The Wolves player who recently placed Gary O’Neil in an awkward position is the standout performer in their victory against Burnley at Molineux.
Hwang Hee-chan, with his eighth Premier League goal this season, capitalized on Wolves’ pressure that led to a mistake just before half-time. Sander Berge, under pressure from Mario Lemina, inadvertently passed the ball to Pablo Sarabia, who then found Matheus Cunha. Cunha, in turn, delivered the ball to the unmarked Hwang, who composed himself before clinically finishing the play.
This marked another impressive goal from Hwang, who is currently enjoying the best form of his career. Another player earning praise is Dan Bentley, who has presented a selection dilemma for Gary O’Neil ahead of the upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest.
Bentley stepped in for Jose Sa, who couldn’t fully recover from his injury sustained against Arsenal. O’Neil had expressed optimism about Sa’s availability in his press conference but ultimately deemed the game too soon for the Portuguese goalkeeper, describing him as “close” to playing but not feeling completely fit.
Bentley, the 30-year-old goalkeeper, showcased his abilities with a remarkable double save in the first half, denying Jay Rodriguez and then Josh Brownhill. His agility was evident as he quickly rose from the ground after the first save to thwart Brownhill’s volley towards the bottom corner.
While Bentley didn’t have much to do against Burnley beyond those crucial saves, he had previously put in a solid performance against Arsenal, keeping a clean sheet after replacing the injured Sa. This situation has now left O’Neil facing a dilemma: how to handle the return of Sa, the preferred goalkeeper, when Bentley has proven himself admirably in his absence.
Despite Sa being the superior goalkeeper, Bentley, a £10,000-a-week player, has shown commendable performance and determination. Dropping him from the starting lineup might not be justified based on his contributions, raising questions about the message O’Neil would send by reinstating Sa immediately.
Bentley has consistently expressed his desire to play a more active role at Wolves, emphasizing that he is not content with being a backup to Sa. His commitment and hard work in training reflect his eagerness for regular minutes on the field. Bentley’s statement after the game suggests his readiness and determination: “I’m always prepped to play. That’s my ethos and the way I do things. I work my backside off in training, I do everything I can to push Jose and create an environment where we are pushing each other. Of course, I want to play.”
As O’Neil is expected to have Sa back in contention, it remains to be seen how he navigates this situation. Given O’Neil’s history of showing loyalty to players for consistent performances, Bentley may have a chance to retain his starting position. The decision will undoubtedly be intriguing as Wolves move forward.
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