Wolverhampton Wanderers

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves assistant manager Luis Miguel apologised on Vitor Pereira's behalf after the manager's red card against Brighton.

Pereira was dismissed in the first half of the 1-1 draw with the Seagulls after kicking a ball into the dugout housing broadcasters.

It came after the head coach was left furious when Wolves were not awarded a free -kick and he immediately apologised to those in the dugout.

Referee Jarred Gillett was left with little option but to dismiss the Portuguese, which came seconds before Wolves' opener.

"The ball was near him and he kicked the ball, I want to apologise for Vitor," said Miguel.

"It is not like his character to do that. It was one second of frustration. These things happen when we are under pressure."

Jan Paul van Hecke's header denied Wolves their first Premier League win of the season after Bart Verbruggen's own goal, the second straight game in which Pereira's side have conceded late to miss out on victory.

Joao Palhinha's injury-time leveller ensured a 1-1 draw at Tottenham last week and another point on Sunday was not enough to lift them off the bottom of the Premier League.

"We won in the cup, now two draws, in the Premier League is one point, three points, one point, three points, three points, three points - that's what we want," said Miguel, with Wolves unbeaten in three games having beaten Everton in the Carabao Cup last month.

"It's not easy but we keep going like this and trying to get a clean sheet. We're working very hard in our defensive position to improve the players on that side, because if we are secure there, we will score goals for sure."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves' first two games after the international break - at Sunderland and then home to Burnley - now appear absolutely vital.

It took until the 11th game of last season for Wolves to win in the Premier League, a start which ultimately cost Gary O'Neil his job.

The ink is only just dry on the three-year deal Pereira signed last month but it will not be worth much if Wolves cannot end their winless run.

O'Neil was handed a four-year deal on the eve of last season and was out of the door after four months - so if Pereira and Wolves do not want history repeating itself the victories must come quickly.

There is no desire for a change and Wolves feel Pereira's experience and quality will dig them out of this hole, but for that to happen they need to improve.

There were glimpses on Sunday they were returning to some form, but ultimately they were unable to create many chances.

The hosts had just nine touches in Brighton's box - compared to the Seagulls' 26 in Wolves' area - and made only 35 successful passes in the final third, compared to Brighton's 104.

Wolves are struggling as an attacking force and are also unable to keep clean sheets - a combination which will only lead one way.

Wolves assistant manager Luis Miguel, speaking to Sky Sports after Vitor Pereira was sent off:

"First of all I want to speak about what happened with Vitor. I want to apologise because what Vitor did was a frustration thing with what was happening with our team, not the other team or referee.

"The ball was there, he kicked the ball, sometimes you kick a bottle of water or something. We lost our minds. I'm sorry, and Vitor will apologise in his next press conference."

On the result: "About the game - it's frustrating, last week against Spurs was the same. Last six minutes conceding a goal, but we keep on. In the end we will see if it is one point gained or two lost.

"Brighton have a very good team, good position in the Premier League, so we know it's difficult to play against them. We had to defend, but had an opportunity to score a second and finish the game but we didn't do it.

"What I promise to our supporters that we will continue to work very hard, the players gave everything to try and win the game. Confidence will come with winning, we know we need three points as soon as possible."

Did you know?

• Wolves have already made 25 changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season – through the first seven games of a single campaign, only two sides have ever made more (29 for Manchester United in 2001-02 and 26 for Man City in 2012-13).

Hear more from Luis on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Newcastle v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Aston Villa v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (after Singapore Grand Prix)

• Brentford v Man City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wolves v Brighton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Wolves' Matt Doherty is out with a broken wrist meaning Jackson Tchatchoua replaces him at right back in the only change made by Vitor Pereira.

Jorgen Strand Larsen starts despite fitness doubts but captain Toti Gomes fails to shrug off illness and misses out.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Andre, J Gomes, Munetsi, Arias, Strand Larsen

Subs: Sa, Hoever, Mosquera, Agbadou, Wolfe, R Gomes, Bellegarde, Lopez, Arokodare

Danny Welbeck, Brajan Gruda and Mats Wieffer return for Brighton at Molineux.

