O'Neil is being backed to remain Wolves boss despite the defeat by West Ham
This weekend's game against Ipswich could be a must-win for the coach
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Mason Mount? Marcus Rashford? Joshua Zirkzee? Who should Manchester United sell to raise funds?
By MARTIN KEOWN
Published: 17:30 EST, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 17:30 EST, 13 December 2024
Saturday needs to be treated as a do-or-die day for Gary O'Neil and his Wolves players. He earned a stay of execution after losing what was billed as the 'El Sackico' with West Ham.
Ipswich simply cannot be allowed to storm Molineux if O'Neil doesn't want it to be curtains on his Wolves career.
Kieran McKenna's Ipswich secured 28 victories as they made it out of League One. Then another 28 as they were promoted from the Championship last season.
But they've only won once in 15 Premier League outings.
Wolves must do everything in their power to prevent Ipswich from remembering what it's like to be winners.
I've played in survival showdowns and it is imperative that you come armed with an 'us or them' mentality. 'There's no way I'm getting relegated, so it's going to have to be you.' That mental fortitude has to shine through today above all else.
Wolves' clash with Ipswich needs to be treated as do-or-die for boss Gary O'Neil (pictured)
O'Neil has survived a poor season so far - including 'El Sackico' - and must improve
The team should be putting more balls into the box for 6ft 4in Jorgen Strand Larsen to attack
System-wise, I'm not anticipating anything drastically different from Wolves. They started this season using a back four in an attempt to boost their attack but when that left them winless after seven matches, O'Neil reverted to a 3-4-2-1 shape and he's largely stood by that since.
Surprisingly, despite using two wing-backs, Wolves have produced the fewest crosses of any Premier League club this season. They have a 6ft 4in striker in Jorgen Strand Larsen who would love to see balls flying into the box for him to attack. Only three players have produced more headers on target than Strand Larsen this term, and he's managed that in a team who hardly ever provide him with the opportunity.
Too often we have seen Wolves players charging forward and making poor decisions. Matheus Cunha is a tremendous talent but he cannot do it all by himself. I'd like to see Wolves simplify their game and feed Strand Larsen more.
Discipline will be especially important after it was so publicly thrown out of the window following their defeat by West Ham, when Mario Lemina embarrassed himself with that meltdown.
Lemina has now lost the captaincy to Nelson Semedo with O'Neil acting decisively.
Nobody has conceded more set-piece goals than Wolves' 15. Ipswich's analysts will have marked that as one way to hurt their opponents but the visitors will primarily focus on making sure their own philosophy produces a big performance. They have shown they can pass the ball around nicely during spells of possession, and they have talented players, from Leif Davis at left back to Omari Hutchinson across the attack to Liam Delap leading the line.
This relegation showdown can be a lifeline for those brave enough to grasp it. Drawing this game is simply not enough.