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Sunderland fans will be very much aware that the congested winter months will be crucial to how their promotion prospects play out, with so much Championship football taking place across the rest of November and then December to come.

Up to this point, Regis Le Bris’ men have shown they are worthy promotion contenders – hence their current position right at the top of the second tier table – but no wins in their last three in the challenging league will already be making some Black Cats fans worried that they will inevitably slip off the summit.

Still, it’s been a fantastic start for the Wearside outfit, with some smart business in the summer helping them so far in being the early pace-setters.

The best summer business at Sunderland

Transfer activity in and out of the Stadium of Light over the off-season had the potential to derail the Black Cats, with the crushing blow of Jack Clarke leaving for Ipswich Town obviously hitting Sunderland hard.

The Mackems never outright replaced Clarke, but the Frenchman should be given credit for getting more out of Romaine Mundle down the left, who has filled the void of Clarke well with four goals fired home from 16 second-tier appearances.

He does almost feel like a new signing, considering he only joined at the start of 2024, but the likes of Wilson Isidor and Chris Mepham – who were purchases made by the former Lorient boss – have also settled in fantastically well.

Isidor has one more league goal next to his name than Mundle as Sunderland’s main leading man up top, whilst Mepham has been a defensive rock since also joining on loan from AFC Bournemouth, winning 5.4 duels per contest when playing for his new side in league action.

Sunderland haven’t always come away from a busy transfer window feeling pleased with their flurry of incomings, however, with their Premier League days full of notable expensive duds.

One sticks out, in particular…

Sunderland's £10m nightmare

Now very much deep into the twilight years of his playing days at 36 years of age, Jeremain Lens will not recollect his time on Wearside with much fondness.

Costing £8m to get through the door in 2015 to link up with one of his former bosses Dick Advocaat, this would end up being a rather poor-fitting match, rather than a glorious reunion for both the winger and the Dutch manager.

Before making his move to England a reality, Lens was fresh off a fruitful spell playing in Ukraine with Dynamo Kyiv, with 16 goals and 19 assists across 78 contests.

In stark contrast, the right winger only lasted 24 games at the Stadium of Light before exiting for pastures new at Beskitas in 2018, draining Sunderland of a whole lot of money in the process.

Lens’ numbers at Sunderland

Stat

Lens

Games played

24

Goals scored

4

Assists

2

Transfer cost

£8m

Wage

£40k-per-week

Wage costs overall

£2m

Sourced by Transfermarkt/Capology

Lens only registered a meagre four goals and two assists during his short but cursed stay at the then top-flight outfit, with his overall wage costs coming in at around £2m, when you take into account his only full season at the club.

His £40k-per-week wage also meant he raked in over two times more than what Jobe Bellingham earns right now for Sunderland, with the promising midfielder only on a reasonable £12.5k-per-week salary, despite bettering Lens’ goal output by five.

In total, on top of his now extortionate £8m price tag, the damage done to Sunderland’s back account off the back of the Dutchman underperforming was around the £10m mark.

This isn’t the only case where Sunderland dented their bank account rashly when in the big time, with lessons hopefully learnt now, as Le Bris and Co go about their business more shrewdly in their mission to leap back up to the Premier League.

Related What Sunderland are doing to stop Jobe Bellingham leaving the club in 2025

He has been a key man in the early stages of the season, and they want to keep him.

Posts ByBen Browning Nov 12, 2024

New Zealand will already have to make the highest successful chase in Christchurch to seal the series