Joel Veltman and Kaoru Mitoma are out injured while Georgino Rutter drops to the bench following last week's last 3-1 win at Chelsea.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Baleba, Ayari, Gruda, Gomez, Minteh, Welbeck

Subs: Steele, Tzimas, Rutter, Watson, Kostoulas, Milner, Bosgali, De Cuyper, Coppola

Wolves gave it a good go against Tottenham last week and almost took all three points - maybe the effect of a new contract is kicking in for Vitor Pereira?

Being serious, they have lost their first three home league games this season and, with Sunderland and Leeds both doing better than expected, they cannot afford to lose four on the trot, so they need something here.

Brighton made the most of their numerical advantage against Chelsea last week, but it is hard to know what to expect from them off the back of that game where they were up against 10 men.

I don't feel like I am doing very well with my Brighton predictions this season - in fact I've not got any of them right so far - so I am not too confident about calling this one.

This is probably going to end up as a draw but I am still being brave so I have picked another winner. I should probably get an award for being so bold with my predictions, even when I'm wrong.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Wolves, who are still vying for their first Premier League win, welcome bogey team Brighton to Molineux this weekend. BBC Sport discusses some of the key talking points before Sunday's match.

"The question is, did we win one point or lose two?" said Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira after their 1-1 draw at Tottenham last Saturday. "My answer is we lost two points because the team showed that we came here to win the game, especially in the second half."

Wolves were agonisingly close to securing maximum points for the first time this season before Spurs equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time and Pereira's side remain the only team in England's top five divisions without a league win.

But the performance was very encouraging and one player in gold certainly deserved to be on the winning side.

Winger Jhon Arias was the best player on the pitch last weekend and is starting to show why he was dubbed "The Colombian Pele" by supporters of his previous club Fluminense.

The 27-year-old, who joined for an initial £14.7m in the summer, created the most chances, had the most touches, completed the most passes and - to highlight his all-round performance - only his team-mate and defender Santiago Bueno attempted more tackles.

"I feel better with the team, with the ideas of the coach," said Arias this week. "It's a different league, so I'm still working to be better. My best version is coming."

Brighton have history on their side

Brighton will be on the road for a third successive match on Sunday and are seeking to register a hat-trick of away victories for the second time under head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

A 6-0 EFL Cup thrashing of Barnsley was followed by a 3-1 Premier League triumph at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and recent results suggests that another win is likely this weekend.

The south coast side have won four consecutive Premier League games at Wolves, a streak of away league wins which has only been bettered twice in the club's history. Brighton's best ever league run on the road also came at Molineux, with six victories between 1979 to 1991.

The Seagulls have struggled to keep shutouts in recent months and are one of just four teams this season without a top-flight clean sheet, along with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and their opponents Wolves. In fact, they've managed just one in their last 18 Premier League games which came away at Wolves in May.

But despite history being on their side, Hurzeler is anticipating a tricky clash in the midlands.

"When you only look at the results, you might think it's easy but in every game I've seen so far from them [Wolves] they have had a chance to win it," said the 32-year-old German in his pre-match press conference. "They have played good football, have looked stable out of possession, and they don't give away a lot of chances."

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Molineux (kick-off 14:00).

Here are the key lines from his news 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.

• The head coach said: "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."

Listen to Wolves v Brighton on Sports Extra 3 here

Dan Roan
Sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.

The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.

However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.

BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.

In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.

However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.

SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.

Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.

Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."

He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.

"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."

Read more here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Let's adapt a Chinese proverb: "A journey to 40 points starts with a single step. But it should have been three steps."

All the same, there was more cheer to be had from Saturday's performance at Tottenham.

In a scrappy game, Wolves were better at scrapping, a trait that will serve them well in the difficult months ahead. Everyone agreed there were a lot of good things to take forward for the rest of the season.

But, hang on. Which things exactly?

Vitor Pereira sent out almost the same team that competently saw off Everton in the Carabao Cup last week, which is to say an almost completely different team, in a different formation, to the one that fell in a heap against Leeds.

On this page earlier this week, you'll have read George Lakin of Always Wolves, and others, heralding a back four as the way forward.

