Wolves crashed to a third straight defeat in the Premier League on Saturday, losing 3-2 to Everton.
Fans are growing increasingly concerned over the current state of play, with the club looking set for a relegation battle this season.
Wanderers are yet to take a point in the Premier League and are rock bottom, and fans have been far from convinced by the club’s transfer activity in recent weeks.
Vitor Pereira has his work cut out if he is to build on the work he did last season.
One of his biggest achievements last season was that he shored Wolves up at the back.
Sadly, defensive solidity is nowhere to be found so far this season, with Emmanuel Agbadou having struggled since pre-season.
It remains to be seen if Pereira will change up his backline after the international break, but Andy Thompson believes Matt Doherty needs to be playing.
Vitor Pereira urged to play Matt Doherty
Wolves defender Matt Doherty pointing.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Doherty was something of a surprise package for Wolves last season.
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After the arrival of Pereira, the Irishman started playing as a right-sided centre-back and after some tricky outings to begin with, he really settled in that position.
Doherty hasn’t started Wolves’ last two games now, being rotated against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup in midweek and then staying on the bench against Everton.
For Andy Thompson, Wolves are a better outfit defensively when he plays.
He said on Matchday Live Extra: “I still like Doc. I think Doc has deserved an opportunity. He was left out in the cup game in the week. And he came on, I think he makes a difference to us.
“I think he just gives us that experience. He knows how to play the game. From them wide positions as well. I think his quality up to the front man is a lot better. (Mikey Burrows: He defends crosses very well) Exactly.
“I said that about the first goal against West Ham where the ball has come in and Soucek is at the back post with Rodrigo Gomes. If that was Doherty maybe he would have dropped back a bit to help him out and maybe had Soucek.
“I just think we’ve got to try and get the confidence.”
Pereira must find winning defensive formula for Wolves
Fans are very concerned right now, with the defensive frailties that were on show a year ago under Gary O’Neil having seemingly returned.
Pereira has shown previously that he can get Wolves to be solid, and he must find that again as soon as possible.
Doherty may not be the answer, though. Yes he did well when he came on against West Ham, and may well have done a better job of marking Soucek.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira folds his arms.
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But Yerson Mosquera might be a better option to play as that right centre-back. He looked fairly solid against West Ham United.
Or perhaps new signing Ladislav Krejci could play in the middle with Agbadou to move over to the right into Doherty’s position.