Gary Neville was not impressed with Wolves passing it around the back (Image: GETTY)
Gary Neville was left furious with Wolves’ patient approach during the closing minutes of their defeat to at Molineux. The hosts were chasing a leveller as the clock ticked down, with goals from Ibrahima Konate and coming either side of Rayan Ait-Nouri’s second-half strike.
Instead of getting the ball up the pitch, Wolves stayed patient and recycled it along their back line despite their fans screaming for more urgency. Neville was left unimpressed with their style of play and made his feelings crystal clear in a lengthy rant on Sky Sports.
“It just drives me crazy,” fumed Neville, who was on co-commentary duties for the match alongside Rob Hawthorne. “It absolutely drives me crazy. Honestly. You need a goal! Do they know? Stop it, honestly, it’s so frustrating.
“We’ve had doing this for years and it’s fine because he’s winning titles, but these are struggling teams needing a goal with five minutes to go.
“I can’t watch this. [The fans] know exactly what is going on here. You’ve got to have another idea and try to do something different. I’m not talking about whirling it long or winning second balls.
“We’re watching teams at the lower end of the table playing six passes between the centre-backs and goalkeeper. They need a goal with four minutes to go. I can’t accept that. It’s not just a criticism of Wolves, there are plenty of teams doing it. I can’t accept that. It’s got to stop.
“I have no problem with playing out from the back, but there’s got to be a point in the game when you say that you’re struggling and you need a goal and create a form of pressure, get the atmosphere going. The fans are waiting for something.
“The job really is to get the ball with quality into the striker’s feet as quickly as possible. That is the aim of football, and from that you can go and play. I think a lot of teams have forgotten that is the essence of football.
“Get the ball to the most talented player you can, as high up the pitch, with accuracy. That is it. That’s not what we’re seeing here.”
Wolves were unable to find a second goal, with seeing most of the ball in stoppage time as they held on for all three points. It leaves Wolves rock bottom of the table, having drawn one and lost five of their opening six games.
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures, and video on this breaking news story.
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real-time.
We’re also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport – offering your must-see news, features, videos, and pictures throughout the day to like, comment, and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express, and Express.co.uk.