But at half-time, and at nil-nil, Pereira changed it back, reintroducing Emmanuel Agbadou as the middle man of three centre-backs. Afterwards, the coach told me it had worked. "In my opinion, we controlled the second half. We created the best chance, we played better football, and in my opinion, we deserved to win."

So reverting to a back five was to gain more control?

"Of course, because in the first half we conceded a lot of dangerous crosses - we were facing some problems. That's why it's important to have not one system but two systems working, and when we cannot control with one system, we control with the other."

As such, those calling for Pereira to settle on his 'best XI' may be disappointed. By this reading, Wolves may be dogged, but not dogmatic.

Some things are clearer. Sam Johnstone, not immediately taken to the hearts of the supporters, has brought a welcome steadiness recently and staked his claim to stay in the team.

Ladislav Krejci is the most obviously ready of the summer signings and bears the hallmarks of a leader. His position, in whatever formation, seems assured.

Hugo Bueno, the best crosser in the squad, is now in possession at left-back - or wing-back.

Most of all, Wolves look up for the fight, and are at least conscious that they really are in a battle to stay up. Pereira believes they will win it: "I don't have any doubts."

Listen to full commentary of Wolves v Brighton at 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio WM

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Wolves content on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Whether there are any plans for Fosun to invest in Wolves' academy has been a topic sent in via our 'Ask about Wolves' form.

It would be harsh to say Wolves' academy has stood still because one problem they have is seeing their best young talent taken by others.

Striker Jashayde Greenwood, an England Under-16 international, is joining Chelsea, with the move to be settled by a tribunal.

So it does not mean there is no talent, but Wolves are vulnerable to seeing their best prospects leave. There is no protection for clubs, who have their best talent cherry picked by other bigger sides.

In terms of those who are at the club, 15-year-old midfielder Jerome Abbey has trained with the first team, was on the bench for the under-21s against Real Madrid this month and is considered a real talent.

Recently, Chem Campbell, Luke Cundle and Dion Sanderson have all left Molineux for EFL clubs. If they are not going to have a career at Wolves, it remains a feather in the cap for the academy for any graduate to forge a career in the game.

Steve Davis is pathways manager, a role which was created three years ago to strengthen the link between the academy and the first team.

So there is a focus on the academy, and with Profit and Sustainability Rules always a consideration, bringing players through will remain one of the priorities.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

George Lakin
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Whisper it: Wolves might not actually be that bad.

At least not as bad as we all feared after the first five games anyway.

Despite building a squad overloaded with centre-backs for a season of rock-solid, five-at-the-back football, we somehow look better with most of them on the bench.

New signing Ladislav Krejci, first used in midfield by Vitor Pereira, and Santiago Bueno, who seemed surplus to requirements in the summer, are forming a surprisingly solid partnership in an old-fashioned back four.

Krejci is a natural leader and organiser - something we have missed since the days of Conor Coady and Ruben Neves. You don't captain Sparta Prague at 23, end a nine-year title drought and lift a domestic cup unless you have something special.

He wasn't cheap (the fee will exceed 30m euros) but that is what it costs to compete in the Premier League, and so far he looks worth every penny.

Calls for a back four have come and gone before, usually followed by panic and a return to a five after we start shipping goals. But this feels different.

Great defences are built on partnerships, and in Bueno and Krejci we have two players who read each other well, who are tough and physical but also comfortable on the ball. Krejci might even have the best first touch in the entire squad.

Sam Johnstone also adds calm behind them, and with Joao Gomes and Andre screening in front, you can see the spine of a proper side taking shape. The heartbeat from which everything ticks.

As we edge into October, it seems Pereira is finally close to figuring out his best system and starting XI. Now he must trust it. Give it more than 45 minutes, and resist the urge to throw on defenders when we're in the ascendancy.

Saturday night proved we have a squad more than capable of competing.

Besides, shutting up shop rarely works in the Premier League, sit deep for too long and someone will pick the lock, as Joao Palhinha's 94th-minute gut punch revealed in the most devastating fashion imaginable.

Find more from George Lakin at Always Wolves, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Spurs and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Mickey: Battling point against a side we should be beating. The lack of a dominant striker is holding us back. As hard as he works, as hard as he tries, Richarlison isn't anywhere close to being the answer. Bergvall is posing more of a threat. There's so many positives under Frank and this will improve no doubts, but we can't keep relying on bit-part forwards.

