PREVIEW: WOLVES V FOREST

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pereira said his side must adapt without top scorer Matheus Cunha, who was handed a two-game ban for his actions at the end of their game against Ipswich: “We need to be ready to play with or without Cunha. We play as a team. I think we have players with different skills and qualities – but we will be ready.”

• He did not condemn his striker for his actions: “He knows that it was not a good reaction but I look for a player not only as a player, as a human being. Sometimes even me, I make mistakes. He knows that he made a mistake. Now is to not do it again [and] to try to keep the emotional balance and move forwards.”

• On Wolves’ plans for the January transfer window and speculation around Lens defender Kevin Danso: “We are working in the market, like the other teams. I am trying to understand what my players can give to me. This is a time to look for targets but I [will only] speak about my players. I cannot speak about players in the other teams. Until now our squad is short but I prefer to have a short squad because I like to see players from the academy. We are looking for talents. It is important to bring [in] but I am happy with my team.”

• He also insisted former skipper Mario Lemina has a role to play, despite not featuring in a matchday squad under him: “He is our player in this moment – it means he is in my plans at this time.”

• On wing-back Matt Doherty playing in the back three: “I want to play with three defenders, not three centre backs. My defenders, I hope in time, have the freedom to attack the lines, attack the opposing players [and] to open space for other players. It means sometimes I need him open as a full back [and] other times closing as a centre back.”

• On his style and how close the squad are to that: “I am trying to understand the roles [in which] they feel comfortable to do it. It means this moment is a moment to study. I like to do something in my teams to create diversity of movement. Sometimes with a left foot on the right side and the opposite. The same for the forwards, [with] the men close to the striker. [I want] to change them because when they change the space, they start to do different things. This is the variability I want to see in my team.”

• On how he compares with his Nottingham Forest counterpart and Portuguese compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo: “I have known him for a long time since he worked in Portugal. He and his staff are doing fantastic work – consistent, quality. It means that he is one of the top coaches here in England but I am what I am. I know what I want for my career and I will try to get it.”

• With Forest competing at the top of the Premier League, Pereira said Wolves must be at their “best level” on Monday: “The results are telling us they are a strong, very consistent team. Very fast in counter attack, very dangerous when other teams lose balls and they are ready to go fast with quality. [They have] very good quality in transition.”