The young defender has ironed out the kinks in his game to become a star under Paul Lambert at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After a series of shaky displays at the heart of Wolves’ typically unreliable back-four, a number of fans were calling for Kortney Hause to be removed from the starting XI early on in the season.
And, as Paul Lambert himself admitted to the Express and Star, the errors littering the 21-year-old’s game were becoming an increasing concern. So much so that the Scot made public his desire for more experience in his backline just a few weeks after taking over at Molineux.
Three months later, however, Lambert may have only trusted Hause with five more Championship starts but he has wasted no time in lauding the young defender’s progression.
“When I first came in I thought there were mistakes in his game,” the 47-year-old told the Express and Star. “Especially being at centre-half you tend not to get away with them, because you’re the last line of defence.
“I took him out and brought him back in. He’s stepped up in games.”
He certainly has. In fact, there’s a case to be made that Hause is the most improved member of Wolves’ squad since Lambert’s November appointment.
According to WhoScored, his average match rating since the former Blackburn boss took charge has risen from 7.06 to a mightily impressive 7.5.
Yet, for all Hause’s impressive displays against Barnsley and Burton, his superb virtuoso performance in Wolves’ famous 2-0 FA Cup triumph against Liverpool at Anfield could be the making of the 21-year-old.
These days, there are few names the fans would rather see on the team-sheet.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
