Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tom Gayle
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Molineux

Image source, Getty Images

This was your textbook six pointer. However, irrespective of the scoreline, the approach from the two men in charge was a strong indication of how each will go about their business when it comes to picking up points.

For Gary O’Neil the result was clearly more important than the performance. Despite leading 1-0, the majority of the first half was played out amidst an anxious atmosphere amongst the Wolves supporters, frustrated by the apparent lack of pressing from their team, and a reluctance to commit too many bodies forward.

We had the bizarre situation at one point where Rayan Ait-Nouri stood hand on hip in disbelief at his Head Coach’s instruction to play the ball backwards, rather than race forward with one of his counter attacking marauding runs home fans have come to expect. It was far from pretty at times, but O’Neil would argue the ends justified the means.

As for Russell Martin, and I won’t be the first or last to make this observation, Southampton appear stubbornly wedded to a possession based playing philosophy, that whatever the game situation or opponent, will not change. Speaking to both Martin, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis pre-match, they both made it clear the plan was to impose their game style on Wolves.

It was hard to keep track of the number of passes Southampton made with each venture forward. It’s no surprise they are still yet to score from a cross. Set-pieces and corners aside, never once did a Saints player opt to swing a ball into the box from open play and simply see what happens. Calculated and methodical, rather than throwing caution to the wind.

Time will tell how significant this game was in deciding the fortunes of both teams, and indeed the futures of both managers. Yet from I saw from up of the gantry, O’Neil appears content to don his tin hat when needed, and get the job done by any means necessary, whereas with Martin, winning ugly doesn’t seem to be an option he’s willing to explore.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves captain Mario Lemina spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after victory against Southampton: "We have been struggling a lot since the begining of the season to try to find a way to win games. Sometimes it comes from scrappy games like that where you have to be resilient.

"The first half was really tough but we stayed together and really fought hard. At the end of the game when you feel this kind of resilience you desrrve the points."

On nervousness in the crowd: "Of course you feel it. Every time we have conceded in the last few weeks we heard it and we wanted to reverse it by getting the clean sheet. It was even better for the confidence to get it.

"After the international break we will come back to the league with a positive result. We are unbeaten in three games now and we take that forward. It is really good for us."

On Matheus Cunha's goal: "They are the type of players, the creative ones, who have to keep calm and trust the team and when they get the ball they have to show that they are the best on the pitch. What he is doing right now is amazing."

Image source, Getty Images

Gary O'Neil spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Wolves' victory against Southampton: "Pleased for the group. They've given a lot and played better than we had today and came away with nothing. it was a gritty performance. Southampton are an awkward side to play against. We had to be patient. I thought we were excellent in the second half.

"We spoke a lot about this week about everyone being responsible. We did a lot of work on out-of-possession stuff. Half-time came at a good time for us and we could tweak it. It was a big clean sheet and I'm pleased for Jose Sa. He's had to work hard since Sam Johnstone came in.

On Matheus Cunha: "He's huge for us. He has such ability but he is one of those players who drifts and takes up positions. We work very hard on him on how it is to be a trusted team player when we don't have the ball. He's worked very hard on it after I spoke harshly to him after Brentford away. A big win for us and Matheus Cunha had a big say in it.

On the change in performance: "Brentford was a big mark for us. We went there and we were miles below our level. We should have got something off Man City here and then we've gone three unbeaten. It's going to be a big fight for us but we know we can turn it around."

Image source, Getty Images

Pablo Sarabia’s opener (1:48) was Wolves’ earliest ever Premier League goal, eclipsing Matt Jarvis’ strike against Blackpool in February 2011 (01:56).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves' performance, external

What did you make of Southampton’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace v Fulham

• West Ham v Everton

• Wolves v Southampton (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Brighton v Man City - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa - 20:00

Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 11 he takes on Mylee and Tate from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC (JJFC).

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

This is the battle of the bottom two, and it is a big game for both managers going into the international break, although I don't think either side have been as bad as their results suggest.

Southampton will take a lot of heart from their win over Everton and fair play to their manager Russell Martin, who has stuck to his guns over their style of play.

It is Wolves who I am backing here, though. They have always got a goal in them.

Gary O'Neil's side got a bit of a break last time out when Crystal Palace had that late goal disallowed, but I think they are in for a more comfortable afternoon this time.

