Jamie Carragher spoke to Gary O’Neil about future opportunities following an untimely Wolves exit last December.
Much like his successor Vitor Pereira, Gary O’Neil started last season with Wolves about as badly as you can. The Old Gold looked destined for the drop and O’Neil was dismissed before Christmas.
He has been out of the management game ever since, but has his eye on a return to the sideline.
Appearing on Monday Night Football, he spoke to Jamie Carragher about potential ideas he wants to implement in his next role.
Gary O’Neil on what he’d do every day at his next club
Football, and the Premier League specifically, is ever-changing. From tactics to technique, new ideas come to the fore and if it works, everyone will copy it.
Certainly, in recent seasons, we have seen set-pieces grow in importance. Arsenal’s prolific record from corners has led many teams to follow suit and focus their efforts heavily on that aspect of the game.
This season, long-throws are the latest fad, and not one that adds to the spectating experience. But it’s all about what’s effective, and O’Neil recognises the value in it.
He says: “And definitely the next time I get in, Jamie, we’ll do this (set-pieces) every day. We’ll find time to do this every single day on the training pitch because it’s playing such a big part on it and the detail of it and how much you have to do on it.”
That’s probably the mindset most managers share now, recognising the importance of being able to deal with set-pieces on both sides of the ball.
Vitor Pereira should do the same with Wolves
Last season, through the combined efforts of O’Neil and Pereira, Wolves scored seven league goals from set-pieces across the campaign.
That put them at 15th last season. Crystal Palace were the most proficient from dead-ball situations, with 15.
This season, set-pieces are the hottest game in town. Further down the table, they can be a vital part of a survival bid. Just ask Nottingham Forest’s new boss, Sean Dyche.
It wouldn’t hurt for Wolves to put some more time into improving their output.