Wolves are back in Premier League action today against Everton – and Gary O’Neil appears to have made one decision already.
Wolves lost 4-2 to Bournemouth last time out and fans were left deeply disappointed at the nature of that result.
Wanderers gifted the Cherries three goals, conceding three penalties.
But there’s a chance to get back on track, with Everton up next at Goodison Park tonight. Everton are just one place and two points above Wolves in the table, so the motivation is certainly there for the visitors.
Against Bournemouth, Jose Sa had a nightmare for Wolves. But seemingly, the Wolves manager is ready to stick with the Portuguese.
Jose Sa set to start for Wolves against Everton
Gary O’Neil spoke to the media yesterday ahead of the game with Everton.
O’Neil spoke about his Wolves future and cut a relaxed figure, but he’ll know that he could really do with three points on Merseyside.
And it seems he’s ready to stick with Jose Sa to help him do that.
Journalist Liam Keen reports that the Portuguese is set to keep his place against Everton, publishing quotes from O’Neil who said (via E&S): “Jose’s OK (after South Bank supporter incident). Hopefully, the supporters involved are OK and we all move on to important matters like Everton away and trying to make sure that we push three points further up the table.
“Jose Sa is a good human being, so I’m sure Jose won’t be jumping in the crowd for nothing,” he added.
“Of course he knows I’d rather him stay on the pitch and he knows he would rather stay on the pitch.
“But sometimes you make decisions in the heat of the moment and Jose Sa needs our support in moments like that.
“It’s not a nice experience for Jose, I’m sure, as well as the people in the crowd. So Jose understands what we think of it, firstly, on a private level and a personal level with Jose, he understands my thoughts on it.
“But I do stand by the fact that he has my full support in any situation that he finds difficult.”
Wolves fans react
On social media, Wolves fans have been reacting to the news that Sa is set to start against Everton.
- READ MORE: Wolves vs Everton: Predicted lineup, team news and injury updates as Gary O’Neil makes six changes
Starting Sa would be a bold decision
It looks as though Sa will keep his place tonight and that may not go down particularly well with Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone was seemingly a winner of Wolves’ 4-2 defeat to Bournemouth with Sa having played so poorly, and he was surely set to come in and replace his teammate against Everton.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 27 | -9 | 15 |
| 15 |  LeicesterLeicester | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 13 |
| 16 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 12 |
| 17 |  EvertonEverton | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 11 |
| 18 |  WolvesWolves | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 9 |
| 19 |  IpswichIpswich | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 9 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 13 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 25 | -15 | 5 |
After all, the suggestion from O’Neil has been that there’s very little between them, and that he’d pick based on form.
Sa had a nightmare against Bournemouth and also had that altercation with an individual in the South Bank, which may well have suggested his head is not in the right space.
But O’Neil’s comments do suggest that’s not something he’s been dwelling on. Hopefully, if Sa does indeed start tonight, then he’ll atone for his last display and justify his selection.