Gary O’Neil Gary O’Neil stopped short of criticising Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, after the midfielder was sent off for Wolves against Luton Town.
Wanderers took a point against the Hatters at Kenilworth Road.
Wolves struggled in the game and could not really play the free-flowing football we have seen at times this season.
Very few chances were created, as Luton sought their first points of the season.
Wolves had another shocking VAR decision go against them. But part of the reason for Wolves’ struggles was because the team went down to 10 men.
Bellegarde got into a tangle with Luton captain Tom Lockyer, and kicked out when trying to get up off the ground.
It was not forceful, but it’s something you just can’t do. After the game, O’Neil gave his thoughts about the incident…
Gary O’Neil reacts to Jean-Ricner Bellegarde red card for Wolves against LutonO’Neil was probably disappointed to see Bellegarde lose his head.
But the manager did not express that publicly, and did actually back his player after the game.
He said (Wolves official): “The word around is he kicked out a bit after a tussle. Jean’s apologised, he’s absolutely devastated he’s let the squad, me, the staff and fans down today, because it’s not like him.
“He’s new over here and it’s a step up tempo wise and he was probably frustrated with the start like I was. That needs to fix, but we will, Jean will be fine. The second half with ten I thought we were very good.”
Silly from Bellegarde, but he will be better for the experienceIt was a shame to see Bellegarde get sent off but there cannot really be any complaints about that particular decision.
There may not have been force. And some have suggested Bellegarde was simply trying to push Lockyer off of him.
But you can’t do it, and Bellegarde did let the team down a little with his actions.
But it’s good that O’Neil didn’t slam him for it. He has just come to the club from a new league and it was seemingly something fairly out of character.
The Frenchman will be better off for the experience and surely manage his emotions better moving forwards.
