Wolverhampton Wanderers

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BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club but this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Dan asked: The players and coaching staff have stayed united despite a very bad run of form since about March. Do you think this will be what’s needed to stay up by keeping things consistent, or will it lead us to a delusional relegation if things don’t change?

Nedum replied: That is a great question. A sense of unity will always give you a chance, especially when people are all pulling in the same direction. At times you can fall out of form but that's when you really see what the clubs are like.

Other teams who have faced similar have found themselves with in-team fighting and falling-outs - but that doesn't seem to be the case at Wolves. They are not in crisis.

So, because of that, I don't think the team and staff are being delusional. Sometimes you just need belief because you know you have the quality and that might have come from their first win of the season over Southampton.

Harmony through disappointment is so important because it shows they are happy to work hard to break the situation they are in now. That is what makes a difference.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to stay in the Premier League amid potential managerial opportunities at Wolves, Southampton and Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

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

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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When Raul Jimenez left Wolves, there was great mutual affection between him and the fans, and some sadness that his best days appeared to have been cut short in such an unfortunate way.

He really had been a fine attacking leader in the best period of Wolves' recent history and was a popular, genial figure. It was hard for everyone, and no doubt hardest for Raul himself, that after all his struggles to recover from his dreadful head injury in November 2020, his peak form would not return.

It was therefore greatly uplifting watching Fulham's recent game against Aston Villa, to find that the peak-Jimenez was back - rattling defenders, racing onto chances and, most of all, obviously relishing the contest. Those who cheered him in his Wolves days will be thrilled for him too, but this week are probably queasy at the idea he might prove to be a very challenging opponent on Saturday.

Wolves took a long time to adequately replace him. There have been some failed auditions and some alternative approaches. Matheus Cunha has turned out to be a fine player, but not best as a number nine. Sasa Kalajdzic might have been the answer but suffered dreadful luck. Diego Costa was fun, but only ever passing through.

At last, to some relief, Wolves signed Jorgen Strand Larsen last summer. Tall and strongly built, with a promising record and a similarly affable manner to Jimenez - he looks the part.

It has not been an easy start in a struggling team - admittedly not one struggling to score goals. Larsen has plugged away willingly, although it has sometimes seemed like a lonely trudge, and he has often left the scene midway through the second half, visibly spent. Still, four goals is not a bad return in a team near the bottom, and his hard yards will have eased the physical pressure on others, perhaps Cunha most.

This weekend's game at Fulham offers the chance of a direct comparison, although a slight distraction from the main story. The key issue from the first part of the season is that Wolves' leaky defence will sink them unless the holes are plugged.

They held firm against Southampton for a long-awaited clean sheet, despite - as Gary O'Neil explained - Craig Dawson and Santiago Bueno labouring through with injuries. Patched up or not, if they can hold off the resurgent Jimenez and company this weekend, things may be looking up.

Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Wolves at 15:00 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio WM (96.6 FM)

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Only Manchester City (seven) and Nottingham Forest (five) have scored more goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League in 2024-25 than Wolves' three, while Fulham have conceded more goals from outside the penalty area than any other side in this season's competition (five).

Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, only three players have been involved in a higher proportion of their side's Premier League goals than Wolves' Matheus Cunha (39% - 17 goals, nine assists). The forward has also netted in his past three away league games.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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In July, when Wolves acquired Jorgen Strand Larsen, sporting director Matt Hobbs expressed his ambition for the team to target the European competition spots.

Fast forward to today, and Wolves find themselves far from realising that goal.

Despite outscoring fifth-placed Nottingham Forest this season, Wolves are anchored to the bottom of the table.

Inconsistencies in defence have hindered Gary O'Neil's efforts to build a cohesive team. According to WhoScored, Wolves are the league's biggest under-performers for xG against - conceding 27 goals versus an expected 22.41, a discrepancy of 4.59.

Their attack tells a different story, with Wolves scoring 16 goals compared to an expected 12.88 - surpassing expectations by 3.12 goals, the highest attacking over-performance in the division.

At the heart of Wolves' attack is Matheus Cunha, a beacon of hope for O'Neil. Cunha has a remarkable ability to turn the mundane into the spectacular, having scored five goals and provided two assists so far this season.

He has been instrumental in nearly half of Wolves' goals this season, but his impact goes beyond statistics.

With 23 goal contributions in his last 28 Premier League starts, he stands among the elite and he is only surpassed in consistency by six players from top-six teams. His shot rate of 3.2 per 90 minutes even surpasses notable players like Mohamed Salah and Ollie Watkins.

