Liam Keen analysis: Gary O’Neil creating a Wolves side to represent supporters

Many of them work all week to be able to afford to watch their team at Molineux – or hundreds of miles away – and they want to see a team they are proud of.

Nuno Espirito Santo managed that with great success. Bruno Lage had success but his side never entertained and the affinity with the supporters was rarely there, while Julen Lopetegui did a magnificent job to save the club from relegation and built up a good relationship with fans before throwing in the towel.

Gary O’Neil has come in, overcome plenty of obstacles and created a team that the fans can be proud of.

Going behind to Spurs so early on at Molineux was a major blow, but after that chaotic opening five minutes, Wolves were certainly the better team.

They kept possession well, won the ball back with aggression and intensity, and created chances.

In fact, everything up until the final action in front of goal was virtually perfect.

With some of the chances and phases of attacking play, Wolves did frustrate in front of goal, but that never-say-die attitude that supporters respond to proved pivotal again.

To score two added-time goals against a very good Spurs side and take all three points, means Saturday’s game has to be up there with some of the best atmospheres and Molineux moments in recent years.

It felt akin to a moment under Nuno, and that can only be a huge compliment to O’Neil.

As well as being a hard-working, intense and dedicated team, Wolves have also been far more entertaining to watch this season and that has reflected in the number of goals they have scored.

The team might still be a little rough around the edges, but they have a lot of heart and have connected with the supporters.

On top of that, the manager gets it. He has proven that with his actions, but also his words.

“The connection with the fans has been incredible and is one of the huge positives for me,” O’Neil said after the win over Spurs.

“I thought about it a lot before I took my next job, around what I want a team to look like, but also what the fan base needs it to look like as well and trying to find that right blend.

“It can be different in different parts of the country, with what the fan base needs from it’s team.

“We did some work when we heard that this (the Wolves job) may be available, on what Wolves fans like and what the area stands for.

“It’s a hard-working area with families that have to work hard for what they get, and they want to come here and see a team that wants to work hard for what they get and provide them some entertainment. That can be different at certain places. So far we’ve managed to connect the group with the people in the stands, which is a big positive for me.”

That same connection has been forged behind the walls at Compton, too. O’Neil arrived with a skeletal backroom staff in comparison to Lopetegui, as the club chose to promote a number of staff already employed by the club.

The head coach has managed to unite the staff, the players and the fans under one cause and the results and performances reflect that.

O’Neil added: “The backroom staff at the club, the guys that have been here an awful long time, are so united and so supportive to everything we try and do.

“I’m really pleased for them. Sometimes when fresh coaching staff come in, it can be hard to get to know people and you’re trying to figure out how they work.

“But they’ve given me unbelievable support and I’m glad I can help give them this moment.

“In 12, 13 weeks, to have beaten Manchester City and Spurs at home, it’s really good going.”

A part of football, sometimes, is about getting carried away – especially supporters of Wolves who have endured plenty of hardship.

Any talk of a European charge is incredibly premature, but fans deserve to enjoy the ride.

Considering how many players Wolves lost this summer and that O’Neil arrived four days before the first game of the campaign, the team’s return so far this season has been nothing short of remarkable.

O’Neil and the players both deserve enormous credit for their efforts.

A 17th-placed finish would have been a success after a tumultuous summer and although that would no longer be the case after this start, O’Neil deserves time to turn this side into whatever they can become and realise their potential.