Gary O’Neil is losing a lot of friends in Wolverhampton as Wolves continue to struggle in the Premier League.
It’s now one win in 20 for O’Neil’s side in the top flight, form that forecasts a relegation scrap.
The Old Gold sit bottom of the table after 10 games played, earning just three points from a possible 30.
Most recently, Wolves played out a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Molineux, a result that saw fans make their frustration towards O’Neil known.
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Gary O’Neil’s comments after Wolves vs Crystal Palace
In a match that Wolves had to win, the Midlands club came up just short, dropping two points to Palace after going behind at home.
Fortunately, the hosts found a way back into the game through Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joao Gomes however, Palace conjured up an equaliser.
Fans inside Molineux knew that a point was not enough, expressing their anger towards O’Neil who felt the hostility inside the stadium as tensions rise around the club.
Post-match, the manager responded to comments on the atmosphere in a manner that might have made supporters feel even more disconnected.
“The place is not going to feel like a bed of roses at this moment, we’re in a scrap and we’re struggling to win football matches,” O’Neil declared.
“Anyone who expects it to be any different to what it is around the place is not thinking clearly. I fully expected this to be a tough evening with atmosphere, we’re here to stand up and respond.
“The Premier League is tough and we’re going to be in a scrap and we’re going to be in the scrap for a long time to ensure we come out the right side of it.”
O’Neil is driving Wolves in the wrong direction
O’Neil’s comments were frustrating because, to loyal supporters, it’s just the same thing being said every week.
The manager’s sense of arrogance will not be appreciated, neither will his persistent bid to make those outside of the club believe that a relegation scrap was always on the cards.
O’Neil’s recent reactions are sculpted around the ‘scrap’ that his players are in, and how Wolves have to submit to such narrative because of a tough start.
- READ MORE: Gary O’Neil walking on thin ice after Wolves equal abysmal 41-year record against Crystal Palace
The true story is that yes, Wolves had a difficult start and yes, the transfer window did not deliver all that was needed but, the current squad is more than capable of challenging in the Premier League.
Wolves’ struggle comes as a shock for some, given that it was only last term that there was a mid-season discussion over whether O’Neil could lead his squad to European football.
Instead, Wolves are in a deep relegation fight and while the players are giving their all, things are just not getting any better, so, is a mentality change needed?
Building the squad up to understand their ability rather than hammering home the current struggles is surely worth a try.