Without Cunha, Wolves' offence would lack potency and direction.

We have to ask: is it O'Neil's tactical nous shaping results or the sheer talent of individuals like Cunha?

O'Neil, once lauded for his tactical acumen on Monday Night Football, now faces a formidable test with Wolves.

While his attacking unit shows promise, defensive frailties undermine their efforts. Vulnerabilities at set-pieces and open play offer openings that opponents readily exploit.

Though Wolves possess the core of a solid mid-table team, defensive improvements are essential or O'Neil's tactics may prove ineffective.

While the squad boasts many talented individuals, survival in the Premier League depends heavily on Cunha's continued performance. Any injury or transfer involving Cunha could significantly diminish Wolves' chances of retaining their league status.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Earlier, we asked you who scored Wolves' first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Matheus Cunha, who netted in the 6-2 defeat by Chelsea on 25 August.

Who scored Wolves' first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Barcelona are interested in Wolves left-back Hugo Bueno, who is currently on loan at Dutch side Feyenoord. (Sport - in Spanish), external

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

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves' 2-0 win over Southampton on Saturday was a notable one; not only was it the club's first Premier League victory since April, but it was also the first time they had kept a clean sheet in the league for 258 days.

The £10m signing of England international goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace in August added competition for Jose Sa, who stayed at the club beyond the summer transfer deadline despite reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

The pair, both 31, have shared goalkeeping duties in the early weeks of the campaign and some Wolves fans have suggested that Johnstone has not proved to be an upgrade, but has merely created a selection conundrum for boss Gary O'Neil.

Based on this season's stats, there is little to separate the two.

Portugal international Sa has a slightly better record in terms of goals conceded per game and has that solitary clean sheet to his credit although, according to Opta, he has made one error that has directly led to a goal, while Johnstone has a marginally higher save percentage.

Neither goalkeeper is close to Sa's save percentage of 69.31% in his 35 Premier League appearances in 2023-24, although other factors may have contributed to Wolves' poorer defensive record this term compared with last.

Max Kilman, Craig Dawson, Toti Gomes, Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri formed a fairly settled back line for much of last season, with all five making at least 25 league starts.

Different defensive setups have been tried this term, Kilman was sold to West Ham in the summer with no first-choice replacement signed, while the serious knee injury sustained in September by Yerson Mosquera - who returned to Wolves in the summer after a loan spell at Villarreal - further reduced O'Neil's centre-back options.

Sa appears to have the goalkeeper's shirt in his possession for now. With Johnstone out injured, he returned to the line-up against Manchester City on 20 October and made a string of fine saves in a 2-1 defeat.

He has played in each of the past four games, but who Wolves' starting goalkeeper will be moving forward will likely be on the agenda again following fit-again Johnstone's return to the bench against Southampton.

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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"I understand the crowd," said Wolves captain Mario Lemina on Saturday. "But we know our manager."

Results and the calendar appeared to be conspiring against Gary O'Neil. Failure to win the final game before the November break - the last until the spring - would have stress-tested Wolves' resolve to keep him, perhaps to breaking point.

We will never know now, or not for a few weeks at least.

The conditions for change were clear, but one factor so common to these situations was missing. Sometimes with struggling teams, suspicions that players have lost faith in the coach seem too obvious to ignore. Not always a lack of effort, but a sensed lack of conviction, and often there is one game when everything unravels.

It has not happened. There have been plenty of faults to spot - especially defensively - but it has never appeared that the players have given up on their work, or on O'Neil. It has always felt as if they care.

There has been despair and emotion from the players, but even at the darkest stage of the past few months, when they were being taken apart at Brentford, Wolves still kept pushing enough to score the last goal of the game. They have shown the will, but not found the means.

Not until Saturday, anyway.

The early goal helped enormously, but soon afterwards, it was hard to claim that it had settled the nerves. After half-time, though, they adjusted and seemed settled. They certainly were after Matheus Cunha's fine shot.

It had not all been enjoyable, but - in the circumstances of the day - once Wolves had scored, the only two words that mattered were "Southampton nil". Better performances will need to follow, but this game had to be won first, by any means.

Lemina has faith and is happy to share it: "We know our manager is doing everything. Sometimes it's not about him - it's just about what we do on the pitch. Today showed he was a good tactical manager."

Nevertheless, there is a section of supporters, voluble in public channels even after Saturday, who still feel that this is the time to change, with winter in mind.

