Since being appointed manager in November, Vitor Pereira has completely transformed Wolves, with the Old Gold now confident of survival.
During Gary O’Neil’s period in charge in the first half of 2024/25, he only collected two wins from 16 matches, which left Wolves marooned inside the bottom three.
In six fewer matches this term, Vitor Pereira has registered four wins, moving the Old Gold out of the relegation zone by six points and handing them a huge chance of survival.
Joe Cole thinks Wolves will avoid relegation, and as Leicester City and Ipswich Town continue to struggle, it would take an almighty collapse for them to drop into the Championship.
Therefore, Pereira deserves credit for steadying a sinking ship, and the improvement of one player speaks volumes about his tactical expertise.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Vitor Pereira is now realising Andre is better as a number six
In Wolves draw against Everton on Saturday, Andre was phenomenal at the heart of midfield, picking up Man of the Match for his near-flawless performance.
Andre’s stats vs Everton
89 minutes played
91 touches
8/8 accurate long balls
72/74 accurate passes (97%)
9/11 ground duels won
5 tackles
3 fouls drawn
Wolves fans compared Andre to N’Golo Kante, arguably one of the greatest ball-winning midfielders in Premier League history, as the Brazilian mirrored the Frenchman with his incredible energy and tenacity.
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Pereira deployed the 23-year-old as a number six, and the Portuguese boss is now ‘realising’ this is his best position as it opens up more space for him to pull the strings.
“The physicality of the Premier League demands a lot of adaptation and I believe that Andre will increase his level year after year, season after season because he knows how to play with the ball,” Pereira said via the E&S.
“For me, he’s better when he’s alone in the number six position because he knows how to move in the free spaces. If he has someone beside him, it’s more difficult for him, and this is what I’m realising now.”
Andre has previously been used in a double pivot, but this tactical realisation suggests he could be utilised as a sole defensive midfielder while allowing Joao Gomes to maraud forward.
Joao Gomes can play more advanced
Dave Edwards called Andre one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders after Everton, and it was hard to argue against that claim.
Wolves have another ball-winning machine in the shape of Gomes, who is sixth in the division for most tackles won in 2024/25 with 78.
He is equally crucial at retaining possession for his team while Andre dictates play from deep, and the Brazilian is also improving his impact in the final third.
Gomes may have only scored four goals in all competitions this term, but he has the ability to increase his output, with the 24-year-old showing his attacking instincts on some occasions.
O’Neil said Gomes must improve his final ball last year, and perhaps with Andre now playing as defensive midfielder, the former Flamengo star will become a key weapon for Pereira.