Gary O’Neil makes strange claim ahead of Wolves Premier League clash vs Brentford 

This weekend, Wolves go in search of their first Premier League victory of the season when they travel to Brentford.

So far, Wolves have had to navigate a tricky start to the campaign having tasted defeats against Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Liverpool.

The Wolves hierarchy have acknowledged that and are prepared to give Gary O’Neil time but that won’t alter the desperate position they find themselves in.

With just one point taken from a possible 18 and Manchester City to come after the international break, their trip to Brentford on Saturday holds huge weight, as it represents a real chance to get off the mark.

Last season, Hwang Hee-chan netted a brace at the Gtech Community Stadium in a 4-1 win and Paul Merson thinks Wolves will repeat their heroics this weekend by beating Brentford.

That is certainly an outcome every Wanderers supporter hopes come true, and while they’re urgent for it to happen, O’Neil isn’t feeling the same pressure.

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Gary O’Neil says Brentford vs Wolves isn’t a ‘must-win’

In his current form at Wolves, O’Neil is incredibly lucky to still be in a job in the modern era, as at most other clubs he would have been sacked.

From their previous 16 Premier League matches, the Old Gold have tasted just one victory, and that was against Luton Town in April.

Aside from that, it’s been a pretty abysmal run and some would say that given their situation at the bottom, this is a game where they must target points.

However, despite feeling confident about their chances, O’Neil doesn’t agree that their trip to Brentford is a ‘must-win’ and isn’t prepared to overhype the magnitude of the fixture.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, as relayed by journalist Liam Keen, O’Neil said: “I’m confident every week and I am again this weekend. If we keep producing, I’m confident we’ll pick up results and I’m desperate for it to be this weekend, but I’m not over-hyping it as a must-win.”

In the grand scheme of the league table, O’Neil is right in saying that this game isn’t all or nothing but he must get some points on the board sooner rather than later, and fans recognise how important the trip to Brentford is.

• READ MORE: Former Premier League player gives bold verdict on Gary O’Neil’s future at Wolves

Matheus Cunha is key to Wolves chances vs Brentford

Unlike last season, where Wolves beat Brentford by a three-goal margin, this is expected to be a tight encounter.

It could be one of those games where a piece of individual brilliance could win the game for either side and the responsibility for the visitors could fall at the feet of Matheus Cunha.

Starting as a second striker behind Jorgen Strand Larsen, Cunha has been Wolves’ brightest performer in an attacking sense, with the Brazilian dominating the metrics.

As per Sofascore, the 25-year-old ranks first in the Wolves squad for key passes per 90 (1.5), shots on target (1.2), big chances created (2), and successful dribbles per game (1.7).

Add to that his two strikes in the Premier League, and Cunha’s importance to O’Neil’s starting XI is massive, with the former Atletico Madrid star holding the key to three points on Saturday.