Mylee's prediction: 1-2

Southampton finally won last week and I think they are going to get another one here.

Tate's prediction: 1-0

They have both made shaky starts but Wolves have a bit more grit.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If Gary O'Neil is feeling the pressure he is not showing it.

Rock bottom Wolves host Southampton on Saturday still looking for a first win of the season, with the visitors a point and place above them in the table.

Only five of 18 teams previously without a victory after 10 Premier League games have survived, and Wolves are four points from the safety line.

Last season's form - with just one win in 10 games after the shock 3-2 FA Cup quarter final defeat by Coventry - has continued into this term.

It is a comparison O'Neil has previously dismissed as irrelevant and at Compton on Friday the relaxed boss refused to show any fears for the future.

He said: "I have zero concern around my future. It is what it is. When I came here I knew how tough it could be and I embraced all of it.

"The moment I leave or I'm asked to leave I will be really proud of the work that's been done and the world moves on. Wolves move on.

"Until that moment they will get everything from me. The players are desperate to correct a few things people are saying about the group outside of here.

"We understand there have been challenges and we continue to face a challenging time. There will be decisions to make for everyone, like there are from me like team selection.

"Jeff [Shi, chairman] and Matt Hobbs [sporting director] will have their own opinions and decisions to make on who is underperforming and not. We leave that side of things to them.

"I'm really comfortable going into the game with whatever is on the line according to people outside of here. Three points for Wolves is far more important than my job."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, speaking to BBC Radio WM, external about Saturday's home game against Southampton as the bottom two clubs in the Premier League meet at Molineux:

"I've seen a lot of the games this season and it's not looked like they're not playing for the manager or for the shirt. I don't think any Wolves fan can say that - they might moan about the quality here and there, but I don't think they can say that.

"They [the players] might have this mentality but it's hard to keep going when you're not winning the games. If we don't get a win on Saturday then it's really going to put a lot of pressure on the lads.

"We're in a really difficult position and I worry for Gary O'Neil. I do want him to get it right and I think there's still a portion of fans who want him to get it right.

"Saturday is going to be a difficult game for us because I think if we don't start the game well - I've been there when we're in this position - the fans are starting to turn a little bit anyway and it could be a long 90 minutes.

"Even a scrappy 1-0 might not go down too well, but it might be the most important thing for us just to win."

Image source, Getty Images

With just a point separating the sides at the bottom of the Premier League table, the pressure is on when Wolves and Southampton meet at Molineux on Saturday.

While they go head to head on the pitch, we have asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each fan got to ask three questions of the other before the big game...

Dave Azzopardi
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Wolves fan writer Dave Azzopardi had to say in response to questions from our Southampton contributor Glen de la Cour.

Is there a feeling among the Wolves fanbase that Gary O'Neil is really in last-chance saloon with this game and has to win it? Given the recent run of form, do you expect to win it?

Yes, there is definitely a feeling among the majority of the fanbase that this is a must-win for O'Neil.

There have been some positive elements to our games recently, which gives us some encouragement ahead of Saturday. However, one win in 20 games - including last season - is not good enough and it is no surprise some Wolves fans will not be particularly looking forward to this game.

Your fixtures seem to have been very unkindly frontloaded with big clubs. Do you expect the team and manager to climb the table as we head towards Christmas and the fixture list, on paper, gets a bit kinder?

I certainly hope so. This team is good enough to compete with most sides in the division and we should not be in this position, even with the difficult fixtures.

Our fixtures are certainly more favourable towards Christmas but it will be interesting to see if Wolves can find those wins and take some momentum into that run.

I believe we are strong enough and I hope by Christmas we are much further up the table.

Is Wolves' poor defensive record down to poor organization and tactical setup, or poor individual defending by certain players?

It is a bit of everything. Going forward we have been OK and scored a decent amount of goals but, as you are aware, we have an awful defensive record so far.

Conceding regularly from set-pieces is a slight concern. We even sacked our new set-piece coach last month but things do not seem to have improved much on that front.

We rarely concede a goal where I think: "Fair play, that is a really good goal." It is normally from our own errors, whether that is gifting the possession to the opposition or poor defensive positioning.

If O'Neil keeps his job beyond this weekend, this will need addressing urgently.

