Wolverhampton Wanderers

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

As Wolves prepare to host Southampton, the weight of expectation is heavy. After 10 games, being bottom of the table and conceding 27 goals is not where Wolves fans expected to be.

Gary O'Neil may insist that it is not a "must-win" game but the reality feels starkly different. While technically it is not a definitive match in terms of relegation - with plenty of fixtures left - the stakes are high for O'Neil and his team. This is a battle he needs to win.

The general consensus among Wolves fans we have spoken to is clear: time has run out. Initially, there was a lot of patience because of tough fixtures, but opinions have shifted and many now doubt O'Neil's ability to navigate Wolves out of this predicament. Another lacklustre performance could lead to a charged atmosphere at Molineux, with fans voicing their discontent loudly.

There is uncertainty about whether Wolves' owners, Fosun, see eye to eye with fans on this. With O'Neil and his team recently receiving new four-year contracts, they seem reluctant to pay severance. However, as savvy business people, they understand the financial repercussions of relegation far outweigh the costs of a managerial change. The risk of losing Premier League status is a gamble they are unlikely to take lightly.

Though we have been told that easier fixtures have arrived and better results are due, the problems persist, and even a win might only postpone the inevitable.

With a quarter of the season gone and just three points accrued, something clearly has to change. Looking at this season's fixtures, we have only secured three points, while the same matches last season earned us 12.

We cannot keep blaming our current position on difficult fixtures.

Sometimes you have to make a change for the greater good.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil could face the sack if his side do not beat Southampton in the Premier League this weekend. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

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We asked for one thing involving Wolves that people are not talking about but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Alex: There are very few positives at the moment. On a negative (of which there are many!) the conundrum of having two first-choice goalkeepers who are both bang out of form. I think Jose Sa will go in January but most fans aren't convinced Sam Johnstone is an improvement.

Bigtoeash: No one is talking about our goalkeepers. Johnstone was bought as an upgrade for Sa but I don't believe he is.

George: Our current failings started last season. As much as we've had a tough start, we haven't looked like a proper team since February. The tough fixtures have saved Gary O'Neil and papered over the cracks to non-Wolves fans.

Nigel: What a talented squad we have and yet O'Neil is incapable of getting them to come together as a group. There can only be one explanation.

TMcC: In a nutshell, executive chairman Jeff Shi. Some of his better work includes sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, some seriously questionable player signings and sales, and then the business with Julen Lopetegui. All while raising ticket prices and taking us to the bottom of the league.

Noel: In attack, we are a top-half side, but our defence would struggle in the Championship. I like Gary O’Neil but the owners have left him out to dry with the lack of backing. Been to all the home games where we have picked up good wins over the past seasons, but unfortunately can’t see anything improving with the lack of quality in defence.

Three draws in 10 games has been a dreadful start for Wolves but again there were signs of life in an excellent fightback against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

With that elusive first win still awaiting them, much has been written about Gary O'Neil's side.

But you know them best. So what is the one thing nobody is talking about - good or bad?

Tell us here, external

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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"This is like punishment," said BBC Radio WM's summariser Claire Hakeman, as the indicated added-time against Crystal Palace elapsed and still the game whirled on.

Alas, I bring bad news for Claire and most readers of this page: the tension this Saturday at Molineux, unless and until Wolves open a winning lead, will probably be worse.

"Zero concern for my position," said Gary O'Neil, which unfortunately put him in a small minority at present, since many Wolves fans and pundits seem to have been concerned by little else since Saturday night.

Recent indications were that his employers also had zero concern for his position but, in the stadium, it sounded like many minds had already been made up.

Typical of this turbulent season, 12 minutes after O'Neil was loudly told that he didn't know what he was doing, as he made his substitutions, the same fans were singing their celebration of what might have been the winning goal.

In the end, it wasn't - and many of the singers went home assuming that the head coach has one more chance to save his job, and thinking that was one too many.

