Bruno Lage told star to 'relax' and admits Wolves players need convincing

Bruno Lage has praised Jonny Castro Otto for his transition to right wing-back to ease Wolverhampton Wanderers’ crisis in March.

Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever suffered hamstring injuries in quick succession to leave Lage without a recognised right wing-back last month. Jonny is naturally right footed, but he has played the majority of his football on the left side throughout his career.

The 28-year-old had only just returned from two long-term knee injury lay-offs, but he quickly found his form to solve a problem for Lage. Jonny even netted in successive matches against Leeds United and Aston Villa to give Wolves another source of goals.

"He's a solid professional and a solid player who we know we can count on,” said Lage. “His actions and decisions are very good. I am happy now to see Jonny with solid performances.”

Upon returning from his injury earlier this year, Jonny told Lage he would be willing to play in any of the five defensive positions within Wolves’ system. Now that Semedo has regained fitness, Jonny could return to his favoured left side.

"We were working here for six or seven months and then Jonny came and everything was new for him,” explained Lage. "I remember when he started working every day with us and some days I would put him on the right, some days on the left because I needed to understand what he could give to me and the team.

"I told him to relax and that I wanted to see what he could give us and then he got a big chance on the right and he's scoring goals. We need to convince them that we are thinking of the best things for them and sometimes they have doubt, but now we can see Jonny playing on the right with more goals than some wingers we have.”