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18 hours ago
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As Wolves were on Friday night breathing a sigh of relief that Matheus Cunha is set to be available to face Tottenham on Sunday, there are plenty of other positives to be drawn from Vítor Pereira’s first week at the helm alongside their star player’s contributions.
Cunha has scored in both of their new manager’s opening games as Wolves have climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season following the wins over Leicester and Manchester United. An FA misconduct charge is hanging over Cunha, but the governing body’s disciplinary panel is unlikely to meet before next week.
As important as the Brazilian’s form has been the first pair of consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League this season – something Gary O’Neil failed to achieved in his 16-month tenure. Wayward defending triggered his dismissal even before the players’ dereliction of discipline that culminated in Rayan Aït-Nouri and Cunha losing their heads after the 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich a fortnight ago.
Pereira has conjured an uptick in intensity and attitude simply by providing a new and authoritative voice, but he has also made some important tactical tweaks, while acknowledging the need for “heart and soul”.
The eye test that suggests Wolves have played with more cohesive compactness since the appointment of their new Portuguese manager is reflected in the data, with United’s xG of 0.44 and Leicester’s xG of 0.8 two of Wolves’ three best performances of the season when it comes to expected goals against.
So how has this come about? The former Porto manager is evidently instilling a shorter passing game, as they were more accurate in this department against United in Thursday’s 2-0 win at Molineux (92.7%) than in any previous league game this season, and also impressive in the 3-0 win at Leicester (91%).
“I don’t like a team facing games just to defend, this is not my [idea],” Pereira said. “I like to play. My teams play good football, with the ball, without it, with courage.”
Pereira has thrown his lot in with goalkeeper José Sá, who was in and out under O’Neil, and has been rewarded with the first pair of 100% save percentages of the season. Fielding eight Portuguese‑speaking players at a club renowned for their links with his agent, Jorge Mendes, Pereira has also restored Nélson Semedo to the position from which his pace brings the most attacking possibilities, at right wing-back. With their shortage of proven central defenders, since Max Kilman’s summer move to West Ham, O’Neil had been obliged to try Semedo at right centre‑back when reverting to a back five, for his recovery pace, but Matt Doherty has excelled since dropping in alongside Santiago Bueno and Toti Gomes. The Ireland defender is better in the air, and Wolves enjoyed their best winning percentage of aerial duels on Thursday (64%).
Bueno and Doherty also helped Wolves turn their nightmare scenario – of conceding from set pieces more than any other team – into a dream when they legally sandwiched André Onana, the Manchester United goalkeeper, as Cunha’s corner flew into the far corner to give Wolves the lead against United. “I was shooting,” Cunha said gleefully afterwards. “We train to shoot.”
Amid reports that Arsenal would like to acquire Cunha, who cost £44m from Atlético Madrid last year, Pereira recognises what a talent Wolves have. The club do have a track record of selling their best player each year but Cunha’s contribution to 14 of their 29 goals this season has not escaped his attention.
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“I hope he stays with us for a long time but I understand that as a special player, he will have opportunities in his career,” the 56-year-old said. “Because it is not only about his technique but his personality. He is special because he can take the ball in a moment of pressure and make magic from nothing. Of course I don’t want him to be sold in January.”
Wolves have been practising without Cunha, and the Brazilian unselfishly teed up Hwang Hee‑chan for the second goal against United, the South Korean’s first of the season likely to presage his return to the starting lineup sooner or later. They also have Mario Lemina available after injury in midfield but having Cunha available to run at Archie Gray and whoever else Spurs can field in defence gives Wolves an edge.
Another boon for Wolves is the fact that the managerial change has brought an end to the blood-letting. The pressure is on Ange Postecoglou, the Spurs manager whom Pereira, who won the Chinese league with Shanghai SIPG, knows from Asian Champions League meetings against Yokohama F Marinos.
“He is a manager with different ideas, very offensive ideas and it means they are a team that can score a lot of goals,” Pereira said. “We need to be at our best level to compete with them.”