Firdose Moonda27-Feb-2022

Stumps Colin de Grandhomme’s second Test century and a 133-run sixth-wicket stand with Daryl Mitchell allowed New Zealand to chip away at a sizeable South African first innings score, but they eventually conceded a 71-run read.This was mainly due to Kagiso Rabada’s 11th Test five-for, which included two wickets in two balls, on a cold, cloudy, seamer-friendly day in Christchurch. Then with the bat, South Africa lost five wickets but had stretched their lead to 211 to firmly be in control of the Test.Already, New Zealand will have to pull off the highest successful chase at this ground if they are to take the series. And they may fancy themselves to do so, too. For starters, there’s plenty of time left, and though there is something in the surface for both the quicks and Keshav Maharaj, run-scoring is far from impossible.South Africa were rescued by a half-century stand from Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma after they slumped to 38 for 3 before tea. Then Neil Wagner, as he often does, broke open the door for New Zealand in a terrific spell of short-pitched bowling to dismiss the set batters to bring the hosts back in contention.South Africa too stuck to a short-ball plan for most of the third day and dismissed New Zealand before the second new ball was due. de Grandhomme picked up where he left off on Saturday, blazing the first delivery to the boundary and continuing to attack his way to a century. Mitchell, who played second fiddle for much of his time on Saturday, also cashed in. He Kagiso Rabada’s third ball over midwicket and top-edged a hook off Jansen to force South Africa to rethink their bang-it-in lengths.Mitchell brought up his third fifty with a neat clip off his toes and then raised the century stand with a leg-glance to fine leg. At the other end, de Grandhomme greeted Wiaan Muller with back-to-back fours to surge into the 70s. Soon enough, Dean Elgar turned to Maharaj, the match’s only specialist spinner. He didn’t fare better either, being welcomed with a paddle.Neil Wagner bowled with fire and intensity yet again•Getty Images

Maharaj’s persistence paid when he had Mitchell lbw, ball-tracking showed it would’ve hit the middle of middle stump. He could have had a second but Kyle Jamieson was reprieved at silly point. de Grandhomme soon brought up his century off 138 balls. After taking just 36 deliveries for his first fifty, the allrounder showed a more patient side in getting to his second. He was dropped by Kyle Verreynne six balls later, when he gloved a pull off Jansen.But Jansen did not have to wait too long to have success as he removed Jamieson off the next ball to open up New Zealand’s lower order with lunch looming. Post the break, they came out looking to attack and managed to pick off some crucial runs. When Wagner upper cut Rabada to deep point, de Grandhomme was left stranded on a career-best 120.Southee then kept the hosts alive by picking up two quick wickets. He had Sarel Erwee trapped in front with an inswinger that pitched on middle and beat the inside-edge. The opener was given out on-field but reviewed and was confirmed out on umpire’s call.Then he had Elgar for the second time in the match from around the wicket with a ball that angled in as the left-hander tried to defend. The South African captain got a thick edge and Tom Blundell had to dive across Mitchell at first slip to take the catch.Markram, who took 25 balls to score his first runs, never quite settled and edged his only boundary between the slips and gully before he was bowled by a pin-point yorker to become Henry’s 50th Test wicket. On a day of short-pitched bowling, this was a welcome surprise. Markram now averages 12.75 in his last 12 Test innings.New Zealand could have had another before tea when van der Dussen chipped a drive back to Henry on 6. He was also dropped on 30, three overs into Wagner’s wicket-taking spell, when he pulled a delivery to de Grandhomme at square leg; Henry’s was the tougher of the two chances.By then, van der Dussen had played some shots. He pounced on width from Wagner to slice him through the covers, flaying him over the slips and showing off the pull. He showed a similar intent to de Grandhomme but Wagner stuck to his plan and induced the pull again. This time, Wagner held on to the top-edge himself.Six overs and 11 runs later, Bavuma drove Wagner away from his body and was caught at cover. Verreynne and Mulder’s 26-run stand in 12 overs took South Africa to the close against a disciplined New Zealand attack.They bowled 12 maiden overs in the 53 South Africa faced on day four; South Africa bowled 13 in New Zealand’s 80.

Just as Wolverhampton Wanderers fans must have thought their relegation-threatened side had turned a corner, a 4-2 defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth would grimly greet them.

Gary O’Neil would have been doubly upset at the outcome of the Cherries encounter having previously managed the away side before taking up the Old Gold vacancy.

A number of the Wolves first-team failed to spark into life in this action-packed defeat, as relegation concerns overwhelm the West Midlands outfit once more.

