Gary O'Neil discusses Wolves' latest penalty controversy

O’Neil was booked for his furious reaction at the decision, which VAR did not overturn, and insists it should have been a penalty, while also conceding Wolves were fortunate themselves in the first half.

“I think it’s important we discuss both, as there was one in the first half that could be deemed similar,” O’Neil said,

“If it was given, firstly I’d be disappointed with Jorgen for not looking at the ball and the way he defended, but obviously it hits him fairly high up his arm.

“The second one felt different to that, and I understand that may be because I’m in the Wolves dugout.

“How outstretched Chris Woods’ arm was and the fact it hits him right on the hand, it looked fairly obvious to me.

“But I would accept that there was potential for their’s to be given as well.

“My reaction to it was disappointment. I’m passionate but there was no abuse thrown at anybody.

“I wasn’t shouting at anybody, just disappointed that in a big moment in an away game, a penalty for us in that moment would have been huge.

“I have a responsibility to make sure we stay close to the guidelines that are set in the technical area, but I am human.

“When Simon booked me I said ‘no problem, apologies if I’m overreacting’, but that’s definitely a penalty.

“It’s interesting how close Simon got to blowing his whistle, it was very close to his lips.

“Every decision should be judged on it’s own merit. I would understand the first one being given and in my opinion the second one should definitely be given.”

Meanwhile, O’Neil says he expects Jose Sa to stay with the club.

The goalkeeper did not travel with the team to Forest after the deadline day signing of Sam Johnstone, who started at the City Ground.

The Express & Star understands that Sa could depart for Saudi Arabia before their window closes on Monday, but the head coach was coy regarding a move.

“Jose Sa didn’t travel as it’s been an unsettling week and he had a little bit going on,” O’Neil said.

“Since Sam has arrived he knows that he’s still a big part of what we want to do.

“It’s the same as any other position, we need people to be pushed and to fight for their place in the team.

“For me it was a big call changing the goalkeeper but I felt it was the right time to put Sam in.

“Jose has had the weekend off, he will now go away with Portugal I presume and come back ready to work and fight for his place in the team.”

When asked if Sa will be a Wolves player after the Saudi window closes, O’Neil added: “I was asked the question about other windows earlier and I hadn’t considered it for Jose.

“My plan for him is to be here and fight. We have good depth in the squad and everybody is being pushed.

“Tommy is pushing Joao, Andre will push Joao and Mario, Guedes will push Bellegarde and Channy.

“There is a lot that helps and Kingy is excellent every day in training. Bentley is still fighting and pushing and it really helps the goalkeeping department that we’ve added another one and he performed well today.”