Wolverhampton Wanderers lost their third defeat in four Premier League games on Sunday afternoon against Newcastle United, prompting commentator Alan Shearer to throw doubt on Gary O’Neil’s team and anticipate a ‘difficult season’ for them.
The West Midlands outfit seized the lead at Molineux in the first half, thanks to Mario Lemina’s well-executed play. However, the game turned on its head 15 minutes later, when Fabian Schar scored a miracle goal, followed by another fantastic long-range effort, this time from Harvey Barnes, to give the Magpies all three points.
Wolves sit third from bottom, having gathered only one point from their first four games, with growing belief that O’Neil’s squad might be in the relegation mix at the end of the season.
Shearer: Wolves May Have a ‘Tough Season’
The club lost two crucial players this summer.
O’Neil defied expectations in his maiden season at Molineux, taking over from a disillusioned Julen Lopetegui, and comfortably led Wolves to Premier League safety last season, finishing 14th despite being projected to be relegated. However, after losing outstanding players Max Kilman and Pedro Neto to West Ham and Chelsea, respectively, concerns of being involved in a bottom-of-the-table dogfight have resurfaced this time.
Arsenal’s easy 2-0 triumph on the first day of the season was the West Midlanders’ first setback, before a 6-2 thumping at the hands of Chelsea left a bad taste in their mouth. They started off well with a single point in a draw at the City Ground, but they lost again yesterday afternoon against Newcastle.
Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, former Tyneside striker and now pundit Shearer gave his assessment of Wolves’ current situation:
“I am not sure about Wolves. I mean, I’m looking at their next four or five games: City, Liverpool, Brighton, Villa. Yeah, they have some good players, but I’m not sure. I believe it could be a rough season. “For wolves.”
Indeed, things do not get any easier for O’Neil and Wolves. They will face an in-form Villa side at Villa Park next week, followed by difficult home games against Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as travels to Brentford and Brighton.
Wolves missed out on free agent Praet, who joined Antwerp.
While Wolves were able to capture young midfielder Andre late in the window, who wowed the national media in his home country with his performance for Brazil last week, the English club was unable to strengthen the middle of the park by signing another major target. Wolves, like Fulham, missed out on acquiring Dennis Praet, a ‘excellent’ free agent who instead joined Antwerp.
It is understood that the club was searching for another midfielder to compliment the likes of Andre, Lemina, Joao Gomes, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, but were unable to persuade Praet to make the move to Molineux.
Wolves missed out on free agent Praet, who joined Antwerp.
While Wolves were able to capture young midfielder Andre late in the window, who wowed the national media in his home country with his performance for Brazil last week, the English club was unable to strengthen the middle of the park by signing another major target. Wolves, like Fulham, missed out on acquiring Dennis Praet, a ‘excellent’ free agent who instead joined Antwerp.
It is understood that the club was searching for another midfielder to compliment the likes of Andre, Lemina, Joao Gomes, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, but were unable to persuade Praet to make the move to Molineux.
Wolves missed out on free agent Praet, who joined Antwerp.
While Wolves were able to capture young midfielder Andre late in the window, who wowed the national media in his home country with his performance for Brazil last week, the English club was unable to strengthen the middle of the park by signing another major target. Wolves, like Fulham, missed out on acquiring Dennis Praet, a ‘excellent’ free agent who instead joined Antwerp.
It is understood that the club was searching for another midfielder to compliment the likes of Andre, Lemina, Joao Gomes, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, but were unable to persuade Praet to make the move to Molineux.
| O’Neil Record as Wolves Manager | |
|---|---|
| Matches Managed | 50 |
| Wins | 18 |
| Draws | 9 |
| Losses | 23 |
| Win Percentage | 36% |
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