Gary O’Neil has been told that he must start two players for Wolves in their clash against Newcastle United.
The Old Gold return to Molineux in the Premier League for the first time since the dreary 6-2 loss to Chelsea.
Wolves have since earned a Carabao Cup win against Burnley and secured their first point of the Premier League season last time out against Nottingham Forest.
Now, Gary O’Neil will be focused on seeing his side earn their first win of the league campaign as Newcastle United come to town on match day four.
Steve Bulls thinks Gary O’Neil must start two players against Newcastle
After losing key figures such as Pedro Neto and Max Kilman in the summer, it’s been a trialling start to the 2024/25 calendar for O’Neil as he searches for the best way to lineup his squad.
From formational changes to switches in personnel, Wolves are yet to hit their stride in the Premier League although, amid the change, several stars have made their stance clear.
Ahead of Wolves’ clash with Newcastle, club legend Steve Bull was firm when calling on O’Neil to start Craig Dawson and Rayan Ait-Nouri against the Magpies, via Express and Star.
“Craig Dawson has to keep his place,” Bull wrote in his pre-match column.
“He’s experienced, a leader and will help the younger lads around him. Regardless of the formation, Dawson has to play at the moment and so does Rayan Ait-Nouri.
“Whether that’s left-back, wing-back or on the wing he needs to play and find his position. He is a talented boy who will help Wolves this season.”
After a shaky start defensively, the manager deemed it necessary to bring Dawson back into the XI, as well as making the decision to push Ait-Nouri further forward away from the back four.
The switch in defensive personnel certainly worked as Wolves conceded just once against Forest after conceding a combined eight goals to Arsenal and Chelsea.
Wolves team news against Newcastle
While many will agree with Bull that both Ait-Nouri and Dawson should start, it may not be possible due to the latest injury news.
In his pre-match press conference, O’Neil revealed that the Algerian will undergo ‘late checks’ as Ait-Nouri missed the international break.
- READ MORE: Gary O’Neil issues injury update on three key Wolves players ahead of Newcastle United clash
To make matters worse, the boss admitted that the versatile left-back hasn’t trained much ahead of the clash with Newcastle, putting his starting position in doubt.
It may be that a replacement for Ait-Nouri has to be found however, it’s arguably even more important that Dawson is fit and ready to start in central defence, with no concerns over his fitness which is a huge boost.