Gary O'Neil said all was fine with Mario Lemina after the Wolves captain hit out at his own players and staff after difficult 2-1 defeat away to West Ham that keeps them four points from safety
Gary O'Neil is nearing the exit at Wolves.
Gary O'Neil is nearing the exit at Wolves
Gary O’Neil hailed his Wolves players for their fighting spirit despite captain Mario Lemina losing his head at the end of a difficult defeat.
Jarrod Bowen produced a moment of top quality to score a fourth goal of the season that eases the pressure on West Ham captain Julen Lopetegui.
But the Hammers captain and Lemina ended up having a row at full-time before the Wolves skipper turned on his own team-mates and assistant coach Shaun Derry. And O’Neil, whose future as head coach has been placed into further doubt, said: “Mario is a passionate guy.
“Something was said that upset him and the instinct was to make sure he didn’t get in trouble. He took a bit of calming down but everything is fine. Everyone understands things can happen, especially in the heat of the moment.
“The players are still together, fighting every moment and I’m really proud of what they produced under a lot of pressure. They are still fighting for me and the fans and their team-mates.”
Wolves were denied two penalty shouts after Matt Doherty cancelled out Tomas Soucek’s opening goal, while O’Neil claimed Santiago Bueno was fouled moments before Bowen’s winner.
“Some big decisions in the game had a big say. We should have had two penalties and there was a blatant foul for their second goal. I understand how difficult a job it is for the officials but you need some of that to go your way."
Asked about his own future, O'Neil added: "I'm confident we can turn it around. While we have this togetherness, I'm always confident we can find a way. It's not my decision. I know I'm a better coach than I was last year. I've learnt an awful lot. We lack quality at times. But all I can ask the group is to be the best version of themselves. I know I can get the best out of this group."
Goncalo Guedes went down under pressure from Emerson Palmieri but didn't get the decision (
Image:
Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Bowen and Soucek dedicated their goals to Michail Antonio after he sustained a serious leg injury in a car accident on Saturday. The Jamaica forward, 34, spoke to the squad on a video call from his hospital bed yesterday afternoon and watched the game on TV.
And Lopetegui said: "We're happy for the fans and above all we dedicate the victory to Mic and his family. The last days have been really tough. He's a special player, a special person for us. I'm sure he'll overcome this bad moment and come back. The three points were very important."
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