Wolves' underperformers vs Bournemouth

It wasn’t a display that was completely devoid of any positivity, however, with Jorgen Strand Larsen impressing again for the Old Gold in attack with two strikes in the high-octane contest.

But, it was the defenders that really struggled to keep tabs on the confident Bournemouth attackers, away from any plus points involving the Nordic forward.

Toti Gomes would, in particular, stand out as a notable underperformer at the back, with the out-of-sorts centre-back gifting Bournemouth their first penalty of the day after he rashly tangled with Justin Kluivert after only three minutes.

Moreover, Jose Sa between the sticks would be at fault for the other two penalties in the frantic clash, as the Portuguese goalkeeper had to fish the ball out of his net a depressing four times.

Away from the defenders, midfielder Joao Gomes would likely have trudged off the Molineux turf frustrated with his performance, which saw the usually forceful number eight only win five of his 13 duels, on top of surrendering possession a costly 13 times.

With their form in mind this term, O’Neil and Co would surely love to turn back time and have this player at their disposal in the centre of the pitch…

Wolves loan flop is now a European sensation

The player in question here is Vitinha, who joined Wolves in the midst of the Portuguese invasion that engulfed the Premier League side in the summer of 2020, with Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo also joining the Molineux ranks around this time.

Whilst both players remain on the books of the top-flight strugglers to this day, Vitinha walked away from Wolves after an unmemorable loan stint, having only played 22 times for the club with just one goal and one assist registered next to his name.

His only strike for the West Midlands side would amazingly come away at non-league Chorley in the FA Cup, with the slick 5 foot 8 ace now front and centre of Luis Enrique’s new-look Paris St. Germain, away from playing against obscure teams from England.

The PSG number 17 is 109 games down at the Parc Des Princes after a bumper £35m move from Porto took place in 2022, with the 25-time Portugal international stunning last time out in Ligue 1 action versus Nantes, whilst Wolves stumbled to defeat in the Premier League.

Vitinha’s numbers vs Nantes

Stat

Vitinha

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Shots

3

Big chances missed

1

Touches

183

Accurate passes

158/169 (93%)

Key passes

6

Stats by Sofascore.

Staggeringly, Vitinha would end up amassing a ridiculous 183 touches of the ball up against Antoine Kombouaré’s visitors, with 158 accurate passes also managed as a constant livewire attempting to make things happen for his French employers.

Wolves would love to have their former flop back if he could dazzle in the top flight in a similar manner, as opposed to the uninspiring displays he conjured up during his brief spell at Molineux, with the Old Gold even deciding against buying him outright at the end of the loan.

That might well be a decision that they now regret, with Vitinha aiming to keep these stylish displays for PSG coming all the whole O’Neil’s men anxiously battle against relegation back in England.

Related 86 touches: Wolves star has just given O'Neil a big selection headache

Wolves ace has given O’Neil a big selection headache in new position

Posts ByConnor Holden Dec 1, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

Com os quatro clubes grandes já garantidos nas semifinais do Carioca, aFerj anunciou as datas dos jogos decisivos da próxima fase. Oschaveamentos ainda não foram definidos, porém os duelos já têm dias:16 e 19 (ida) e 20 e 27 de março (volta). Confira a distribuição e os horários:

RelacionadasFluminenseFred volta a treinar com elenco do Fluminense, mas deve ser poupado no jogo contra o OlimpiaFluminense11/03/2022FlamengoLandim fala sobre o interesse do Palmeiras por Pedro: ‘É jogador do Flamengo. Ponto’Flamengo11/03/2022VascoVasco prega estabilidade contra a crise: ‘Seguir nosso planejamento’Vasco10/03/2022

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

JOGOS DE IDA

Botafogo ou Vasco x Flamengo: 16/03 – 20h (de Brasília) – Local a definir
Botafogo ou Vasco x Fluminense: 19/03 – 20h (de Brasília) -Local a definir

JOGOS DE VOLTA

Flamengo x Botafogo ou Vasco – 20 de março – 16h (de Brasília) – Maracanã
Fluminense x Botafogo ou Vasco – 27 de março – 16h (de Brasília)- Maracanã

🗓 Datas e horários das semifinais do #CariocãoBetfair22 estão DEFINIDOS!

