Wolves’ pre-season hasn’t been ideal, it’s fair to say, with the team failing to win any of their friendlies so far. Wing-back Rodrigo Gomes reveals how the players are feeling.
This summer has seen a lot of change at Molineux, with many of the club’s key figures from the past few seasons leaving, and new faces coming into Vitor Pereira’s side.
What’s resulted is a mixed pre-season, with promise shown by some players but overall team performance lacking.
This was evident in the 2-1 loss to Girona, where Jhon Arias’ moment of individual brilliance was the only real positive to take from the match.
Jhon Arias of Wolverhampton Wanderers (R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Andre (L) during the pre-season friendly match between Girona and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
With one more game to go, Rodrigo Gomes has opened up on the mood in the Wolves dressing room.
Rodrigo Gomes says dressing room environment is ‘very good’
Plenty of discussion has been had this summer on Rodrigo Gomes’ best position. He comes across as a player who is passionate about the club and will do whatever is required of him.
He appeared for an interview on Wolves’ YouTube channel, and was asked about the vibe inside Wolves, saying: “The environment is very good, the lads are very happy to be together and I’m very happy to be here too after a good season, and then the Euros.”
MORE WOLVES STORIES
Gomes starred for Portugal U21s before returning to his club ahead of an important first full season for Pereira.
While the results have not gone their way, Gomes believes this pre-season has been productive for Wolves, explaining: “Of course, you want to win every game, we wanted to win against Girona, but in pre-season, that’s not the main goal. The main goal is to increase our level in the team, increase our football and I think we are doing that, and we are getting better.”
Manchester City will be an important test of Wolves’ Premier League prospects
As opening games go, this one against Man City is nasty.
Pep’s side will be looking to send a strong message of intent, and show that last season’s struggles will not carry into the new campaign.
While a win would be amazing, it’s really the performance that will hint at how well this new season can go for Wolves.
Wolves play Celta Vigo later today, their last chance to get a positive result before the games get serious. They will be hoping for more joy as they go up against Fer Lopez and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s former side.
But hearing that the mood is good despite poor performances is yet another indicator of the resilience and morale Pereira has fostered in his time at the helm.