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Max Kilman holds up Mario Lemina's shirt following the death of his father last season Wolves skipper Mario Lemina believes being appointed captain will help him "clean" his name after previously being accused of having attitude problems during his career. The midfielder was given the armband by boss Gary O'Neil last month after Max Kilman's £40m move to West Ham. While at Southampton, allegations of attitude problems followed him and he was given a driving ban in 2018. But Lemina, who lost his father Mario Snr in December, is eager for the captaincy to show the person behind the player. "He would be really happy and proud of me. He knows me better than anyone else, he knows I've never been a bad guy. He knows I've been pushing really hard to clean my name, " said the 30-year-old, who joined from Nice in 2023. "I’m not going to say I’ve done everything the right way because I was young and really emotional, but I’ve never been a bad guy or had a bad attitude. "If I was to talk about my career a lot of people would think I had a bad attitude. It's never really been like that. I had some issues with some people but it's not because I had a bad attitude. " Lemina was given compassionate leave last December, returning to France before his father's passing. Kilman held up his shirt after scoring against Everton and Lemina was given a raucous reception when he made his comeback as a second-half substitute in the FA Cup win over Brentford. It underlined his reputation at Wolves, and Lemina now feels ready to return to his best. "I'm working really hard, I'm really positive, I put myself second and try to support everyone. That's what the club and the gaffer likes, " said the Gabon international. "I'm stronger mentally and as a player I feel more comfortable and more confident, and the players understand what I'm talking about with my experience from where I've been. " Lemina speaks to club psychologist Martin Littlewood and has been open about his vulnerabilities, and feels his empathy will help him as captain. "Emotionally after that [his father's death] I wasn't the player I was before. He [O'Neil] wants me to get back to where I was before dad passed away. I feel I'm ready. I feel stronger mentally, " he said before Saturday's Premier League opener at Arsenal. "What's happening right now, I deserve it. I want to progress, even if I'm 30, as a human being, a leader and a person. "I've always been like that, I always like to talk with the guys to understand where they are in their head. It's important to get that relationship with someone if you are struggling, because a lot of things go on in your head. "I want people to be happy, to work hard and get the best memories ever. Football goes quickly, so one day you are not going to be on the pitch any more. " Premier League predictions: Who will finish where in 2024-25? Enter Mbappe: Are Europe's best about to get better? 'My body let me down' - Chelsea's Lavia on dealing with setbacks Freddie Flintoff takes his teen cricket team on tour to India Cricket legend Freddie and his team of lads from Lancashire face their biggest sporting challenge yet It's going to be a killer summer. .. The next chapter of Original Sin. Summer school isn’t the only test the liars are facing. .. New feuds in an ancient city Crime thriller series based on Barbara Nadel's Inspector Cetin Ikmen novels An epic tale of seduction, blood and immortality A vivid reinvention of Anne Rice’s gothic Vampire Chronicles series Premier League predictions: Who will finish where in 2024-25? Could there be an NFL Dream Team at LA 2028? Enter Mbappe: Are Europe's best about to get better? Will De Ligt finally settle down at Man Utd? 'This is how I'll pick my side' - Deeney takes on Team of the Week duty Who will win the Premier League Golden Boot? ‘Race across the north’ The Hundred Edition. Video‘Race across the north’ The Hundred Edition Ten new players to watch in the Premier League The rise and fall of North Korea - the sleeping giant of women's football Remarkable images from the Paris Olympics Watch the BBC's Paris 2024 closing montage. Video Watch the BBC's Paris 2024 closing montage How did Team GB win their Olympic medals? Paris Olympics: The best stats from the 2024 Games Academy stars & signings - who are the youngsters to watch? Ten viral moments from the Paris Olympics The key moments in Newcastle's uncertain summer The key questions for sport after boxing eligibility row Denise Lewis' best moments on the BBC. Video Denise Lewis' best moments on the BBC The Hollywood Olympics: All you need to know about Los Angeles 2028 © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.