Vitor Pereira on Matheus Cunha ban, Wolves fans, and feeling proud

Wolves made strides in their bid for survival with a 2-1 win at Southampton on Saturday

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira is hoping Matheus Cunha’s suspension remains at three matches following his violent conduct towards Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

Pereira’s comments came after Wolves made strides in their bid for survival with a 2-1 win at Southampton on Saturday, putting them nine points clear of third-bottom Ipswich.

Pereira is hoping star striker Cunha’s punishment for a headbutt against Hungary international Kerkez in an FA Cup tie earlier this month remains at three matches, with the FA yet to come back on a verdict on an additional ban. A further sanction would see the Brazil forward out until April 13.

“I hope it stays as the three games because he’s an important player for us, but this is the time for the other players to prove we are a team,” said the manager.

“We have very good players, even without a special player as Matheus Cunha, but we need to be compact, consistent and it was a pity we conceded a goal because I wanted another clean sheet.”

Jorgen Strand Larsen was at the double at St Mary’s before Paul Onuachu pulled one back late on.

Pereira was seen celebrating with Wanderers’ away fans in what could prove to be a pivotal victory on a day when relegation rivals Ipswich lost 4-2 at home to Nottingham Forest.

“I feel the people of Wolverhampton, they deserve it, because they work a lot and they come here to help us and to support us, and they deserve everything we do for them,” he added.

“All of our work is for them. At the end of the game, we need to feel proud of ourselves and to make them proud.”