Find more from Dave Azzopardi at Talking Wolves, external

Make your selection

Glen de la Cour
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Southampton fan writer Glen de la Cour had to say in response to questions from our Wolves contributor Dave Azzopardi.

Coming out of the Championship, Southampton had the reputation of playing a certain brand of football. Has Russell Martin adapted his style of football yet to suit the squad in a tougher division?

You can get away with a lot at the lower level and there is a feeling that Martin is still working out what you cannot do when you do not have better players than the opposition.

He will never compromise on the possession-based style, but what we need to do once we have beaten the press is to create more chances, rather than just turning back and allowing teams to get back into shape.

He is learning but the problem is, he has been learning while we have been losing games and that, of course, is not sustainable.

Like Gary O'Neil, Martin had been under some pressure after struggling to pick up points early on. Is there still mounting pressure going into this game despite a win last weekend?

The win against Everton has certainly kept the noise down around his future, for this international break at least. Had we failed to beat Everton, then this game would really have been the last-chance saloon for both managers.

As it is, I feel that O’Neil is under more pressure, especially with his team being at home and because of the tail end of last season too.

There is pressure on this game for Southampton because the next five games are against teams that are going to be finishing in the top half, so Saints really have to target this fixture for a win.

Which Southampton players are standing out right now? Who are the players Wolves need to be watching out for on Saturday?

Aaron Ramsdale always stands out. He is the one player we signed of proven Premier League quality, and we certainly would not have beaten Everton last week without him.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has come to the fore in the past few games, which has culminated in him getting an England call-up. The two brightest players in attacking areas are Mateus Fernandes, who is always looking to be positive and the youngster everybody is talking about, Tyler Dibling, who is our most skilful and threatening forward player.

The main goal threat will be provided by Cameron Archer and you cannot rule out Adam Armstrong.

Find more from Glen de la Cour at the Total Saints Podcast, external and at Saints Blog, external

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton manager Russell Martin is confident that Gary O'Neil can turn Wolves' fortunes around this season.

With the two set to play against each other on Saturday for the first time since they entered management, Martin spoke about his friendship with O'Neil when they were team-mates at Norwich from 2014-16.

"We stayed in touch beyond [playing careers] when he was at Liverpool and Bournemouth and I was at MK Dons and Swansea," Martin said. "Not so much now because things get very busy.

"We were probably two of the moaniest players in training and having an opinion on the game so it doesn't surprise me that we have gone on to this side of it. We spent most of our time arguing on the pitch but we got on really well. We used to have a lot of conversations around football.

"Part of that comes from those conversations when you are on the training ground, when you are playing and travelling or in hotels - I just used to feel for [former Norwich defender] Steven Whittaker, who would sit there and roll his eyes at us.

"We've all got a different idea of the game but we all have clarity about what we want and part of that comes from them conversations."

With Southampton 19th and Wolves 20th, both managers are under scrutiny and in desperate need of a positive result at Molineux.

Whatever happens, Martin is convinced O'Neil will have success in his managerial career.

"I look forward to catching up with him," Martin said. "I had a lot of time for him as a team-mate and as a person. I think he's done a brilliant job and it was brilliant that he got the opportunity at Bournemouth as a young English coach.

"He did great last season and I have no doubt that they will hit their stride this season because they have been unfortunate and had a really tough run of fixtures. I look forward to catching up with him after the match - but for 90 minutes all of the friendship goes out of the window."

Sarah Rendell
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On forward Hwang Hee-chan who has missed the past three games with an ankle injury: "He trained today with the group, he looked sharp. He trained a little bit on Wednesday. He is back fit - [we're] just trying to pick the right time for him to be back involved, whether that is tomorrow or waiting a few weeks through the international break."

• On team news: "Sam [Johnstone] is fine. He was expected to be involved last week but suffered an illness on the day of the game so missed out. He has trained all week. A couple of minor issues throughout the week but we expect everyone to be OK from last weekend."

• On why the club are currently bottom on the Premier League table: "Lots of things have gone on at the football club. Lots of things that have gone on on the pitch - [I take] full responsibility for my part in that as well. We are where we are and there is nothing we can do about the last 10 games. The next one is the next one we can affect right now and the focus and prep and everything that has gone into it has gone very well. I know the boys are looking forward to the next challenge."

