Wolves are yet to win a Premier League match this season – what would you say are the key factors behind this?
Wolves have experienced a number of problems this season. On the pitch, the biggest factor is the heavy summer turnover. Some players let their contracts run out and chose not to renew, while others, like
Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri, were sold to bring in funds. With that level of change, it’s hard to find stability, although Sunderland seem to have coped.
The club did invest, but many signings arrived late, which left Vítor Pereira little time to put his ideas in place. This was evidenced in our pre season performances. There’s real quality in the group, yet a few players are still learning the pace and demands of the Premier League. Even so, there have been encouraging moments, especially against Spurs and Brighton.
Off the pitch, some supporters point the finger at the owners. Not long ago we were in Europe and finished seventh twice. Since then, spending has been tightened to push self-sufficiency. It’s a respectable aim, but in practice it has meant managerial churn and big January outlays just to stay in the division.
Despite this poor form, Vitor Pereira was given a new contract by the club. Are the fans still fully behind him?
Vítor is popular with supporters, thanks to his warmth and team spirit, and his motto, “First the points, then the pints.” That goodwill has bought him time.
I don’t think this season’s problems are entirely on him. I’m confident he’s a top coach and expect him to turn results around. Still, when you’re sliding, it’s tricky. Wolves haven’t won since April, so it’s fair to ask tough questions.
For now, Pereira seems to have the dressing room onside, but if that slips, it might be time for a change. The worry then is who would step in to take the job.

In the summer, Wolves lost key players such as Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Nelson Semedo – have they been adequately replaced?
How on earth do you replace the Premier League experience those players brought?
Semedo was captain, and you can feel the leadership gap. Krejčí looks like he could grow into that role; he’s already vocal and organising teammates. Still, Semedo’s five seasons in the league mattered, and the club would have preferred to keep him longer.
Cunha was a maverick with match-changing moment. He could flip a game on his own, though there were spells where he drifted and offered too little.. There isn’t a like-for-like replacement. The closest is Jhon Arias from Fluminense. He’s still settling, but he has the one-v-one strength and flair to become an excellent signing.
Rayan Aït-Nouri was another game-changer, technically sharp and a constant threat. Manchester City got a bargain.
In short, no. You can’t truly replace them like-for-like, and Wolves haven’t. The recruitment has leaned toward potential over ready to go starters, and many fans see that as a key reason for the early struggles.
Out of your new summer signings, who has impressed you most so far?
Ladislav Krejčí has impressed the most. He’s the ball-winning centre-back we didn’t know we needed, comfortable stepping into midfield, and he’s looked Premier League-ready from his first minutes. He’s already close to indispensable.

I read that Sam Johnstone has secured the number one spot at the moment, ahead of Jose Sa. Was this a surpris,e given he was linked with a move away this summer?
Yes, it was a pleasant surprise.
Sam Johnstone was linked with Sunderland and Burnley in the summer, so most of us thought he might be on the move and that José Sá would stay first-choice.
Instead, Johnstone came back sharper after extra work with a goalkeeping and fitness coach and has been a revelation. He’s commanded his box, organised the back line with Krejčí, and driven the defensive uptick in recent games.
Given last season Sá was Pereira’s clear number one, Johnstone claiming the spot now is unexpected, but fully deserved.
How do you expect Pereira to set up tactically at the Stadium of Light?
It’s tough to predict after the international break. Wolves have a record number of players away, with several flying long-haul to South America and Southeast Asia. After the last break, Pereira made wholesale changes, so we could see that again.
I still think he’ll start with the 4 at the back that has worked in the last couple of games. He did misjudge both matches by switching from a back four to a back five too early, which led to late goals conceded and limited attacking threat. That tactic worked in the League Cup, but it hasn’t had the same effect in the Premier League.

Are any players missing and who do you think will start?
None confirmed, though the press conference hasn’t happened yet and Pereira usually keeps injuries under wraps. Jørgen Strand Larsen has been managing an Achilles issue and hasn’t looked at his best.
I’d expect a lineup close to the one that started against Brighton. Personally, I’d swap Hwang for Rodrigo Gomes, who brings more pace and energy.
Wolves vs Brighton (4-3-3): Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Bueno, Krejci, Bueno, Munetsi, Andre, Gomes, Arias, Strand Larsen, Hwang.
Wolves lost 3-0 on their last visit to the Stadium of Light – what is your score prediction for this time around?
On the Always Wolves Premier League prediction show, I went with my heart: a 2-1 Wolves win. I usually go with my head, which says a draw would be a good result for us. But we need the points, and we need the win.