Wolves are about to enter a new era at Molineux as Portuguese boss Vitor Pereira edges closer to taking over.
Wolves are expected to confirm the 56-year-old’s appointment on Wednesday, with Vitor Pereira signing an 18-month contract.
Pereira, who arrives from Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab, has a huge mountain to climb to keep the Old Gold in the Premier League this term.
Wolves have the worst record at defending set-pieces in the top flight, conceding 16 from dead-ball situations while Gary O’Neil was in charge.
The Wanderers have also shipped 40 goals and are on track to beat Sheffield United’s record of 104 goals let in across a 38-game campaign.
So, with that said, the January transfer window could play a pivotal role in deciding their fate this term.
Flamengo Head Coach Vitor Pereira during the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022 Semi Final match between Flamengo v Al Hilal SFC at Stade Ibn-Batouta...
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Vitor Pereira’s plans at Wolves in the January transfer window
When O’Neil was in charge, Wolves had several defensive targets on their radar and plans in place to sign new players early doors.
Atalanta centre-back Ben Godfrey has since been linked with Wolves, and he could be one player they try to sign next month.
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The Old Gold have also previously looked at Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic and Sunderland’s Dan Ballard; two players currently battling for promotion out of the Championship.
In the wake of Pereira joining the club, many will expect the transfer targets to alter but we can exclusively reveal that the Portuguese won’t be ‘overly impactful’ or ‘change plans’.
We’ve also been told that Wolves are ‘happy with the squad’, they’re just well aware that defensive reinforcements are needed to survive this season.
Wolves intend on making an ‘early impact’ in the window, getting their business done swiftly so Pereira has a lot of time to work with the squad.
The profile of centre-back Wolves must sign
Wolves have been so easy to carve open this term. Pereira will need to make the Old Gold more defensively solid while preserving most of their threat in attack.
Currently, the three centre-back options, Toti Gomes, Craig Dawson and Santi Bueno all lack pace and mobility.
Pereira needs to sign someone, perhaps a Godfrey type, who is known for his recovery pace and agility out of possession.
O’Neil playing a high line with a back three of Dawson, Toti and Bueno was a recipe for disaster, and Pereira can only do the same if one or two defenders are brought in.
Wolves are simply on the slippery slope to relegation if they don’t improve their defence, and the numbers paint a very grim picture.
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