Anota aí, torcedor! pic.twitter.com/WSvZe0HzAb

— Cariocão Betfair 22 (@Cariocao) March 11, 2022

Pela partida de ida, o Flamengo, em segundo lugar, enfrenta o terceiro colocado. O Fluminense, campeão da Taça Guanabara, encara o time da quarta classificação. O Tricolor tem a vantagem do empate por conta do título no primeiro turno do Estadual.

> Veja e simule a tabela do Cariocão

Empatados com 19 pontos, Botafogo e Vasco disputam quem fica em terceiro e quarto na classificação. Neste domingo, o Alvinegro encara o Audax, às 18h, no Estádio Jair Toscano de Brito, pela última rodada da Taça Guanabara. O Cruz-Maltino, por sua vez, enfrenta o Resende no mesmo dia, às 16h, em São Januário.

يبدو أن تجديد عقد النجم المصري محمد صلاح حتى صيف 2027 لا يقتصر فقط على كونه دفعة قوية لفريق ليفربول على المستوى الفني، بل يمتد تأثيره إلى خطط النادي المستقبلية، خصوصًا في سوق الانتقالات، بحسب ما أوضح مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت.

وكان ليفربول أعلن في وقت سابق صباح اليوم الجمعة، توصله لاتفاق لتجديد عقد محمد صلاح لموسمين إضافيين.

وفي تصريحاته خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الذي يسبق مواجهة وست هام، أشار المدير الفني آرني سلوت إلى أن استمرار صلاح يسهم في تعزيز صورة المشروع الرياضي للنادي أمام اللاعبين المستهدفين.

كما أكد سلوت أن التمديد مع محمد صلاح هداف الفريق يعد مكسبًا مضاعفًا على أكثر من مستوى.

اقرأ أيضًا | سلوت بعد تجديد عقد محمد صلاح: مصير فان دايك؟ تعرفون إجابتي المملة!

وتحدث سلوت عن تأثير تجديد عقد محمد صلاح على خطط النادي في سوق الانتقالات الصيفي، مشيرًا إلى أن استمرار النجم المصري يمثل عامل جذب إضافي للاعبين الجدد.

وقال سلوت: “لو وضعت نفسي مكان لاعب نفكر في ضمه، فبقاء محمد صلاح أمر رائع، بالتأكيد سيكون عاملًا مساعدًا”.

وأضاف: “لكن ما يُفيدنا أكثر هو أننا احتفظنا بلاعب بهذه الجودة، سجل عددًا هائلًا من الأهداف خلال 7 أو 8 سنوات”.

وأتم: “في النهاية، يتم الحكم علينا بالأهداف، لذلك من المفيد أن يكون لديك لاعب يعرف طريق المرمى”.

Left-arm quick Qazi Onik, Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam among the best bowlers in the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2022

