Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Former Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about the future of Gary O'Neil after Wolves' 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

"If you're spending a lot of money bringing in and replacing those players that you've let go [in the summer] then fine," he said.

"Ultimately every time you lose your top players you're going to decline in quality within the squad.

"I don't blame Gary O'Neil. He's got his players working hard, there's no question about that.

"Even last night, right until the end, they still believed. It's just those little details and conceding goals.

"It was really disheartening for me to watch as an ex-Wolves player. I really enjoyed playing there. To see them in this situation - they have top players, it just hasn't happened for them right now."

Wolves fan and host of The Wolves Report podcast Ryan Leister also spoke about the future of the head coach and questioned whether the club could find a better replacement.

"I don't think many of the managers would have survived a run like Gary O'Neil's on now. But could Wolves do better than Gary O'Neil? I'm not sure they could. Does O'Neil deserve to be in charge? I'm not sure that he does," he said.

"But, equally, you have to look higher above than O'Neil. If you keep selling your best players every summer and expect the club to try to retain Premier League status, I think it's a bit ambitious from the owners.

"[Pedro] Neto went. [Max] Kilman went. If this is going to continue then Wolves should expect to be where they are now.

"I have sympathy for O'Neil but, equally, I think he should be doing better as well."

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Sorry, Gary, but your time is up. O'Neil seems like an amicable person, but football is a results-driven sport. Wolves have reached a point where change is no longer optional - it is essential.

Despite moments of tactical insight, his tenure has faltered under mounting issues that can no longer be ignored.

The result carries an air of grim irony, with O'Neil's side losing to his former club - and former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui. West Ham's London Stadium is also the place where the reign of Bruno Lage, Lopetegui's predecessor at Molineux, ended.

The goodwill O'Neil earned last season has hidden deeper issues in the squad.

Patience is gone, especially after the Everton meltdown, which should have been the breaking point. For many, the West Ham match serves as nothing more than an unnecessary delay.

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Wolves remain a side riddled with the same weaknesses they had at the start of the season. Defensive fragility, catastrophic errors in set-piece situations, and a lack of cohesion have continuously plagued the team.

Wolves have talented players but, under O'Neil, they have become a disjointed group of individuals.

The problems are too glaring to ignore, and O'Neil has done little to suggest he can turn things around. Progress has been non-existent.

West Ham should mark the end of his Wolves tenure - even if we had won. A reset is critical for survival, and Wolves must act decisively before it is too late.

O'Neil is not solely to blame for Wolves' struggles and the club's hierarchy must also face scrutiny for their role in the decline.

An overemphasis on signing players as long-term investments, rather than addressing immediate needs, has left the current squad ill-equipped to compete.

Fosun's self-sustainability model, while pragmatic in theory, has been a significant contributor to this predicament.

If Wolves are to reverse their downward trajectory, the owners must urgently reassess their level of commitment and strategy for the club's future.

Maybe a new manager with fresh ideas can turn things around, but currently we look like a team heading for the Championship.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Three successive defeats leaves Wolves deep in trouble in the relegation zone - but there is hope around the corner.

On Saturday they are at home to fellow strugglers Ipswich - who have managed just one win in 15 Premier League games so far - before they travel to Leicester, who are 17th and four points above the relegation zone.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said: "You look at the fixture list and sometimes the club might think whether they want to bring a new manager in and it will be some decent games for the new man to start with. That will be in the back of Gary O'Neil's mind.

"If everything goes well against Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the next two games, they could be out of the bottom three.

"O'Neil will be desperate for that chance to rectify what has happened this season."

Should Wolves keep faith with O'Neil? Let us know in our poll

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Wolves appointed Gary O'Neil in August last year, replacing current West Ham boss Lopetegui, and he ensured they finished comfortably clear of relegation in his first season.

In the summer, Wolves sold defender Max Kilman to West Ham for £40m and forward Pedro Neto to Chelsea in a £54m deal.

O'Neil identified player departures making his job more difficult.

"The club has been through an incredible transition since I came in," he added.

"We've signed some players who will be really good for this club for the future, but we have lost an awful lot. It makes it harder.

"[Since I've been here] we have lost £200m worth of talent. We understand it will be tough. We will knuckle down and get going again.

"Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I'll be proud of it."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil acknowledged his side's set-piece defending needs to improve, but also felt key decisions went against them in defeat by West Ham at London Stadium.

For the corner that led to the Hammers' opener, the ball appeared to come off West Ham full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka last.

Then, for the Hammers' second, O'Neil felt there had been a foul on Wolves defender Santiago Bueno in the build-up.

Put to him that a new phase of play had started after the potential foul on Bueno, O'Neil told Sky Sports: "That is crazy. He was going to head the ball away, so next phase of play is irrelevant because we would have cleared the ball."

O'Neil also felt his side were not given two penalties, adding: "The foul on Goncalo Guedes was a blatant penalty. There was a little one on [Jean-Ricner Bellegarde] too, it was small contact but enough to make him fall over."

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between West Ham and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: It feels like the same story on repeat. We are unable to defend set pieces. We get ourselves back into games only to concede almost immediately. This wasn't the shambles we saw at Everton but, for a club fighting for their life, it wasn't good enough. It was also embarrassing that our captain lost his head after the match and was pushing our own staff. Something needs to change and fast. Our Premier League position looks more precarious than ever. If we fail to beat Ipswich, we are in deep trouble.

Glyn: Again basic defensive mistakes have cost us. The marking of West Ham's best header of the ball was non-existent and the challenge on their best striker was again sadly lacking. There were some good periods of play but we were indecisive in turning the game to our advantage. The play is Championship quality and we will surely go down with this standard of football.

David: Gary O'Neil is neither a good enough manager or a lucky enough manager to fashion a winning team out of what he has. It is a tough ask for an inexperienced manager, made doubly difficult by director of football Matt Hobbs. His failure to acquire what Wolves needed in pre-season is unforgivable. If the manager goes after this depressing performance, Hobbs must go too.

Ben: You can talk about penalties, fixture lists and what ifs until the cows come home. The fact is we have been weak all season and the buck stops at one person's door. Sorry, Gary, your time is done.

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We were OK. We were solid and we probably had the better chances. But a lot of decisions went against us. An awful lot of decisions go against us in a big game, in big moments. You need some of them to go your way and you hope they do - but they didn't.

"The lads gave everything. We came up a little bit short again, which has been the story of the past few weeks for us. I'm proud of the players - they're in a tough moment and they're giving everything. They're ready to fight, ready to scrap, ready to come away to West Ham and give them a real good game. We needed to find a way to turn it our way and we didn't quite do that.

"I will try and go in and have a chat with them [officials] to get their thoughts on how it ended up where it was. It's not going to help us. We need to find way to turn the game in our favour. A combination of us not quite doing enough and the decisions go with West Ham [means] we leave with nothing."

On his job: "No I'm not concerned. I am really proud of the group and really proud of everything they've given me, and everything they have done again against West Ham. I can only ask them to do their best.

"They definitely haven't [players lost faith in him]; we are together. I give them big credit for that. They know the situation at the football club and they know some of the difficulties we face. The players and I are 100% connected in trying to do as well as we can.

"At this moment, it isn't quite good enough. There is a long way to go."

Did you know?

• Wolves have conceded a league-high 15 Premier League goals from set-piece situations this season (excluding penalties). Only in their relegation campaigns of 2003-04 (20) and 2011-12 (18) have they conceded more such goals in a season in the competition.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on West Ham’s performance

What did you make of Wolves’ display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Wolves are at a crucial juncture, and immediate changes are needed to secure their Premier League status. The current situation demands clear strategies and bold decision-making from the very top.

Strong, proactive decisions are needed to address the spiralling issues. From recruitment to long-term planning, the focus must shift to immediate problem-solving that prioritises the club's survival.

While the self-sustainability model is admirable in principle, it is currently putting Wolves at risk of relegation. Fosun's intentions to create a financially independent club may have merit, but the timing couldn't have been worse. Implementing this approach when the squad was already thin and infrastructure needed significant investment has left the club in a vulnerable position.

Economic factors like COVID-19 might have influenced this shift, but the reality is clear—without sufficient investment in the team and facilities, the club is stagnating. Fosun must reassess this model and take a more aggressive financial approach if they are serious about both preserving their investment and keeping Wolves in the top flight.

