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Football

14th Dec 2024

Two Irish internationals may have sped up Gary O’Neil’s Wolves sacking

Colman Stanley

“To suffer that goal so late, the nature of the goal is crazy, which we have said already.”

At 8/11 with the bookies, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is the clear favourite to be the next Premier League gaffer to get the sack, with his side sitting second from bottom in the table.

And his departure may be coming sooner rather than later thanks to the actions of two Irishmen during Ipswich’s late 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday.

It’s two goals in two games for Ireland fullback Matt Doherty following his beautiful finish in his side’s loss to West Ham on Monday.

But his latest ‘strike’ is one that he will not be too pleased about, and one that he did not know too much about either.

After 15 minutes at the Molineux, a strike from Conor Chaplin was blocked by Toti Gomes before ricocheting back off the nearby Doherty and into the Wolves net.

Matheus Cunha levelled proceedings but new Ireland cap Jack Taylor netted a beautifully placed header from a 94th minute corner to seal the win.

After the game O’Neil said: “It is a big blow for the group. Especially with how we fought to get back into the game and be the better side for the second half, we were at maximum and felt like we would go on and win the game.

“To suffer that goal so late, the nature of the goal is crazy, which we have said already.

“I can shield them from so much but long balls over the top and then players are taking it upon themselves to change positions from a corner, for some reason. The subs made a big impact and we fought back and we have nothing to show for it.”

On Taylor’s goal, he added: “I was told that it might have been offside. We have had a couple. There are far more pressing matters in my mind than VAR and whether the guy was in the way.

“Too many mistakes from us again. These cannot happen at these levels. We have no chance if we can’t deal with Liam Delap running through. We have no chance if we can’t stand in the right place and head the ball.

“It is a more than disappointing way to lose. We take nothing from it.”

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