Gary O’Neil explains why Sam Johnstone didn’t make matchday squad against Crystal Palace.
Wolves drew with Crystal Palace at Molineux yesterday, but there was again no sign of Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone missed the game with Manchester City recently, having picked up an injury during the last international break.
He then wasn’t quite ready to face Brighton last weekend.
Yesterday against Crystal Palace, Johnstone was expected to be in the squad after missing the past two games. But he was nowhere to be seen as the teamsheet came through.
But Jose Sa started once more, with Dan Bentley again taking up a place on the bench.
After the game, Gary O’Neil shed some light as to why Johnstone was not involved against his former club.
Sam Johnstone missed Crystal Palace clash due to illness for Wolves
Sam Johnstone of Wolverhampton Wanderers walks out during a Wolverhampton Wanderers Halloween Open Training Session at Molineux on October 28, 2024…
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Fans had been keen to see O’Neil actually make a decision between Sa and Johnstone.
So far, the Wolves manager has had it easy regarding the pair, with Johnstone unable to play.
That was the case again yesterday against Palace. Johnstone had actually been set to return to the squad, but he was forced to miss out after falling ill ahead of the clash.
Interestingly, O’Neil actually confirmed that Johnstone would have been named on the bench, with Sa keeping his place.
O’Neil revealed (via E&S): “Sam Johnstone was due to be sub today and was ill this morning, so just a late call to remove him from the bench as he wasn’t feeling well.”
Johnstone has work to do to regain place
So Johnstone has now missed the last three games for Wolves through a combination of injury and illness, paving the way for Sa.
It is interesting to hear O’Neil say that Johnstone would have been on the bench yesterday.
He perhaps did not need to say that publicly. Seemingly, Sa is now the number one again at Molineux and Johnstone will have to work to get back in.
It is a frustrating situation for Wolves fans, because neither ‘keeper is performing as expected right now.
Following his brilliant display against Manchester City, Sa has performed well generally, but made errors leading to goals against Brighton and Palace. Despite his error last weekend though, O’Neil praised Sa for his general performance against Brighton.
Johnstone really hasn’t managed to get going since his £10 million transfer from Palace, and his move is one that many supporters still find puzzling.
