Vitor Pereira reserved special praise for a hard-working player after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 1-1 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur.
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Wolves’ head coach headed home to the West Midlands both proud and frustrated by his side’s performance after conceding a last-gasp equaliser. Santiago Bueno’s first-ever Wolves goal opened the scoring but Joao Palhinha thumped home in the 94th minute to share the spoils.
Although it was backs to the wall for Wanderers for much of the first half, Pereira’s side - shifting to a back five after starting with a four - were ambitious and adventurous in the second period. Bueno’s goal was deserved and Wolves remained positive for the rest of the second 45 and were unfortunate to concede so late on.
Four Wolves players stand out at Tottenham
As much as it was heartbreaking to give up two points at the death, there was plenty to be proud of from a Wolves perspective. Santi Bueno’s goal was a reward for his superb defending throughout, Sam Johnstone had another solid game between the sticks and Ladislav Krejci continued his fine settling-in period.
But there was another player who didn’t have the most glamorous game yet stood out. Marshall Munetsi, so often one of the hardest-working players in this squad, ran his socks off in North London. The Zimbabwean hardly left a blade of grass untouched and his efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
Pereira describes Wolves star as ‘an animal’
Birmingham World asked Pereira about Munetsi in the post-match press conference, pointing out his versatility and capability to play in an array of systems — a handy tool allowing the boss to be pragmatic.
“Munetsi, I tell you… when we look for footballers, technique is one thing, but football is not only about technique. Football is about tactical spirit, physicality; Munetsi is like an animal. Running and running and running,” Pereira said.
“If he plays five minutes, he gives us everything. If he plays 90 minutes or he plays extra time, I know what I can expect from him. For us, this is the kind of player – a very honest player giving everything for the club – that we need to support.”
Then, when asked whether Munetsi exudes the personality and identity Pereira wants from his Wolves side as a whole, the manager added: “Of course, of course. We need it.
“I like to see good football, I enjoy football. But, I enjoy also the spirit. When they go there and they fight and I go to the fight with this kind of player. “Today, we went to the fight with fighters, with ambition, personality and just missing the last minute. But it’s football.”
Wolves, looking to build on their performance at Spurs, are next in action on Sunday, October 5 as they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and will be difficult to beat, but Pereira will be confident his players can kick on and claim their first league victory sooner rather than later.