AliousVítor Pereira Sets Challenge for Matheus Cunha Ahead of Wolves vs Fulham**
Matheus Cunha has been a standout performer for Wolves this season, but manager Vítor Pereira has made it clear that he expects even more from his star forward as the team prepares to face Fulham.
Wolves had little time to celebrate their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, as their focus immediately shifted to their upcoming Premier League clash at Molineux.
With confidence running high, another win could push the Midlands club further away from the relegation zone.
However, for Pereira, securing three points isn’t the only priority—he wants to see individual improvements from his key players, particularly Cunha.
Pereira Demands Defensive Improvement from Cunha**
Since taking charge, Pereira has made it clear that he has high expectations for his squad, regardless of their past performances.
After Wolves’ recent win, he praised André for his standout display but also insisted there’s more to come from the midfielder.
Now, he has turned his attention to Cunha, who netted the match-winning goal against Bournemouth—his 13th of the Premier League season.
Despite Cunha’s impressive attacking contributions—having been directly involved in 47% of Wolves’ league goals this season—Pereira wants the Brazilian to work harder off the ball.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Wolves boss emphasized the need for defensive commitment from his talisman:
*”Cunha is a special player, who can decide a game with the last pass or shot, but he has to improve a bit when we are defending. I hope he can do it tomorrow.”*
While Cunha’s ability in the final third is unquestionable, Pereira’s message is clear—he wants to see his star forward contribute more when Wolves are out of possession.
Cunha Faced Similar Demands Under Gary O’Neil**
This isn’t the first time Cunha has been called upon to refine his game beyond his attacking qualities. Former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil shared a similar perspective earlier in the season, urging the 25-year-old to improve his overall contribution to the team.
Back in November, O’Neil acknowledged Cunha’s creative brilliance but stressed that he needed to be more effective when Wolves were without the ball:
*”We may lack quality in moments, and we did today. But we’ve got Matheus Cunha to unlock that magic. He’s a maverick but needs to do better off the ball.”*
Now, under Pereira, those same expectations remain. As Wolves take on Fulham, Cunha will have another chance to showcase his attacking flair—but just as importantly, his work rate and defensive commitment will be under scrutiny. If he can rise to the challenge, he could further cement his status as one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards.
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