Nelson Semedo interview: Wolves captain on Vitor Pereira's impact and how new manager changed things | Football News

Wolves looked destined for relegation under Gary O'Neill. Their defensive record was one of the worst in Premier League history and chaos threatened to engulf the club. Three games later and new coach Vitor Pereira kicked them out of the relegation zone.

His first two matches produced two clean sheets, the first consecutive clean sheets of the season. A late equalizer at Tottenham made it seven points from nine. Suddenly there is talk of a revitalization of Wolves, a completely changed mood.

“The main thing we needed was a change,” says Nelson Semedo Sky Sports. “Vitor arrived with his staff and after three days we looked like a different team. A better team. A better version of us. We all knew we had it. But we couldn't reach that level before.

“It all started on the training pitch. At the end of the day, it was about the details. It took him maybe two hours to explain how he wanted us to play, how he wanted us to press, how he wanted us to defend now with that.”

Pereira soon won over supporters, who embraced him from day one, and he admitted that he was pleasantly surprised by how quickly that bond was formed. But the relationship with his players is just as important. And it came together quickly.

“He's very demanding, but he's also a very good human being. For example, we had a couple of days off around New Year's because he realized we deserved it. He knows when the boys need a little something sweet. They came back happier and with more energy.”

What did Pereira change?

O'Neil spoke of players having 'trouble to cope' and claimed the group had 'performed almost to their maximum', but those words already seem way off the mark. Matheus Cunha is a standout, but there is quality elsewhere in this team.

Given that his predecessor seemed like a man who had tried everything, it's worth noting that Pereira has made some smart changes. Rodrigo Gomes came on and scored his first Premier League goal. Jose Sa was brought back and saved a penalty against Spurs.

Andre, a 23-year-old Brazil international signed at the end of the summer, was seen as a problem to solve but has excelled under Pereira. His sure touch in tight spaces and willingness to tackle means his partnership with Joao Gomes is beginning to blossom.

Goncalo Guedes started just once under O'Neill but opened the scoring at Leicester, starting back-to-back games for Wolves for the first time in more than two years. “He's happy here and he's really focused. I think he's a different man now,” says Semedo.

The two have known each other for years from their time together in Benfica's B team. “He understands the game really well, and he plays on my side, so we don't even have to talk. He's really fitted in and we're doing really well.”

Another glaring change by Pereira was to return Semedo to his favored wing-back role, moving Matt Doherty inside to play on the right of a back three where the Portuguese was deployed in the latter stages of O'Neil's time in charge.

Despite his physical ability, Doherty had never been used there before. But the Irishman was excellent in the role and it allowed Semedo to get back to what he does best. “I'm high on the pitch again. To be honest, that's where I prefer to be.”

He explains: “Doc can play centre-back, but that knowledge of right-back helps us. It's easy for us to communicate because he knows the moves, he knows that when I press up, he has to get to that side. That makes us strong on that side defensively. “

More compact in defense

Tightening was essential. Wolves effectively played 4-2-4 for the second half of their defeat at home to Ipswich in O'Neill's final game. The gaps were too big. Pereira made them more compact and brought back some control, just what was needed.

“We have centre-backs, wings and defensive midfielders, but we also have Cunha and Guedes as 10s, who drop deeper, which gives us time to react when we lose the ball.

“I'm pretty sure you can see that change too. What it means is that even when we lose the ball, we can get it right back because we're all close to each other.”

Expected goals were under one in each of Pereira's first two matches, the wins over Leicester and Manchester United. O'Neil, and not even Julen Lopetegui before him, had ever managed to do so in back-to-back Premier League games as Wolves manager.

Can they beat Forest?

One man who did it was Nuno Espirito Santo – 21 times, in fact. There is a feeling at the club that Wolves need to get back to it. Back to being hard to beat. Become a serious party again. Wolves face Nunn's Nottingham Forest side on Monday.

Forest visit Molineux in the Champions League spots, a template for what is possible. “To be honest, I'm not surprised,” says Semedo, “because I also know how demanding he is. How good he is, how good his staff is. They're very good at what they do.

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“We know it will be a tough game, but they should also expect a very good opponent, who will be playing at home with a loud crowd that will push us on. We have regained the confidence we wanted to have now. I feel we are in a good place again.”

Nuno was the main man when Semedo signed for Wolves in the summer of 2020, swapping Barcelona's Nou Camp for the South Bank of Molineux as the fans' song goes about him. Semedo is now the favourite, but that first season was tricky.

Improvement and captaincy

“My first season wasn't good enough. I wasn't ready for the Premier League. I played in teams that were used to having the ball. Benfica had 70 percent of the possession. Every game for Barcelona was the same. different team.

“Defending and then playing in the counterattack was quite difficult and very physical for me. I think it took me some time to adapt, but that's normal because this is the best league in the world. I've improved. Now I'm completely settled and I'm enjoying myself. “

Indeed, he is now Wolves captain after Mario Lemina was stripped of his role following a row at West Ham last month. Semedo has a different mentality. “I think I'm balanced. I try not to be too emotional and I think everyone trusts me,” he says.

“An armband identifies one captain, but I want to encourage everyone to feel that responsibility to be a captain. I have their back and push them on. I think it's a better way to bring the group together – and that's the most important thing.”

Semedo's future at Wolves

Now 31, Semedo certainly hasn't lost his speed when flying up the flank. He ranks among Wolves' fastest players and only two players over the age of 30 have clocked more speed in the Premier League this season – Kyle Walker and Heung-Min Son.

“I'm still feeling really good,” he insists, our conversation slightly delayed by his extra work in the treatment room. “I have to take care of my body as best as I can because I still have, I would say, five more years of football. But I feel great, to be honest.”

Where is that future? Semedo was Wolves' player of the season last time out, but his contract expires in the summer and there is no immediate sign of a new deal. Is he leaving? “I wouldn't say that. We still have six months,” he retorts.

“We have to talk to the club, see what the club wants, what I want. And see what's better for both sides. I've been here for five years and it's been very good. And I love the Premier League too, yeah, let's see what the future brings .”

As for Wolves' future, Semedo is optimistic – even if they have to face Forest without the suspended Cunha. “This is a very big loss for us, but in the second half against Tottenham we did very well without him.” Indeed, the Wolves finally look upwardly mobile again.

They had more of the ball against United and Spurs, but there is more to their possession game under Pereira. “We still have to improve it. But then two weeks have passed and we've already had a big change. It's getting better and better.”

Watch Monday Night Football between Wolves and Nottingham Forest from 6.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League; beginning at 8 p.m