Wolves ´united´ behind under-fire O´Neil ahead of Ipswich six-pointer

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi says everyone at the club is “united” behind head coach Gary O’Neil as they approach Saturday’s relegation six-pointer against Ipswich Town.

Wolves are 19th in the Premier League, four points adrift of safety, after losing three consecutive games against Bournemouth, West Ham and Everton, shipping 10 goals in those matches.

That run of results, coming off the back of a four-match unbeaten streak, has caused supporters to turn against O’Neil, who was targeted by chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during and after Wolves’ recent 4-0 defeat at Everton.

Reports from The Athletic have suggested Wolves considered several managers – including Graham Potter, David Moyes, Sergio Conceicao and Massimiliano Allegri – as potential replacements during the November international break.

But with none of those willing to take charge, O’Neil remains in situ ahead of Saturday’s pivotal clash with Ipswich, who are level on points with Wolves in 18th.

“I don’t need to familiarise supporters with what happened in the summer of 2023, they all know it,” Shi wrote in a column for The Express & Star.

“But because of that, the destiny of Gary O’Neil and Wolves met at an unexpected moment, and I remain grateful to Gary for stepping into such a demanding situation just days before the beginning of a new season, and for his commitment to the club every day since then.

“While he knows that improving our results is essential for everyone associated with the football club, we are united in supporting him as all of us strive to make that happen.”

Ipswich (H) pic.twitter.com/XJbmv1brIY

— Wolves (@Wolves) December 11, 2024

Though Shi understands fan unrest, he insists the mood inside the club remains positive.

“While emotions make football special, success in the game is largely a science. I believe in the power of positivity because negativity achieves nothing,” Shi said.

“Just as atoms remain atoms, how we perceive, combine, and connect them defines their collective value, and positive energy grants the group of atoms life and vitality.”

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, meanwhile, knows the Tractor Boys could turn the Molineux crowd against Wolves if they make a positive start.

“You know going away from home there are always two edges to that sword. Especially against a team who are not in a position supporters are happy with,” McKenna said.

“We know if they get momentum up, if they get the first goal then I’m sure they will all pull together because they are all fighting really, really hard for the result.

“You also know that if you can impose yourself on the game and you can get the first goal, then you have a chance of turning that momentum against them.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen

Larsen has been involved in six goals in seven home Premier League appearances for Wolves (five goals, one assist).

He is yet to finish on the winning side in any home game when he has scored (one draw, three defeats) with only Dougie Freedman (six games) and Vitaly Janelt (five) scoring in more home games without tasting victory in Premier League history.

His six Premier League goals overall this season have come from chances worth just 3.57 expected goals (xG). Only seven players – including Wolves team-mate Matheus Cunha (seven goals from 3.38 xG) – have overperformed their figures by a greater margin.

Ipswich Town – Conor Chaplin

Chaplin scored his first Premier League goal in Ipswich’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth last week.

Across the last three seasons, Chaplin has scored 40 league goals – 19 more than any other Tractor Boys player. If they are to earn a huge three points in the battle for safety, they may need to lean upon one of their most reliable stars.

MATCH PREDICTION – WOLVES WIN

This is the first Premier League meeting between Wolves and Ipswich. The Tractor Boys have won six of the last seven top-flight games between the sides (one defeat), most recently a 3-0 away triumph in April 1984.

However, Wolves are unbeaten in the sides’ last seven league matches overall, winning two and drawing five, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last five. They last faced off in the 2017-18 Championship campaign, with Wolves winning both games 1-0.

Wolves have shipped 34 goals in 16 home Premier League games in 2024, with Leeds United in 2022 the last team to concede more (35). The last time Wolves conceded more in a calendar year was when they were relegated in 2012 (47 in 23 games), the only other year in their history in which they have averaged two or more goals conceded per home match.

O’Neil’s side have been particularly vulnerable from dead balls, conceding a league-high 15 goals from set-piece situations this term – only in their relegation campaigns of 2003-04 (20) and 2011-12 (18) have they conceded more in a single Premier League season.

However, the top-flight experience in their squad – as well as home advantage – could prove decisive. Ipswich have lost their last three league games, their second run of three defeats in a row this season.

They had never previously lost consecutive league games under McKenna before this campaign, but they could now lose four in a row for the first time since March 2020, when they were in League One.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Wolves – 49.2%

Ipswich Town – 26.4%

Draw – 24.4%