The idea that Wolves are now into an easy spell, after their demanding start, is a fallacy with Fulham next. But for now, O'Neil seems to have the club's backing.

Lemina says he certainly has support from the players.

"We have to stick together. The whole city has to stick together, the club need to stick together, and that’s what we did."

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Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

There were plenty of memorable numbers across the weekend's Premier League football...

1 - How many games it took Brighton's Matt O'Riley to open his account in the top flight.

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250 - How many appearances Bruno Fernandes has now made for Manchester United, registering a combined 155 goals and assists in this time.

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4 - Consecutive defeats for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side, and the first time he has had such a losing run in his managerial career.

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28 - Points Liverpool boss Arne Slot has earned in the Premier League in his first 11 games in charge - the joint-most of any new manager.

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80 - Seconds between Bournemouth going 2-1 up and Mikkel Damsgaard equalising for Brentford.

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1:48 - How long into the game Pablo Sarabia put Wolves ahead against Southampton - becoming the club's earliest Premier League goalscorer.

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22 years, six months, two weeks and three days - The amount of time Ipswich Town had gone without a Premier League victory before Sunday's win at Tottenham.

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George Lakin
Fan writer

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Gary O'Neil survives, and his post-match fist pumps to the South Bank speak to his remarkable ability to shift sentiment. Just last week he didn't know what he was doing, and was told as much.

Marmite pales into insignificance compared with this when it comes to splitting opinion.

The pervading narrative is that O'Neil is still learning on the job - an unpolished diamond and one of the "best young operators" in the game, according to the board.

His future, supposedly, is yet to have even been discussed, such is their faith.

The reality is his youth and inexperience are dubious concepts. Mikel Arteta, Andoni Iraola, Enzo Maresca, Steve Cooper, Arne Slot, Kieran McKenna, Russell Martin and Ruben Amorim are all within five years of him either side, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is a decade younger.

Ultimately, he is among his peers.

The adage "it's the hope that kills you" has taken on a new meaning: the higher-ups' high hopes for O'Neil feel like a punter who naively believes the "free beer tomorrow" sign chalked up behind the bar.

And yet, despite unconvincing performances, results since Brentford have improved. Arguably, O’Neil has achieved only a point or two less than anyone could have in the four matches since.

To survive long term, however, excuses must stop and philosophies must begin to show. Any side with a spine as strong as the likes of Matheus Cunha, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina and Santiago Bueno should not be languishing in the relegation zone and still without a distinct identity.

From the shoots of that first win over Southampton, O'Neil must build this team in his image. How Wolves express themselves is a reflection of him: his beliefs, his ideologies, his principles.

At the moment, that screams uncertainty. We look a side lacking conviction and confidence, riddled with fragility, fear and self-doubt, and on the brink of collapse.

Tetchy. Much like our manager.

The noise surrounding him is loud and the fanbase reactive (which can work both ways), but O’Neil's biggest challenge is undoubtedly - among the chaos - to find himself.

Firefighting will not suffice.

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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions about the battle to avoid relegation this season.

Nick asked: Do you think Wolves' win over Southampton has only given Gary O'Neil a stay of execution, or do you think he can turn it around? The three points were important, but the performance again was poor. With the quality of players we have, it is hard to argue against a better manager getting much more out of this squad.

Phil answered: Time will tell on the long term but there is no doubt that was a huge result for O'Neil and Wolves. It was all about the win on Saturday - the substance, not the style.

It is clear the club want to stick by him and admire him but a loss to Southampton at home would have ratcheted up the pressure, which is why it was portrayed in many quarters as a must-win game.

In mitigation, O'Neil did lose some important players such as Max Kilman and Pedro Neto in the summer, as well as having a tough opening spell of fixtures. The club clearly showed its faith with a new four-year contract in the summer.

This vital win against Southampton now has to be the platform for improvement for Wolves and O'Neil because they are still in a precarious position.

David Moyes is eyeing a return to Premier League management with Crystal Palace, Wolves, Southampton and Leicester all potentially interested. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories and gossip? Read Tuesday's full column

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Opta's supercomputer has tipped promoted Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City as the three most likely teams to get relegated from the Premier League this season.

Southampton are bottom and winless after 10 games since returning to the top flight, with the computer giving them 94.9% chance of being relegated.

Despite climbing out of the bottom three with an impressive first win of the season against Tottenham at this weekend, Ipswich are the next side being tipped to go down with a 70.7% chance.

