‘Needs time’ - Boss reveals what Wolves summer signing must improve
The Wolves boss has issued a challenge to the summer signing.
Cesar Peixoto says Rafiki Said can offer Wolves much more but needs time and minutes to recover from his injury-hit start at Molineux.
The 26-year-old has made his first appearances for Wolves since the international break, coming off the bench in each of their last two outings after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained during pre-season.
Peixoto has seen encouraging signs from Said but is demanding more from the summer recruit as he looks to build up his match fitness and make his mark.
He said: “I think he can do much better. He can do much, much, much better.
“He’s another player you have to improve in terms of defending. With the ball we know he can do some things, but he can do better.
“But in terms of defensively, he can improve to be in the right mentality I want in the team.
“But he’s a player who didn’t do pre-season, he spent a lot of time injured, he has to take the right rhythm.
“I think he’s going to be an important player for us in the way we play. But he can do much better than he did in the last two games.”
Said used the recent international break to work towards full fitness after his injury setback.
The Comoros international became the first signing of the Peixoto era when he joined from Belgian top-flight side Standard Liege this summer, signing a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
He came close to registering his first goal contribution in Old Gold during Tuesday’s defeat to Bolton Wanderers, picking out Adam Armstrong with an excellent pass into the box. However, the striker’s effort was saved.
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Peixoto believes Said will improve with more time on the training ground and minutes on the pitch.
“He needs time and minutes to improve his rhythm of the game, his confidence also, his understanding,” the Wolves boss continued.
“In terms of defending, sometimes it is more difficult as he has not been training a lot of time with us. But I think he’s an important player in the future for us.”