Dave Edwards: Wolves really must start capitalising when on top

He is really trying to make them a more efficient team in front of goal, but it is still the same old story of not being able to get their noses in front when they are on top and in control of games.

Wolves have continued from what Julen Lopetegui has built, with good play in possession. I think the build-up play is excellent and we can control sides – even the top sides, where we have enough possession not to worry too much.

But when I look at the first half at Selhurst Park, if you can get the first goal and get in front, then it will play into Wolves’ hands.

The other team have to come on to you and Wolves can exploit the space, which they have done so well.

That is the one huge area to improve on. Is it to do with personnel? Obviously they would like real quality at the top end of the pitch. Is it a mentality thing with the players where they are happy to keep the ball? You need some devilment in front of goal – that clinical edge – which is not quite there.

It is something that can be worked on in training and O’Neil will be working hard on it, but it feels like they have to change the players’ mindsets a little bit as well.

You have to go for the throat when the opportunities come. You have to be really aggressive in those final moments – whether it is a final pass or getting on the end of something. Have that belief that when the ball is in the box, you will get on the end of it regardless if players are in your way.

They need to improve that clinical edge throughout the team.

I would say 60-70 per cent of Wolves’ play is excellent, but when you do not score goals it naturally puts pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets – and we saw that pressure break at Selhurst Park, when they conceded some poor goals.

Wolves look more effective in front of goal when Sasa Kalajdzic is on the pitch, which is a dilemma for O’Neil. I personally would not start him, I think at the moment he is an excellent impact player, but they definitely change how they play when he comes on.

The confusion he causes defenders – we saw it at Everton and again against Palace. They are so worried about getting close to him, that it brings other players in and that showed for Matheus Cunha’s goal.

Hwang Hee-chan is also looking like a goal-scorer again. He gets into good areas and gets across his man. His movement was very good for his goal on Sunday. Hwang and Kalajdzic look like they can create and score goals for Wolves.

Mario Lemina had an excellent first half at Palace and won the ball back an awful lot. Wolves now need him and Joao Gomes to put in performances together.

Pedro Neto, too, is getting closer to his best. When he plays on the left he is a lot more effective. On the right he cuts onto his left but Wolves struggle to score goals when the defence is set.

But on the left he can get down the outside and cross with his left, putting the ball behind the defence. You then need the forwards getting in and making runs.

A fit and healthy Neto, who now looks sharp, is a huge positive for O’Neil. He will get more and more confident if he keeps getting crosses into the box. You can now build the relationships with the strikers.