Although Wolves have lost their last two Premier League matches against Manchester City and Brighton, the turnaround under Vitor Pereira has been magnificent.
The Old Gold were in danger of being relegated under Gary O’Neil, and after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town in December, they were cut adrift in the bottom three by four points.
O’Neil was sacked as a result, and in came Vitor Pereira, who has completely transformed the entire football club.
From drinking pints with fans in the pub to playing some mesmerising football on the pitch, Wolves supporters couldn’t be happier with how his tenure has gone so far.
But despite skyrocketing the Wanderers up to 14th and moving 19 points clear of the bottom three, Pereira has found one situation ‘very difficult’ since joining.
Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Vitor Pereira on ‘very difficult’ Boubacar Traore and Tommy Doyle situation
A turnaround in form, which included a six-match winning streak, has seen the 56-year-old use the majority of the same players, including in midfield.
Andre and Joao Gomes have blossomed into an unbreakable partnership in the engine room, with their incredible performances making them undroppable.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
That has unfortunately been detrimental to the likes of Tommy Doyle and Boubacar Traore, who rarely get a look-in at Wolves, even off the bench.
Traore has played just one minute in the top flight, mostly due to injury, while Doyle hasn’t started a game since the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in January.
Speaking to the E&S, Pereira has found the situation of not playing either star ‘very difficult’, as they both work very hard in training.
“It’s difficult, I cannot select (everyone),” he said. “The work that they do in training, they deserve to be here. But I can’t because of the list, sometimes it’s very difficult.
“Players like Tommy and Traore, it’s very difficult (to leave them out) because they work hard. In the end, this is my job.”
Wolves expecting midfield overhaul
It would be a surprise if both Traore and Doyle were still at the club come the end of the summer transfer window.
Multiple Championship clubs want Doyle, meanwhile, Traore nearly joined Feyenoord, but a serious injury against Burnley in August prevented him from completing that move.
The duo look to be on their way, and reports indicate that Pereira is already eyeing their replacements in the engine, perhaps individuals capable of challenging Gomes and Andre.
Wolves have been linked with Morten Frendrup, Genoa’s midfield dynamo, while Hull City’s Gustavo Puerta is on Pereira’s radar.
That suggests they’re shopping in the market for a deep-lying midfielder and accepting that Traore and Doyle will be leaving Molineux, should the right offer come in.