Wolves have had a miserable Premier League campaign so far, with their latest defeat at Newcastle increasing the need for urgent change.
The 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park has left the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, as the Old Gold continue to search for their first points of the season.
Wolves’ supporters are also growing concerned about Vitor Pereira, with many questioning his tactical approach and the team’s lack of identity.
It was the club’s fourth straight defeat of the season, which further underlines the team’s struggles this campaign.
This weekend, Wolves host Leeds in a crucial relegation six-pointer, and after the Newcastle setback, we’ve identified three things Pereira must change ahead of the encounter.
Settle on a starting XI
When Periera came in last season, he immediately found his best starting team and made little to no changes to this lineup each week, which ultimately led to a positive sequence of results.
However, in this campaign, the Portuguese manager has been inconsistent with his team selection, which has prevented the team from building any kind of rhythm or understanding on the pitch.
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Old Gold supporters are frustrated by the lack of stability and are questioning why new signings like John Arias are not being played in their best positions.
Jhon Arias playing for Wolves.
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Jorgen Strand Larsen remains sidelined with an achilles injury; however, there are no other considerable injury concerns, and therefore Pereira needs to use training to identify his strongest team.
Stability and familiarity could provide the foundation for the West Midlands outfit to turn their season around, with it being imperative that they get their first points on the board against Leeds.
Start new signing John Arias and Fer Lopez
New signings Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez can bring the creativity that has been missing from Wolves’ performances so far this season.
While Arias prefers to drift into pockets of space and unlock defences with subtle passes, Lopez likes to pick up the ball in deeper areas and link midfield to attack.
“When I get the ball, I try to be as vertical as possible.”
Fer's first interview ⤵️
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 21, 2025
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Periera is yet to start Lopez in the Premier League, a decision that has baffled supporters considering how blunt they have been in the final third in recent matches.
Wolves supporters expressed their anger towards the decision to bring on Marshall Munetsi over Lopez last weekend when the Old Gold were chasing an equaliser.
Similarly, Arias has been given infrequent minutes and is yet to cement his position in the starting lineup; however starting both players together could inject some much-needed firepower and give Wolves a real chance to get points on the board against Leeds.
Drop underperforming players
Periera will also need to make some tough calls and drop underperforming players like Emmanuel Agbadou and Munetsi.
The 57-year-old head coach can’t keep giving starts to players who are not performing to their standards from last season, as it is clearly contributing to the club’s poor league campaign.
New signing Tolu Arokodare impressed Periera on his debut and deserves to be given another chance against Leeds, while players like Agbadou have made numerous errors already this season and desperately need to be taken out of the team in the short term.
Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
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Munetsi, who arrived with Agbadou in January, is clearly one of the manager’s favourites, but at the moment he doesn’t deserve to be in the starting lineup, when fresh faces such as Lopez have impressed even with limited minutes.
Bold selection choices could be the catalyst Periera needs to spark a turnaround and ultimately save the club from yet another relegation battle.