'First the points, then the pints' is sung around Molineux as they win another game.
Wolves supporters were down and miserable before Christmas, now they are joyful and look forward to the final remaining games of the season.
Author: Jessica Potts
Matchdays: a day for fans to come together. Thousands of people heading to the same place to watch players kick a ball around a pitch. A beer with your mates in the pub. A time for family to bond. Children were smiling and joyful whilst meeting the mascots and their heroes.
The sun was shining, the beers were flowing, the burgers were sizzling. Molineux was packed out with fans feeling confident that the team would win and build upon their recent performances and point tally. Fans queued and queued and piled into their seats ready to watch their team play.
Wolves had a rough start to the season, in which they only gained one point from their first 10 premier league games. They drew a couple of games against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace and then got their first league win against Southampton at Molineux back in November.
But since the arrival of Vítor Pereira, the old gold have become the most inform team in Europe. They have picked up crucial points since December. Fans say they feel they have reconnected with the club.
I spoke to Wolves supporters about what they think of their manager and the job that he has done to keep them in the Premier League next season.
Jamie, in his early twenties, has followed the club since he was a child. He has experienced plenty of highs and lows with the club such as back-to-back relegations but also witnessed European football at Molineux too even at such a young age.
Jamie feels great about staying in the competitive Premier League and is amazed at the way the players have turned a bad start to the season into a brilliant ending.
‘Vitor has worked his magic and kept us up.’
He thinks that Vítor has had a huge impact on not only the team but also the fans. ‘It reminds me and other fans of the Nuno days with how well we are connected. He goes into pubs and socializes with us like he is one of us.’
I also spoke to female fan, Alyshia. She a teenager and is one of many who deal with sexism in sport but is passionate and supportive of her team.
Alyshia says that ‘being bottom of the table at Christmas was the last thing any of us wanted. But now we have a comfortable gap between us and the drop zone which doesn’t feel real.’
Alyshia thinks that ‘Pereira has brought the fans back together by celebrating with them after matches and he’s saved what we all love about Wolves, the community.’
Another young fan, Kyle, thinks that Pereira has come in and done a stunning job. ‘We have now hit over 40 points and avoided relegation. He’s gathered the fans back together and we love him.’
Kyle adds ‘He has put the spirit back into the players and dressing room. For me he should be nominated for manager of the season.’
Supporters of the club are clearly enjoying the football under Pereira and how he cares about the team and the fans. There aren’t many managers that would go out celebrating with the fans and a beer.
According to Sky Sports, under the new manger Wolves are creating more chances with expected goals at 1.27 now compared to 1.05 before Vítor came in.
Sky Sports analysts say that there has been a huge improvement in the defense. Before the change of the head coach Wolves conceded the most goals in the league and had the worst defense. However, since the change in tactics by Pereira they have conceded less goals and kept more clean sheets.
"Credit where it's due, it's unbelievable" 👏 A look at the impact Vitor Pereira has made since joining Wolves 📈🐺
He has been nominated for premier league manager of the month for April, alongside Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Eddie Howe and Arne Slot. Fans would love to see Vítor win the award as he deserves, and credit is due for his work.
Alyshia is grateful that he is getting recognition that he deserves for what he’s done with the team and club. As a non-big six club it’s nice to see our manager or players being acknowledged.
But with the season coming to an end and rumors of star players leaving, will Pereira be backed by the board at Wolves or will they be fighting relegation again?