If you can play in multiple positions, you’ll always have a chance under Nuno Espirito Santo.
And the Wolverhampton Wanderers boss would have been licking his lips at the sight of Ryan Giles, a left-back by trade, producing the finest performance of his Coventry City loan spell in a more advanced role on Wednesday night.
The Telford-born 20-year-old actually started on the right-hand side of Mark Robins’ midfield as the Sky Blues picked up a much-needed 1-0 ‘home’ win against Cardiff City, before shifting across to the left.
And although Giles failed to mark the baptism of a new role with a goal or assist, there was enough promise in his performance to give the Coventry boss a tactical headache in the weeks to come.
“I’ve been looking at things in training and the other day he was absolutely unbelievable on the right,” Robins told the Coventry Telegraph.
“That’s his natural position, on the right or left. He’s played as a number 10 and wing-back is a position he’s played since Nuno Espirito Santo went in at Wolves and played the formation they play.
“He’s done pretty well and showed a really good aptitude for that position as well, learning how to defend. I still think there’s more to come from him, but he did really well.”
Giles has impressed in fits and bursts since moving 34 miles across the Midlands, notably assisting a goal in September’s 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers. But this felt like a coming of age performance from a man who has always been highly regarded at his parent club.
As Leander Dendoncker, Romain Saiss and Pedro Neto will tell you, adaptability is highly valued at Molineux.
So when Giles returns to the Black Country next year, Nuno could have a new right-winger at his disposal. Or a new left-back. Or a left-winger. Or even a new number 10 perhaps?
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