VITOR PEREIRA PRESS CONFERENCE: WOLVES V ARSENAL

Hi Vitor, this is the first time we’re meeting, so it’s good to see you. I’m Amber from Sky Sports News. Nice to meet you.

I wanted to start with the team news, particularly about Toti. It looks like Nelson Semedo is recovering quite well.

I believe Toti will be in the game, but not for the full 90 minutes as he’s not ready yet.

Another player we haven’t seen recently is Mario Lemina.

I know he’s been vocal about not wanting to be at the club, but there’s been an apology between you two. Is there any update on that situation?

No, I’m waiting for the end of the transfer window, and we’ll decide what to do then. If he stays, it would be a positive for us, in my opinion. We’ll see what happens.

So, there’s no chance of seeing him tomorrow? No, no, no.

Another player who’s received a lot of attention this week is Mateus Cunha. You mentioned his body language after the game. Have you had a conversation with him this week?

Of course.

How committed are you to keeping him as captain?

He knows what I expect from him as captain. We had a conversation, and everything is solid.

He’s ready for the game, committed to us, and ready to help the team.

He’s also been linked to other clubs, with Arsenal and Nottingham keeping an eye on him. Have there been any offers or bids for him?

I don’t know. That’s a question for the club. He’s my player, and I don’t think he’s for sale.

This is the information from the club. He’s committed to us and to playing at his high level. That’s all.

How much do you want him to stay at the club?

It’s very important for us. If we look back, tomorrow’s game will be your seventh league match in charge. You had a flying start with seven points in your first three games.

It’s been a tougher run lately. It feels like an uphill battle. What’s your assessment so far, and how is the team’s morale?

I believe in my players and our work, and I have confidence. We’re facing very strong teams, but we’re still united and believing. Tomorrow, we’ll play at our best level. I want my team to play the way we should.

The last game wasn’t good for us. We changed too many behaviours, which is not what I want. I want identity. I want us to play our way, not just react to the other team.

What have you learned from Monday’s game and the last six?

This league is very difficult, and we will improve our behaviours and grow as a team over time.

But the key is to believe in ourselves and what we’re doing, and to play according to how we work every day.

You’re honest in your assessments of your players, which supporters may find refreshing. How do you balance honesty with the need for togetherness and unity in the team? Is that a hard balance? How do you achieve it?

I like to live my life with truth. When we speak the truth, we have reason on our side. I prefer to be honest with everyone because that way I can sleep well.

You’ve mentioned needing more tactical maturity. How will that show against Arsenal?

Against Arsenal, we must demonstrate tactical maturity because they are strong. But I have confidence in my players and our work. We’re working to improve our game. We don’t have much time, but we try to make progress every day.

What does tactical maturity mean, and what does it look like? Can you explain that?

Tactical maturity is knowing everything about the system, the offensive and defensive dynamics, and how to deal with the challenges opponents create. If you know your system and game model, you can manage both offensive and defensive dynamics against strong opponents. We are taking steps, but we don’t yet have this consistent tactical maturity.

Do you understand?

The challenge is that the opposing team will bring its own issues, so it’s hard to impose your identity. You have to react to their tactics too. What will Arsenal do that might trouble you?

They are a strong team, especially in attack. We need to focus on ourselves.

In the last game, I felt we didn’t try. We lacked the intention to play our game, which I don’t want to see again. I want my players to have the confidence to play based on our principles and what we practise every day. I don’t know why, but in the last game, although Chelsea is a good team, we need to push our game. We need to play with confidence and not rely on long balls or waiting for second balls, as that’s not our style.

One last question from me. You mentioned Arsenal and their strengths from set pieces, which seems to have been a weakness for you. That sounds like a tough mix for you.

Yes, every team has challenges against them. Set pieces are part of the game we work hard to improve. We’ll see how we do tomorrow. We will work again on set pieces today.

Thank you. Just on Matheus Cunha, I wonder if the noise surrounding him is difficult for him?

I spoke with him, and he’s very committed to us. He never asked to leave the club. He wants to help the team and be with us tomorrow to try to win the game.

Finally, how would you assess the club’s work in the transfer window so far, and how much are you looking forward to it ending?

I don’t have a problem with that. Of course, we know we need one or two players in specific positions, and the club is working on that. Time is running out. I hope the club can bring in two more players.

OK, thank you. Hi Vitor, you’re in the middle of a fixture list that troubled Wolves at the start of the season. Is tomorrow a good opportunity for your side to show progress compared to the start of the season?

Tomorrow is a chance to compete and win.

It’s a chance for us, eleven against eleven, facing a strong team. I like to see courage, both as a person and as a player. I want to see my players’ eyes filled with fire for the game. This is the team I want to see tomorrow, one that truly believes it can win.

Defensively, it’s been a concern since the start of the season. We need to work on that.

I want to ask about Agbadou and what he’s brought. Is the defence more settled with him? How has he settled in?

When we bring in a player, he and the team need time to coordinate.

Right now, it’s challenging because we don’t have much time between games. We need to recover. Coordinating is tough without work that demands a lot physically. He brings different concepts, and now he needs to understand ours.

We’re working to create the right coordination, but we still need to focus on the level of the last teams we faced.

All your players have different personalities like in any workplace. How do you help those who aren’t naturally confident?

That’s my job.

I need to instil confidence, hunger to win, and fire in their eyes. This is what we’re doing. It’s not just tactical work; it’s about building confidence to play. I believe we can play better football. We should play better football because we have before, and I want to see my team striving for that tomorrow.

Is that part of the job you enjoy, managing the people rather than just the tactics?

Yes, that’s an aspect I enjoy in football. But football is not just tactics; it’s about people. People can bring good energy or be empty of it. Sometimes we have bad energy. We need to create good energy together with our supporters to be our best selves.

You’ve been here five weeks to understand all these different personalities. That’s not easy, is it?

You can only know someone in tough moments. You can feel if a person has the strength to react, to fight, and to compete again. It’s not about when we’re winning; it’s about understanding who the fighters are in the storm. That’s important. The leaders are important.