Gary O’Neil responds to the sack calls coming from Wolves fans after being thrashed 4-0 by Everton on Wednesday night.
Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put Sean Dyche’s side 2-0 by the 33rd minute before Craig Dawson scored two own goals in the second half to move the Toffees five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Wolves are 19th with 9 points from 14 games played.
The pressure mounts again for Gary, who heard the “you’re getting sacked in the morning” chant coming from his club’s fans.
He stood in his technical area watching Wolves’ collapse before going over to applaud the travelling fans at full time, only to receive jeers.
The Express & Star report that Wolves are upping their search to potentially replace Gary O’Neil as Wolves head coach, with O’Neil’s position under serious threat this morning. Looks likely that he will be in charge for the West Ham game, which could prove to be his final fixture in charge. Graham Potter has been sounded out by Wolves and West Ham.
Player ratings (per Sky Sports):
Everton:Ā Pickford (7), Young (8), Tarkowski (8), Branthwaite (7), Mykolenko (7), Mangala (8), Gana (7), McNeil (8), Doucoure (7), Ndiaye (7), Calvert-Lewin (8).
Subs:Ā Harrison (5), Broja (7), Lindstrom (6), Armstrong (n/a).
Wolves:Ā Sa (4), Doherty (5), Bueno (4), Dawson (4), Ait-Nouri (5), Lemina (4), J Gomes (6), Andre (6), Guedes (5), Cunha (6), Strand Larsen (5).
Subs:Ā Hwang (6), R Gomes (6), Toti (6), Doyle (n/a),
Player of the match:Ā Ashley Young.
Wolves fans were not happy at full time at Goodson Parkā¦ š¤¬ pic.twitter.com/g9i7RAUxoo
ā Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) December 4, 2024
āSacked in the morningāā¦
Wolves fans have had enough, they want Gary OāNeil out! pic.twitter.com/pV9f7ZJArB
ā Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) December 4, 2024
Footage from the away ends @Stuj4z.
Enoughs enough. pic.twitter.com/XmAEFiH8ZU
ā Wolves Fancast (@wolvesfancast) December 4, 2024
No acknowledgement from Gary O’Neil as the away fans show their contempt for another embarrassing result.
Surely he knows enoughs enough.
pic.twitter.com/8ejVWMZOJoā Wolves Fancast (@wolvesfancast) December 4, 2024
"I can only keep on going until things change."
Gary O'Neil on his future at Wolves šŗ pic.twitter.com/BQ1BDTGe94
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 5, 2024
Gary O’Neil on needing to do more: āEveryone at this football club at this moment needs to do more, all of us, because that doesn’t give you a chance. The players accept that. But we can’t just sit here and keep saying that. So, as we got a real shock at Brentford a few months ago, this one feels on a similar level to that to me.
āI know the work that goes into prepping the team for every little bit that was going to be thrown at them this evening, the same as against Bournemouth, and we still weren’t able to cope with. That is my responsibility, and now we’re going to work with everything I have to give ourselves a better chance in the next one.ā
On more errors leading to goals: āBasic stuff. We can’t even get the wall in the right place. We weren’t able to cope with Evertonās physicality, long balls, balls in the box, just unable to cope. An awful lot of work to be done to give the group a better chance in games coming next. Try and find a way to give them more of a platform to have a chance. As Iāve said a million times, the other stuff is irrelevant, because weāre giving away so many goals from situations that are fairly basic.
āBournemouth are a pressing team, and we can’t cope with that, Everton are a physical team, and we didn’t cope with that. So, there’s an awful lot that we need to get into them to try and find a way to give this team more of a chance on a consistent basis.
āWe’ve found ways in recent weeks to be competitive in the four games that we managed not to lose, but as we are right now, sat here this evening, a real tough blow for myself and the group and the supporters who deserve a big mention for the travel that they do, the support that theyāve given me since I’ve been here and I understand all of their criticism of myself, and Iām happy to take full responsibility for my part in where the team is at this moment.ā
On not handling set pieces: āWe couldn’t cope with their physicality. We had people in the right spots and weren’t able to compete in the duels. A corner straight after half-time is only two yards out, and they get the contact.
āTo give Everton the first goal when they’re obviously struggling for confidence and goal scoring and to be able to just kick it straight in the goal around the wall, you don’t see that too often, similar to the goals against Bournemouth, if you don’t see that very often either. The focus has to turn quickly to trying to give the team the best chance again on Monday.ā
On supporting the players: āIāll continue to support all of my players. Of course, I’ll try and pick the right team to give us a chance. This season I’ve used every centre back pairing. I’ve used two, I’ve used three, sometimes Toti and Santi, sometimes Santi and Daws, sometimes Toti and Daws, sometimes all three of them. We’ve used Guedes, we’ve used Forbes, we’ve used Rodrigo, we’ve used Channy. So, I think we’ve used pretty much every option so far available to us, and none of those options have consistently given us a platform to win football matches.
