiss at LWB . We have moved the ball well at times . Moving the ball sharper than previous games . Bit more quality in final 3rd needed. #wwfc
— Matt (@molineux4eva) October 25, 2020
Just not good enough today
Don’t understand Podence and Neves coming off
Don’t understand starting Saiss when we have 2 LWB’s on the bench
Don’t understand trying to be slow and patient against a team with 1 CM on and not just going for it from first minute
— George (@georgep_4) October 25, 2020
I love Saiss but we can’t continue with him at left wing back, it totally unbalances the team.
— John Hibbs (@hibbsy) October 25, 2020
Wasted a lot of that game with the Saiss experiment at LWB. No attacking threat down that left side the whole match. Not his fault either, does what is required of him defensively, but ineffective going forward.
Got to get Ait-Nouri settled and in there ASAP
— Mattie Bagnall (@MattieJBagnall) October 25, 2020
Saiss wasted 3 good opportunities first half(not his fault) a LWB would have got ball in box . Shame we haven’t got a natural LWB on the b…… Oh, Doh.!! #WOLNEW #WWFC
— Gen’ral (@misterdj247) October 25, 2020
Not a bad first half, surprisingly not as slow as we’ve been recently. Still nothing clear cut, though.
Really dislike Saiss at LWB, completely unnatural and it shows.
Dislike the way Podence throws himself to the ground as well. Stay on your feet lad!#WWFC
— Bidders (@Bidders84) October 25, 2020
In other news, the ‘Lewis Hamilton’ of football agrees terms to double his wages at the Molineux.
