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Wolves manager Vitor Pereira spoke with passion after the 1-0 win over West Ham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Vitor Pereira believes Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over West Ham United was a pivotal moment for the football club.
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s 21st-minute strike was enough to earn Wolves all three points, crucially moving them 12 clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Ipswich Town and Leicester City are still yet to play this midweek but Wanderers have done their job and have taken another leap towards survival, albeit not mathematically.
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Pereira, who replaced the sacked Gary O’Neil in December, has led Wolves to 75 per cent of their league victories this season despite being in charge for two fewer matches. O’Neil only managed two wins in the first 16 league games of the campaign, whereas Pereira has won six of his 14.
Already serenaded by fans for his impact, Pereira rarely holds back his emotions on the touchline, whether positive or negative. It was certainly the former on Tuesday as the Portuguese celebrated wildly on the Molineux touchline when the full-time whistle was blown.
“I’m emotional, you understand? I’m emotional and sometimes we need to express our passion,” Pereira said after the match.
“This is a very important moment for the club, we need to get points, we need to send energy to the supporters and they must send energy to us. It was a very important win and I think we played the first half fantastic. The second half, the spirit of the team, suffering together and celebrating together.
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“What I can say is when I’m watching the game of my team, I see a team. When we play with this spirit and this commitment, I really believe we will achieve our target.”
Pereira always expected Wolves success
Despite the Old Gold being in a precarious 19th position when Pereira took over, the 56-year-old was convinced right away that he’d steer the club to safety. There have certainly been bumps along the road so far - not least the successive 3-0 defeats to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United - but Pereira has still found a way to win enough matches.
The potential of the squad has always been there; it just needed some tweaks - and a few January transfers - to unleash it. Now Pereira has the foundations he needs for the next step, propelling Wolves to greater heights.
“No, I believe in my work and I believe in the players,” Pereira added when asked if he’s surprised how quickly Wolves have escaped the clutches of relegation.
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“Before I came, I studied the squad and I think if we are not looking for the points, we will play more and more. I believe because we have this quality and the team spirit.
“For me, football is to play as a team and when I feel this spirit in the end of the game, I feel proud of my work and I feel proud of my players. This is the most fantastic feeling and we feel proud of the supporters. This is what we need, together I am very confident.”
In other news, two Wolves players have signed new long-term contracts.