Wolves continued their losing run in the Premier League on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Newcastle United.
It is the worst start to a new season in the club’s 127-year history, and alarm bells are very much ringing now.
Vitor Pereira did assure fans that Wolves will increase their level, pointed to the work he has done with the team previously.
But there is already an ominous feeling to this season. Wolves have lost big-name players, and struggles just seem to be inevitable given the make-up of the squad now.
Against Newcastle, there was no Jorgen Strand Larsen for Wolves.
That meant Tolu Arokodare came in for his debut against the Magpies, and after the game Pereira gave his thoughts on his new striker’s performance.
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Vitor Pereira praises Tolu Arokodare after Wolves debut
Arokodare was a deadline day signing for Wolves.
The Nigeria international arrived for around £24 million from Genk, and will serve as cover and competition for Strand Larsen.
Wolves fans need him to hit the ground running, and Arokodare was handed a start on Saturday against Newcastle.
And Pereira was relatively pleased with what he saw from the star.
He said: “After, we need a striker. We had one training with Tolu. He’s a different player, he’s physically strong, he gives us the possibility to play long ball and to hold this ball and to give time for us to appear.
“He did well, of course he is not in the physical condition to do better.”
Arokodare had warned that he wasn’t fully fit upon signing for Wolves, and now it’s about him getting up to speed as quickly as possible.
Tough test for Tolu
It would have been a tall order for Arokodare to really shine on Saturday.
He has barely spent any time with the team, and is also lacking fitness. Ideally, he would have started on the bench, but Strand Larsen’s injury meant he had to play.
To make your debut against Newcastle, one of the most physical teams in the Premier League, at St. James’ Park is no easy task.
Arokodare gave a promising performance, but Dan Burn and Fabian Schar were relatively solid going up against him.
He will surely have more success in the coming weeks against less physical centre-backs.