Fan column: Teen star deserves a rest ahead of his big future

With football well past the process of separating itself from its roots, a visceral bond can still exist between supporters and player when a fresh uncomplicated kid springs into the limelight.

Mateus Mane, untarnished by the struggles his senior colleagues have been burdened with all season, unveiled his special credentials from the outset and offered us some much- needed respite.

He has enlivened a desperate campaign and his rate of progress has been formidable; already speculation regarding his imminent future is rife and indeed, both Mane and his agent may already have decided that Molineux is incompatible to see his inspired excellence achieve its due.

But it’s a heavy burden bestowing any measure of messianic status on a rookie teenager and in recent games Mane’s input has flagged.

The liberating craft and finesse dulled a little, the reactions jaded, appearing off the pace and a touch lightweight seeing him eased off the ball and subdued by the muscle of opposition defenders.

Rob Edwards continued selecting him but with his influence waning, a match or two away from the spotlight might have been a more beneficial course of action.

Finally at Brentford, he was substituted at half-time after an ineffectual first period.

It’s no reflection on Mane, but the team as a whole benefitted and for Mane himself it was surely no bad thing.

Just a slight nudge to indicate that form fluctuates for all players at some stage and besides, he could console himself by appraising just what a superb impact he has made so rapidly.

I got thinking of three other precocious young attackers who sprung to prominence during my time as a Wolves’ fan - Peter Knowles, Alun Evans and Robbie Keane.

Like Mane, they hit the ground running; Knowles, flamboyant and temperamental but blessed with sublime skills and surely destined for greatness until his religious convictions curtailed an already blossoming but unfulfilled career.

Evans, not as talented as the other two, but his impact sufficient to secure a dream move to Liverpool while still a teenager, a burden he carried with mixed results.

And Robbie, starting even younger than Mane and seamlessly carving out a truly magnificent career at the highest level.

Promise invites caution and Mane is still learning; will be fascinating to chart his future development.