Wolves season review: Pereira's points (and pints), Cunha chaos and hands off Andre

New York Times

26-05-2025

Such is the contrast between the mood at Molineux now and the mood in mid-December, it is difficult to imagine they came in the same season.
Yet it is just five months since Vitor Pereira walked into a club on its knees.
It has been a season of wildly fluctuating fortunes and hugely conflicting emotions.
Here are some memories from it.
A grim slog that somehow turned into a triumph of sorts.
The first period of the season under Gary O'Neil was a series of disappointments piled on each other, but the arrival of Pereira in December turned the campaign around.
It was a gradual improvement at first, followed by a dramatic surge to safety in the final couple of months, complete with some memorable victories, improved performances and joyous celebrations, followed by visits to Wolverhampton pubs by the head coach.
For many reasons, the 4-1 victory at Fulham in November was memorable and the most dramatic game of the season, not least as the emphatic win was largely unexpected. Wolves' only other league success before that day had come against a dreadful Southampton side.
It was even less likely when Fulham went ahead on 20 minutes through Alex Iwobi and missed chances for a second goal that would probably have killed off a fragile Wolves team.
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Instead, Matheus Cunha levelled the score before half-time, before a further three goals after the break from Joao Gomes, Cunha and Goncalo Guedes.
It was the last positive day of O'Neil's tenure and probably extended it at least a couple of weeks beyond where it might have ended otherwise.
March 1 will go down as the day Cunha lost his head, lashing out at Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez in an outburst that ultimately led to a four-game suspension.
But earlier in that FA Cup game, the Brazilian had exchanged passes with Santiago Bueno before letting fly with an unstoppable, dipping shot from 25 yards that found the top corner.
In hindsight, the lack of joy in his celebration hinted at his state of mind. But it did not detract from the quality of a special goal.
Six minutes from the end of a fairly scrappy game at Ipswich Town, Wolves were already heading for a position of virtual safety after Pablo Sarabia's goal had cancelled out Liam Delap's opener for the home side, for whom the game represented one last Hail Mary in their efforts to reel in Pereira's side.
Then Sarabia helped a crossfield ball back across the face of goal, Jorgen Strand Larsen bundled it in for a winner and Wolves knew beyond all doubt they were staying up.
Cue Andre grabbing 14-year-old schoolboy Max Harris's phone for a video selfie that summed up the new mood of togetherness between players and fans.
@Wolves utfw pic.twitter.com/OuftBlaTKj
— Max Harris (@max_harris739) April 5, 2025
Just when you think you've seen everything football has to offer, a player loses his temper, elbows an opposition staff member in the back of the head and rips his glasses from his face. As you do…
So thanks, Matheus Cunha. As much as all of the goals and game-changing contributions, that moment after the home defeat against Ipswich in O'Neil's final game will live in the memory.
'First the points, then the…'
The first few times Pereira delivered his catchphrase, he did it in the style of the legendary entertainer Bruce Forsyth inviting his audience (the assembled media) to join in — 'Nice to see you, to see you, NICE.'
The Wolves head coach wants to be remembered for his work on the training field, and results mean he will get his wish, but his embracing of fan culture and the visits to local pubs did not hurt either.
First the points, then the pints!
GO DEEPER
A curry, a Carling and a table in front of the TV – touring Wolves manager Pereira's favourite pubs
Even after a few disappointing ends to transfer windows in recent years, it was still a major shock that Wolves failed to sign a centre-back — O'Neil's main transfer priority — before business closed.
It has not been a campaign littered with moments of levity, but the chaos after Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer handled a backpass during Wolves' win at Portman Road did raise quite a few smiles.
GO DEEPER
How one Ipswich backpass caused two of the craziest minutes in the Premier League this season
Wolves did not play well at St James' Park in January as they were beaten 3-0 by Newcastle United but most sides would have struggled to cope with Alexander Isak that night.
The striker scored twice and was a constant menace to a Wolves defence still struggling for balance.
Has there been anything to fault Pereira on? Minor things, perhaps.
He admitted himself that he should have taken Joao Gomes off at half-time in the home defeat by Arsenal to avoid the red card that eventually arrived, and he could possibly have found a way to switch Emmanuel Agbadou to the centre of his back three a little sooner.
But that is splitting hairs. The transformation under Pereira, who was far from the club's first choice when they were looking for O'Neil's successor, has been remarkable. Nine out of 10.
Transfers, and specifically the future of Cunha. If the saga goes long into the summer window, discussions will centre on where the Brazilian might end up.
If he goes quickly, the focus will fall on where Wolves might spend the money.
'Can Wolves keep Andre?' The Brazil midfielder has been so good in the second half of this season that he will attract interest if he maintains his form.