Wout Weghorst powering Wolfsburg

One of the great turnarounds in the Bundesliga for 2018/2019 has been the play of Wolfsburg. Just last season the Wolves has to enter a playoff just to avoid relegation.

By out-classing Holstein Kiel 4-1 on aggregate, Wolfsburg ensured it would have another season in the Bundesliga's top flight and avoided the surefire embarrassment that would have come with dropping to 2.Bundesliga.

This season, however, the Wolves have achieved much better results and are sitting in seventh place in the table, just one point out of spot for European play despite a rough start to the Ruckrunde.

Wolfsburg has had some uncharacteristic lapses over the last five weeks, which have led to Bundesliga losses to Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen, along with a draw to SC Freiburg and a loss to RB Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal. Still, even in a tough stretch, the Wolves managed to outlast Hertha Berlin for a 1-0 victory on February 2nd.

Despite the relatively up-and-down start to 2019, Wolfsburg has maintained its sense of fight and resolve. One of the primary reasons for the team's overall turnaround from last season has been the performance of 6-foot-6 Dutch target man Wout Weghorst.

Weghorst has been an absolute weapon for the Wolves as he has presented a unique challenge for Bundesliga defenders. All the big man has done since joining Wolfsburg from AZ Alkmaar last summer is rack up nine goals and three assists in 23 games across all competitions this season. Still just 26, Weghorst has show a fantastic ability to use his frame to create offense for himself and for the team. Because he requires such close attention from opposing defenders, space has opened up for the other Wolves, which has really helped ignite the team's offense.

Weghorst recently told kicker that he thinks Wolfsburg is poised for a strong run of play despite its recent struggles:

"We have faith in ourselves, we can defend very well as a team, and if we score at the front, then I am convinced that there are still many points to come."

It's not just the play of Weghorst, however, that has propelled Wolfsburg, though. Forward Daniel Ginczek (five goals), left back Jerome Roussillon, midfielder Maximilian Arnold, right back William, center back John Brooks, and goalkeeper Koen Casteels have all played vital roles in helping the Wolves go from struggling to a legitimate contender.

With Weghorst providing a consistent threat and the support of a very strong core group, it would not be shocking to see Wolfsburg continue its prowl and find itself involved in the Europa League next season.