Some Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters have been urging Nuno Espirito Santo to hand Pedro Neto a rare start in Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Everton.
Neto has not started any of Wolves’ top-flight encounters since the resumption of the 2019/20 season, with the 20-year-old last listed in the opening line-up during February’s goalless draw with Leicester City in which he featured for 64 minutes.
Espirito Santo has called on Neto to feature from the bench in four of the Molineux natives’ last six top-flight matches, although his outings are yet to last longer than half an hour with 26 minutes on the field at West Ham United and 28 minutes against AFC Bournemouth his best thus far.
Espirito Santo’s decision to bring Neto off the bench at the London Stadium proved a positive move with the £10.35million-rated winger doubling Wolves’ lead in the 84th-minute when he connected with Matt Doherty’s delivery to pen his third goal of the league campaign.
Neto last assisted a Premier League strike in December as Wolves beat West Ham 2-0 and was on the field for the final six minutes during the 3-2 loss away to Everton in September.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans keen to see Espirito Santo change his line-up and give Neto a chance to improve his record for the term…
Put some studs in Jota’s boots, move 10 yards further forward and shoot from time to time 😂
— Richard Evans (@richydafish) July 10, 2020
Definitely bring Neto in. I’d even consider bringing Gibbs White in for Moutinho and give the goat a rest.
— Jez Massey (@jezmassey) July 10, 2020
Vinagre and Neto in for Doc and Jota. Podence in for Traore if he’s injured
— Richard Robinson (@BulletRobinson) July 10, 2020
Front three of Neto, Raul and Podance
— David (@slackermanbo) July 10, 2020
— Tony Wilde 🇮🇪🐺 (@TonyWilde99) July 10, 2020
Not all Wolves supporters are as keen to see Neto start on Sunday, with some fans hopeful Espirito Santo continues to utilise the one-time Portugal U21 international as an impact sub when, or if, needed.
3-5-2 with DJ and RJ up front. Neto and Traore off the bench when we need them.
— Martin Dove (@mcdove13) July 10, 2020
Changes are a must against Everton for some supporters, regardless of Neto’s inclusion, with a few calling for Raul Jimenez to be given a breather having started 97% of Wolves’ Premier League fixtures this term and played at least 85 minutes in each of the West Midlands outfit’s top-flight matches since the restart.
gotta give Raul a rest at some point
— csw (@corky69x) July 10, 2020
Why don’t these glory hunters jog on and let Nuno manage the team, they couldn’t manage to see a blind old woman across the road.