Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has expressed support for Wolves’ current manager, Gary O’Neil, despite the club’s difficult start to the season. Speaking to 11toplay.com, Wyness urged patience, insisting that Wolves fans are not yet unhappy with O’Neil’s leadership, even though the team remains winless and sits at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Wolves’ struggles were highlighted in a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City on October 20, 2024. The match saw O’Neil’s side take a surprising lead through Jorgen Strand Larsen, but City’s relentless pressure resulted in a dramatic comeback. Josko Gvardiol equalized for the reigning champions before John Stones netted a 95th-minute header to snatch victory, leaving Wolves stuck with just one point after several games.
Despite their poor form, reports from 11toplay.com earlier in October confirmed that Wolves’ management continues to back O’Neil. Club officials have expressed confidence in his ability to turn things around and pull the team out of their slump, despite a difficult run of fixtures and late-game heartbreaks like the one against City.
Keith Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, emphasized that the mood among Wolves fans remains somewhat supportive of O’Neil. While the results have been far from ideal, Wyness explained that the Molineux faithful seem to understand the challenges O’Neil faces, including injuries and adapting to a tough Premier League season. He suggested that fans are still hopeful for a turnaround as O’Neil continues to implement his strategies with a relatively young squad.
Wolves’ start to the season has indeed been frustrating, with the team failing to convert strong performances into victories. In several matches, they have either been edged out late or struggled to maintain leads, as was evident in the match against Manchester City. This trend has raised concerns about the team’s mental resilience and ability to see out games, but O’Neil has shown some tactical acumen by making adjustments that have kept Wolves competitive against top-tier opponents.
Wolves’ backing of O’Neil also reflects a broader sentiment in football that changing managers too hastily can often exacerbate problems rather than solve them. With O’Neil still relatively new to his role, the club is likely giving him time to instill his philosophy and overcome early-season challenges. His appointment in the summer brought hope for stability after a turbulent period, and sacking him after a few rough months might undo whatever progress has been made behind the scenes.
Looking ahead, O’Neil’s task is to lift the team’s morale and secure their first win of the campaign, which would provide a much-needed confidence boost. With matches coming thick and fast, the pressure will intensify, but Wyness’ comments suggest that both the board and supporters are willing to give O’Neil the time he needs to steer the club in the right direction.
As the season progresses, it will be crucial for O’Neil and his squad to start turning close matches into points. If Wolves can improve their form and begin climbing the table, O’Neil will likely earn even more trust from the fanbase. On the other hand, if results continue to elude them, the patience of both fans and the board could be tested, prompting further scrutiny of the manager’s position.
In the meantime, the club seems committed to O’Neil, hoping that his leadership can help the team recover from their early struggles and push for survival in a fiercely competitive league.
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