Vitor Pereira has issued a message to members of his squad that have not had many minutes this season.
The Old Gold added depth to their squad over the summer, but the question remains whether that depth has strengthened the quality of their squad.
Ladislav Krejci is the biggest revelation of the summer, and the Czech has played every minute of the last five games.
Fans have been calling the summer arrival ‘captain material’, but others have not had the best of starts.
David Moller Wolfe has spoken about his lack of minutes, and Vitor Pereira has now given a message to players in the same boat as the Norwegian.
Vitor Pereira says fringe players must fight for their place
Over the last few weeks, it has felt like Vitor Pereira has finally found his best starting XI.
The switch to a four-back system has improved the level of performances, and for those on the bench, it could spell bad news.
The settled XI that played against both Tottenham and Brighton is no doubt Wolves’ best, and Pereira has delivered a direct message to those who do not start.
Pereira said, via the Express and Star, “At this moment we have internal competition in positions, and everybody needs to understand they are competing, and we cannot offer the positions.
“They need to fight for their positions.”
The statement is blunt, but it is clear from Pereira. Wolves are struggling, and they cannot afford to hand minutes out to those who simply are not putting the work in.
To survive relegation, they need each and every one of their starting players to be at their best.
The head coach cannot and will not simply give players minutes if he feels they have not earned it.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 15 |  LeedsLeeds | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 8 |
| 16 |  BrentfordBrentford | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 7 |
| 17 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 5 |
| 18 |  BurnleyBurnley | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 4 |
| 19 |  West HamWest Ham | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 4 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 2 |
Competition will breathe improvement for Wolves
If the fringe players have anything about them, this rallying cry from Vitor Pereira must spark life into them.
Pereira made clear that their chance to become a regular for the Old Gold has not come and gone. He said, “With the decisions I make, my message to them is that if you work hard every day, you are on my list.
“I’m looking at your work, and I believe the players that are not playing now in the first XI will have the chance to play again, for sure.”
The competition for places, in theory, should improve everyone in the squad.
The next few weeks will be incredibly important for the club. If they are still without a win, even more panic will start to creep in.
Six points against Sunderland and Burnley has to happen. That would leave the club in a good position heading into the next break.