Wolverhampton Wanderers

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  1. Do Wolves need to realise 'the value of leadership'?published at 13:18 12 October

    Your views banner
    Gary O'Neil and Nelson Semedo applaud Wolves fansImage source, Getty Images

    We asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that no one is talking about at Wolves.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Duncan: The value of leadership. Wolves have allowed their club captain to leave in each of the past three summer transfer windows - Conor Coady, Ruben Neves, Max Kilman. All three players were part of the successful period under Nuno Espirito Santo. When a club actively sells their leaders, there is nobody left to lift the more vulnerable players. Only Mario Lemina is left and he appears to be struggling with the burden.

    James: It is very disappointing to see what is happening at Wolves. There is a total lack of leadership, on and off the field.

    Bruce: The quality in our attack is there for all to see but, as soon as we concede, the heads drop. Losing is becoming a habit and we are starting to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to find a bit of fight and that starts with Gary O'Neil - no more defeatist news conferences bemoaning our tough start or squad depth. We must keep it simple and fight for every point until the very end.

    Callum: I just don't understand why we sold our best defender in Maximilian Kilman. Then, to top things off, we didn't even replace him before transfer deadline day. The problem lies with the fact that we seem to invest so much in good attacking players and not enough in our defenders. If you can't defend in this league, you are going to get punished.

    David: It was all positive at the beginning of the summer transfer window, with the sale of top players expected and so they transpired. The manager's comments towards the end of the window were somewhat less positive and it appeared as though he had been let down with funds. So, we started the season with fewer central defenders and the hardest 10 fixtures of all the clubs in the league!

    Alex: Molineux isn't getting any younger... The Steve Bull Stand was opened in 1979, some 45 years ago. The Chinese owners Fosun get just criticism for not investing in the squad, but their neglect of the stadium is impacting the club's revenue and it will only become a bigger issue.

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  2. 'Losing every week starts to affect the mentality'published at 12:00 11 October

    Nedum Onuoha, BBC Sport columnist banner
    Joao Gomes and Gary O'Neil shake handsImage source, Getty Images

    Having a depleted squad does make the job tougher, but the current situation Wolves find themselves in is a down to a bit more than that.

    They have conceded 21 goals already this season and, even though you don't have the foundation you would necessarily want with signings and the changes happening at the club, the nature of some of those defeats – especially against Brentford which Gary O'Neil took on the chin himself – are tough to take.

    The international break is a chance for O'Neil and his coaches to think about what they can do in this next stage of the season because they are on pace for a historically bad one.

    Yes, statistically they had the toughest opening games of the campaign, but the head coach and his players would have expected to have taken more from it.

    You can coach players to do well but, at some point, losing every week starts to affect the mentality. It becomes harder to get results because, for everything that you have going against you, it also gives the opposition a boost when they believe you are fragile.

    With their end to last season, you could argue this is something that has been going on longer than just the start of this campaign.

    There was a lot of positive noise around them with the good start but then it got tougher with significant injuries and having to play players out of position. It was a trend and, unfortunately for them, it has continued into this year.

    We all know the offseason is the point to make a plan and everyone believes it can be better, but 20 teams cannot all be better in the next season, can they? For Wolves, they could not get lower than one point from seven games and 21 goals conceded right now.

    I'm fortunate enough to know Gary and speak with him every so often and the way the club is going through a change in how they operate, you did not feel like he was under pressure.

    The club understood the difficulties of it, but O'Neil himself will know that he wants to do better and the team can do better.

    From what I hear, the players are still on side, so it does not feel as much of an 'under pressure' situation as at some other clubs in similar difficulties.

    Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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  3. What is the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 17:16 10 October

    Have your say banner

    It has been a very difficult start to the season for Gary O'Neil and Wolves and much has been written about the situation they find themselves in.

    However, you know your club best so we want your help.

    What is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad - but should be?

    Tell us here, external

  4. Can managers openly admit mental health struggles?published at 08:08 10 October

    Media caption,

    Former manager Mark Warburton talks to The Football News Show about how managers can deal with mental health struggles while working at a club and what support there is available to them.

    Watch The Football News Show's Mental Health special

  5. 'Wolves hierarchy should be clear fans' criticism extends well beyond O'Neil'published at 12:49 9 October

    Mike Taylor
    BBC Radio WM reporter

    Wolverhampton Wanderers expert view banner
    Gary O'Neil acknowledges Wolves fans after the 5-3 defeat at BrentfordImage source, Getty Images

    "I was really surprised at how off-structure we were and at some of the bad decisions we were making," said Gary O'Neil after Saturday's dismal showing at Brentford, and he was far from the only one.