Key takeawaysPrime Bank Cricket Club and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were quick off the blocks in the 2021-22 Dhaka Premier League. Both sides are on top of the table, with three wins each from as many matches.Defending champions Abahani Limited surprisingly went down to newcomers Rupganj Tigers in their first match, but then bounced back with a big win over City Club. Mohammedan Sporting Club, who put together the strongest side on paper, are third on the table with four points.Best battersNaeem Islam is leading run-getter with 278 runs in three games for Legends of Rupganj but Anamul Haque’s 240 runs have been more decisive for Prime Bank.Among the nine hundreds in the league so far, Shamim Hossain’s 108* off 66 balls against City Club at the BKSP-3 ground has been the most talked about innings. Shamim, who was dropped from the Bangladesh T20I squad recently, is fighting to get back his place in the senior side.Shinepukur Cricket Club’s Sikandar Raza has so far stood out among the overseas contingent, with his 129 runs in three games. Gazi Group Cricketers’ Gurinder Singh has scored a match-winning fifty while Mohammad Hafeez has scored only 32 runs in three innings for Mohammedan.Best bowlersLeft-arm quick Qazi Onik took 6 for 30 against City Club, his second six-wicket haul in the DPL. Against Legends of Rupganj, he took 3 for 36, taking his tally to nine wickets in three matches. Left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam, too, has nine wickets in three matches.Raza is also the leading wicket-taker among the foreign players with five strikes, while Ashok Menaria and Hafeez have four each.Best matchZakir Hasan’s 117 powered newcomers Rupganj Tigers to an opening-day win over the defending champions Abahani. It was an unlikely result, but having said that Rupganj Tigers have built a solid team. Their takedown of the high-flying Abahani has been the highlight of the DPL so far.Points to ponderWhile Prime Bank and Sheikh Jamal top the table, City Club and Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity languish at the bottom with three losses in as many games. Rupganj Tigers have been able to build on their stunning victory over Abahani.Players to watchThese are early days in the tournament but Shahadat Hossain has impressed with his match-winning century for Prime Bank against Legends of Rupganj.

انتهت قمة الجولة 32 من بطولة الدوري الإيطالي، بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1 بين روما ولاتسيو، في ديربي العاصمة الإيطالية، على ملعب أوليمبيكو.

استضاف لاتسيو نظيره روما في الديربي التاريخي بين النسور والذئاب، في مباراة كانت الأجواء الجماهيرية قبل انطلاقها مثيرة للغاية.

شوط المباراة الأول شهد تألقًا لافتًا لحارس روما سفيلار أمام نجوم فريق لاتسيو وتحديدًا إيزاكسن، قبل أن تهتز شباكه في الشوط الثاني.

بعد دقيقتين من بداية الشوط الثاني، سجل رومانيولي هدفًا في شباك فريقه الأسبق، بعد عرضية ممتازة من لوكا بيليجريني، ليضعها مدافع ميلان السابق في شباك سفيلار في الدقيقة 47.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | أتالانتا يستعيد المركز الثالث بفوز صعب على بولونيا في الدوري الإيطالي

ظل روما يحاول التعادل، مع تألق دفاعات لاتسيو، ولكن تأتي اللحظة الحاسمة التي سجل خلالها ماتياس سوليه هدف التعادل بطريقة رائعة بالقدم اليسرى، بعدما تأكد الحكم من عبور الكرة شباك الحارس مانداس من خلال تقنية خط المرمى.

مباراة رائعة ومثيرة انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي، لكن لم يستفد أي فريق من ذلك، حيث أصبح كل منهما في نفس المراكز، لاتسيو سادسًا بـ56 نقطة، وروما في المركز السابع برصيد 54 نقطة، بالتعادل الثاني على التوالي بعد 7 انتصارات متتالية. أهداف مباراة روما ولاتسيو في الدوري الإيطالي

صافرة النهاية 🔚

ديربي العاصمة يفي بالوعود وينتهي بالتعادل
لاتسيو وروما يرضيان بنتيجة 1-1 ضمن الجولة 32 من #الدوري_الإيطالي

شاهد هدفي المباراة..#لاتسيو_روما pic.twitter.com/BiNabHOboi — ADSportsTV (@ADSportsTV) April 13, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

No último domingo, Gabriel Barbosa marcou o gol da vitória do Flamengo sobre o Vasco, na semifinal do Campeonato Carioca, e comemorou com o tradicional gesto, erguendo os braços e balançando a cabeça. A celebração, contudo, resultou em denúncia do TJD/RJ, que julgará Gabigol por “conduta contrária à disciplina ou à ética desportiva”. Na súmula da partida, o árbitro Felipe da Silva Gonçalves Paulofez considerações sobre o momento citado.

