Gary O’Neil was candid in his assessment of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dismal 4-0 defeat to Everton, asserting that the Toffees didn’t need to do anything “complicated” to secure the victory. He blamed his own team for making “basic” errors, particularly in their failure to deal with Everton’s direct and physical style of play. O’Neil’s side was overwhelmed by a pair of first-half goals from Ashley Young and Orel Mangala, followed by two own goals from Craig Dawson in the second half. Reflecting on the game, O’Neil remarked that Everton’s success came from low-risk, direct football: “It was just a case of them winning duels and second balls. We need to find a way to match that,” he said.
The Wolves manager was visibly frustrated by his team’s inability to manage fundamental defensive situations. “We couldn’t even set the wall properly,” he lamented, referencing a poor defensive set-piece that led to Everton’s first goal. He continued, criticizing his team’s inability to cope with Everton’s long balls and physicality. “We just couldn’t handle their direct play or the balls into the box. We’ve got a lot of work to do to improve, to be able to compete with teams like that,” he added, acknowledging that his players struggled against both Bournemouth’s pressing and Everton’s physicality.
O’Neil admitted that the defeat was a tough setback, especially after a recent run of four unbeaten games. “It’s a blow for me, the team, and the supporters, who have been fantastic,” he said, taking full responsibility for the team’s current form. Despite the negative result, O’Neil expressed his appreciation for the traveling Wolves fans, who had been vocal in their criticism, chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning” and “Your football is s***.”
While acknowledging the frustration from the fans, O’Neil maintained that he owed it to them to face the criticism head-on. “I understand all their criticism and accept responsibility for where the team is right now,” he said. He reflected on the previous season, when Wolves defied expectations to stay clear of relegation, and reiterated his commitment to the supporters, stating, “Whatever criticism they throw at me doesn’t change how I feel about them and their support.”
Looking ahead, O’Neil stressed the need for immediate improvement, particularly in terms of physicality and competitiveness, as Wolves prepare for their next fixture against West Ham. He emphasized that the team must find a way to consistently match the intensity of physical teams like Everton. “The focus now has to shift to the next game. We need to fight back, work hard, and ensure we give ourselves a chance,” he said, showing his determination to get the team back on track.
