Wolves had an adequate first season under Gary O’Neil in 2023/24 however, the manager has now been told that a key change was detrimental to one player.
The 2023/24 season was encouraging for Wolves despite a dip at the end of the campaign seeing the Old Gold settle for a 14th-place finish.
There was talk around the turn of the year that the Midlands club could challenge for a European spot, as Gary O’Neil’s style of football saw many thrive.
Ultimately, Wolves’ downfall was a lack of squad depth, with the actual quality of performance suggesting that the boss is the right man to take the club forward.
That being said, O’Neil’s decisions weren’t positive for everyone at Molineux, as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde suffered as a result of one change.
Wolves change in formation caused Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to struggle
Signed on deadline day in 2023, Bellegarde arrived after starting the 2023/24 season in searing form at Strasbourg.
The Frenchman contributed to four goals in three Ligue 1 appearances before making the move to Molineux however, one thing O’Neil did saw his form fizzle out shortly after his arrival.
Journalist Liam Keen identified what caused the 25-year-old to struggle after his fast start in the Premier League when speaking on The Keen & Judah Show.
“We saw him in his debut against Liverpool and in that first half, he was absolutely phenomenal.
“It was exciting to see this player carrying the ball like Matheus Nunes was. Nunes is brilliant at carrying the ball forward and that was what Bellegarde was doing playing with a four at the back against Liverpool.
“When Wolves changed to a five a few games later, Bellegarde struggled to find a position.”
Keen outlined O’Neil’s decision to switch from a back four to a back five as detrimental to Bellegarde, who failed to make an impact as encouraging as his debut throughout the season.
Gary O’Neil must find Bellegarde’s best position
There’s no denying the talent that is there to be unlocked in Bellegarde although, the Frenchman must discover his best position in Wolves’ squad in order to progress.
On his debut against Liverpool, the former Ligue 1 gem assumed a free-roaming role between Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto on the flanks, a set-up that was disrupted by the change in formation.
Unfortunately for Bellegarde, O’Neil’s decision to switch his formation was fundamental to Wolves’ progression as a squad, leaving the Frenchman behind as others thrived.
There is hope that next season can be different for the versatile attacker, who will be eyeing an improved goal tally and a position to find sanctuary in.