Gary O’Neil’s assessment of key position highlights transfer mistake Wolves made this season

Wolves are threatening to turn their campaign around after thrashing Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage last weekend.

Some Matheus Cunha brilliance, who was compared to Dennis Bergkamp, helped the Wanderers secure a priceless three points on the road – and their first since February.

Having climbed out of the relegation zone with that win, Wolves will now be feeling more confident about their chances of survival.

However, there are still multiple areas of improvement Gary O’Neil must eye in the transfer window, with Wolves in the market for a new centre-back.

Following the absences of Craig Dawson and Santi Bueno on Saturday, Mario Lemina slotted into defence against Fulham and did an excellent job.

That said, the Wanderers have been reminded that not strengthening their defence in the summer was a big mistake, and it wasn’t the only one they made during the transfer window.

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How Gary O’Neil feels about Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone

Wolves fans were left confused on transfer deadline day as Sam Johnstone was signed for £10 million from Crystal Palace.

The England international was captured just in case starting keeper Jose Sa was to make a late move to Saudi Arabia but the Portuguese shot-stopper has remained at Molineux, and he’s kept the number one jersey.

It’s left many supporters questioning the decision to sign Johnstone when Sa was already good enough, with O’Neil now offering his assessment on both goalkeepers.

While he lauds Sa as ‘very strong from crosses’, he claims his compatriot is ‘slightly better with his feet’, and that is a verdict many fans will disagree with.

“I’ve been pleased with Jose. His response to Sam’s arrival and being left out for a few weeks has been excellent. Hopefully, that can continue,” O’Neil said via E&S.

“Outfield positions you will look at who the game suits best, but less so with goalkeepers,” said the head coach.

“Generally it is who you feel is in the better form or who you feel best helps the group.

“There are some extreme circumstances where we think one is better than the other for the suited game, but it’s not a position that I’d want to keep flipping.

“If Jose is very strong from crosses, if we played a team that crossed it a lot, there could be an argument for going with Jose.

“Sam’s maybe slightly better with his feet. If we were going to have a lot of the ball, we could put Sam in, but I think it’s too extreme to keep flipping from one goalkeeper to another just because there is a tiny difference in strengths between them.”

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Johnstone was a pointless signing for Wolves

When Wolves should have been prioritising a centre-back, signing Johnstone instead highlights one key mistake O’Neil made in the transfer window.

The 31-year-old hasn’t played for Wolves in the Premier League since the harrowing 5-3 loss to Brentford.

He was partly responsible for his side leaking goals for fun at the start of the campaign, with O’Neil’s men looking far more solid when Sa is between the sticks.

Dave Watson previously said it would be very difficult for Johnstone to start regularly and that is proving to be the case as the Englishman continues to fight a losing battle.

Indeed, spending £10m on a second-choice goalkeeper looks very foolish now, and it could lead to Johnstone feeling displeasure later down the line.