Gary O’Neil spoke ahead of Wolves’ crucial contest with Southampton at Molineux, as the bottom two in the Premier League go head-to-head.
Wanderers are still yet to record a league victory after their opening 10 matches, while Russell Martin’s Southampton moved off the bottom of the table last Saturday with a 1-0 success over Everton, thanks to Adam Armstrong’s first goal of the season.
If Wolves fail to pick up three points it would become the club’s second-longest winless start to a campaign in their 147 year history, with the worst being 14 matches at the beginning of the 1983/84 season.
O’Neil is focused on the fixture rather than his future
The boss explained that his side are still pushing together as a unit, and that a potential first win is his sole focus.
“We’re still pushing and fully together.
“My job and my future is the least of my worries, the next three points for Wolves is all that matters,” O’Neil said.
The 41-year-old also took full responsibility for the miserable start to the season.
He said: “I have full responsibility and we are where we are
“The next game is the one we can effect and our preparation has gone very well.
“The boys are looking forward to the challenge.”
The players need Molineux to play a big part
Certain decisions during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last Saturday caused frustration amongst the Molineux faithful, but O’Neil said that he still expects the fans to be fully behind the team.
“With where we are I expect some negative noise, the players need the fans and they are giving everything.
“They are a group that keeps going and the fans play a big part,” O’Neil said.
The head coach also explained that he felt the frustration last weekend only impacted the contest for a short period.
He said: “That reaction was only for a small amount of time and the rest of it we had their full backing.
“I expect the fans to be fully behind the team tomorrow.
“The fans are passionate about their team in ups and downs.”
O’Neil believes his side are becoming more solid at the back
Wolves’ defensive record so far this season has made for pretty dismal reading.
Wanderers’ back line have conceded 27 goals in 10 encounters, six more than the second-worst – newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
O’Neils men have failed to pick up a clean sheet to date, and have conceded two goals or more in nine out of their 10 matches, with the only exception being a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest in late August.
The boss does however believe his team have become more solid in recent weeks, following the 5-3 defeat on the road at Brentford.
He said: “It is difficult to win games if you concede two every week.
“We have looked more solid since Brentford and we work hard on it.
“I am aware of the areas we are not coping well with.”
The goalkeeper spot is up for grabs
There is a battle at Molineux for the right to act as the number one goalkeeper, following the arrival of Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace in the summer.
Johnstone was thrown straight into the XI after he joined the club in place of Jose Sa, but has been out in recent weeks through injury.
O’Neil confirmed that the shot-stopper is fit ahead of the Southampton clash, meaning he has a decision to make as to who starts between the sticks.
The boss also confirmed the fitness situation for South Korean forward Hwang Hee-Chan, who last featured in the defeat at Brentford.
He said: “Johnstone is fine, he has trained all week.
“Hwang trained today and looked sharp, he is back fit and we will pick the right time for him to be involved.”
O’Neil is looking forward to the importance of the fixture
Without doubt, it is the most important game of Wolves’ season so far, but the boss said that he is looking forward to the contest despite the mounting pressure.
O’Neil said: “It feels like an important game, but they all do.
“An awful lot will be made of it but I treat them all as huge games.
“I am looking forward to it, the boys have had an excellent week of training.”
The 41 year-old was also keen to emphasise the point that he takes full responsibility for the results.
He said: “I do not ask the club for any backing or support, I am very comfortable in my own skin and the work we do.
“I have given everything and there has been some challenges.
“It is important that I take full responsibility and we embrace every challenge.”
It is a fixture of huge importance to both clubs at the bottom of table, and one that could potentially be crucial for their fortunes for the rest of the campaign.
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