O’Neil justifying hype at Wolves – keep this up and England could call

Wolves overcame two first-half injuries to boost their hopes of European football with victory over Fulham

Never mind waiting until the summer, offering Gary O’Neil new and improved terms ought to top the Monday morning “to-do” list of every Wolves executive. His reputation grows with each passing week.
On Saturday, despite the absence of his entire first choice front three – Pedro Neto, who, as revealed by Telegraph Sport is piquing both Liverpool and Manchester City’s interest, limped off in the first half clutching his left hamstring – O’Neil’s Wolves dug deep to defeat Fulham.
The result means that their European dream continues, and up next comes a home FA cup-quarter final against Coventry. Wembley would be a fitting reward for what is becoming a fine season.  Might the national stadium conceivably become O’Neil’s home from home, though?
Gareth Southgate – who next week names his squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Italy – is out contract at the end of 2024, and the Wolves head coach has been touted as an unlikely successor.  Not a bad turnaround for a man who was unemployed seven days before the current season began.
While in football the present and future rarely remain two chevrons apart, O’Neil, whose Wolves contract runs until 2026, remains laser focused on his current role. He is undeniably articulate, thoughtful, and honest – exactly the qualities people want in an England manager.
Take for example his response when asked about naming Neto to start start despite the Portuguese being withdrawn with hamstring tightness during last Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle.
“Everyone was telling me he was fine, and that there was no reason not to play him,” O’Neil explained. “Maybe with my playing experience, if I had the team sheet back, I’m not putting his name on it. Those are the decisions you have to make as manager.”
Most impressive about Wolves is their spirit, and Mario Lemina embodies that. He is the heartbeat of the side, a man capable of being both here and there, seemingly at once. It was Lemina who won the free-kick from which Rayan Ait-Nouri opened the scoring early in the second half. 
15 minutes later Nelson Semedo’s strike took a wicked deflection off Tom Cairney and Wolves’ lead was unassailably doubled.
Fulham had arrived in fine form. Last week, fresh from victory at Old Trafford, they had swept aside Brighton. Yet they left with only Alex Iwobi’s consolation strike.
“Unbelievable win,” said a beaming O’Neil. “My favourite, I think. The supporters should be unbelievably proud of the team they just saw on the grass there. If I’d have grown up being Wolves fan and you’d ask me what I wanted my team to look like, it would have been that.”
Wolves may be limping, but they are far from lame. O’Neil would never allow that.