Gary O’Neil Prioritizes Points Amidst Speculation About His Future

Gary O’Neil displays no outward signs of pressure. On Saturday, Wolves, currently at the bottom of the league, will host Southampton, still aiming for their inaugural victory of the season. Southampton sits one point and one position higher than Wolves in the league table. Historically, only five out of 18 teams that failed to secure a victory after 10 Premier League matches have managed to avoid relegation. Wolves are currently four points adrift of the safety zone. The team’s performance from the previous season, characterized by only one win in 10 games subsequent to their unexpected 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final loss to Coventry, has extended into the current term. O’Neil has previously dismissed this comparison as irrelevant. Speaking at Compton on Friday, the manager appeared composed and indicated no apprehension regarding his future. He stated: “I have zero concern around my future. It is what it is. When I came here I knew how tough it could be and I embraced all of it. The moment I leave or I’m asked to leave I will be really proud of the work that’s been done and the world moves on. Wolves move on. Until that moment they will get everything from me. The players are desperate to correct a few things people are saying about the group outside of here. We understand there have been challenges and we continue to face a challenging time. There will be decisions to make for everyone, like there are from me like team selection. Jeff [Shi, chairman] and Matt Hobbs [sporting director] will have their own opinions and decisions to make on who is underperforming and not. We leave that side of things to them. I’m really comfortable going into the game with whatever is on the line according to people outside of here. Three points for Wolves is far more important than my job.”