Since taking over as Wolves manager in December, Vitor Pereira’s ability to manage his squad has been exceptional.
The Portuguese coach has revitalized players who were previously sidelined under Gary O’Neil or struggling to find consistency.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has thrived under Pereira, scoring in Wolves’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and setting up Matheus Cunha’s goal against Liverpool.
Toti Gomes has also been in outstanding form, securing his spot on the left side of defense and becoming a key component in Pereira’s well-structured system.
While some players have flourished under the 56-year-old’s leadership, others, like winger Carlos Forbs, have remained on the fringes of his plans.
Carlos Forbs is not ‘comfortable’ playing wing-back for Wolves:
Wolves secured Forbs on loan from Ajax on transfer deadline day last summer. The 20-year-old was viewed as a promising talent, capable of exciting fans with his play.
Unfortunately, his time at Molineux has been far from successful. The Portuguese winger has managed only 232 minutes of league action, with his last appearance coming in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in January.
There were discussions about Ajax recalling Forbs in January, but no agreement was reached, and the former Manchester City prospect stayed in Wolverhampton.
Although Pereira holds Forbs in high regard, the manager acknowledges that the player must adapt to the wing-back role to fit into his system, a position Forbs doesn’t feel ‘comfortable’ in.
“I like his personality a lot and he has good skills,” Pereira told the E&S. “But Carlos is a player, to play in our system now, that cannot play inside because he doesn’t feel comfortable.
“He needs to play on the sides, one against one, he’s fast. But to defend in our system he must do things that he doesn’t feel comfortable doing.
“He cannot do what Rayan is doing in this moment, to go and come back, because he’s not a player with these qualities.
“We had a conversation together and he will try to learn how to defend in our way and I will help him to improve his level.”
What Matt Hobbs said about Forbs after he signed:
Forbs’ signing has been a disappointment. However, when Wolves initially acquired the young talent with an option to buy, there was considerable excitement about his potential.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs was thrilled with Forbs, believing he could add speed and technical ability to the squad.
“He’s quick and wants to run in behind,” Hobbs said. “He’s technically good, with the education he had, but he’s really direct, good one versus one, will look to stretch teams and with that pace will give us something we probably haven’t got.
“We have it with Rodrigo, but he likes to come inside and play inside the pitch, whereas Carlos really wants to go one versus one and get at defenders.”
Sadly, Wolves fans have seen only a fraction of Forbs’ abilities during his seven months at Molineux, and it seems unlikely they will see him in a Wolves shirt again.
