Gary O’Neill has a great opportunity to silence his Wolves detractors.
Gary O’Neil’s Wolves have eight games left in the Premier League season and could be at a crossroads.
When Wolves hired Gary O’Neil as their new head coach, it was a controversial and, to some extent, mocking appointment.
When Julen Lopetegui slammed his office door shut in a rage to end his tenure at Wolves, it was O’Neil’s name that unexpectedly jumped to the front of the queue of contenders, despite being at the bottom of most people’s wishlist.
Despite losing twice as many games as they have won, O’Neil has won over a huge portion of the Molineux supporters, the players have been reunited, and the pack appears to be back together and sharpening their teeth.
There were early signs of promise, such as the notorious setback at Old Trafford, which might have easily been three points for Wolves if not for wasted chances and one of the most heinous VAR decisions in history.
The win over Manchester City made headlines and stunned the division, and the draw against Aston Villa appeased even the sharpest critics.
The next three games for O’Neil’s Wolves should serve as an early litmus test for this new-generation, post-Lopetegui team.
The trio of fixtures each pose their own set of problems and puzzles for O’Neil to solve. On paper, a win against Bournemouth away from home is a game that can and should be won.
It’s also the type of game that the Wolves will undoubtedly lose, as they have historically struggled in games like these. A away win over the Cherries would make a major statement.
Then there’s Newcastle, who are riding high, beating PSG in Europe, and looking like the team that was expected to be when the takeover came and the huge money landed in the Geordie bank account.
Wolves thrive on being the underdog; they are better when they are, and this is the type of game in which they will give it their all but will most likely lose. The story of the valiant runner-up is well-known.
Sheffield United’s next three games will be played in the Black Country. Since their return to the Premier League, the Blades have gone winless. They have only scored six goals while allowing 22.
The international break will have arrived at an ideal time for O’Neil to evaluate the first round of 18 games. Wolves are not in crisis at the moment, but they have yet to show consistency.
The team’s identity is evident; there is constant pressing and liveliness on the side. Pedro Neto looks like a fantastic player once again, and the team as a whole is performing well.
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Wolves supporters have a starting point for any team donning their gold and black – passion and effort. If they see players working hard for the cause, the fans will rally behind the squad.
The moment has come for Gary O’Neil to prove that he is the right man for the position and to construct a club that the fans can be proud of; if he does, he will be able to put any doubts to rest once and for all.
When these fixtures are completed, we will definitely have a much clearer perspective of the future and the club’s intentions.