While Leicester are 15th, three points clear of the drop zone, they are the third most likely side to get relegated according to Opta, with a 46.9% chance.

Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace are the remaining sides that have an 18% or more chance of falling down to the second tier by May.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Victory over Southampton on Saturday came with a healthy dose of relief at Molineux.

There is no desire to part company with Gary O'Neil. There is a firm grip of reality and perspective at the club's Compton training ground but defeat against the Saints would have pushed him to the brink.

Had Wolves been bottom and winless after 11 games going into the international break, O'Neil's future would have been bleak.

Wolves can consider themselves fortunate Ryan Manning's leveller was disallowed after Mateus Fernandes was ruled to have fouled Nelson Semedo.

Southampton were also upset there were no fouls given for challenges on Cameron Archer and Fernandes in the build-up to Matheus Cunha's clincher.

But O'Neil can argue Wolves are due some luck after last season's trouble with VAR and victory can give them a springboard.

There is a belief, both internally and externally, the squad is good enough to survive.

Yet Wolves remain in a precarious position - Ipswich's win at Tottenham hardly helped matters.

Fulham and Bournemouth await after the international break, games which Wolves still need results from both to maintain momentum.

Fulham have won four of their past seven and, while Bournemouth's form has been patchy, they have beaten Arsenal and Manchester City while also taking a point at Aston Villa recently.

Every game is winnable but it would be dangerous to view those matches as Wolves' immediate salvation.

They are still in danger and O'Neil still needs results.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

John: A frustrating first-half performance after a stunning opening goal. We then sat deep which was strange as we are much better going forward but clearly afraid of giving away possession. In the second half we came out with much more energy, snapping away at Southampton and Joao Gomes in particular was immense. A great Matheus Cunha strike. Deserved win.

Geoff: Woeful, sideways, mind-numbing and pedestrian football, Gary O'Neil didn’t win the game... VAR ensured Wolves got a win! He has taken us from a fast counter-attacking style to the slow, patient, run-the-clock-down rubbish we saw under Mick McCarthy all those years ago. Far from a convincing win.

Graham: At last, three points. Dare I say the pendulum is swinging our way for a change? Two decisions have gone for us in as many weeks but not before time. Why did we not play like we did in the second half in the first? The international break will now give us time to enjoy this result. Well done lads.

Southampton fans

Darren: We had 71% possession and not a single shot on target. We are so one-dimensional. Russell Martin doesn't listen and will be sacked saying "we had lots of possession". He is clearly not a Premiership manager. Fix it now before it's too late!

David: Our manager continues to be a predictable 'one-trick pony', who seems incapable of fully appreciating how easy it is for other teams to set up, be patient and wait to pounce on our inevitable mistakes. Too many of our squad are Championship level, and Jan Bednarek is the ultimate ball watcher.

Derek: Just really, really disappointing. When it's a game we cannot lose and we have zero shots on target, it simply isn't good enough. Away from home we have to go for it and pressurise the home team because we can't even rely on our home form at the moment. Sadly, relegation is looking inevitable.

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Wolves fan Ryan Leister, host of the Wolves Report podcast, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Saturday's 2-0 win over Southampton:

"I feel like we'd have been having a totally different conversation [about boss Gary O'Neil] if Wolves hadn't won.

"It wasn't pretty - in fact, it was the complete opposite, it was ugly. Southampton had nearly 70% of the ball, but Wolves had one half-chance and one proper chance and took them.

"If you put that performance against a Manchester City or a Liverpool, you'd say it was a tactical masterclass so there is a bit of football snobbery involved because of how ugly it was. But all that mattered on Saturday was Wolves getting the win."

On goalscorer Matheus Cunha: "We are very lucky to have a player of his quality. He's a bit of a maverick.

"When that second goal went in, the relief in the stadium and the joy on my face must have been a picture. I was so happy. We've waited since April for that win. It's been a long time coming and I'm delighted we're off the mark."

Former Premier League defender Micah Richards spoke to BBC Match of the Day about Matheus Cunha's performance in Saturday's victory over Southampton:

"Gary O'Neil talked about getting him to to a position where he can affect the game and he was sort of playing as a left-centre.

"His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He's the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times.

"He's always scanning where he needs to be and always plays the right pass. He is so key in what Wolves are trying to do. He is the best at everything.

"Off the ball, he can do a little bit more - but on the ball, he is certainly the main man in this team."

Watch the full analysis on BBC iPlayer