As well as the often-rehearsed mitigations - injuries last spring, spending limitations and difficult early fixtures - there is another credible defence that can be made of O'Neil, although it might not have many takers at the moment.

Wolves have played well in parts of most games so far this season. They have scored some fine goals, while many of the goals they have conceded could be pegged on individual errors, for which the manager could hardly be expected to legislate.

The problem with the above argument is the bald reality of football life, which generations of coaches have endured: the can for the mistakes of individual players is invariably carried by the manager.

Whether it is fair or wise doesn't come into it.

It is the only lever to pull that offers the hope of an instant change of fortune, and sometimes it works. It is also the only easy sacrifice that can be made to try to mollify a restless supporter-base.

But Wolves should note that the discontent of many fans is not limited to who is in the dugout.

We won't know for sure if Gary O'Neil really is one defeat away from being sacked, until it happens, but it is a card that can only be played once.

For Wolves to pull clear of danger, those who remain will have to do better too.

Listen to full commentary of Wolves v Southampton at 15:00 this Saturday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM]

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

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Being a Wolves fan isn't for the faint-hearted. Supporting the team is emotionally exhausting, and I'm tired of discussing the same old issues while watching them fail to clinch another victory.

After Saturday's game, Jorgen Strand Larsen said: "There were some positives, but it's not enough."

He is right.

The 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace sums up our season. It is promising that Wolves can score but, despite having some good chances, our two goals were overshadowed by defensive errors.

We are now a quarter of the way through the season and have only secured three points.

The main issue is the goals we have let in - 27 so far. The stats are grim. An average of 2.7 goals against per game means we need to score three or four to win.

Gary O'Neil's overall record with Wolves in the Premier League stands at 13 wins and 92 goals conceded in 48 matches. This means we have conceded 1.9 goals per game on average during his tenure.

No wonder we only have one win in 20 games.

Both Palace goals resulted from set-pieces, highlighting our weaknesses again - especially at the back post. Despite sacking the set-piece coach a few weeks ago, we have not seen any real improvement in this area.

The players show heart and grit, but there is no clear identity. It is hard to criticise them as they seem committed, but they lack direction. I see no indication that O'Neil knows how to fix the problems.

No team in the Premier League can concede this many goals and survive.

Wolves fans have been so patient, but we have endured seven months of misery. It cannot go on.

We are sleepwalking into relegation. When is this nightmare going to end?

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Steven Wyeth
Match of the Day commentator

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It was not quite the last laugh he would have relished, but Gary O'Neil could afford himself a broad smile and flash of sparkling teeth as I spoke to him for Match of the Day.

When Wolves fell behind against Crystal Palace on Saturday he responded with a triple substitution.

The Molineux crowd was not impressed, at least not with the personnel involved - "you don't know what you're doing" was their emphatic verdict.

Yet, 10 minutes later, Wolves were ahead. The changes had worked and the quality of the goals they had scored was impressive.

The manager could enjoy a moment of vindication to punctuate a "tense atmosphere" - at least until the Palace equaliser he felt was avoidable but was most certainly deserved.

Indeed, the visitors thought they scored a stoppage-time winner but the O'Neil smile returned when, for once, he could discuss a refereeing decision in Wolves' favour.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans:

Gabriel: Gary O’Neil was obviously just trying not to lose. When we went behind and started acting like we wanted to win, we went ahead. Then we went back to trying not to lose and unsurprisingly conceded yet again. I love Gary but, unfortunately, I think his time is up. Contrary to what he said, this match absolutely was a must-win game.

Jason: Shockingly naive defending from corners, Sa showing why he lost his place. There is some real class and ability in the side, but also some really poor play. Ait-Nouri seemingly is incapable of learning and consistently holds on to the ball too long. Sarabia wants a minute or two whenever he gets the ball and is incapable of using his right foot.

