Wolves captain Mario Lemina has delivered a scathing assessment of his team’s performances, insisting that only “liars and cheaters” would blame manager Gary O’Neil for their poor start to the Premier League season. After seven matches, Wolves sit at the bottom of the table, and Lemina believes that unless the players take responsibility, the club is on a fast track to relegation.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who has been a key figure for Wolves since joining the club, admitted to his own mistakes during the team’s recent 5-3 defeat at Brentford. Lemina conceded a costly penalty in what he described as his “worst performance,” but his message was clear: the entire squad must step up if they are to avoid the drop.
“We Are Heading for Relegation”
Lemina’s comments came after Wolves‘ defeat to Brentford, a match that saw the team continue their winless run in the Premier League. The loss left Wolves at the bottom of the table, and Lemina did not mince words when addressing the team’s current trajectory.
“The way we are playing, the way we are defending right now is going to get us in relegation,” Lemina said in a candid post-match interview.
The Wolves captain’s blunt assessment reflects the growing frustration among both the players and the fans as the club struggles to find its form. Despite several promising moments in attack during the Brentford game, Wolves’ defensive frailties once again came to the fore, leading to their downfall. Lemina was directly involved in one of the game’s critical moments, giving away a penalty that helped Brentford take control of the match.
Lemina, however, was quick to defend manager Gary O’Neil from criticism, saying that it is the players, not the coaching staff, who are at fault for Wolves’ dire situation.
Rejecting Blame on O’Neil
Gary O’Neil, who took over as Wolves’ manager in the summer following Julen Lopetegui’s departure, has faced growing scrutiny over the club’s poor results. Despite showing glimpses of progress in some matches, Wolves have struggled to find consistency, particularly in defense, where they have conceded 17 goals in their first seven league games.
However, Lemina was adamant that O’Neil should not be blamed for the team’s failings, stating that it is the players who must take responsibility for their performances on the pitch.
“Only liars and cheaters would blame the manager for this,” Lemina said. “He prepares us, gives us the tactics, but we are not delivering. This is on us as players. We have to respond after the international break. If we don’t, we are in serious trouble.”
Lemina’s defense of O’Neil suggests that there is no disconnect between the players and the coaching staff, but rather that the issue lies in the execution of the game plan. The midfielder’s strong words indicate that the dressing room is aware of the gravity of the situation, and that time is running out for the squad to turn things around.
A Critical International Break Ahead
With Wolves now heading into the international break without a win in seven matches, Lemina stressed the importance of using the time off to regroup and refocus. He believes that the players need to take a long, hard look at themselves and find a way to stop their downward spiral.
“We have the talent in our team, but right now we are not showing it,” Mario Lemina said. “We have to come back stronger after the break. There’s no more time for excuses or pointing fingers. We have to take accountability and fight for this club.”
Lemina’s words echoed the sentiments of Wolves fans, many of whom have grown increasingly concerned about the team’s chances of survival this season. Despite some positive moments, particularly in attack, Wolves have been unable to string together consistent performances, often undone by defensive lapses and individual mistakes.
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