Gary O’Neil has defended one aspect of the Wolves system that was lambasted in the harrowing 6-2 defeat against Chelsea last month.
It’s been a testing start to the 2024/25 season for Wolves, who entered the international break with just a point on the board.
That came against Nottingham Forest last time out, as a Jean-Ricner Bellegarde screamer secured a draw for the Old Gold.
Coming away with a positive result from the City Ground was imperative for Gary O’Neil, especially after watching his side concede six goals at home to Chelsea.
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Gary O’Neil thinks the Wolves defence has ‘performed well’ this season
O’Neil has experienced some teething issues when switching from a three-at-the-back system to a four-man defence.
In the opening day loss to Arsenal, the Wanderers defended resolutely but a piece of quality from Bukayo Saka found Kai Havertz unmarked and he headed beyond Jose Sa.
There were plenty of positives to take from that game, despite the 2-0 loss, but Wolves failed to build on them against Chelsea.
The hosts were ripped apart by Enzo Maresca’s Blues at Molineux, conceding four goals in the second half, with Noni Madueke scoring a hat-trick.
Despite being opened up at will in that match, O’Neil doesn’t blame the defence for the goals and believes they’ve ‘performed well’ across the three matches.
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The Wolves manager also defended his decision to go with a four at the back defence instead of keeping with a three at the back, via Express & Star.
“The goals conceded against Chelsea will obviously see fingers pointed at the defence and the fact it’s a new centre-back pairing, but there was so much more in those goals,” O’Neil said.
“They saved a good few, they’ve performed well and conceding goals was not just down to the centre-backs.
“We have four that I love working with, they are all good guys and good footballers. We’re doing the best we can to give the squad the best chance.
“Yerson has played in a four all his club life, Toti maybe not so much, but Dawson and Santi have too. There will be things looked at in terms of what we need to be, so let’s see.
“But the issue definitely hasn’t just been the defence. You don’t go from the Emirates being really solid, tough to break down and looking like a threat, to the back four and the two centre-backs being a problem in a week.
“A lot of good work has been done. It’s important we’re really clear on what we are doing.”
Craig Dawson is key to Wolves success
Wolves defender Craig Dawson proves that age is just a number, with the 34-year-old arguably O’Neil’s most important centre-back to make his system work.
Dawson made his first start of the season against Nottingham Forest and the Wanderers looked infinitely better with him in the side, as the veteran partnered Yerson Mosquera and Toti Gomes moved to left-back.
Last season supporters saw how crucial the former West Ham stalwart was to the back three, as he arguably elevated Max Kilman’s game to new heights.
Dawson will hope to do similar with Mosquera, who is currently learning his trade in the early stages of his Premier League career.