Wolves players branded ‘cowards’ as pundit claims Cunha ‘can’t score goals’

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·17 December 2024

Wolves players branded ‘cowards’ as pundit claims Cunha ‘can’t score goals’

Wolves’ playing squad have been called out for being “nasty” and “cowards” by pundit Stephen Warnock after Gary O’Neil was sacked as manager.

The Englishman was relieved of his duties following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, leaving the club second from bottom in the Premier League table with just nine points from 16 games.

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There were ugly scenes after the game as players were involved in skirmishes at the full-time whistle. Rayan Ait-Nouri was shown a second yellow card and had to be dragged down the tunnel by teammate Craig Dawson.

Star player Matheus Cunha has been charged for misconduct by the Football Association after he clashed with a member of the Ipswich staff, grabbing a pair of glasses off their face.

Read – Cunha charged by FA ahead of Wolves relegation six-pointer

Warnock described the players’ behaviour as cowardly and does not believe the squad has the requisite fortitude for a relegation battle.

“None of the Wolves players are pests,” the former Liverpool player told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I don’t look at any Wolves player and think I wouldn’t fancy playing against them.

“A few of them are nasty in a way but they are cowards when they do it. Anyone can be nasty after the final whistle, that’s not brave.”

Warnock pinned Wolves’ struggles on an inability to find the net, despite the fact they have scored 24 goals this season – more than Man United, Newcastle and fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.

The ex-England international also claimed Cunha “can’t score goals”, even though the Brazilian is the club’s top scorer with eight goals in the Premier League this term.

Read – Wolves land new manager as deal ‘agreed’

“There are no goals in the team. I know everybody goes on about Matheus Cunha – he’s a talent but he can’t score. He scores a worldie every now and again but he’s not going to score 15 goals to keep you up.

“Another thing that really surprises me is why you would sell Raul Jimenez? I know it wasn’t last season but for a player of that quality, he is exactly what Wolves need. He will chip in with 10 goals a season, maybe more and it’s his work rate off the ball – the tenacity up front to pester defenders constantly.”

Cunha scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season, while Jimenez netted seven. The Mexican striker has scored five in 2024/25 to his Wolves’ counterpart’s eight.

Read – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend