Wolves reaction given to Mateus Mane situation after transfer saga | OneFootball

Wolves fan pundit Thomas has urged supporters to remain patient with Mateus Mane and insists the club were right not to cash in over the summer.

Mateus Mane has endured a frustrating start to the Championship season with Wolves.

The 18-year-old became one of the few bright sparks of Wolves' relegation campaign, as he forced his way into the senior side before scoring three Premier League goals and laying on one assist.

As a result, he attracted interest across the nation, but made the choice to stay in the second tier as Wolves prepared to fight for promotion back to the Premier League.

However, he has failed to register a goal or assist in the opening month of the term, prompting scrutiny from some sections of the fanbase.

But Football League World's Wolves Fan Pundit Thomas Woodhall believes that selling one of the club's brightest young talents would have been the wrong call ahead of the Championship return.

Patience urged after difficult Mateus Mane start

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Mane has remained heavily involved under Cesar Peixoto this term, with the youngster starting five of Wolves' opening six matches in the league.

But his lack of end product has sparked criticism while he waits for his first goal or assist in the division.

Reacting to this, Woodhall told FLW: "I think it's still really early to be judging Mane. Personally, I was saying last year that I think he's got flaws in his game. It's not necessarily a flaw, he's just a bit raw, and I think we're going to be saying that about him for at least the next two or three years because he is only 18.

"I wish sometimes he'd pick his head up a bit earlier, pass the ball off quicker and make a few better decisions, but he does carry the ball forward. If you give him the ball, you know which direction it's going - you can't question that."

Mane would score his first senior goal against West Ham back in January, as Wolves finally picked up their first win of the season against West Ham, before he scored again just days later against Everton.

However, he has found it difficult to put form together this season, with Woodhall suggesting that a run on the bench could be helpful.

"Sometimes you've got to potentially bring a player out of the firing line. For me, Mane would be a really good impact sub.

"In other situations, Mane coming on for Fer Lopez in that more free role as a number 10. I think that would be the better position for him to maybe gain some confidence, get him a goal or maybe an assist, and then maybe be able to move him back out onto the left," he added.

"He's too young to start coming for him. I do believe he has a lot of work to do, but definitely not cashing in - not cashing in on him just yet."

What Wolves have said about Mateus Mane

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Over on X, Mane has taken quite the beating in recent weeks, after his relatively poor start to the season.

One fan would start a debate, saying: "Can we have a serious conversation about Mateus Mane? And no, I don't care that he's only 18."

Naturally, the post would be divisive.

"Mane's main problem is he thinks he's way better than he actually is and possibly better than the rest of the team," said one supporter in response.

Others would also suggest that he needs a run on the sidelines, after his struggles continued in the recent win against Sheffield United.

However, some would be more measured, suggesting that there is no need to hammer the youngster.

"Looked good last season but hasn't reached those heights yet. But I'm convinced he will. Just a caveat - we don't need to find a scapegoat after every performance."

And in terms of Mane's success in a poor side last term, the belief is there that he is "a victim of his own success."

Wolves must give Mateus Mane time

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The frustrations at Molineux are more than understandable.

Naturally, the way in which Wolves were relegated has left its scars, while the Old Gold have not exactly been all too impressive in the opening month of the term.

In a side that won just three games last season, Mane was a standout at times, prompting the belief that he would be the man ready to propel Wolves back to the Premier League.

Based on current form, he may not live up to that. But nothing says he won't be on the flip side.

The frustrations are natural when the circumstances are considered, but it would be unfair to take that out on an 18-year-old who can be described as a victim of his own success, and potentially of the modern game, with every youngster now expected to be at their very best less than a year into their professional career.

Time will tell whether he lives up to the hype surrounding him earlier this calendar year, but too much criticism at this stage of his career would be unfair.