After losing to Chelsea 3-4 and being eliminated from the League Cup, Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira accepted an interview on the official website. He discussed the team's fighting spirit in the second half, confidence in turning around the season and Arokodare's performance.
About the second half performance
What a wonderful second half! In the first half, we conceded the first goal and then, when I looked at the team, the players were a little lost and we conceded the second and third goals. I take responsibility because it is my responsibility.
Questions about the team in the first half
We changed a lot today, 11 players, and we used 11 players who had not played for a long time, which means that tacit understanding and rhythm in this kind of game are not easy.
What did you say during halftime?
We talked about it at halftime and I said to them, this is my responsibility, but I want to see my team, I want to see the tactical organization, I want to see the spirit that we have as a team. In the second half, we won 3-1. It was a pity that we conceded the goal. We still had the opportunity to score two more goals, and we deserved them.
Are you satisfied with the results?
I am very happy, not with the result of course, but with the spirit we showed in the second half and with our supporters because they are very important to us. We felt the energy from the sidelines that we needed to compete and make a difference.
About the fighting spirit shown
This means they have the true spirit of the team. It means they want to change things, they have the ability, they can play, they can compete. If we play like we did in the second half, we can compete with any team.
What does this mean for Saturday's game against Fulham?
We have to go out there and start the game with that spirit, play with the confidence that we showed in the second half.
About the character of the team We are in a bad moment, but what gives me confidence, what makes me feel like we can do it, that we can change everything with a win, is the spirit of this team.
How is this spirit reflected?
The spirit that the team still showed even when trailing 0-3 is not easy for a team in this situation and falling behind 0-3. They showed their strength and spirit in the second half and how they competed with Chelsea, pressing them into the final third area, causing trouble and scoring three goals is not easy.
So you think the team is capable?
If we don’t have character, if you don’t have strength, then we can’t do it.
Confidence on turning around the season
We must focus on the second half and start from the second half. This is our team and with our supporters we can do it. We can change everything.
Why are you so confident?
When we made changes in the second half, we had a lot of physical players pushing, pressing, running and competing. We have those types of players but we just need a win to gain confidence moving forward.
What is your final conclusion?
We can reverse this situation. I'm 100% sure that with one win, with our supporters and playing like this, we can do it.
About Arokodare getting into shape
This is normal because he is training more with us now. He's better physically now than he was before, he understands what we need him to do, he's more connected to his teammates and he's ready to help us.