VITOR PEREIRA PRESS CONFERENCE: BLACKBURN ROVERS V WOLVES

It’s a bit cold today, huh? Is everybody happy at the back?

Yeah. Vitor, good afternoon. This is the first chance we’ve had to speak to you since the transfer window closed earlier this week.

Let’s start with Matheus Cunha signing a new contract. How significant is that for you and the club?

He’s a very important player for us. He’s committed, and I’m very happy.

Did you feel it would have been incredibly difficult to stay in the Premier League without him? Had you lost him? Did teams come in for him in the final few days of the window?

I believe that with him, it’s better for us than without him. He’s a player who can decide the game in an instant. The team needs his leadership, both on and off the pitch.

He’s a different player.

Just on some of the finer points under the contract, is there a release clause in place?

I don’t know. This is something I’m not involved with in the contract.

Let’s talk then about the players you’ve brought in. You said you wouldn’t sleep too well after the Aston Villa game, wanting to get two or three new players. What do Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga bring to the team?

I think the squad now has more balance and more solutions.

Physically, they are stronger. I think the club has done good work. I’m happy with the club. The only thing about those two is that neither has ever played in the Premier League before.

Is that at all a concern? Are you confident they’ll be able to get up to speed quickly?

Of course, they will need some time to adapt. But I believe they are physically strong, and this is a physical league.

Of course, you need to have the tactical level and the technical level. I think these two players can add something to the squad. I think we are more competitive now, and this is important for us.

Do you expect them both to feature this weekend?

It’s difficult because Martshall has worked with us just once, and tomorrow will be Nasser’s first training. It’s hard to understand how quickly they can grasp what we want from them and connect with their teammates. We’ll see.

Regarding the major departure confirmed earlier this week, Mario Lemina going to Galatasaray, I know you worked on the basis that he could still be with you after January. Did it feel best for all parties that he did leave in the end?

In my conversations with Mario, he told me he wanted to leave. I didn’t feel his commitment since the first day I arrived at the club. When this happens, it’s better to end the relationship.

How disappointing was that for you as a coach to come into a situation where the team is struggling? He was once captain of the club, and you were working with someone who wasn’t committed to the cause.

But he was honest with me. I prefer this kind of person. He said, “Coach, it’s nothing about you, it’s about the club. I don’t want to be here; I want to leave.” I prefer this honesty.

And just on that honesty, did he explain his reasons?

I don’t know; you must ask him.

So he didn’t explain what it was about the club?

To me, no. There’s some problem with the club, but I don’t know what it is.

Just a final point on that: it’s good for you, good for Mario himself, but did you also feel it was important for the group? You don’t want someone who doesn’t want to be here affecting the other players.

Of course. I want a healthy group. I want good energy inside the group. He’s a very good player, but if his mind is not here, I prefer this decision.

I prefer to end the relationship with the club. I want everybody committed to the cause, the team, and the targets.

Does this help, having an empty week before and after this game? Does that make it easier for you to approach this time?

We did very good work in the last three days. I’m happy because, with the last result, we feel more energy—better energy. Good results bring confidence. I think the group is now more competitive, and this is something I felt in training. To achieve our targets, we must be competitive within the group. We need to feel that we are competing to improve, and I’m happy about that.

Where does the FA Cup fit into your targets now? I think everyone understands that the first objective has to be to stay in the Premier League. But we all grew up with the FA Cup and know how important it is to fans. This club has a great history. Now that you’ve progressed to the next round, where does it stand compared to the league?

No, I just think about the next game because I can’t think beyond that. We will face a historical club in this country, away from home, and we will go there with one thing in our minds: to win the game and move forward to the next round.

This is our commitment—to do our best to win the game.

And just having a winning feeling in the club is good, no matter the competition? If you win games, it creates a positive atmosphere in the club?

Of course. As I said before, a good result brings confidence.

Yes.

Agbadou played his first game in the last round against Bristol, and it seemed to give him a taste of English football. He knows the Premier League will be faster, but talking to him afterwards, he seemed to feel it was a good introduction. Now for your new players this week, I heard you say they haven’t trained much yet, but I wonder if this game might also serve as an introduction for them.

Are you asking if they will play? In a different way. The same question, but from another angle.

That’s my job.

Yes, of course. No, it’s difficult to start. Maybe I will give him some time, but to start, no.

Is pace the main thing for players coming from elsewhere? Is that the biggest change to get used to?

The pace, definitely. But, you know, Marshall has this pace. He was the player who ran the most in the last game, in the last training. It means he brings the pace. He has the pace.

That’s why we went for him. Good. He loves to impress his new manager.

Of course. Just one more thing, if I may. You have a cup tie this weekend. The women’s team here have a very big cup tie against Manchester United. I’m sure you’re aware they do some work here. That’s a huge occasion for them. As part of the same building, you must feel good for them as well.

I wish them all the best. I will try to watch the game to send them some good energy. I hope they can play well and win the game. Thank you.