Nick: People keep saying we are playing well. Some people say we are unlucky. Others say it was just a bad run of fixtures. But the fact remains the same no matter the excuse - we are bottom. It doesn't matter what outsiders think as we are bottom. It doesn't matter what pundits think as we are bottom. Name a manager who has lost more but still has a job?

Steve: Very poor performance defensively. What else is there to say? Where's the heart and the pride?

Crystal Palace fans:

Bob: We missed so many chances and should have easily wrapped up the game, but our strikers missed numerous chances and it was left up to two defenders to get the goals for a valuable point. Our forwards need to be more clinical if we're going to survive in the Premier League.

Glen: Overall it was a very enjoyable watch. We worked very hard in the first half and proved we can play. The issue was not taking our chances. Sarr played well but missed a few sitters. The team is starting to take shape and now believing in themselves. Good to see youth on the bench but when are we going to start blooding them in?

Rob: Too many recent signings have failed to make an impact and therefore do not fill the gaps left by those we sold. Even when on top, the team lacks cohesion and too many drift around in marked positions without the commitment to find space for themselves or get stuck in to make it happen.

Gavin: Palace totally dominated the game, but the number of goal chances missed was staggering. Sarr, on his own, missed four sitters. We still have not solved the issue of Nketiah and the manager needs to address this quickly. It was pleasing to see Palace come back after being 2-1 down. Lots of good performances and a point is better than nothing.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

• Wolves 2-2 Crystal Palace

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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Wolves have never started a Premier League season this poorly.

They have failed to win their opening 10 matches of any campaign for just the third time in their history (1983-84 and in the second tier in 1926-27).

During that run they have conceded 27 goals, more than anyone else in the league, and lost four of their five matches at Molineux.

After rallying to secure a draw against Brighton last time out, was this the time for Wolves' fortunes to turn around?

Coming from behind after Trevoh Chalobah's opener thanks to goals from Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joao Gomes, it certainly seemed so.

But when Marc Guehi tapped in at the back post unmarked, it seemed inevitable that Wolves' wait for a Premier League win this season would go on.

The performances have not always matched the result but, rooted to the bottom of the table, they must start to make those performances count or risk relegation.

Boos greeted the players at half time and when Gary O'Neil made his substitutions and the Wolves boss is surely under huge pressure to start delivering results with a crucial game against 19th-place Southampton next up before the international break.

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after today's draw: "Disappointed that we didn't come out on top. It was sort of slow and then they scored at a moment where we were the better side. It was a soft goal from a defensive error and we did not really look like conceding in that moment.

"When you then go 1-0 down in a Premier League game you need a response and we definitely got that. The three substitutes made a big impact. The game looked like it could drift away from us at that moment but it didn't thanks to the impact of those players. I'm disappointed because I thought we could have gone on and won it."

On the triple change: "I thought it helped us. We have a squad and we need to use it. Crystal Palace are a physical side and play long a lot, so there wasn't much time on the ball. We thought the physicality of Mario [Lemina] in that moment was what we needed. He changed how the game flowed."

On the late Palace goal ruled out: "I haven't really watched it back in any great detail. I saw an image of Sa with two hands on the ball, and then the Crystal Palace boy has influenced him enough to make him drop it. I would have to watch it back.

"There were a few little decisions in the game but nothing really. It looked to me that Jose had control of the ball with two hands on it."

On remaining winless: "Zero concern for my position. I enjoyed tonight and helping the lads, they are giving absolutely everything. it is going to be a tough season for us, it was the same last year. We are going to have to fight and scrap. Everyone is giving everything so we have to keep fighting."

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Wolves striker Matheus Cunha has been speaking to the World Feed following today's draw: "We need to keep going. This position is hard. It's like I always say, we have a lot of positives in the group. We need to believe. We need to keep working and do our best and hope the results come."

On ten games without a win: "It's so hard not to think about this because I don't think our performances are like having 10 games without a win. We need to keep smiling and keep working and the results will keep coming.

