Wolves seemed to be on their way to relegation under Gary O'Neil. Their defensive record was one of the worst in Premier League history and chaos threatened to consume the club. Three games later, new coach Vitor Pereira has them out of the relegation zone.
His first two games produced two wins without setbacks, the first consecutive clean sheet of the season. A late equalizer at Tottenham made it seven points from nine. Suddenly there is talk of a revived Wolves and a completely transformed mood.
“The main thing we needed was a change,” Nelson Semedo told Sky Sports. “Vitor arrived with his staff and after three days we looked like a different team. A better team. A better version of us. We all knew we had that. But we couldn't reach that level before.”
“It all started on the training pitch. In the end it was all about the details. It took maybe two hours for him to explain how he wanted us to play, how he wanted us to press, how he wanted us to play.” Defend. Everyone is happy with that now.'
Pereira quickly won over the supporters, who embraced him from day one, and he admitted it was a pleasant surprise how quickly that connection was made. But just as important is the relationship with his players. That also came together quickly.
“He is demanding, but also a very good person. For example, we had a few days off around the New Year because he realized that we deserved it. He knows when to give the boys a little love. They came back happier.” and with more energy.”
What has Pereira changed?
O'Neil had talked about players having 'difficulty coping with the level' and claimed the group was 'performing pretty much max', but those words already seem way off the mark. Matheus Cunha stands out, but there is also quality elsewhere in this team.
Given that his predecessor had the air of a man who had tried everything, it's worth noting that Pereira has made some smart changes. Rodrigo Gomes came in and scored his first Premier League goal. Jose Sa recovered and saved a penalty against Spurs.
Andre, a 23-year-old Brazilian international signed late in the summer, was presented as a problem to be solved, but under Pereira he has performed admirably. His sure touch in tight spaces and his willingness to tackle means his partnership with Joao Gomes is starting to blossom.
Goncalo Guedes had started just once under O'Neil but opened the scoring at Leicester and started back-to-back games for Wolves for the first time in more than two years. “He is happy here and very focused. I think he is a different man now,” says Semedo.
The two have known each other for years since their time together in Benfica's B-team. “He understands the game very well and also plays on my side, so we don't even have to talk. He really fits in and he is doing very well for us.”
Another obvious move from Pereira was to return Semedo himself to his preferred full-back role, moving Matt Doherty inside to play on the right of the back three, where the Portuguese had been deployed during the latter stages of O'Neil's time in charge.
Despite his physicality, Doherty had never really been used there before. But the Irishman has played this role very well and it has allowed Semedo to get back to doing what he does best. “I'm high on the field again. To be honest, that's where I prefer to be.”
He explains: “Doc can play as a central defender, but that knowledge of the right back helps us. It's easy for us to communicate because he knows the movements, knows that if I press him he has to come to that side .That's true.” which makes us defensively strong on that side.”
Defensively more compact
Tightening has been essential. Wolves effectively played 4-2-4 for the second half of their home defeat to Ipswich in O'Neil's last match. The holes were too big. Pereira has made them more compact and given back some control, just what was needed.
“We have the centre-backs, the wingers and the defensive midfielders, but we also have Cunha and Guedes as the number 10, who drop deeper, which gives us time to react if we lose the ball.
“I'm pretty sure you can see that change too. What it means is that even if we lose the ball, we can win it back straight away because we're all close together.”
The expected goal conceded was less than one in each of Pereira's first two games, those wins over Leicester and Manchester United. O'Neil and even Julen Lopetegui before him never managed that as Wolves manager in consecutive Premier League games.
Can they beat Forest?
One man who succeeded was Nuno Espirito Santo, 21 times in fact. There is a feeling within the club that Wolves should get back to that. Back to hard to beat. Become a serious party again. Wolves face Nuno's Nottingham Forest side on Monday.
Forest visit putting Molineux in the Champions League, a template for what is possible. “To be honest, I'm not surprised,” says Semedo, “because I also know how demanding he is. How good he is, how good his employees are. They are very good at what they do.
“We know it will be a tough match, but they can also expect a very good opponent, playing at home with a loud crowd that will push for us. We have regained the confidence that we wanted to have now. It feels like we are back on track.” be a good place.”
Nuno was the man in charge when Semedo signed for Wolves in the summer of 2020, leaving Barcelona's Nou Camp for Molineux's South Bank, as the supporters' song about him goes. Semedo is now the favorite, but that first season was difficult.
Improvement and captaincy
“My first season wasn't good enough. I wasn't prepared for the Premier League. I played in teams that were used to having the ball. Benfica had 70 percent of the ball. Every game for Barcelona was the same. This was a different team.
“Defending and then playing on the counter-attack was quite difficult for me and very physical. I think it took some time to adapt, but that's normal because this is the best league in the world. I have improved. I.” I have now completely relaxed and am enjoying it.”
He is now Wolves captain after Mario Lemina was stripped of his role following an altercation at West Ham last month. Semedo has a different mentality. “I think I'm balanced. I try not to be too emotional and I think everyone trusts me,” he says.
“The armband identifies one captain, but I want to encourage everyone to feel the responsibility of being a captain. I stand with them and push them forward. I think this is a better way to bring the group together – and that is the most important.”
Semedo's future at Wolves
Now 31, Semedo certainly didn't lose his speed when he flew up that flank. He is one of Wolves' fastest players and only two players over the age of 30 have achieved a higher top speed in the Premier League this season: Kyle Walker and Heung-Min Son.
“I still feel very good,” he emphasizes, while our conversation is somewhat delayed by his extra work in the treatment room. “I have to take care of my body as best as I can because I still have, I would say, five more years of football. But I feel great, to be honest.”
Where is that future? Semedo was Wolves' Player of the Season last time out, but his contract expires this summer and there are no signs of a new deal. Is he on his way out? “I wouldn't say that. We still have six months,” he counters.
“We have to talk to the club, see what the club wants, what I want too. And see what is better for both parties. I have been here for five years and it has been really good. And I love the Premier League.” also. So yeah, let's see what the future has in store for us.”
As for Wolves' future, Semedo is optimistic even if they face Forest without the suspended Cunha. “It's a very big loss for us, but we did very well in the second half against Tottenham without him.” Wolves finally look mobile again.
They had more possession against United and Spurs, but there is more to come from their possession under Pereira. “We still have to improve that. But hey, it's been two weeks now and we've already had a big change. It's getting better.”
Watch Monday Night Football between Wolves and Nottingham Forest on Sky Sports Premier League from 6.30pm; starting at 8 p.m
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