WATCH FOR YOUR QUICK ROUND UP OF VITOR PEREIRA'S PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF WOLVES V BRIGHTON
Wolves v Brighton: Vitor Pereira Presser, Injuries & Key Points
Brighton at Molineux on Sunday, and Wolves’ head coach Vitor Pereira has laid out the state of play. From a flu bug in the camp to players finding form and fitness, there was a lot to unpack. This round-up covers the injury situation, the mood after a stronger week, who is pushing for shirts, and how the squad is shaping up ahead of a tricky test.
Injury Updates from the Presser
Pereira opened with fitness and availability. There’s illness about, plus a couple of players are still short of their best level. The tone was pragmatic, not panicked. He stressed that selection will hinge on who can train with intensity and who can hit the level needed on Sunday. With Brighton’s movement and tempo, it matters.
Flu Bug in the Camp
There is a flu bug at Compton. Pereira confirmed Toti has the flu and the hope is to minimise any spread around the group.
Strand LARSEn’s Fitness Concerns
Strand Larsen is back working with the group, but not at 100 percent. Pereira said he still has a pain in his Achilles, which is limiting him from reaching his best level. It was mentioned more than once, which suggests a cautious approach. Even if he makes the squad, the staff will be measuring minutes and intensity closely. The issue also framed later chat about potential pairings, which are on hold until he is fully right.
Team Performance and Mindset After Recent Games
Pereira spoke with more certainty about the direction of travel. He referenced a better level of football, more courage on the ball, and a belief that the group can compete with anyone when they hit their standards. The Everton cup win helped, as did a brave display against Spurs that could have brought three points on another day.
Positive Vibes Post-Spurs
He described having a good feeling about Wolves’ football, which felt more assertive and structured, especially after Everton and Tottenham. The message was simple: we showed that we can compete.
Focus on Self-Improvement Over Opponent
Brighton are a strong side with quality players. Pereira acknowledged they have been building for some time. But he returned, over and over, to Wolves’ own level. He addressed the poor record against Brighton, then drew a line under it. Wolves have to create more, maintain shape, and show bravery, and he feels the squad is starting to understand the tactical and mental asks being made of them.
He also offered a view from the training pitch: a committed group working with belief and pushing each other to higher standards. The sessions have been sharper, and the competition for places cleaner and more focused.
Goalkeeper Battle and Shirt Competition
On the number one shirt and Sam Johnstone, Pereira was crystal clear. There are no gifts in football. Players have to earn the shirt every week. He likes competition and accepts the selection headache when two deserve to play, but he prefers that problem to complacency. The standard is merit.
He wants fairness, work ethic, and a strong dressing room culture. The line that framed it: fight for the shirt in the right way.
Reactions to Line-up Changes and Future Pairings
There were nine changes last week. He said those who dropped out reacted as professionals should. They trained hard and gave the staff the right answers. Results had not been coming, so changes were needed to find solutions in shape and style. That reset appears to have helped the group feel more settled. Connections are stronger, and because the tactical roles are clearer, players can express themselves more.
He was also asked if Strand Larsen and Tolu can play together. The answer was yes, in time. For now, both need to hit full fitness. Strand Larsen is still managing discomfort, and Tolu did not have a proper pre-season and is adapting to the league. Long term, Pereira sees it as a viable partnership.
Upbeat Tone from Pereira
Pereira came across in a much more positive, upbeat place. Earlier signs of frustration have eased, helped by performances and results. The Everton win in the cup steadied things, with Chelsea up next in that competition, and the Spurs display showed Wolves are moving in the right direction. Nearly three points, but more than that, a performance to build on.
Conclusion
Wolves head into Sunday with a clearer mind and a stronger training week behind them. There is illness to manage and a couple of fitness questions, but the overall mood is better. The plan is to focus on what Wolves can control, play with courage, and turn steady progress into points.
Vitor pereira's press conference summary
Pereira says he can start both Tolu Arokodare and Jorgen Strand Larsen together when they are both fit but right now they aren’t in the best shape.
The head coach said: “He’s not the Larsen that you used to see pressing, fighting, because he has got some pain. He’s trying to help the team in this important moment, but he’s not in his best level. When Tolu started to work with us he was not ready to start a game. But we needed him to start at Newcastle. He tried his best, scored a beautiful goal against Everton, but he is not yet in his best shape.”
He revealed Toti Gomes may be a doubt for Sunday after coming down with the flu.
When asked about the nine changes made from the squad that played against Leeds he said: “I changed the players because we were not winning games, that’s why I changed the system. What we did in the past wasn’t enough. And I know that I can find the solutions. I know that I can do better. I know the level my team can play and they need to be proving every day that they deserve the shot and position.”
He is more confident in his team now he sees his players fighting for positions: “I’ve seen my team trying to prove that we deserve more than this. We’ve increased the intensity and aggressiveness in the training. They are trying to fight for their position, but in the right way, working, running, fighting and playing. This is why I’m more confident now than before.”
He is seeing positive improvements from his team: “The players now understand what we are demanding, tactically, mentally, and they are, for the first time in this league, realising what this league is demanding from them. What I see on the pitch every day is a team committed and competing to be at the best level with confidence and spirit.”
He says his players are starting to settle in and express themselves: “When you start a new season in a different club with a new manager your focus is in information, in the tactical things and you cannot express yourself. If I don’t have a connection with the players, it’s difficult. But now in the last weeks I felt that it will be something. I’m building a team. I’m building my identity and now the players are in the conditions to express themselves.”
When asked if Sam Johnstone’s number one shirt is his to lose he said: “Football is not about gifts. I cannot offer you a shirt because you are a name in football, you must desire. You must deserve with your work, it is not about words. If I have two players in the same position, and the level is almost the same, if I choose one over the other it’s because he deserves to be there.”