O’Neil on Lemina tears and ‘belief’

Wolves’ winless start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday following a 2-1 defeat to leaders Liverpool.

Gary O’Neil’s side have just one point to show from their opening six games but the manager is adamant that things aren’t quite as bad as they appear right now.

Speaking after the match, he said: “I wouldn’t even class it as a situation. If we played these six games over the course of a season it would feel nowhere nears as bad as it does at this moment. Things have not gone as we want them to but no Premier League game will be easy.

“Playing Brentford next week will be just as hard. What I can guarantee is, the lads will always be ready to give everything.

“I have real belief in the group and myself that we will maximise what we can achieve this season. Whatever we do achieve will definitely be every last drop we can get out of this group.”

Midfielder Mario Lemina was seen leaving the field in tears following the full-time whistle.

When asked why, O’Neil added: “I’m not sure, he’s disappointed.

“He hates losing, as we all do, but there is an understanding of where we are.

“One point from six, you’d expect a boo or cries for the manager to be changed or some negative reaction from the fanbase but what you see is them staying behind to clap their team because they see what they give. They show a good understanding of the situation.

“We have lost two starting centre-backs this week, we rushed Toti back from a hamstring and have gone out and shown everyone what we are. I’m disappointed it didn’t give us enough to get a result which we need and want but I can only hold them accountable to what I think they give and they gave everything today.”