Gary O’Neil makes early Newcastle United vs Wolves prediction
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has admitted he's concerned about Newcastle United.
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil predicts his team's mentality will be tested to the extreme by the pressure of playing away at Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
The Old Gold travel northeast to face the Magpies at St. James' Park, a stadium O'Neil has described as one of the toughest to go to in the Premier League. A dream for the home team and a nightmare for those in the away dugout, St. James' can bring the best and worst out of players.
Newcastle have the sixth-best home record in the Premier League this season, with eight wins, two draws and three defeats – as well as 31 goals scored. Only Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool have scored more points in their own quarters.
“It’ll be an eventful couple of days getting the lads ready for a very tough test," O'Neil said on Wednesday. I’ve been there enough times as a player and as a coach, it’s an incredibly tough place to go and it’ll test your mentality. It’ll test your energy levels, so we’re going to need to find a way to be at our level again," O'Neil admitted.
Wolves will spend hardly any time on the grass ahead of the fixture, instead working through tactics in the meeting room before travelling to Tyneside on Friday. The games, coming thick and fast, are taking their toll on Wanderers with tired legs and injury concerns becoming an issue.
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Fitness is a hurdle for the weekend but the hosts won't accept that as an excuse as Newcastle have endured some of the worst injury fortunes in the top flight. A win for Wanderers on Saturday moves them four points above the Magpies but a defeat would allow the Toon back ahead.