The talent within Wolves' squad is undeniable, yet it remains untapped on the pitch. To turn this potential into results, the club needs a manager with gravitas. This individual must possess not only a proven track record of success but also the ability to command instant respect from players and staff alike. Galvanising the talented individuals into a cohesive, motivated team is critical to climbing the league table.

Wolves need to start the transfer window strong by prioritising a centre back. Strengthening the defence early in the window is crucial to avoid last-minute panic buys and to ensure the squad is prepared for the challenges ahead. A commanding centre back could provide stability at the back, which has been an area requiring improvement. Getting the deal done quickly will also allow time for the new signing to integrate properly with the team.

Wolves face a pivotal moment. Strong leadership, financial courage, and the right managerial appointment could be the difference between survival and relegation. The time for action is now—delaying decisions will only make the challenge greater.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Gary O'Neil is fighting for his job as Wolves head coach.

Monday night's game at West Ham is defining and could be his last after damaging defeats by Bournemouth and Everton.

Supporters have turned. There was patience and understanding before but after shipping eight goals in their past two games there has been a definite mood change.

Performances against Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa arguably deserved more and supporters and the club recognised how difficult the start was.

But that argument only works when you are able to pick up points in those games which may be deemed, at least in the eyes of fans, more winnable.

The draw at home to Crystal Palace and loss to Bournemouth at Molineux went a long way to seeing that support and belief from the terraces wane while the hammering at Everton meant it dropped off a cliff.

Wolves, who sit 19th, are four points from safety and host third-bottom Ipswich Town on Saturday - level on nine points with the Tractor Boys.

They are in the middle of a run of games which were always expected to decide O'Neil's fate.

That decision could be made with another loss at London Stadium.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

This might end badly for Gary O'Neil and Wolves and, while we are not seeing the West Ham we expected from Lopetegui, he may live to fight another day.

The last time Wolves went to London, at the end of November, they beat Fulham 4-1 and enjoyed themselves.

I can't see the same happening here though, because of the number of goals they are conceding. The way they play under O'Neil, they are so open.

West Ham are going to get some chances and although they missed a few against Leicester, I am backing them to take them this time.

Payne's prediction: 1-2

This is like the 'sacked in the morning' derby, isn't it?! West Ham have not been good, or good to watch either. Even the highlights on Match of the Day have left me thinking: 'Oh, this is a bit turgid.'

With Wolves, I feel like they should be doing a lot better. They play some good stuff and Matheus Cunha has been great up front, but they can't stop conceding. I still have a feeling they will get something out of this, though.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

A 3-1 defeat by Leicester last time out has left question marks over Julen Lopetegui's West Ham future, while Gary O'Neil's struggles with Wolves continue and he too finds his position potentially hanging in the balance.

With three vital points on the line, it sets up for an intense battle at London stadium on Monday night.

While the two sides go head to head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each got to ask three questions of the other. Hammers fan Holly Turbutt from West Ham Network, external was asked the following by our Wolves supporter:

• Both managers come into this under a bit of pressure. What has gone wrong so far for Lopetegui and do you think he can turn it around?

• Former Wolves captain Max Kilman moved to West Ham this summer. How has he been getting on for you so far?

• Which West Ham players have stood out so far?

Wolves fan contributor Dave Azzopardi from Talking Wolves, external was given the following questions:

• With both Wolves and West Ham having difficult starts to the season, are you feeling confident that you can get something out of this game and why?

• What would West Ham need to do to stop Cunha scoring?

• Which Wolves weaknesses might West Ham be able to exploit?

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Wolves have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this season, letting in 36 goals in their 14 games.

Their past two games have seen them lose 4-2 to Bournemouth and 4-0 to Everton - they most recently shipped four or more goals in three consecutive league games in September 1985.

Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has been sounded out by both Wolves and West Ham. (Talksport), external

Former West Ham boss David Moyes is among the contenders for the Wolves job should Gary O'Neil be sacked but Luton boss Rob Edwards is an outsider, having been well thought of at Molineux, where he spent four years as a player. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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With exquisitely painful timing, the Premier League announced at 12:00 today that Gary O'Neil had been nominated for the November manager of the month award, an hour or so before he was due at a press conference that most Wolves supporters assumed he would not still be in a position to take.

