It seems like a lifetime ago now that Gary O’Neil was manager of Wolves.
The Englishman was sacked just before Christmas, with Fosun finally acting after a run of poor results.
Gary O’Neil bit the dust at Molineux after Wolves lost in the dying seconds to Ipswich Town.
It was a decision that many fans felt should actually have come weeks earlier. Some think the delay could end up costing Wolves.
It was also going to be tough for O’Neil given the very challenging fixtures Wolves were dealt to start the new season with.
In a new interview on the Wolves Unpacked podcast, Jorgen Strand Larsen, has moved to defend O’Neil for one tactic that didn’t always work out.
Jorgen Strand Larsen says Gary O’Neil got unlucky with Wolves results this season
It was ultimately the right decision for Wolves to part ways with O’Neil.
Unfortunately, things just didn’t look like they were going to turn around under him, and the pressure was constantly on him, even when he got positive results.
Since Vitor Pereira came in, Wolves have stopped pressing high as much as under O’Neil.
It is now more mixed, and Wolves’ work off the ball has arguably been better.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – who Wolves now need to step up in Cunha’s absence – has been talking about the changes to Wolves’ press, but defended O’Neil for what he was trying to do.
He said: “We try to always come a bit lower now. We know how the first half of the season was, we scored loads of goals and conceded loads of goals.
“At the start of the season, we wanted to be a high-pressing team. I think when that worked we did it really well. With Mario and Joao playing really well last season, I heard, they are good players – that was a moment for us to win the ball and score.
“But it didn’t really work in the first half of the season. And then that looks like it’s Gary’s fault. But it’s not his fault – sometimes it just doesn’t work.
“The players you bring in, for example me, I can be different than the ones he had last season. He was a bit unlucky in the results we got also. When Vitor came in I think he just decided to stay a bit lower and then we can wait for the pressing moment.”
- READ MORE: Vitor Pereira and Gary O’Neil in agreement over major Fosun mistake – it could cost Wolves
Vitor Pereira pressing style is more effective for Wolves
Arguably Wolves are much better at pressing now under Pereira.
Pressing high can be good as it can force opponents to relinquish possession in dangerous areas, leading to chances.
But sometimes it can’t always be executed, especially when the opposition is good at playing out.
Strand Larsen goes on to suggest in his interview that the current pressing style under Pereira is better, because the players don’t get as tired.
Previously, the high and intense press under O’Neil was leaving people fatigued.
A couple of months ago Nelson Semedo suggested Pereira had really taken Wolves away from O’Neil’s style, and actually talked about the team pressing differently under the Portuguese.
Now that it’s more mixed, the likes of Strand Larsen and Cunha have more energy, and there is less chance of a tired Wolves team being played right through.