Wolves lost 2-1 to West Ham on Monday night, their tenth loss of the Premier League season. Remarkably, Gary O’Neil, 41, is still in the dugout at Molineux after the game, even though it was anticipated that he would be stripped of his duties.
Even though Wolves are in 19th place, four points from safety, they are supportive of O’Neil, and it will be interesting to see when the trigger is pulled. As things stand, O’Neil might continue to be in command against Ipswich Town, a game that would undoubtedly put an end to his tenure if the Old Gold lost. Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, criticized one area the management hasn’t addressed this season in their loss to the Hammers.
Wolves have the worst record at defending set-pieces in Europe
Wolves supporters have experienced some horrible defending this term, from unforced errors to lapses in concentration, calamities at the back have resulted in their downfall.
On Monday night, one of their massive problems was exposed, as the visitors conceded from a corner with Tomas Soucek rising highest to head beyond Sam Johnstone.
It was the 15th goal they’ve shipped from a dead ball situation in 2024/25, handing Wolves the worst set-piece record in Europe.
Analysing the game for Sky Sports, Carragher highlighted it as a ‘massive problem’ and claimed how no other team in Premier League history has conceded this many by December previously.
“Another set piece. They have a huge problem with them,” Carragher said. “To concede 15 at this stage of the season, it’s never happened in the Premier League before that someone has conceded 15 set-piece goals by this stage of the season.”
When asked about his sides defending from set-pieces after the game, O’Neil dropped a worrying verdict on Santi Bueno, claiming he isn’t physical enough in those crucial aerial duels.
It comes after O’Neil criticised Fosun’s transfer strategy at Wolves, as they’re mostly to blame for the Old Gold not having capable defenders physically following the departure of Max Kilman.
Wolves set-piece record could result in relegation
Failure to fix their inability to stay switched on from a dead ball could spell danger in their fight for survival.
As highlighted by BBC Sport, only twice before have they conceded more of such goals in the Premier League – in 2003-04 (20) and 2011-12 (18).
The Wanderers will be relegated this season if they are not careful, as most Wolves supporters would recall from those prior campaigns.
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