Alan: Same old Spurs. You could put your house on them either losing or dropping points against the bottom team. Happens every time. Xavi Simons is not good enough - lightweight. Well done Wolves - should have won the game.

Helen: Simply not good enough. It should have been three points for the taking, Wolves at home. More passion, more determination, and tighter play going forward please - COYS!

Kevin: Woeful. Frank's summary after the game beggars belief. Wolves deserved a win - they were faster and won every first and second ball, while Spurs were lethargic at best. These high-earning superstars need to knuckle down.

Wolves fans

Jill: I am gutted at the result but thought we played really well. A back four is the way to play and Santiago Bueno is a must to start. We looked solid at the back and pace up front. The only disappointment is why Hwang is playing. Surely Fer Lopez should be starting. We played like we know the team can play and hope that this is the springboard to kick start our season.

Stanley: Far better than any other league games this season. We did well under pressure but again we failed to keep a clean sheet. Conceding in the 94th minute feels hard to take but at least we got a point at last. We have to kick on from this now. We know our best starting line up and we need to keep it. We have some good subs to use so not all doom and gloom yet.

Mel: At last we showed some cohesion within the team. Good performance by the lads and after making nine changes we saw a fighting spirit. Unlucky to concede the equaliser but it's still a good point away from home!

Neil: I thought it was an impressive display. Hopefully he can stick with these players and system for the next matches and surely Sam Johnstone has to keep his place.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC Sport: "We deserved the three points and almost in the end it's difficult to accept. I'm trying to come back but it's difficult. We controlled the game in the second half.

"The spirit was there. Everything was there but the last minute, it's football.

"It's difficult to come to this stadium and play this way. The first half we had some problems but the second half my team were the best team on the pitch.

"Keeping this spirit, two games in a row without losing, we played very well against Everton. Tactically and mentally we are in conditions to compete. We are on the same page. I believe we'll get points.

"They are working well, all of them, fighting for the position. We need to find our balance, give some confidence for the first XI. When they came from the bench they showed the spirit we have in this team.

"Mentally we are stronger.

"We [him and the owner] talk every day, if we have something to talk, we talk."

Did you know?

• Wolves remain winless in their last 10 Premier League games (D2 L8) - this after winning six in a row in the league beforehand.

Hear from Hugo Bueno and more from Pereira on BBC Sounds

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Having trailed at half-time in each of their nine previous Premier League games, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira will have been relieved to see his team enter the break on level terms for the first time since April.

Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Everton in the Carabao Cup helped ease the misery around Molineux and it was evident that it had given the players a much-needed confidence boost.

Pereira made nine changes from last weekend's defeat by Leeds - instead keeping faith in the side that triumphed against the Toffees.

Sam Johnstone kept his place in between the posts and Wolves had the England goalkeeper to thank for keeping Spurs out for the majority of the game.

Given the nod ahead of regular starter Jose Sa, Johnstone twice denied Mohammed Kudus and commanded his box to deal with a barrage of Tottenham crosses.

Despite Spurs' late equaliser, there will be a sense of optimism around Wolves as they proved they are improving and can indeed compete with the league's top teams.

Even after Bueno's goal they continued to pile on the pressure and threatened to double their lead.

But in the end there was little they could do to stop Joao Palhinha's ferocious strike.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Thomas Frank makes seven changes to the Tottenham team that started in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Doncaster in the Carabao Cup.

Antonin Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Archie Gray, Brennan Johnson, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert all make way.

Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison come back into the starting line-up.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bergvall, Palhinha, Simons, Kudus, Richarlison

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Gray, Johnson, Porro, Odobert, Sarr, Scarlett

There is only the one change to Vitor Pereira's Wolves after their 2-0 win against Everton in the Carabao Cup.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is replaced by Joao Gomes.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Doherty, H Bueno, Krejci, S Bueno, Munetsi, Andre, J Gomes, Arias, Strand Larsen, Hwang

Substitutes: Sa, Moller Wolfe, Agbadou, Arokodare, R Gomes, Toti, Bellegarde, Lopez, Tchatchoua