Nelson Semedo interview: Wolves captain on Vitor Pereira’s influence and the way the brand new coach has modified issues | Soccer information

Wolves appeared destined for relegation underneath Gary O’Neil. Their defensive document was one of many worst in Premier League historical past and chaos threatened to devour the membership. Three video games later, new coach Vitor Pereira took them out of the relegation zone.

His first two matches gave him two wins with out conceding, the primary consecutive clear sheets of the season. A late equalizer at Tottenham made it seven factors from 9. All of the sudden, we’re speaking concerning the revitalization of Wolves, the ambiance utterly reworked.

“The principle factor we would have liked was a change,” says Nelson Semedo. Aerial sports activities. “Vitor arrived along with his staff and after three days we appeared like a special staff. A greater staff. A greater model of us. All of us knew we had it. However we could not attain that stage Earlier than.

“It began on the coaching pitch. In the end it was concerning the particulars. It took him possibly two hours to elucidate how he wished us to play, how he wished us to strain, how he wished us to play protection. Everyone seems to be proud of that now and we proceed.

Pereira shortly received over the followers, who welcomed him from day one, and he admitted it was a pleasing shock how shortly that connection was fashioned. However the relationship along with his gamers is simply as essential. This occurred shortly too.

“He is very demanding however he is additionally an excellent human being. For instance, we had a couple of days off round New Yr’s as a result of he realized we deserved it. He is aware of when to present somewhat sweet to the fellows. They got here again happier and with extra power.”

What has Pereira modified?

O’Neil had talked about gamers having “a tough time maintaining with the extent” and claimed the group was “taking part in just about to the max”, however these phrases already appear removed from actuality. Matheus Cunha stands out however there’s high quality elsewhere on this staff.

Provided that his predecessor appeared like a person who had tried every little thing, it is price noting that Pereira made some good modifications. Rodrigo Gomes got here on and scored his first Premier League objective. Jose Sa recovered and saved a penalty in opposition to Spurs.

Andre, a 23-year-old Brazil worldwide signed on the finish of the summer season, had been touted as an issue to be solved however has been excellent underneath Pereira. His positive contact in tight areas and willingness to deal with means his partnership with Joao Gomes is beginning to flourish.

Goncalo Guedes had solely began as soon as underneath O’Neil, however opened the scoring at Leicester, beginning back-to-back video games for Wolves for the primary time in over two years. “He is glad right here and actually centered. I feel he is a special man now,” says Semedo.

The 2 have identified one another for years from their time collectively in Benfica’s B staff. “He has a extremely good understanding of the sport and he additionally performs on my staff, so we do not even have to speak. He is fitted in very well and is doing very well for us.”

One other apparent change from Pereira was returning Semedo himself to his most popular winger function, shifting Matt Doherty inside to play on the proper aspect of the again three the place the Portuguese had been deployed in current levels of O’Neil’s tenure.

Regardless of his physique, Doherty had by no means actually been used there earlier than. However the Irishman was glorious in that function and it allowed Semedo to get again to doing what he does finest. “I am on the high of the sphere once more. To be trustworthy, that is the place I choose to be.”

He explains: “Doc can play central defender however this information of the proper aspect helps us. It is easy for us to speak as a result of he is aware of the actions, he is aware of that once I press, he should come from that aspect “That’s what makes us sturdy defensively.”

Extra compact defensively

The tightening was important. Wolves have been successfully taking part in a 4-2-4 throughout the second half of their residence defeat to Ipswich in O’Neil’s final sport. The gaps have been too huge. Pereira made them extra compact and gave again some management, exactly what was wanted.

“Now we have the central defenders, the wingers and the defensive midfielders, however we even have Cunha and Guedes as No. 10, who go deeper, which supplies us time to react after we lose the ball.

“I am fairly positive you’ll be able to see this transformation too. It signifies that even after we lose the ball, we are able to get it again instantly as a result of we’re all shut collectively.”

The anticipated objective rely was lower than one in every of Pereira’s first two matches, these wins in opposition to Leicester and Manchester United. O’Neil and even Julen Lopetegui earlier than him have by no means managed this in consecutive Premier League video games as Wolves supervisor.

Can they beat Forest?

Nuno Espirito Santo achieved it, 21 occasions in actual fact. There’s a feeling throughout the membership that Wolves must get again to that. Arduous to beat once more. Turn out to be a critical staff once more. Wolves face Nuno’s aspect at Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Forest go to Molineux at Champions League venue a mannequin of what’s doable. “To be trustworthy, I am not shocked,” says Semedo, “as a result of I additionally understand how demanding he’s. How good he’s, how good his staff is. They’re superb at what they do.

Monday January 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Kick-off at 8:00 p.m.

“We all know it will likely be a troublesome match, however in addition they must anticipate an excellent opponent, taking part in at residence with a loud crowd who will push us. Now we have regained the arrogance we wished to have now. I’ve the texture like we’re in an excellent place once more.”

Nuno was in cost when Semedo signed for Wolves in the summertime of 2020, swapping Barcelona’s Camp Nou for South Financial institution Molineux because the supporters’ track about him goes. Semedo is now favourite, however this primary season has been difficult.

Enchancment and captaincy

“My first season wasn’t adequate. I wasn’t ready for the Premier League. I had performed in groups used to having the ball. Benfica had 70 p.c possession. Each sport for Barcelona was the identical. It was a special staff.

“Defending after which taking part in on the counterattack was fairly arduous for me and really bodily. I feel it took me a while to adapt however that’s regular as a result of it’s the most effective league on this planet. I’ve made progress. I’m utterly settled now and I’m having fun with it.”

Certainly, he’s now Wolves captain after Mario Lemina was dismissed following an altercation at West Ham final month. Semedo has a special mentality. “I feel I am balanced. I strive to not be too emotional and I feel everybody trusts me,” he says.

“The armband identifies a captain, however I wish to encourage everybody to really feel that accountability to be like a captain. I assist them and I push them. I feel it is a greater strategy to deliver the group collectively – and that is it. is an important factor.”

Semedo’s future at Wolves

Now 31, Semedo definitely hasn’t misplaced his pace shifting up that flank. He ranks amongst Wolves’ quickest gamers and solely two gamers over 30 have reached the next high pace within the Premier League this season: Kyle Walker and Heung-Min Son.

“I nonetheless really feel nice,” he insists, our dialog having been barely delayed by his additional work within the remedy room. “I’ve to handle my physique as finest as I can as a result of I nonetheless have, I might say, 5 years of soccer left. However I really feel good, to be trustworthy.”

The place is that this future? Semedo was Wolves’ participant of the season final day out, however his contract expires this summer season and there are not any imminent indicators of a brand new deal. Is he popping out? “I wouldn’t say that. We nonetheless have six months left,” he retorts.

“Now we have to speak with the membership, see what the membership needs, what I would like too. And see what’s finest for each events. I have been right here for 5 years and it has been actually good. And I like the Premier League too. So sure, let’s have a look at what the longer term holds.

As for Wolves’ future, Semedo is optimistic – even when they must face Forest with out Cunha suspended. “It’s a extremely huge loss for us however we did very well within the second half in opposition to Tottenham with out him.” Certainly, the wolves lastly appear to be shifting upwards once more.

They’d extra possession in opposition to United and Spurs, however there’s extra to come back from their possession play underneath Pereira. “We nonetheless want to enhance. However it’s been two weeks and we have already had an enormous change. It is getting higher and higher.”

Watch Monday Night time Soccer between Wolves and Nottingham Forest from 6.30pm on Sky Sports activities Premier League; kick-off at 8 p.m.