    Whatever the defensive plan was, it was hard to believe it looked anything like what Wolves actually produced, which left a series of possible explanations - none of them good.

    "It's not about the coach, it's not about anything, it's about ourselves," crestfallen captain Mario Lemina explained to reporters from the Express & Star and Athletic.

    "He is doing really well and if we say Gary O'Neil is the problem then we are liars and cheaters."

    At almost the same moment, O'Neil had his hair shirt on, too.

    "I always look at what I've done to get them to that place, because that performance is my fault, not the players' So I look at myself first." And the players? "We're in a tough run, so the first place you look is squarely at yourself, which is what I'm doing. It's hopefully what the players will be doing."

    A fortnight is a long time to stew on a game like that but, on this occasion, it might allow some space for all concerned to complete their internal reflections and share the results.

    If that means a step back from the tactical formation O'Neil has used so far this season, as he hinted on Saturday it might, so be it.

    Whatever he chooses can only work if the players are clear about their responsibilities and committed to them, as Lemina demands.

    O'Neil walked across to the travelling supporters at the end of Saturday's game, followed by some of his players, and they were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling.

    The recently appointed set-piece coach Jack Wilson left the club on Monday, although those in higher ranks should not imagine his departure will be enough to satisfy the more fervent critics.

    Sticking with O'Neil, as the club seems likely to do for the short term at least, may yet prove to be the best option. There are still plenty of fans who support that.

    Whatever happens in the next few weeks, though, those above O'Neil should be clear that fans' criticism extends well beyond the head coach, and may take much longer to counter.

    Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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  6. 'O'Neil remains stuck in the widespread confusion he has created'published at 12:35 8 October

    George Lakin
    Fan writer

    Wolverhampton Wanderers fan's voice banner
    Gary O'Neil, head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers, looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves were once a predictable and effective team, built on a solid defensive foundation.

    Our simple but devastating counter-attacking style allowed us to absorb pressure and threaten anyone on the break. The team's success was rooted in simplicity, a principle Einstein famously called the "ultimate sophistication."

    Now, Wolves now seem bogged down in complexity. O’Neil, an ardent student of the game, has embraced intricate tactics and extreme attention to detail.

    Upon bringing in Jack Wilson, a set-piece coach from Manchester City, in the summer O’Neil claimed: "I don’t meet too many people who go into as much detail on game plans as I do, but Jack is one of the closest."

    Yet our set-piece struggles persist. Brentford highlighted this. Ethan Pinnock drifted unmarked at the back post twice within a matter of minutes.

    Bizarrely, we seem to opt against going man for man, instead choosing to direct our players to start deeper and run onto the ball to clear. Complexity.

    Any opposition coach worth their salt can see that there is a clear window of opportunity in playing the ball directly into the space just out of reach of the onrushing defender. The result is a free header, so place your best aerial threat right there and voila. Wolves looked like conceding from just about every set piece against Brentford. Simplicity was the kryptonite to our complexity, and it’s becoming a theme.

    Football in its finest form is a simple game. The wisest in our game know this, which incidentally make O’Neil’s comments about the similarities between himself and Wilson now look incredibly stark. Wilson finds himself out of a job. His extreme studiousness adjudged to have meddled with our clarity.

    But O'Neil - his master and kin - remains; stuck in the epicentre of the widespread confusion he has created. Lost in game plans that exist only in the pixels of an iPad screen. Meanwhile, his players look on in search of their leader.

    Find more from George Lakin at Always Wolves, external

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  7. Is the new VAR working?published at 07:25 8 October

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner
    A VAR checking potential offside screenImage source, Getty Images

    A VAR related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty on Monday's Q&A.

    @nubiblue on 'X' asked: Is the new improved VAR working? To me it continues to favour certain clubs.

    Phil answered: First of all, I don't believe VAR favours certain clubs and quite honestly, I've not noticed too much difference or huge improvement.

    Maybe a little less interference but I confess I lost a lot of faith in VAR after initially being a strong advocate.

    I would be happy with semi-automated offside and line technology.

  8. Set-piece coach Wilson leaves Wolvespublished at 18:51 7 October

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Jack Wilson holds an orange whistle during pre-season training with Wolves.Image source, Getty Images

    Wolves have sacked set piece coach Jack Wilson with the side bottom of the Premier League.

    The Scot only joined from Manchester City in the summer, becoming the club's first dedicated set-piece specialist, but it has been accepted the move has not worked out.