In a way, it made for a perfect summary of Wolves' season - lurching from inspiration to malfunction, often within the same game.

Over the past fortnight, the climbs and falls have become steeper, leading to Thursday's unfortunate contrast.

At the time of writing, O'Neil remains in post - despite reports that Wolves are considering alternatives and the expectation of many supporters that the club should already have done so.

In time, we shall see whether this is an act of indecision or faith.

Wolves held off from making a change in the summer of 2023, when Julen Lopetegui could not have made his discontent more plain for many weeks before he finally left.

Having installed O'Neil at speed, and been pleased with the result, the club expressed their confidence in him with a new long contract just before this season started.

Twelve days ago at Fulham, it looked as though this season might have been working out at last. It looked like Wolves - although still alarmingly prone to defensive lapses - might have the attacking verve to counter-punch their way out of trouble.

Five minutes into Saturday's game against Bournemouth, as Jorgen Strand Larsen headed in an excellent equaliser, you could still believe this.

But there are not many believers around just now.

The belief among the players that they could overcome the odds apparently against them was frequently in evidence last season, as they defied gravity in the Premier League table for several months.

At times, in the difficult early weeks of this season, you could still see it. At Fulham, it seemed to be glowing again.

Maintaining that belief will be an essential task for O'Neil, or anyone who replaces him, but every defensive pratfall must make it harder.

There is no easy choice here. Wolves travelled a similar path just two years ago, when they learned that a managerial change can fix a broken season, but it comes with substantial costs.

New managers are in a stronger position to demand new players - and the club has told us many times since then how conscious they are of those.

Simply changing the coach will not repair the squad's weaknesses or stop the unpredictable errors.

Few things cost a club more money than a change of manager - relegation is one of them.

Listen to full commentary of West Ham v Wolves at 20:00 GMT on Monday on BBC Radio WM

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I don't know if it is inevitable that Gary O'Neil will be sacked because the Wolves chairman has publicly backed him in recent weeks and put his neck on the line by doing so. But they followed up a win at the weekend with shipping four goals at Everton, who are a team that have struggled to score in recent weeks.

It is a stressful situation for everyone involved at Wolves. They have the creativity required to compete at this level and going into Wednesday's game they had scored the same amount of goals this season as Manchester City. That is something they should be hugely proud of.

But at what cost? Because they have also conceded the most goals as well. It is disappointing to see as when they fold against teams they really do fold.

There has got to be some level of character from those players to avoid conceding so many. Especially against Everton as they are not a team that usually cut other teams open.

O'Neil said after the game that he was ready for the criticism and he will accept it, which is very fair of him given it's the way he set them up.

He is not naïve to the situation and knows that as their manager he is accountable.

I don't know if he will get sacked but at the minute it feels like one step forward for Wolves and two steps back.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against West Ham (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He started by addressing his job security: "I don't think about me personally. I think for the team and where we are in the league. The last two results have let us down from the momentum we created. There is a lot in the last two games that the group need to take on and learn from very quickly if we want to have a chance of being more competitive and more consistent."

• In response to if he will still be in charge for Monday's game: "I can only keep going until things change. As far as I am aware, I took training this morning, players that started have recovered, players that didn't play have trained."

• He said the 'sacked in the morning' chants "don't hurt" him personally as "criticism is part and parcel" of his job but he is "disappointed" for the fans. "He added: "I understand how much it means to them every weekend. I know how much they give. Time, travel, money."

• O'Neil said his players "definitely have the courage and the fight" to turn their performances around but there have been too many mistakes in the last few games.

• On leaking the most goals in the league: "We demand better from them [the players]. The lads have to find a way to deal with the things in the moment."

• He said West Ham away "will obviously feel huge" but the label 'must-win' will be for every game while they remain in the relegation zone.

• On the battle ahead: "Wolverhampton Wanderers needs to stay in the Premier League, regardless of whether there are seven managers this season or whether it is me who takes it the whole way through. We need to find a way to keep this club in the Premier League."

• He said "he hadn't even considered" whether Julen Lopetegui will still be the opposing manager in the dugout as he faces growing pressure too. O'Neil added: "They have been in poor form, of course they have, but they go away to Leicester and have 30 shots. They have something there to work with."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news