Gary O’Neil’s Wolves future in the Premier League hangs in the balance after a third consecutive defeat left the team in 19th place. Despite the setback, O’Neil remains confident in his ability to guide Wolverhampton Wanderers out of the relegation zone.
Set-Piece Woes Haunting Wolves
One major reason for Wolves’ precarious position is their defensive frailty, particularly from set-pieces. This season, Wolves have conceded 38 goals, 15 of which stemmed from set-pieces — the highest in the Premier League. This issue remains unresolved even after parting ways with their set-piece coach in October.
“Wolves need to defend set-pieces better,” said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. “They’ve conceded seven more goals than any other team in this area.”
Wolves in Transition: O’Neil’s Perspective
Since taking over in August, O’Neil has navigated significant challenges, including the loss of key players. High-profile sales, such as Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, have left Wolves £200m lighter in talent.
“The club has undergone an incredible transition,” said O’Neil. “We’ve signed players for the future but lost a lot of talent. We’ll keep pushing to stay in the Premier League.”
Key Decisions and Missed Penalties
O’Neil highlighted controversial refereeing decisions during the West Ham match, including two potential penalties for Wolves and a disputed foul leading to West Ham’s second goal.
“It’s disappointing these decisions didn’t go our way,” O’Neil told Sky Sports. “It was a mix of us not doing enough and key calls going against us.”
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
Wolves face Ipswich Town and Leicester City in upcoming matches, offering opportunities to climb out of the relegation zone.
Jamie Carragher noted, “These games are crucial. Success could see Wolves escape the bottom three, but failure might prompt a managerial change.”
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