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TEAM NEWS
Wolves have no fresh injury concerns as Pedro Neto and Hugo Bueno remain out with their respective hamstring issues. Midfielder Joe Hodge is the club’s only long-term absentee.
Tottenham will be without the suspended Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, while fellow defender Micky van der Ven is out with a hamstring injury. Midfielder James Maddison has withdrawn from the England squad with an ankle problem and Richarlison is recovering from minor groin surgery.
GARY O'NEIL
O’Neil confirmed that Hugo Bueno is back in the squad, while Pedro Neto could be ready after the international break, but still “has a lot to do”.
On discussions with referee chief Howard Webb: “I had a good honest conversation with Howard where we feel things are and our opinions on it. There is an understanding on my part that Howard is responsible for trying to shift the standard and make things better. He’s working really hard to do that.”
He added: “They recognise last week’s decision [on the penalty] was incorrect so hopefully they can recognise the next one before Tuesday’s reviews and recognise in live situations. We are where we are and we’ve had a few go against us. We need to be better and my only focus is making us better.”
Asked about what ideas he discussed with Webb, he said: “Since last season the clear and obvious thing actually makes it harder for VAR. It would be easier if the guy in the hub can just say, ‘”We don’t think that is a penalty. We’ve had a look and we’re just going to leave it.’ I think we would get more right if we just let the guy with the replays make the decision.”
On harnessing energy from injustice: “I understand the players feel aggrieved. We have probably had four decisions we think have gone against us that shouldn’t have which is a lot in 11 games, but I think it is important to understand that you can be unlucky in football matches for spells in a season and that’s what it is. Let’s not waste any energy on it.”
He added: “The message from me and the group that we’re all on board with is: let’s be better. I can say my piece on VAR but it won’t change or affect anything.”
On whether it is difficult to prepare for Tottenham given their injuries and suspensions: “From everything I’ve seen and heard, Ange [Postecoglou] doesn’t change very often. With the form they have been in and how they played the other night, I would expect him to play with whoever is available and in the way he plays.”
Even that does not make it easier to plan as Spurs are “so fluid within their structure”: “They are a difficult team to stop without the ball. They have showed that already with their movement and the quality of the players they have so not an easy team to prep for.”
MATCH FACTS & STATS
Head-to-head
- Wolves are seeking successive home league wins against Spurs for the first time since a run of three between 1964 and 1968.
- Tottenham have won five of their nine Premier League visits to Molineux (D2, L2), with nine of the 18 Premier League meetings being won by the away side.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Their only league win in the past six games at Molineux came against reigning champions Manchester City in September (D3, L2).
- Wolves have scored in 12 successive top-flight home matches since a 1-0 loss to Gary O’Neil’s Bournemouth in February.
- However, they’ve only kept one clean sheet in their past 14 Premier League fixtures.
- Wolves have won their previous five Premier League home games against London opposition without conceding.
- Hwang Hee-chan is vying to become the fourth player to score in each of his club’s opening six Premier League home matches, emulating Alan Shearer at Blackburn and Les Ferdinand with Newcastle in 1995-96 and Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 2004-05.
- The South Korean has either scored or assisted in his past five top-flight appearances.
Tottenham Hotspur
- Tottenham are unbeaten in seven top-flight away games, winning five and drawing two.
- Spurs are aiming to register three successive Premier League away victories for the first time since a run of four between September and November 2020 under Jose Mourinho.
- The north Londoners have won all six of their league matches this season against sides currently in the bottom half of the table, with four of those coming away from home.
- Ange Postecoglou’s side have received 34 cards in the top flight this season, with 31 yellows and three reds. Only Wolves, with 38, and Chelsea, with 36, have collected more.
- Son Heung-min has failed to score in nine previous Premier League appearances against Wolves.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Robinson. Assistants: Timothy Wood, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Thomas Bramall. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
MATCH INFO
Wolves host Spurs at Molineux on Saturday 11th November at 12.30, the match will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK.