Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O’Neil has addressed the claim that his team only performs well as underdogs. Wolves recently secured a sensational 2-1 comeback victory against title contenders Tottenham Hotspur, marking their fourth consecutive home game unbeaten against clubs in the top seven. However, the team suffered a 2-1 defeat to relegation fighters Sheffield United just one week earlier.
The pattern of performing well against top teams while struggling against lower-ranked opponents has been a complex theme for Wolves. Despite two home wins and two away wins, the team has faced challenges in achieving consistency. O’Neil expressed the desire for his team to be able to perform well in both scenarios and emphasized the importance of achieving consistency in upcoming fixtures.
O’Neil acknowledged that Wolves have gone toe-to-toe with top teams like Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Spurs. However, he stressed the need for the team to demonstrate consistency in upcoming matches and not rely solely on being considered underdogs. He highlighted the importance of being effective both offensively and defensively, adapting to different game situations.
The coach referred to the 45 minutes at Sheffield United as a positive example, where Wolves faced a defensively solid opponent and created several clear-cut chances. O’Neil is hopeful that his team can develop the ability to perform well against teams lower in the table and improve their overall consistency.
As Wolves head into an international break, they have the opportunity to regroup and prepare for a more favorable fixture run. The upcoming matches against Fulham, Arsenal, Burnley, and Nottingham Forest will be crucial in determining whether Wolves can overcome teams in and around them in the table.
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