Wolves conceded two more soft goals at the weekend – this time against Crystal Palace.
It was a game that many fans dubbed ‘must-win’, but Wanderers only came out with a point against the Eagles at Molineux.
Palace took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah after a mix-up between Jose Sa and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Wolves then showed good character to get a goal back through Strand Larsen, before Joao Gomes put Wolves in front.
But then, as fans have seen on several occasions already this season, Wanderers let their lead slip through poor defending.
And Lee Naylor criticised one player for his defending on the goal by Marc Guehi.
Lee Naylor criticises Goncalo Guedes over Crystal Palace equaliser
Wolves have been atrocious defensively this season, as evidenced by the 27 goals conceded already.
That’s six more than Ipswich Town, who have the second-worst defensive record.
So often this term, goals have gone past Jose Sa or Sam Johnstone far too easily, and former Old Gold full-back Lee Naylor was far from impressed with Goncalo Guedes’ role in the equalising goal by Guehi.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “Defender or not, it doesn’t matter to me. You know how to defend. You cannot lose your (man).
“He’s thinking there ‘they’re not going to get the flick on, so I don’t need to run with my man’. That’s schoolboy defending, it really is, and there’s no forgiving that. I’ll be honest with you. There’s just not. There’s too much at stake.”
Woeful Wolves must improve on set-pieces
O’Neil has many things to fix right now and it remains to be seen how much longer he will be given to turn things around. But undoubtedly, set-pieces are a major issue right now.
Wolves recently sacked set-piece coach Jack Wilson, but clearly there are still issues.
Set-pieces are a major part of the game these days and Wolves need to improve dramatically in this area.
No club has conceded more goals in the league than Wolves from set-pieces. Before Saturday’s game, Palace were actually the worst team in the league for scoring from set-pieces.
Regarding Guedes, he should have done much better. But he’s just one of many who have made an error this season.
There is an argument that Guedes should actually be starting now for Wolves in the Premier League, given his attacking output so far.