RelacionadasFutebol InternacionalRicharlison fala sobre Pedro no Flamengo: ‘Ele precisa buscar novos ares, não dá para ficar só no banco’Futebol Internacional18/03/2022FlamengoDavid Luiz treina bem e deve ‘reforçar’ o Flamengo diante do Vasco; Bruno Henrique é baixa confirmadaFlamengo18/03/2022FlamengoRecém-contratado pelo Flamengo, Pablo sofre lesão no ligamento do joelho direito em treinoFlamengo18/03/2022

O juiz relatou que objetos foram atirados no gramado durante a comemoração de Gabigol, como um par de tênis e garrafa de água (veja no vídeo abaixo). Na súmula – que é levada em consideração pelo procurador do Tribunal de Justiça Desporitva -, o árbitro não fala em provocação de Gabigol. Confira na íntegra.

-Informo que, aos 41 minutos, durante a comemoração do gol da equipe do Flamengo, foram arremessados um par de tênis e uma garrafa de água para dentro do gramado de jogo. Os objetos vieram da arquibancada onde se encontrava a torcida do Vasco da Gama no Setor Sul, caindo próximo a bandeira de córner, não sendo possível identificar quem arremessou os objetos – relatou o árbitroFelipe da Silva Gonçalves Paulo na súmula do clássico.

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

O artigo 258-A do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva fala em “provocar o público durante partida, prova ou equivalente’, e prevê como pena suspensão de duas a seis partidas. O caso será julgado na segunda-feira, dia 21, portanto Gabigol está à disposição de Paulo Sousa para o clássico de domingo, às 16h.

Nas redes sociais, o atacante do Flamengo ironizou a denúncia. Confira aqui!

Com a vitória por 1 a 0 no jogo de ida, o Flamengo enfrenta o Vasco podendo perder até por um gol de diferença para avançar à decisão do Carioca. Já na outra semifinal, Fluminense e Botafogo se enfrentam a partir de segunda-feira.

A batida, o gol e a provocação sadia: comemoração em frente à torcida rival. Banco do Vasco não gostou e teve aquele princípio de confusão. #lanceMARACA pic.twitter.com/04K9wafREL

— Matheus Dantas (@matheusdantasfr) March 16, 2022

Arsenal are now stepping up talks to add an emergency forward to their ranks in January as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options in attack for the second half of the Premier League season, according to a fresh report.

Arsenal in need of goals

A sixth draw of the season laid Arsenal’s goalscoring problems bare for Arteta, as his side could not find a way past Everton in front of a frustrated home crowd. The Gunners managed just 1.22 expected goals and mustered just five shots on target against Sean Dyche’s side, who sit down in 16th place in the Premier League table.

Arsenal’s top goalscorers in 2024-25

Kai Havertz

5

Bukayo Saka

5

Leandro Trossard

3

Gabriel

3

Gabriel Martinelli

3

Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz lead the Arsenal goalscoring charts with five apiece. Of clubs across the Premier League, players at 12 different clubs can better that tally already, while Arsenal’s 29 goals scored is only good enough to make them the fifth-highest goalscorers in the division.

It is clear that something needs to change for Arsenal to return to their freescoring form of recent campaigns, despite their excellent record at set-pieces, and reinforcements could be looked at in January in a bid to do so, with summer addition Raheem Sterling yet to have an impact at his new club.

The club have been linked with the likes of Alexander Isak, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in recent months, but now a fresh report claims that they are eyeing up another temporary solution in a bid to keep their powder dry for the summer.

Arsenal target "complete" striker in January

That is according to TBR Football, who claim that Mikel Arteta’s side have “stepped up” talks to sign Paris Saint Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan in January as they look to find a solution to their striker woes.

Though he only joined the Parisian side in the summer of 2023, things have not worked out for the French international at the Parc des Princes, and Luis Enrique is now willing to let him leave in January, with the 26-year-old left out of the squad in their most recent 2-1 win over Lyon.

He remains a top prospect though, with Kylian Mbappé labelling him “very complete” after one impressive outing for Les Bleus against the Netherlands. Now, he could be Premier League bound, with the report claiming that both Arsenal and Manchester United are showing interest in a loan move after initially turning down the opportunity.