    Wilson leaves after Saturday's 5-3 defeat at Brentford where the squad struggled from corners.

    Wolves scored 15 goals from set plays last season, under the supervision of the coaches, but Wilson struggled to make the impact the club wanted.

    When asked about Wilson and the trend of set piece coaches last month Gary O'Neil appeared lukewarm about the role.

    He told BBC Sport: "It has become a lot more complicated and more detailed, it doesn't mean it's any better but it's the way the game has gone and you have to be able to keep up."

    Wolves have the worst defence in the division, conceding 21, and have a goal difference of -12.

    They host Manchester City after the international break as one of four teams still looking for a first league win.

    The decision also underlines the backing for O'Neil - who was the driving force behind the decision - by the club despite their poor start.

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  9. 'O'Neil is not in danger yet'published at 15:46 7 October

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Brentford defender Nathan Collins rises to score in the second minute against his former club Wolves.Image source, Getty Images

    Boss Gary O'Neil remains safe in his job at Wolves, despite their poor start leaving them bottom of the Premier League.

    Saturday's 5-3 defeat at Brentford saw some fans turn and aim the first direct criticism of the manager in his 14-month reign.

    The result and performance extends the winless start and compounds what has happened before. If it was in isolation it could be put down as a one-off but because of the overall situation it is magnified further.

    Of course the performance was worrying and a reaction and improvement will be expected - even if the arrival of Manchester City after the international break is next up.

    O'Neil has credit in the bank but, soon, Wolves will need to win and climb away from the bottom. O'Neil is realistic and honest enough to admit that, results have to improve in order for the club to stay in the Premier League and for him to remain at Molineux.

    There is only so long a difficult start can be blamed for their position, even if the team has been competitive in the majority of games.

    Indeed, they have perhaps been one win away from an acceptance that it has been a tricky opening and an acknowledgement the points tally was good enough.

    They are scoring goals, a tally of nine is the best in the bottom five and higher than seventh placed Newcastle, but their defence is the worst in the division.

    Wolves have conceded 21 goals in seven games and that is not sustainable. The long-term injury to Yerson Mosquera compounds the failure to bring in a replacement for Max Kilman. No-one needed hindsight to know the defence needed bolstering in the summer.

    Yet the bottom line is O'Neil is not in danger yet, sources have told the BBC, and there is still plenty of confidence in him and the squad at Molineux.

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  10. 'It's a tough job... O'Neil deserves time at Wolves'published at 12:35 7 October

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner
    Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil reacts following the team's defeat to Brentford Image source, Getty Images

    A Wolves-related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

    Richard asked: After the international break, Wolves have Manchester City at home and Brighton away. The imbalanced opening fixtures list is then addressed with eight consecutive games against bottom-half teams. Should Gary O'Neil be given time to try to turn the corner? If so, how long?

    Phil answered: There is no getting away from what a poor start this has been for Wolves, with O'Neil himself expressing his disappointment at how far away his side were from what he expects when losing 5-3 at Brentford - and don't forget they also shipped six at home to Chelsea.

    All the indications from Molineux at the moment are that they are solidly behind O'Neil. He signed a new four-year deal in August and the club have publicly declared their support for him again recently.

    To give context, it's a tough job for O'Neil. Don't forget he lost two very important players in defender Max Kilman and winger Pedro Neto, so they are still trying to adjust to that.

    O'Neil has done a good job at Wolves and deserves time - but he will know as well as anyone that results need to improve.

    The next fixtures, as you point out, are tough but then he will hope to get Wolves' season into its stride.

    Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

  11. 'Sport is for everybody' - Wolves players join Super Movers movementpublished at 12:34 7 October

    Nelson Semedo takes part in drills as part of the Super Movers day at Wolves' training ground

    Wolves players Nelson Semedo, Rodrigo Gomes, Anna Morphet, Tammy George and Beth Roberts have been getting involved with inclusive, disabled sports movement Super Movers for Every Body.

    Super Movers for Every Body is a movement aimed at getting more children into inclusive sports by providing equipment packs to UK primary schools and Paralympic sport teaching and learning resources.

    West Midlands primary school pupils at Wolves' training ground were also joined by Para canoe medallists Laura Sugar and Jack Eyers to unbox the new equipment.

    "It's really important for disabled people to play football, to play sports and get out because sport is for everybody," said defender Semedo.

    "All of us should be able to play this. They are very capable of everything and just need to keep going."

