Despite dropping out of the Carabao Cup to Chelsea in a seven-goal thriller at Molineux, Vitor Pereira believes the fighting spirit his Wolves players showed in the second half can help turn their season around.
The head coach made wholesale changes from the side which took on Burnley in the Black Country four days previously, and a disjointed first half showing gave the team a mountain to climb in the second period.
But in spite of Tolu Arokodare’s neat finish and David Moller Wolfe’s brace, the fightback fell short, however, Pereira feels if that second half is repeated in the Premier League – starting against Fulham on Saturday – his players will be able to move up the table.
On second half performance
“What a second half! In the first half, we conceded the first goal and after, when I looked at the team, the players were a bit lost and we concede a second goal and after a third goal. I assume the responsibility, because it’s my responsibility.
“We changed a lot today, 11 players, we played with 11 players that have not been playing for long time, so it means the connection and the rhythm for this kind of game is not easy.
“At half time, we spoke about it, and I said to them, it’s my responsibility, but I want to see my team, I want to see tactical organisation, and I want to see the spirit that we have as a team. In the second half, we won 3-1 and the goal that we conceded was a pity, and we had the chance to score two more goals, and we deserved it.
“I’m very happy – not with the result, of course – but with the spirit that we showed in the second half and with our supporters, because they were very important for us. We felt from outside, the energy that we need to compete and to change the situation.”
Battled until the end. Thank you for your support 👏 pic.twitter.com/U11eGrX3VP
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 29, 2025
On showing fighting spirit
“It means that they have the true spirit of a team. It means that they want to change things, they have quality and they can play and they can compete. If we play as we played in the second half, we can compete with every team.
“[Against Fulham], we need to go there and to start with this spirit, to play with this confidence that we showed in the second half.”
On character in the group
“We are in a bad moment, but the thing that gives me the confidence and the feeling that we can do it, we can change everything with a win, is the spirit of this team.
“The spirit that the team shows even losing 3-0, it’s not easy for a team losing 3-0 in this situation, and showing in the second half the quality and the spirit and how they competed with Chelsea, pushing them to the last third, creating problems – scoring three goals is not easy.
“If we don’t have character, if you don’t have quality, then we cannot do it.”
On confidence in turning season around
“We must look for 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.
“When we changed in the second half, we had a lot of players with physicality, pushing and pressing and running and playing. We have these kinds of players, but we just need a win to get the confidence to move on.
“We can turn over this situation. I’m 100% sure that with a win, and with our supporters, playing in this way, we can do it.”
On Arokodare getting up to speed
“It’s normal because now he has more training with us. His fitness is better now than before, he understands what we need from him, and he is more connected with his teammates and he is ready to help us.”
