Gary O’Neil Prepares for Big Game Amid Personal Loss

Gary O’Neil will walk into a “big game” tomorrow carrying something far heavier than the usual tactical notes and match plans.

The head coach revealed he has been dealing with the loss of his father, who passed away this week, and spoke candidly about an emotional few days as he tries to balance grief with the demands of Premier League football.

“The past 24 hours have been tough but I have been good at separating things,” O’Neil said. “I have managed to be there for the family and the team, so of course the mourning and the memories of my dad will continue over the next few days but full focus is on what we need to do here, and the team have been great, the club have been great. I appreciate everyone's support. A tough few days but as life does, we need to move on. But I am looking forward to taking the club to a big game tomorrow.”

There was no sentimentality in his team talk, though. Once the personal questions were done, O’Neil switched straight back into manager mode.

No fixed favourites in O’Neil’s XI

Asked whether he is close to settling on a regular line-up, he pushed back at the idea of a locked-in core.

“The team is not set, and it is not like I am stuck on a starting XI,” he explained. “It is ever changing based off form and what we can do against the opposition.”

That flexibility will matter with a near-clean bill of health.

“Everyone is fit apart from Jack Taylor,” O’Neil confirmed. “He is really close though, so the international break comes at a good time. As football normally does, it will throw up some new challenges, if it doesn't, we should be a fully fit squad.”

Matusiwa edging back, Emerson ready

Azor Matusiwa is one of those hovering on the brink of a return. O’Neil made it clear there is no rush.

“We are just waiting for him to get enough reps in training for him to get comfortable,” he said. “He is doing everything in training and is doing 11-v-11 with the guys on the grass, but he has been out quite a while, so we don't need to throw him back in. We have lots of midfielders and lots of players fit. We are trying to find the right moment to get him back in the team. He is available tomorrow, we haven't decided if he will play a part in it.”

Emersonn Correia da Silva, who had been managing a tight quad, has already cleared that hurdle.

“All fine and all good,” O’Neil said of the forward. “It has been another good week for him. Things have settled down with the tight quad he had, and the game in the week helped him. He is available.”

Strong start, bigger test

Two wins from two against sides outside the traditional elite have given O’Neil a platform. He likes what he has seen. He also knows the bar is about to rise.

“I think the two wins have been excellent for us, and to play two teams that aren't in the ‘big club’ category, it is a real good start,” he said. “We do still need to try and do better. Everton will be a test. They are excellent at home, they always are. This is a game that we go in with confidence and belief and I have massive belief in us. We have prepped really well and trained well.”

A manager in mourning, a squad close to full strength, and a trip to a notoriously tough ground on the horizon. The emotion is raw, the preparation is done. Now O’Neil finds out what his players can give him on a week when he has already given so much.