Gary O’Neil and his team are preparing for Wolves’ upcoming Premier League battle with Crystal Palace.
Like Wolves, the Eagles have had a trialling start to the 2024/25 campaign, leaving it until match day nine to collect their first win.
For the Old Gold, the hunt for three points is ongoing, with O’Neil’s side without a victory in the league since April.
Against Brighton last time out, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha handed the manager a get-out-of-jail-free card as Wolves came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
- READ MORE: Match of the Day pundits both in total agreement with Wolves verdict after 2-2 draw vs Brighton
Gary O’Neil stuns Wolves fans with latest comments
O’Neil is having to rebuild his relationship with fans, who have rightfully lost trust in some of the boss’ ideas of late.
Sitting 19th in the table is not acceptable regardless of Wolves’ fixture difficulty, with the manager’s tactics, substitutions and comments being placed under the microscope.
Drawing late against Brighton gave fans something to cheer about, with the point coming at the perfect time ahead of two must-win clashes.
Supporters will brand Saturday’s meeting with Crystal Palace as a must-win however, the manager disagrees.
“I know there will be a lot made of the next games, but they’re not must-wins,” O’Neil boldly said to the media when previewing the next two challenges, via Express and Star.
It was a statement that very few will share with the boss, whose side have not won in the Premier League in six months.
O’Neil’s assessment of the game is unsettling, as anything but a victory only extends Wolves’ winless streak.
O’Neil shares opinion on Crystal Palace and Southampton games
While the mood at Compton was significantly lifted by Cunha’s last-gasp equaliser at the Amex, focus must not stray away from the reality of the Old Gold’s position.
At present, Wolves have a 22.2% chance of survival, with relegation a real possibility if form does not drastically improve.
- READ MORE: Wolves next 10 Premier League fixtures difficulty ranked compared to early relegation candidates
O’Neil may not see the upcoming duels with Palace and Southampton as must-wins but truthfully, they are.
“We need to be ready in every game and we want to win,” the manager followed his comments with, offering opinion on the next two opponents.
“Crystal Palace are good. They spent £30million on a striker from Arsenal and Eze is pretty good!
“Southampton will also be tough, they keep the ball forever and have a real set way of playing,” O’Neil said.