‘Pereira should be able to present a strong case for immediate investment’

From what we have all learned about surely this week’s most-Googled man in the Black Country, there may be only one prediction to make with confidence: something dramatic will happen.Having finally concluded that they held a losing hand, Wolves have pushed in their chips, and drawn another card.Actually, you would be surprised if just how many chips they are pushing in did not form part of the discussions with Vitor Pereira, however briefly.Pereira, we are told, has been aching for a chance in the Premier League, having been, by his own account, “convinced” he was about to take an English job on at least one previous occasion.Could he really be so anxious to come to England – at a club which, it was widely reported last week, some targeted coaches found less appealing – without being sure Wolves would support him when the transfer window begins in two weeks?This is pertinent because, in the wreckage of Saturday evening, Gary O’Neil finally accepted in public that the current Wolves squad is insufficient for the task.Were, I asked him, the answers to the problems currently within the dressing room? “It doesn’t look like it, does it? We have tried every player… we have a massive problem with physicality against teams.”Whether the existing squad ought to be capable of at least finishing 17th, a grimly limited ambition compared with the club’s confident talk of a few years ago, is a fair debate. But with the witness statement of his predecessor as evidence, Pereira should be able to present a strong case for immediate investment.As well as planning for January, though, there is a great deal to sort out right now. Pereira takes over a side that, on Saturday, was again ill-disciplined when the ball was in play – unable, according to O’Neil, to carry out his clear instructions when defending set-pieces – and ill-disciplined after the game, with possible consequences which could make his first few games even harder.”Disciplinarian with emotional intelligence” was suggested to me on BBC Radio WM on Tuesday as a suitable description of Pereira. That sounds like a good start. If he can organise them to defend a set-piece reliably as well, he will be just the man.Weighing up the squad he inherits, his career record, and the fixtures ahead, there is a huge range of possible outcomes. But it may not be long before we have a clear idea in which direction things are heading.Listen to full commentary of Leicester v Wolves at 14:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio WMTune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknightsSandi Toksvig is joined by Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi and Alan DaviesGrab the mic for Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry and more…Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are back for the festivities at Longleat Safari ParkFrom micro plastics in our air, soil, and waterways, to the extent of food waste at this time of year© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.