Kolo Muani himself wants to move to England, it is claimed, while PSG are “willing to sanction a loan move with an option to buy in the future”, which could appeal to interested parties given the lack of financial obligation required.

For Arsenal, “the idea of landing Kolo Muani on loan in January does appeal to the club” given Jesus’ struggles with form and fitness in recent seasons, leaving the goalscoring burden largely on the shoulders of Havertz.

It could be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Gunners, though Kolo-Muani’s mammoth £202,000 a week wages may prove a stumbling block to any interested party.

It’s very much make-or-break time for Gary O’Neil in the Wolverhampton Wanderers hot-seat, with one more defeat for the former AFC Bournemouth manager tonight as Old Gold boss looking likely to be curtains on another Premier League job post.

The same is also amazingly the case for Julen Lopetegui in the home dug-out for the high-stakes contest away at West Ham United, as both managers try and stave off being sacked for one more day.

The unbelievable pressure riding on the game might well see either O’Neil or Lopetegui make some bold calls in order to inspire their downtrodden troops, with the 44-year-old preparing to perhaps drop Goncalo Guedes for a new face to come in at the London Stadium.

Guedes' performance vs Everton

Nobody from a Wolves perspective would have come away from Goodison Park last time out with their heads held high, as a depressing 4-0 defeat began to sink in at the full-time whistle.

Guedes, in particular, struggled in the one-sided contest, as the below-par Wolves number 29 failed to strike any fear into the Everton defence across his lacklustre 57-minute showing.

Only managing one shot on Jordan Pickford’s goal, the 28-year-old went missing far too often before being hooked off by an annoyed O’Neil, with just a meagre 20 touches of the ball coming his way.

At least Matheus Cunha attempted to spark some life into his dejected side up top with one on-target effort from the Brazilian nearly beating the England international, but it wouldn’t have mattered much anyway as his team folded to hand the Toffees an emphatic victory.

The Portuguese attacker could find himself out of his under-fire boss’ XI for the trip to the Hammers consequently.

Wolves' perfect Guedes alternative

Starting Hwang Wee-Chan in normal circumstances might well be seen as risky, considering the South Korean ace has struggled with injury of late, leading to just two starts this season in the Premier League.

But, desperate times call for desperate measures, with O’Neil praying that the 28-year-old can recapture his goalscoring best for the Old Gold away at West Ham, having been a reliable source of strikes and entertainment last season.

The ex-RB Leipzig man was a fan’s favourite at Molineux for his stylish showings across the 2023/24 season, with 12 goals and three assists amassed from 29 league games, which included a fortuitous effort being hammered home away at Brentford last December.

Hwang will hope the ball falls to him in a similarly kind manner against Lopetegui’s hosts, as he strives to be the goalscoring hero that keeps O’Neil in his precarious job for at least one more top-flight clash.

Labelled in the past as being an attacking asset who has “got everything” by Arsenal icon Ian Wright, the forward will also be an option who could potentially replace Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the usually potent Nordic striker having a rare off-day in-front of goal versus Everton with two big chances not fired home.

Losing the 28-year-old to injury had hurt Wolves’ attacking numbers – but if he was to get back up to speed with a top display versus the Hammers – all that lost time will be forgotten about, with a run of fixtures the Old Gold would need to pick up more positive results from then opening up.

Wolves’ next five PL games after West Ham

Opponent

Date

Home/Away

1. Ipswich Town

14th of December

Home

2. Leicester City

22nd of December

Away

3. Manchester United

26th of December

Home

4. Tottenham Hotspur

29th of December

Away

5. Nottingham Forest

6th of January

Home

If the West Midlands outfit do pick up a win against West Ham, another two on the trot will be eyed up presumably versus Ipswich and Leicester, with Hwang potentially in the XI.

But, looking too far ahead could prove to be pointless if the Old Gold pick up another damaging loss next, resulting in O’Neil finally being dismissed.

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