VITOR PEREIRA’S PRESS CONFERENCE: WOLVES V LEICESTER

Hi, Vitor. We’re talking a few days after a fifth Premier League win in a row. Are you aware of the history you’re creating at this club?

No, I’m not a guy who looks for records. I’m just focused on the next game. We have to go there and compete for the three points. That’s what matters most.

The next game, and the next game after that, because the others are done. It’s the past.

It all started with Leicester for you, right? When you had just a few hours to prepare?

Yes, it was a fantastic win. Most important because it was my first Premier League game, and I’ll remember it for my life.

Did it go as planned?

Yes, it went well. We had two training sessions before, but the message was clear, and the players were fantastic.

Looking at the progress from that point until now, how pleased are you? I know you were a bit frustrated with the performance at Manchester United, but there’s more to come from this team.

Yes. Now the team is more consistent and solid in defence, especially defending set-pieces, and in attack too. We are in a position to compete with any team, but we must approach games with the right mentality.

Has it been a good week on the training pitch? You had a visit from the under-8s at Wolves yesterday, the next generation.

Yes, it was a good time. The happiness on the kids’ faces was fantastic.

We’ll talk about the academy in a minute, but at the other end, you face 38-year-old Jamie Vardy on Saturday. You managed him in that first game, and he’s been a Premier League great. Have you followed his career closely?

Yes, of course. He’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League, with a fantastic career, and I respect him a lot.

What makes him so hard to coach against?

He’s very intelligent. He knows how to play the offside line. Most of the time, he’s just offside, but he moves inside at the right moment to attack the space. He attacks space very well and has great finishing. He’s a special goal scorer.

Leicester have had a tough season and will be in the Championship next season. How much do you want your team to impose themselves?

Molineux is one of their last  games, so it’s big for them. Of course, they will want to prove they have quality, and they do. We have to prove our quality too. We want to win these three points, but we have to work hard to earn them.

In recent weeks, younger players like 15-year-old Jeremy Monger have come in, and you’ve had 17-year-old Mateus Mane on the bench in the last two games. I want to ask about him and the academy’s work.

The under-8s were at training, but what do you see in Mateus that excites you?

He has talent and a lot of quality. I believe he is part of this club’s future. I want to give him some minutes. I haven’t found the right moment yet, but he deserves it. He works hard. I can see him as a future figure in the Premier League. He’s young, but he has the talent.

Is he ready to step up now?

He’s very young, but yes, he has the talent.

You gave Alfie Pond his Premier League debut ball this week. Are there others you want to watch at this level next season?

Every week, we bring a few academy players to train with us. Right now, three to five players might join us for pre-season and maybe be part of the squad next season. We have good players and good work in the academy. Many come to the first team and show they have quality.

Does it excite you to have talent coming through, given your track record with players?

I like working with them. I spent many years working with new teams at FC Porto, and I enjoy teaching. Even the first team needs teaching. We can all learn, no matter our age.

Finally, what’s the team news for this weekend? Jose Sa available?

Yes, Sa is training and ready to help. Bellegarde and Channy trained with the team yesterday. I believe they’ll be available for the game. 

Thanks. Dan Bentley played last week on short notice and did a solid job. I asked him about the standards you push for. He said you won, but didn’t play very well. Is that the standard—to win but still look for ways to improve?

Of course. I want to win games and deserve the result. We showed good spirit, but technically and tactically, especially with the ball, it wasn’t our best game. Without the ball, we worked well. I spoke with the players; they know I want more. We played better football against Tottenham, so we know we can do it again. I want to see my team win tomorrow, and win with merit.

Now that you’ve secured your Premier League status, will that tell you who has the right mentality to move forward?

Yes, I want to see ambition in my team. We talk about relegation, but that’s not our goal. Our goal is to reach the best position possible on the table. The season isn’t over. When I came, the situation was tough, but we have quality. I want to see the ambition to reach the best position possible.

Do you know the shape of next season’s squad? Is there a plan for signings?

My focus is to finish this season in the best position. I want to focus on the next game. We’re already looking ahead to the next transfer window. I don’t want many players, but we need to know who’s leaving and who we need. It’s not the right moment now. I prefer to finish the season, get a clear picture, and then talk with the club.

So you’re happy to leave the speculation for now? There’s been a lot of talk, like the Cunha reports this week. You don’t want any part of that?

No, many players are mentioned that I don’t even know. But that’s football. It comes with the territory. Right now, I want to focus on winning the next game. I’ll put all my knowledge into it because it will be a tough match. Thank you.