Wolves are in a concerning predicament right now, with results poor.
Gary O’Neil is still without a win in the Premier League this season, and is under mounting pressure at Molineux.
It has been suggested Fosun are ‘desperate’ for O’Neil to turn things around, and there have been some positive signs this term.
There is also an acceptance that the fixtures have been very difficult.
But some have lost faith in O’Neil, and feel he has overstayed his welcome, after a run of one win in 20 Premier League games.
But crucially for O’Neil, he still has the players onside, with one report shedding some light on what it’s like behind the scenes.
Gary O’Neil’s style ‘far removed’ from former Wolves manager Bruno Lage
It has been reported by the Telegraph today that despite the struggles this season, O’Neil still retains a level of support from his players at Wolves.
It would perhaps be easy at this point for some to check out, given Wolves are really struggling on the pitch and things don’t seem to be working.
However, O’Neil still has the faith of the players, and that is in part down to the way he operates.
The Telegraph report on the difference between him and former Wolves manager Bruno Lage, who was sacked in October 2022.
Lage never went on a run as poor as this current one that O’Neil has overseen, and yet he lost his job.
But the key thing is that the Portuguese had lost parts of his dressing room towards the end of his tenure, and there were suggestions that players had checked out.
Lage’s methods are said to be ‘far removed’ from those of O’Neil, who is ‘who is well-liked and respected by his squad’. It is also stated that training sessions are ‘meticulously planned and provide a clear picture of how O’Neil wants his team to play’.
Previously, it was suggested some Wolves players did not like Lage’s team meetings, which could be ‘lengthy’ and ‘counterproductive’.
O’Neil must beat Southampton
It is positive for O’Neil that he has not lost the dressing room, but that could potentially change if he does not mastermind a win over fellow strugglers Southampton at home this weekend.
There is no overstating how big this game on Saturday is.
Fosun are reluctant to sack O’Neil given his potential and the work he did last season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 9 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 7 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 5 |
| 19 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 4 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 3 |
But it will be challenging for them to keep him in his position against a backdrop of fan fury if he doesn’t win against Southampton.
He may be popular with the players, but O’Neil undoubtedly now needs points on the board, with Wolves’ status as a Premier League club under real threat.