Home Sports Wolves fall apart AGAIN as Rayan Ait-Nouri is held back following late defeat to Ipswich… just days after Mario Lemina was stripped of captaincy due to full time clash with Jarrod Bowen

Wolves fall apart AGAIN as Rayan Ait-Nouri is held back following late defeat to Ipswich… just days after Mario Lemina was stripped of captaincy due to full time clash with Jarrod Bowen

0 comments
Ipswich's Wes Burns had his hand on the neck of Rayan Ait-Nouri after Wolves' 2-1 home defeat

Rayan Ait-Nouri had to be held back and carried off at full-time after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich as tempers flared at Molineux.

Ipswich star Wes Burns had his hand on Ait-Nouri’s neck after the match, and the pair had clashed during the game.

Craig Dawson grabbed Ait-Nouri, who received a red card, and lifted him off the ground to escort him away from the melee before the full-back was forced down the tunnel.

His Wolves team-mate Matheus Cunha also had to be restrained as a large crowd of players and staff gathered at the edge of the pitch.

Ait-Nouri had already been suspended for Wolves’ next match against Leicester after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. He then received a second yellow card after full time for his part in the stormy scenes.

Jack Taylor had headed the winner for the visitors in the 94th minute after Matheus Cunha’s goal canceled out Matt Doherty’s early own goal.

Ipswich’s Wes Burns had his hand on the neck of Rayan Ait-Nouri after Wolves’ 2-1 home defeat

Craig Dawson took Ait-Nouri off as tempers flared between both sides at full time.

Craig Dawson took Ait-Nouri away as tempers flared between both sides at full time.

Wolves are 19th in the Premier League table and remain four points adrift of safety, with pressure mounting on manager Gary O’Neil.

The fight marks another high-profile incident for Wolves, who saw Mario Lemina fight with Jarrod Bowen after their 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Monday night.

O’Neil subsequently stripped Lemina of the captaincy ahead of this crucial relegation clash against Ipswich.

Nelson Semedo took the armband although Lemina still started the game against the Tractor Boys.

The midfielder had knocked his opponent Bowen to the ground when the pair went to shake hands as tempers boiled over after West Ham’s victory at the London Stadium.

Lemina apologized earlier in the week, but boss O’Neil revealed that Semedo would take the armband in the future.

O’Neil said in his pre-match press conference: “The conversations with Mario were good. We got along very, very well.

“He’s been a big part of what we’ve been able to do here and we have a lot of respect for each other.” Sometimes you can come out of these discussions in a very good position and I think that’s the case.

‘I have a lot of respect for Mario and what he can still do for us.

Several players and staff were seen in the middle of the altercation at Molineux.

Several players and staff were seen in the middle of the altercation at Molineux.

Ait-Nouri received a red card and will miss Wolves' next match against Leicester City

Ait-Nouri received a red card and will miss Wolves’ next match against Leicester City

Mario Lemina stripped of captaincy after storming Jarrod Bowen on Monday

Mario Lemina stripped of captaincy after storming Jarrod Bowen on Monday

1734199532 506 Wolves fall apart AGAIN as Rayan Ait Nouri is held back

Mikel Arteta reveals the extent of Bukayo Sakas injury ahead

“When we get the best out of him on the pitch, his level is very high and he will continue to play an important role for us, something he is very keen to do.”

“He will still be in the senior group leading the team, but at this time we believe it is best for Nelson to lead the group.”

‘The most important thing is that we get the best out of everyone: get the best out of Mario Lemina week after week, the same for Nelson and the rest of the group.

“We addressed it at the beginning of the week and since then the focus has been solely on Ipswich, Mario is ready, Nelson is ready and the rest of the players are ready.”

The defeat against Ipswich increases the pressure on O’Neil, who remained in charge after the defeat against West Ham despite that match being nicknamed ‘El Sackico’ due to his and Julen Lopetegui’s precarious situation.

Mail Sport revealed that Wolves held tentative talks with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter as far back as November, although they made no progress.

Potter was not the only candidate considered by Wolves, and former boss David Moyes is also believed to have been in their thoughts. But, at last for now, O’Neil remains in office and has the immediate support of the Molineux hierarchy.

The club intends to invest in January to improve the squad, especially in defense, as Wolves have conceded 40 goals, the most in the league.

Gary O'Neil held his hands to his face as he watched his team fall to another defeat.

Gary O’Neil held his hands to his face as he watched his team fall to another defeat.

Commenting on his future earlier this month, O’Neil said: “I’m not worried in the least about my future, just the future of the club. I knew the magnitude of the task when I took over and it has been on since. made even more difficult with the players we have lost.

Wolves have lost four games in a row to tarnish what had been a decent period of form, which saw them go unbeaten in their previous four games and thrash Fulham 4-1.

As for Ipswich, a first win in five games means they are just one point behind 17th-placed Crystal Palace.

Kieran Mckennna saw his team claim a lovely second win of the season at Molineux, with his only other three-point haul coming against Tottenham in early November.

More to follow.

You may also like