- Wolves welcome Saints to Molineux in a relegation six-pointer this weekend
- O’Neil is beneath immense stress to guide his aspect to their first win of the time period
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Look no additional than Molineux for the Premier League match with probably the most driving on it this weekend.
That is the very definition of a ‘should win’ for Wolves and for Southampton. Right here we’ve two sides whose 20 outings between all of them season have yielded solely a single victory.
And that got here final weekend for Southampton, a 1-0 win over Everton through which there was a change in method from Russell Martin’s workforce. Beforehand, that they had been enjoying it secure, passing backward and forward with none penetration.
As properly as that statistic seemed on the possession standings, it did little to carry them up the desk that issues. It felt like a significant occasion if a cross was performed ahead by the traces. If you wish to give yourselves an opportunity of staying up, it’s worthwhile to play purposeful possession-based soccer, be courageous, and take dangers to get the rewards. Final weekend, Southampton ultimately confirmed some expression of their attacking play.
That included after they produced a intelligent transfer to open up their opponents in order that Adam Armstrong may rating their winner. Though Southampton maintain the poorest file for successful possession within the league, they upped their depth for the Everton match, managing extra regains than in another recreation all season.
Gary O’Neil is beneath immense stress to guide his aspect to their first win within the Premier League
Southampton climbed above Wolves within the Premier League after their first win of the season
Russell Martin stays dedicated to his possession-based system regardless of their gradual begin
That is an extremely younger aspect enjoying beneath Martin, one collectively missing in expertise at this elite degree, however I like what I’ve seen of Tyler Dibling.
Solely 18, he’s a really assured midfielder, a Jack Grealish kind with low socks and excessive power and an academy graduate who believes he belongs at this degree. He’s made it into England’s Beneath 21s, whereas Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 22, has acquired his personal confidence increase by being named in Lee Carsley’s senior squad after solely 10 Premier League appearances.
Extra perception is required throughout the board and Southampton should construct on the momentum they created final weekend by persevering with to play soccer with out worry.
That’s required in the present day when Wolves will hope it’s their flip to make use of house benefit and convey the guests again right down to earth. Within the seven losses they’ve suffered beneath Gary O’Neil this season, six of these have been to Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.
Matches you might need anticipated them to lose. However with just one win of their final 20 league video games, O’Neil is aware of their season wants to start out in the present day. These Wolves gamers have to step up for his or her supervisor. If O’Neil will not be capable of get three important factors right here, it will likely be extremely troublesome for him to but once more stand in entrance of a press convention and clarify, for the umpteenth time, why he didn’t get what he wished.