"Since I came here, I feel like the supporters opened their hearts to me and gave me a lot of love. I gave it back by running and scoring goals."

On O'Neil pressure: "I don't think it's all on him. The whole group has a lot of responsibility. We need to keep going. When you are a football player, you need to give your energy to the things you can manage."

Image source, Getty Images

• Wolves have failed to win any of their opening 10 games of a league season (D3 L7) for only the third time in their history, after 1926-27 (10) and 1983-84 (14).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves' performance, external

What did you make of Crystal Palace’s display?, external

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

Follow reaction and read the match report

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

For week 10 he takes on The Piano TV series winner Brad Kella.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Southampton are finding out just how brutal the Premier League is, and the same applies for Wolves.

Like Saints, they are winless but they have been playing pretty well and maybe Matheus Cunha's stoppage-time equaliser for them against Brighton will be the moment they turn their season around.

I don't think Wolves will lose this game, but the question is will they win it? I worry about them conceding goals and Crystal Palace are likely to have a bit more confidence going forward after their win over Tottenham on Sunday, when Eberechi Eze played really well.

So, what do I go for here? It is going to be close, but I am going to say Gary O'Neil's side will finally win, and keep a clean sheet too.

Brad's prediction: 0-2

I'm not sure about this. Wolves need a win but I really don’t see them getting it. I just have a feeling for Palace.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Newcastle v Arsenal - 12:30

• Bournemouth v Manchester City

• Ipswich v Leicester

• Liverpool v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v West Ham

• Southampton v Everton

• Wolves v Crystal Palace - 17:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil says they are "ready to go" against Crystal Palace on Saturday and "are going to attack it full throttle".

Both sides have had a difficult start to the season but following Palace's win over Tottenham last weekend, the Eagles sit just above the drop zone on six points.

"Our group is ready to go," said O'Neil, whose team are still searching for their first Premier League win this campaign. "We understand we've had a tough start to the season and we'd love to have more than two points on the board but our belief is intact.

"Any team that can come from two goals down with five minutes left [against Brighton] shows they have real fight.

"We are just going to attack it full throttle. It won't always look pretty because of the style of the team we're playing against, but from the moment we get there until the final whistle we will give it everything we've got."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is expected to return to the matchday squad and O'Neil is hopeful captain Mario Lemina will be available.

• He said it is "a big home game" against Palace and "it will be difficult" because they are "tough to break down".

• On taking momentum from the last-gasp draw at Brighton: "We didn't lack belief but it was a big response from a tough situation. Any team that can come from 2-0 down with five minutes to go shows they have real fight."

• More from O'Neil on the season so far: "We understand we've had a tough start to the season and we'd love to have more than two points on the board but our belief is intact."

• He said they are "just going to attack" Saturday's game at "full throttle" and "from the moment we get there until the final whistle we will give it everything we've got".

• On the similarities to Palace in losing players in the summer: "We lost a couple of players from last year's starting XI but we understand and know we have enough in this building to push ourselves."

• He said it is "really important" that the fans are behind them at Molineux "when it gets tough" and he hopes the players can reward them for that with a positive display and result.

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

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The decision to allow Manchester City's stoppage-time winner against Wolves on 20 October has been backed by an independent panel.

John Stones' header was eventually awarded following a pitchside review by referee Chris Kavanagh after it had initially been disallowed for offside, with Bernardo Silva standing close to Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

The Key Match Incident panel, which reviews the big decisions from every Premier League game, unanimously agreed with the VAR intervention, saying Silva was "not clearly in the line of the goalkeeper's vision or impacting his ability to make a save".

During the game, the Premier League Match Centre posted on X:, external "Stones' goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper's line of vision. The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn't in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded."

That weekend's fixtures - the eighth round of Premier League matches - saw multiple VAR reviews with penalties overturned and yellow cards upgraded to reds.

In October, referees' chief Howard Webb said there had been an 80% reduction in the number of video assistant referee (VAR) errors this season compared to 2023-24.