• On if the club is supportive of him, O'Neil said: "I don't ask the club for any backing or support. I am very comfortable sat in this seat and on the side of the pitch. I understand that is the nature of the job. I am very comfortable in my own skin, in the work that is done here. Since the moment I have been here, I have given absolutely everything. There have been some challenges thrown at us which I have always faced head on."

• On Southampton: "I think it feels like an important game but Crystal Palace did, Brighton did... they all do. Of course, I understand there will be an awful lot made of this game outside because it is two teams down the bottom in this moment and there feels like there will be a lot riding on it momentum wise going into the international break. [But] I treat all of the games as huge games."

• On Russell Martin, Southampton manager and O'Neil's former Norwich team-mate: "I got on with Russ very well at Norwich. Yeah maybe [we were moany]. I think we wanted things done properly which is probably why we ended up doing what we do because we wanted things done well. He was a good captain for us. It's been interesting to follow his journey as well and the way his teams play. Southampton obviously picked up their first win last week, had some very good performances playing in a very distinct fashion, so they will be a real test for us tomorrow."

Follow all of Saturday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves are yet to win a game this season in the Premier League and they host Southampton who are fresh off their win over Everton last weekend.

That win will have relieved a little bit of pressure off Russell Martin's back and it has proved to fans, the board and us that Southampton can win games playing the way that they want to. That is a boost, so Saints will not be approaching this game in a different manner.

The pressure is very much on Wolves to win because they are playing a promoted side at home. That would be the case regardless of their position - and they should be favourites. Unfortunately for them, that means Southampton can play like the underdogs.

However, I do not look at this game and think a manager will lose his job from the result.

If Wolves get completely outplayed by Southampton then it could be a different conversation, but that it is going off the assumption that O'Neil could lose his job at the club.

We do not know that.

What should happen to O'Neil if Wolves fail to beat Southampton?

Make your selection

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The bottom two meet at Molineux on Saturday and both know the possible consequences of defeat.

Wolves need to beat Southampton, that is the blunt assessment of a game which needs to provide them a final springboard in the relegation battle.

Had they lost to Crystal Palace last weekend the Eagles would have been seven points clear and Wolves would have started to become cut adrift.

A draw was the minimum requirement and, following the dramatic comeback at Brighton, there is at least some momentum growing.

Yet after 10 winless games it is all well and good to claim - and possibly fairly from some of the performances - Wolves deserved more points. It is fine to say they competed well against Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

But that only carries weight if they beat Southampton at Molineux and if they can get points against Fulham and Bournemouth after the international break, otherwise the previous excuses will wear thin quickly.

It is perhaps harsh to label them excuses, maybe reasons would be better as boss Gary O'Neil - who faces the media at Compton this afternoon - does not hide behind anything, but he will know as well as anyone Wolves need wins and need them now.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

As Wolves prepare to host Southampton, the weight of expectation is heavy. After 10 games, being bottom of the table and conceding 27 goals is not where Wolves fans expected to be.

Gary O'Neil may insist that it is not a "must-win" game but the reality feels starkly different. While technically it is not a definitive match in terms of relegation - with plenty of fixtures left - the stakes are high for O'Neil and his team. This is a battle he needs to win.

The general consensus among Wolves fans we have spoken to is clear: time has run out. Initially, there was a lot of patience because of tough fixtures, but opinions have shifted and many now doubt O'Neil's ability to navigate Wolves out of this predicament. Another lacklustre performance could lead to a charged atmosphere at Molineux, with fans voicing their discontent loudly.

There is uncertainty about whether Wolves' owners, Fosun, see eye to eye with fans on this. With O'Neil and his team recently receiving new four-year contracts, they seem reluctant to pay severance. However, as savvy business people, they understand the financial repercussions of relegation far outweigh the costs of a managerial change. The risk of losing Premier League status is a gamble they are unlikely to take lightly.

Though we have been told that easier fixtures have arrived and better results are due, the problems persist, and even a win might only postpone the inevitable.

With a quarter of the season gone and just three points accrued, something clearly has to change. Looking at this season's fixtures, we have only secured three points, while the same matches last season earned us 12.

We cannot keep blaming our current position on difficult fixtures.

Sometimes you have to make a change for the greater good.

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil could face the sack if his side do not beat Southampton in the Premier League this weekend. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column