Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has sent a warning to two of his players regarding a lack of fitness.
It’s been a terrible start for Wolves, who are yet to win in the Premier League after eight games played.
With just one point on board, the Old Gold have to find a solution to their woes quickly, as doubts over O’Neil’s position surface.
While the focus remains on turning results around on match days, the manager has identified one issue in his squad that needs to be addressed on the training ground.
Gary O’Neil makes concerning Wolves fitness verdict
Wolves were agonisingly close to earning their second point of the season in style on Sunday, as the Midlands club were moments away from getting a result against Manchester City.
For arguably the first time this campaign, the Old Gold looked convincing over an entire 90 minutes however, O’Neil has drawn attention to one concern he has regarding one player who actually impressed against the champions.
The manager expressed his worry over goalscorer Jorgen Strand Larsen’s fitness when speaking to the media post-match, via Express and Star.
“Jorgen gave everything, but I’ve spoken to him a lot, he needs to get through longer than an hour before he looks tired,” the boss explained.
“I’m sure I get criticised for taking centre-forwards off, but Jorgen in every game has run his race after 60, 65 minutes. He’s either got cramp or he doesn’t look the same.”
The criticism may be seen as harsh from O’Neil as Strand Larsen himself admitted that he left everything on the pitch against City.
- READ MORE: Jorgen Strand Larsen makes Wolves admission fans will love after controversial defeat to Man City
Still, the manager sent a warning to the striker to get in ‘better shape’ for the challenges ahead.
“Whether it’s the change of league from Spain, whatever it is, it’s these little details because if Jorgen’s on, do we concede the goal from the corner? Does Jorgen help us from the corner? So little things like that are really, really important.
“We need to make sure we push those little margins in our favour. And Jorgen knows how important it is that he gets himself in better shape.”
O’Neil forms Jorgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-chan comparison
Strand Larsen’s fitness was a subject that alarmed the manager during Sunday afternoon’s defeat but, the Norweigan isn’t the only Wolves star to bring concern to O’Neil.
“Same with Channy [Hwang Hee-chan], he’s struggled to hit the heights that he hit last season,” O’Neil said.
“He needs to get himself sharper. All these little things that we can impact, we have to do that.”
The boss is well within his right to question the fitness levels of his players but to tar Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-chan with the same brush is rather surprising.
While Hwang is unfortunately unable to remain fit, the Norway international was withdrawn early against City after running himself into the ground trying to keep his side in the game.
O’Neil’s comments are bound to split opinion, with the manager’s public call to see a rise in fitness alarming all things considered.