Gary O’Neil spoke on Wolves’ busy deadline day ahead a crucial trip to Nottingham Forest, as the club look to bounce back from two defeats that kicked off the Premier League season.
In the last 24 hours the club have announced the signings of French defender Bastien Meupiyou from Nantes and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace.
Wanderers are also expected to confirm the addition of Andre from Fluminensea highly-rated defensive midfielder for around £20 million.
The window has forced O’Neil to adapt
The boss commented that while he is happy with the incomings, the club missed out on players that he would have liked at Molineux.
He said: “We had a plan for how the team would play but as the window progressed we missed players that would have helped us.
“I now have to be more adaptable with the style.”
However, O’Neil dismissed any suggestions that he felt let down by the club’s business.
“No, lots of things can happen. It is just where we are at this moment,” he said.
Time will tell as to whether any other deals come through the door, with Carlos Forbs, Nayef Aguerd and Trevor Chalobah all linked with a move to the Black Country.
Traore requires surgery for knee injury
Boubacar Traore started brightly in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory against Burnleybut was forced off just before the interval with an injury to his left knee.
O’Neil said: “We are disappointed because he is a great guy who will be missed.”
Wolves’ head of high performance, Phil Hayward, revealed that the midfielder will need surgery to recover from the injury.
“The scans have shown damage to the lateral meniscus which will require surgery. This will take place in the coming week,” he said.
“It is difficult to predict the exact timescales at this stage, and we will know more once Boubacar has surgery.”
It is a blow for the club’s midfield depth, however the signing of Andre will give O’Neil another option alongside the likes of Mario Lemina, João Gomes and Tommy Doyle.
Podence is likely to depart
After a positive pre-season and a solid performance on Wednesday night, it looked as if Daniel Podence was set to remain in WV1 for this season, after a loan spell at Olympiakos last campaign.
However, a £5 million offer from Al-Shadab is on the table and the 28-year-old looks close to the move.
O’Neil said: “Daniel is getting close to leaving. He has had an excellent offer for him and his family.
“Discussions have been ongoing and it looks like something will be completed.”
However, after Wednesday’s victory Goncalo Guedes looks to be staying at Molineux, after an impressive performance including two goals.
Johnstone “adds real quality”
Sam Johnstone has made the move to Wolves from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace for £10 million to provide competition for current number one Jose Sa.
The boss was thrilled with the addition and commented on the competition that the man with four England caps will bring.
He said: “I am really pleased, it is a good singing and gives us good competition.
“He adds real quality and experience. He will be in the squad tomorrow.”
Sporting director Matt Hobbs also explained how crucial it was to get the deal over the line.
Hobbs said: “It is an area of the pitch we wanted to add more competition and, for us, it is finding the right balance between the level of investment, what it adds to the squad and what it enables us to do for the rest of the squad.
“For us to be able to add someone like him is valuable for us.
“He ticks a lot of boxes and it is up to him and the others to fight out for that position.
“If we can add such an experienced player, who is homegrown and knows the league, and it makes the whole group more competitive, then we would not turn that down in any other position, so why do we turn that down in a goalkeeper?”