āWe get back to work straight away on being ready to fight again on Monday, because that’s where I need to get to with the group. For whatever reason, at this moment, we cannot get this group to a point consistently that it can compete against that sort of test. So, we have to find a way. We have to find a way to give the group a better chance on Monday night at West Ham.ā
On facing fan criticism: “I’m happy to go over there to see them because I appreciate every single one of the Wolves’ fan base because they’ve given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club.
“In a tough moment, we managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season. Away at Stamford Bridge, away at Tottenham, away at our rivals West Brom.
“With a team that was obviously heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation, we were nowhere near it ever. And we managed to enjoy all of that together. So now that it’s tough, I’m happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism that they want to throw at me.
“Because I accept responsibility for all of my part in that. There are a lot of parts that have led to where we are at this moment. But for my part in that, I’m happy to accept full responsibility.
“And whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change the way I feel about them and what they’ve given me over the last 15 months.”
š£ļø ‘I will look fans in the face and take any criticism’
Gary O’Neil says he understands the drive for change from Wolves supporters ā½ pic.twitter.com/YT96EGOP3o
ā Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 5, 2024
https://t.co/yrRxPJbGcR pic.twitter.com/riWpkl9fq0
ā ben (@BC1877) December 4, 2024
I asked a tough question last night but Gary O’Neil answered it with dignity. No doubt he’s a nice guy & works hard. He’s also been let down by above but that was possibly the worst defensive display I’ve ever seen last night & sadly, he has to take responsibility for that #wwfc https://t.co/d2vkjmX7qH
ā Steve Hermon (@SteveHermon) December 5, 2024
“It was a good reaction from the weekend. We had a real intent and desire to score goals. I thought we played well.”
The boss reflects on tonight’s 4-0 win. #EVEWOL pic.twitter.com/RLe20EoL9O
ā Everton (@Everton) December 4, 2024
Here’s what Twitter users said as Gary O’Neil responds to sack calls from Wolves fans after being thrashed 4-0 by Everton…
@T_R_U_E_W_O_L_F: If that isn’t enough for you to sack Gary O’Neil, then I give up and embrace relegation. Whilst you are at it, sack whomever gave him a 4 year contract as well. Talk about a disconnect with the fans, you haven’t a clue Jeff. Disgraceful.
@CJ_7171: Relegated by March. All on those incompetent Chinese crooks
@joshuathegood03: Everton went into this game with 1 goal in their last 5. They score 4 today. All coming from set pieces
@jordandavies09: The writing is probably on the wall now but heās a good man Gary OāNeil and the problems run far far deeper than who the Head Coach is. Weāve continually sold any player of value and not replaced them. This was inevitable whoever the manager was #wwfc
@Don_Falcone2: Gary Oāneil for Wolves. Most overrated manager in the league. Everyone seems to rate him and say what a great coach he is. Bournemouth have smashed it since he left them. Wolves in relegation mire since heās been there. A rubbish manager. Not having anyone convince me otherwise
@TheEvertonEnd:
Fair play wolvesā fans tonight btw.
– Hammering VAR, booāing, singing boring, corrupt, even though it meant going 2-0 down.
– Just singing anti-Gary OāNeil songs ALL game, I support Everton and Iāve never heard a crowd directly hunt their own gaffer like that. Sublime. š¤š»
@kevtheman10: No doubt Gary O’Neil position as manager is untenable. All the fans know this can’t carry on. If Fosun and the board do not act now, then they would be just as bad to keep accepting faliure.šŗ #WWFC
@Dwarfio: Evertonā¦ not scored in four games, devoid of confidence, crowd on their backs after two minsā¦ step forward Gary OāNeilās Wolverhampton fucking Wanderers #wwfc
@davecooke1961: He realises time is up and looked embarrassed, thanks for some great games Gary, it went wrong after the Coventry game really, best of luck for the future, Iāve sometimes enjoyed the football tbh, the truth will come out about the sales of Neto and Kilman
@SouthBankMatt:
2 āmust win gamesā against the mighty Bournemouth and Everton.
8 goals conceded.
2 own goals.
3 penalties.
And a further 4 goals conceded from set pieces.
Night.
@HaddockWhitty: Everton fan, was there tonight and just wanted to say you are the best away fans we’ve had this season. Proper fans and I really hope your season turns around soon šš
@clivebennett: I want GON to go but I hate people booing him and singing w**ker. It’s not like he’s deliberately trying to be shit. There needs to be a better way of showing our disappointment without it being so personal.
@WomWolf93: Get Potter in. Graham, Harry or Brian will do.
@EFCdaily_: Can we play you every week? š
@CJ_7171: The most inexcusable thing about last night was that was the worst Everton team Iāve ever seen. They looked vulnerable, devoid of ideas & did nothing for their 2-0 lead. Yet again theyāre going to stay up purely because thereās 3 worse sides. Well & truly dyched #wwfc #oneilout
@SL5Jase: Fuck Fosun, Fuck GON, get them both out, but I do doff my cap to all those legends who went tonight and endured that fucking shit show of an excuse if football, yes the U21ās lost but they gave their all!! The state of our shit show, wouldnāt surprise me if players fucked off next month let alone in the summer, and who would blame them, weāre sinking faster than a depth charged U-Boat!!
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