Vitor Pereira Press Conference 🗣️

Pereira says he can start both Tolu Arokodare and Jorgen Strand Larsen together when they are both fit but right now they aren’t in the best shape.

“He’s not the Larsen that you used to see pressing, fighting, because he has got some pain. He’s trying to help the team in this important moment, but he’s not in his best level. When Tolu started to work with us he was not ready to start a game. But we needed him to start at Newcastle. He tried his best, scored a beautiful goal against Everton, but he is not yet in his best shape.”

He revealed Toti Gomes may be a doubt for Sunday after coming down with the flu.

When asked about the nine changes made from the squad that played against Leeds he said: “I changed the players because we were not winning games, that’s why I changed the system. What we did in the past wasn’t enough. And I know that I can find the solutions. I know that I can do better. I know the level my team can play and they need to be proving every day that they deserve the shot and position.”

He is more confident in his team now he sees his players fighting for positions: “I’ve seen my team trying to prove that we deserve more than this. We’ve increased the intensity and aggressiveness in the training. They are trying to fight for their position, but in the right way, working, running, fighting and playing. This is why I’m more confident now than before.”

He is seeing positive improvements from his team: “The players now understand what we are demanding, tactically, mentally, and they are, for the first time in this league, realising what this league is demanding from them. What I see on the pitch every day is a team committed and competing to be at the best level with confidence and spirit.”

He says his players are starting to settle in and express themselves: “When you start a new season in a different club with a new manager your focus is in information, in the tactical things and you cannot express yourself. If I don’t have a connection with the players, it’s difficult. But now in the last weeks I felt that it will be something. I’m building a team. I’m building my identity and now the players are in the conditions to express themselves.”

When asked if Sam Johnstone’s number one shirt is his to lose he said: “Football is not about gifts. I cannot offer you a shirt because you are a name in football, you must desire. You must deserve with your work, it is not about words. If I have two players in the same position, and the level is almost the same, if I choose one over the other it’s because he deserves to be there.”

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