Wolves will be looking to bounce back to winning ways this weekend with a shock win over an injury-plagued Tottenham side after a shock defeat to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United last time out.
Despite the controversy surrounding the defeat to Sheffield United, Wolves never reached the heights they achieved in recent games.
With table-toppers Tottenham up next, it will take a massive effort from the Pack if they are to get anything from the game.
However, with Spurs forced to name multiple changes for Saturday’s fixture due to injuries and suspensions from the Chelsea loss, fortune may be on Wolves’ side and we could see an upset at Molineux.
As a result, here are five players that O’Neil may look to bring into the starting XI on the weekend.
Matt Doherty
It was only this time last year that Doherty was in Spurs colours. The former Tottenham man spent two and a half years in London before a quick spell at Atletico Madrid.
Now back at Wolves, the fullback has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI due to the form of Nelson Semedo.
However, not only is it a common cliché that former players end up haunting their old clubs, Doherty easily has the ability to threaten Spurs throughout.
With the visitors likely to stick with their high line, the 31-year-old’s attacking sense could really cause the visitors some damage.
Boubacar Traoré
The midfielder enjoyed his first real spell in the starting XI recently as O’Neil opted to bring the 22-year-old into the side after a string of good cameos off the bench.
Traore’s appearances against Man City and Aston Villa were vital to seeing out the result which helped to force him into the starting line-up away to Bournemouth.
However, last weekend against Sheffield United, Tommy Doyle was picked over the midfielder before they went on to lose 2-1.
Therefore, O’Neil might look to revert back to the midfield that oversaw two good results against Bournemouth and Newcastle. The 22-year-old’s presence will also add a bit more physicality to the side against Spurs.
Santiago Bueno
Since signing from Girona in the summer, the Uruguayan international has barely had a sniff in the first team.
The centre-back has been restricted to a singular League Cup appearance against Ipswich so far this season despite coming into the club with quite the reputation.
Despite some positive recent results, Wolves’ backline has been far from secure and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since their 1-0 away win to Everton back in August.
Saturday’s game might be the time to give the 25-year-old a chance to see if he can tighten up the leaky backline.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
Another signing from the summer, the Frenchman had a very encouraging debut against Liverpool before being sent off against Luton.
After serving his ban and coming back from an injury, the 25-year-old scored a stunning equaliser against Sheffield United to once again show the height of his capabilities.
The creative spark and threat from the midfield is what Wolves have been missing at times this season, with the side becoming too reliant on Hwang Hee-Chan and Pedro Neto.
However, the inclusion of the midfielder in the starting XI on Saturday will help provide the hosts with another attacking outlet and will give Spurs something else to think about.
Joao Gomes
The midfielder hasn’t been in the starting XI since coming off at half-time in Wolves’ 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
Doyle’s appearance from the bench helped inspire the visitors that day as the Cherries looked to hold onto what they had. However, Spurs will be a completely different test and will likely control the bulk of possession.
The reintroduction of Joao Gomes into the starting line-up may help to slow Tottenham’s rhythm and break up their play. The midfielder has shown he is more than capable of this task as well, as he performed brilliantly in the 2-1 win against Man City.