    Read and watch more about Super Movers here

  12. 'Very worrying for Wolves supporters'published at 09:03 7 October

    John Bennett
    Final Score reporter at Gtech Community Stadium

    Gary O'Neil looking dejected after the loss at BrentfordImage source, Getty Images

    The fact that I was sitting only a few rows behind the Wolves boss Gary O’Neil on Saturday means I'm not at all surprised about how scathing he was about his team's performance.

    You could sense the frustration and anger as he watched what seemed more like an NBA game than a Premier League game at times, with absolutely no control in midfield and the action swinging from end to end.

    Great fun for neutrals like me, but not so much for the Wolves fans, who made their feelings clear to the players after the full-time whistle.

    O'Neil talked about there being "no structure", being "far too open" and giving themselves "no opportunity" in the game because of "the level of defensive shape".

    I admire his honesty - and the assessment - is spot on but it is very worrying for the Wolves supporters.

    I remember seeing them against Arsenal at Molineux towards the end of last season and, despite the fact that they eventually lost the game, being impressed about how solid, disciplined and structured they were against such a top side.

    There was none of that on Saturday and it is now a staggering 21 goals conceded in just seven games.

    It will feel like a long international break for O'Neil, particularly when you consider that their next opponents are free-scoring Manchester City.

  13. Brentford 5-3 Wolves - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:38 7 October

    Your views banner
    Nelson Semedo of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Keane Lewis-Potter of BrentfordImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Wolves.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Brentford fans

    Ian: Wow! It took us a little longer to score our first goal this week. Our defending at times was too narrow, allowing Wolves to attack down the flanks. Brentford look dangerous going forward. Damsgaard, Norgaard and Janelt worked tirelessly in midfield. Lewis Potter's confidence is growing every week. Happy times at the Gtech!

    T.Z Bee: Strong individual performances from Damsgaard, Janelt, Mbuemo... well, pretty much all the team really. They're starting to gel as a unit too. Sepp van den Berg is proving a real asset and I love Ajer rampaging forward. I feared a really tight defensive game. I was wrong.

    Mitch: Absolutely mad game - chaotic defending but a deserved win. It was really entertaining, which is surely the point.

    Nige: What Thomas Franks has achieved with a limited budget and an injury-hit first team is incredible. In Thomas and Mathew we trust.

    Wolves fans

    Goldvein: O'Neil needs to read the riot act to a lot of these players to pack in all the showboating every time they score a goal. The lack of concentration is a big problem. His attitude is all wrong. He needs to act like a manager and not like a mate to his underachievers.

    Dave: Not the best result for us but I can't fault the commitment of the players. When you score three goals away from home you expect a point at least. The fans who complain about the poor defence will be the same ones who wanted Max Kilman to be sold. Careful what you wish for, especially when calling for the manager to go.

    Vinny: Dreadful, absolutely dreadful. It must be obvious to everyone that it's already a relegation battle. Time to change the manager possibly.

    David: Dreadful defending again but no surprise to see us bottom of the table at this stage. It was obvious when the fixture list came out that we had by far the toughest start, and we’ve got Manchester City at home and Brighton away next. Hopefully, salvation arrives in November with home games against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Bournemouth. Let’s not panic just yet.

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  14. Gossip: O'Neil not facing sack yetpublished at 06:56 7 October

    Gossip graphic

    Wolves do not intend to sack manager Gary O'Neil and will give him time to turn his side's fortunes around after six defeats in their opening seven league games. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

    Premier League clubs including Wolves, Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea have been monitoring Santos' 18-year-old Brazilian defender Joao Pedro Chermont. (Caught Offside), external

    Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column

  15. 'My worst game as a coach'published at 18:40 5 October

    Gary O'Neil manager / head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers with Jorgen Strand LarsenImage source, Getty Images

    Wolves manager Gary O’Neil, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It’s the furthest I’ve seen the group from what we wanted to look like. An unbelievably disappointing afternoon for us. Crazy, crazy goals we gave away. We were wide open.

    "There’s a lot to think about and a lot to put right. We’ll get straight to work. Some players will be away [on international duty] but we need to find a way for the team to be better than this afternoon. Today was so loose. [We made] crazy decisions with and without the ball. It was a really poor performance.

    "The responsibility is on me. Of course the players are going to make decisions, but I need to give them something that makes them make better decisions than they made today, make fewer mistakes than we made today. It’s the worst game I’ve been involved in as a coach.

    "I’ll do the best I can with the group I have. The club do what they can do off the pitch. My responsibility is to find results. This league can be tough. There are no hiding places. We can do better than that."