Gary O’Neil is ready to reintroduce three experienced players into the Wolves’ starting lineup. He acknowledged being surprised by the extent of their injury problems.
Mario Lemina, Pablo Sarabia, and Rayan Ait-Nouri are set to start against Bournemouth tonight, with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde possibly returning to the squad sooner than expected after recovering from a knee injury.
Matheus Cunha and Nelson Semedo are also eager to be part of the action as Wolves’ injury concerns begin to ease. O’Neil will delay any decisions regarding their involvement until the last possible moment.
Wolves’ recent form, with just two points from their last six matches, has all but dashed their hopes of competing for European spots. O’Neil had previously warned the club’s leadership in January about the risk of burnout within the squad.
Yesterday, Gary O’Neil expressed surprise at the severity of Wolves’ injury situation, remarking, “Even I did not foresee it being as bad as it is now.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the reasons behind the injuries and finding ways to prevent them in the future. O’Neil stressed the significance of having key players available for collecting points and acknowledged the club’s awareness of the situation, indicating they will address it as best as possible in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Regarding discussions about summer business and a potential new contract for himself, O’Neil stated that these talks will wait until the summer. Currently, his focus is on the remaining five matches of the season, aiming to finish strongly. He praised the positive attitude of his players in recent weeks and wants them to maintain it until the end of the campaign, viewing these remaining games as a continuation of their efforts.
Despite facing Bournemouth, the club that dismissed him after just one year in charge last summer, O’Neil mentioned that there is no extra motivation from that aspect. Bournemouth is currently a point behind Wolves in the table, adding a competitive edge to their upcoming match.
Gary O’Neil mentioned that in football, it’s common to move on from past teams and experiences, stating, “If you did that in football you’d constantly be competing with teams and people you left behind.” He expressed satisfaction with Bournemouth’s progress and acknowledged the tough but enjoyable opportunity he had there, which ultimately led to his role at Wolves.
Regarding referee Stuart Attwell, who faced criticism after a recent match, O’Neil showed confidence in Attwell’s professionalism, saying, “Stuart is a good professional who will be able to handle refereeing a Premier League game, no problem.” He noted that challenges are part of the industry, whether it’s officiating, managing, or playing, and professionals must be prepared to bounce back from difficult situations and continue performing.
