Gary O’Neil says he is willing to take full responsibility for Wolves’ poor defensive display against Brentford which saw his team concede five goals as their search for a first Premier Legue win continues.
With clear disappointment being shown from the travelling support at the Gtech Community Stadium, the head coach insists he shares the same frustrations as the fans, but he is determined to put things right during the upcoming international break – admitting a switch to a back five would not be off the cards.
On defensive lapses against Brentford
“We were too open. Miles too open. We lost structure, lost shape when we had the ball, and we’re just too open, and we weren’t able to defend transition. There were some crazy, crazy moments for their goals and it was a real poor display.
“It was disastrous. A terrible performance. We didn’t play anything like us, not in shape, so open, so a lot to consider. Off the back of the other performances where I thought we were close, this shows me that we’re not where I thought we were and things need to change.”
On conceding straight after getting level
“They’re terrible goals, with bad decisions, bad positioning and so much wrong with them. Players of course make mistakes, but I need to find a way to put them in positions where they make more good decisions and less mistakes.
“We get into the game because we're open and we lose control of the shape of the team. Then when you think we're going to get in at half time, we're going to be able to get hold of them. We then concede a fourth right on the stroke of half time, and it makes the game really difficult from there.
“But it was a really poor display and something that I now have a couple of weeks to digest and have a look at what we can do with this group to make sure that we're more competitive than we were today.”
On a possible switch to a back five
“Back fives have obviously been discussed. It would mean every centre back at the football club playing, so we'd have no defenders on the bench, but we discuss it all the time.
“It’s never that we’re set on a four, but there is potential to play all three centre-backs.”
On the game not going to plan
“I've never seen us that far away from the game plan before. Whether the early goal – which we discussed – rocked us, but whatever it is, it’s not acceptable for that to be the level of performance.
“I've spoken in previous weeks around the level that we managed to reach against top sides in the league, but that today gives you no chance of winning a game if you go out and you give Brentford five goals – you have absolutely no chance. It was really poor, and a lot of work to be done together.
“Myself, the group, we've been trying to put things together in a way that we thought would help the group perform, but today is probably first evidence that it needs a rethink.”
On the reaction from the away support
“I would expect scrutiny. I understand how the supporters feel fully. I understand their frustrations. I’m absolutely furious but if I was a supporter and my team produced that, then I would be really disappointed as well.
“But they'll get every everything I can give for the whole time that I'm here. I have no problem at all with their reaction to our performance because I agree with them. My feelings towards the fans will never, ever change because they’ve given us so much.
“But now we need to show that we're going to fight and we're going to put it right. At this moment in time, we're seven games in, and we're in the relegation zone, we're bottom of the league, so you would expect the supporters of this club to be disappointed with that – as am I.
“As I say, we’ll get to work collectively, and I’m always willing to accept full responsibility for what was produced today. It lands on my shoulders. There are no excuses – we have to do better.”
