“We had a tense conversation and I’ll only reveal it here”- Victor Pereira reveals surprising frustration with Wolves squad after Ipswich win
Wolves’ win against Ipswich at the start of April was huge for their survival hopes.
At the time, victory at Portman Road took Vitor Pereira’s side 12 points above the Tractor Boys and the relegation zone.
The club have since backed this up with another success, Wolves beating Tottenham 4-2 to record their fourth Premier League win in a row.
Yet despite the excellent run of form, the Wolves manager has revealed it hasn’t been all plain sailing, with one necessary conversation held to focus minds and get things back on track.
Vitor Pereira reveals Wolves squad relaxed too much after Ipswich win
While not being mathematically safe following the win at Ipswich, the result all but guaranteed the Old Gold’s place in the Premier League next season.
As such, the players could be forgiven for lowering their standards, right?
Incorrect, according to Pereira.
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, the 56-year-old revealed that following the win at Ipswich, he felt “the team relaxed a little bit – but just for one day and one training session.”
Pereira added that the Wolves first-team soon returned to their usual intensity, saying: “We had a conversation and we corrected the feeling. This week, I haven’t felt that [perceived relaxation].”
After Pereira’s recent pub antics, his words and intensity will further endear him to the Wolves faithful as the club looks to continue its recent form and finish the season as strongly as possible.
How Vitor Pereira’s start at Wolves compares to his predecessors
Pereira’s start to life at Molineux has been nothing short of exceptional.
The aforementioned win against Tottenham ensured Pereria made Premier League history, becoming the first Wolves manager following the rebranding of the top flight in 1992 to rack up that many consecutive victories.
Win this weekend and Pereira will ensure Wolves do the league double over Manchester United for the first time in 45 years.
It has been an exceptional turnaround for a club that was mired in relegation trouble prior to the Portuguese’s appointment.
And this turnaround is shown in the stats, too.
Since Pereira was appointed Wolves manager, he has taken charge of 16 Premier League games, winning eight, drawing two, and losing six.
By comparison, Gary O’Neil won five of his first 16 top flight games, drawing four and losing seven
Looking further back, Julen Lopetegui won seven, drew three and lost six of his first 16 Premier League games, while Bruno Lage won six, drew three and lost seven.
It is therefore testament to Pereira’s start with the club that he has recorded more wins and holds a higher points per game record than his three immediate predecessors across each of their first 16 games.