Klopp to it!
BOSS GARY’S A FAN OF THE REDS FIST
GARY O’NEIL isn’t a big fan of fist-pump celebrations – but he could be persuaded to do it again if Wolves emerge victorious this afternoon.
The 40-year-old first copied Jurgen Klopp’s trademark routine after a gritty win at West Brom in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
He made the gesture in front of 4,000 travelling fans in the Smethwick End as Wolves booked themselves a fifthround date with Brighton this week.
After inflicting a 4-2 defeat on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, he was called into action again.
And now the pressure is on for him to step up if the Blades are blunted.
He said: “I knew how important it was to the fans following the West Brom game and it was a big win for us – I was sort of forced into it.
“The fans were kind of expecting it at Chelsea, I thought, ‘I’m going to have to do this again, here.’ It seems to now be a thing. The good news is that the more I hear it, the more we’re winning.
“I think people who know me as a person know – I don’t dance at parties – I stand on the side and occasionally nod my head if I like a song.
“Being at the front of the fistpumping is not at the top of my to-do list.
“But I’m doing it now and I’m glad that the fans are enjoying it.
“As long as they want me to do it, and we keep winning, then there’s no problem
– I can give them three fist pumps at the end of every game.
“I’ve not done it in a home game yet.
“Is it a consideration against Sheffield United? Not really.
It’s going to be a polite clap, making sure I go around to see them all to thank them for their support.”
O’Neil saluted last week’s 2-1 triumph at Tottenham as a ‘near-perfect’ performance – saying his players executed his game plan brilliantly.
But he is expecting a different test against Chris Wilder’s side. He said: “We’ve come up against similar as to what I expected from Sheffield United earlier this season but still haven’t found the best way to go about it.
“The lads’ understanding is improving.
“The game will feel slower. That’s frustrated the fans at times and we need to embrace it and find a way to make sure we come out on top.
“We need to be solid around our own goal.”