Gary O’Neil
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has hinted central defence will be the priority if the club brings in a signing before the transfer deadline.
O’Neil, who is preparing for Saturday’s game at home to Brighton, isn’t complaining about the squad and has made clear he didn’t seek any reassurances about transfers before he was appointed.
But when asked at his Friday press conference, he suggested central defence is one area with room for an addition. Max Kilman, Craig Dawson and Toti are the only senior centre backs available although academy defender Alfie Pond, aged 19, has also been training with the first team. Wolves also have Yerson Mosquera on the books but he is currently on loan with MLS club FC Cincinatti.
Asked if he expected to do any business in the final two weeks of the window, or whether there were any particular areas he wanted to strengthen,
Gary O Neil said: “We are maybe a tad short in a couple of areas. (We have) three senior centre backs and Pondy who is coming through and still learning. But as in business, we will see how things go. As I said last time, things can change quickly…outgoings, incomings…..sometimes things become available so I think we will react to how things go over the next couple of weeks.”
O’Neil’s side return to action after kicking off their season with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday, winning plenty of plaudits along the way for their attacking performance.
The manager, who was taking charge of the team for his first game,
Gary O Neil said: “It was an important first step for us. Of course, when you take over a group and they get their first few days with me, there is a little bit of a concern around what the first one might look like because of the new messages and the expectation and the change in training. I was really pleased we managed to make a positive first step but of course it is just a first step. There is a tough test coming against Brighton who are a long way along in their processes and are a very good side. So, it is another test but of course the lads took real belief and heart from what they managed to produce at Old Trafford on Monday. But it doesn’t give you anything factual going into the next game. We start back at zero and we have to prove ourselves all over again. I am looking forward to watching the boys have another go on Saturday.”
Visitors Brighton started their season with a 4-1 win at home to Luton. They managed a league double over Wolves last season, winning 3-2 at Molineux in November and 6-0 at the Amex in April.
