A nine to thrive? Cunha’s not keen

MATHEUS CUNHA doesn’t see himself as Wolves’ No.9 – which is fine by Gary O’neil.

The club’s £44million record signing has been showing his value of late as the Molineux men continue to confound pre-season predictions.

Julen Lopetegui’s eve-of-season walkout looked to have destabilised the club but O’neil has calmed matters – and brought out the best in Hwang Hee-chan and Cunha.

Hwang is away at the Asian Cup with South Korea, leaving Cunha to pick up the pieces in front of goal.

With two assists and a goal during the midweek FA Cup defeat of Brentford, the Brazilian is proving his worth – but don’t call him ‘a centerforward’.

Wolves chief O’neil said: “He’s incredibly talented. It’s taken him and the club a while to figure out the best way to use him. He was signed as a No.9 and the aim was to turn him into the guy who leads the line and is the out-and-out No.9.

“But I haven’t seen him as that – and I don’t think he sees himself as that.

“So, we’ve been trying to find the right place to put him and find a way for the team to play that suits him.

“I do think he can play as a No.9. I prefer him dropping off the top line. I feel he does his best work dragging defenders out and being able to turn.

“But his numbers are getting much, much better around goals and assists.”

Cunha showed the kind of grit punters love in midweek. He wrapped up his thigh during extra time against the Bees but tore off the bandage as it was restricting his movement as Wolves booked themselves a dream FA Cup date with West Brom.

“He scored the penalty and then we were able to bring him off,” O’neil said.

“He’s in a good spot at the moment, he really is.”