Gary O’Neil is walking on thin ice as Wolves’ poor form extended against Crystal Palace.
The Old Gold face an absolute must-win against Southampton on Saturday afternoon after failing to beat Crystal Palace.
Molineux played host to the 2-2 draw that saw tensions rise as Wolves squandered a leading position against the Eagles.
Expectedly, O’Neil came under great criticism during the fixture, with fans making their anger known at one crucial moment.
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Gary O’Neil applauded for Wolves substitution vs Crystal Palace
Supporters were not happy with O’Neil’s triple substitution just after the hour mark against Palace.
While the fans enjoyed seeing the back of Pablo Sarabia’s disasterclass, the same energy was not shown when Tommy Doyle was hauled off for Mario Lemina.
Fans aimed chants at O’Neil saying, ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ but, journalist Liam Keen explained why the manager might have been right at that moment.
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Speaking on the Keen & Judah Show, the Wolves expert broke down the triple change that he believes, ‘helped’ the hosts.
“Ironically, it was the right decision to bring Mario Lemina on for Tommy Doyle,” Keen said.
“As much as Doyle is a fantastic player, Lemina won all his duels, turned over possession, got Wolves moving in the transition and that actually helped Wolves get back into the game. Despite the backlash, I think it was the right decision.”
Every call that O’Neil makes at present is going to be questioned, and rightly so as fans continue to see the club stuck to the bottom of the table.
Selection against Southampton has to be right
Wolves didn’t beat Palace but, they must overcome Southampton.
There’s a feeling that O’Neil’s days are numbered, particularly if Wolves enter the November international break without a Premier League win.
It will be a long way back if a victory isn’t recorded against the Saints, emphasising the need for selection to be at its best.
O’Neil has been criticised for not knowing his best team 10 games in, with all voids needing to be filled in preparation for the crucial meeting with Russell Martin’s newly-promoted side.