Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves and Bournemouth are interested in Chelsea's 21-year-old Portugal defender Renato Veiga. (Mail, external)

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Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Matheus Cunha's offer to pay for new glasses for a member of Ipswich's security helped save him from a longer ban and heavier fine.

The Wolves striker was suspended for two games and given an £80,000 fine after clashing with a member of the Tractor Boys' security team last month.

He had been charged by the Football Association with misconduct following the altercation - where he snatched the glasses off the face of a security guard - at the final whistle of Wolves' 2-1 defeat at Molineux.

A regulatory commission initially considered hitting the 25-year-old with a £120,000 fine and a three game ban.

But in their written reasons the commission agreed Cunha's acceptance of the charge, his sincere personal apology and the offer to pay for new glasses were mitigating factors.

It also wrote: "The Commission unanimously agreed that a significant financial penalty was also appropriate, given the serious nature of the incident.

"It initially considered that a fine of £120,000 would be commensurate with the offence. However, it took account of the mitigating factors and decided to apply a similar 'discount' to that applied to the sporting sanction. It concluded that a fine of £80,000 would be appropriate."

In his witness statement Cunha explained his reasons, although the commission did not accept his version of events having studied the video evidence.

Tempers flared after Jack Taylor's injury-time header won the game for the visitors. Gary O'Neil was sacked as Wolves boss less than 24 hours later.

Cunha wrote: "As I tried to get closer to Rayan [Ait-Nouri] to make sure he was OK, I was suddenly surrounded by a lot of people. I felt like I was being shoved by the ITFC security personnel, so I shoved them back in an effort to break away from them to protect myself.

"It was never my intention to come into contact with Mr [redacted] and I certainly never meant to elbow him. I simply wanted to push him away from Rayan. Then all of a sudden, I remember Mr [redacted] turned round and had his hands on my shirt, and I shouted 'stop' but he kept hold of my shirt.

"I was surrounded by a large number of people, mainly ITFC personnel, so I remember feeling quite threatened at the time."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Dan: The formation we played made us very open to attacks on the break, which is where all the Forest goals came from. Otherwise, we played well and should have scored a few goals, particularly in the first half. Lima looked good and we didn't have as much threat after him and Doyle were subbed off. Not as bad as the score suggests.

David: What chance have you got if you miss opportunities in the goal area? Wolves should have gone in at half time 3-2 up not 0-2 down. You can't afford to miss glaring opportunities from 6ft in this league.

Jon: We need defensive reinforcements desperately. We lack experienced heads, physicality and leadership at the back and it showed. We had some bright moments in the first half but lacked composure in the final third. Very tricky run coming up, this transfer window is crucial for us.

Nottingham Forest fans

Ben: Not the prettiest performance from Forest but they got the job done - 3-0 is a cracking result, however it gets achieved. They're going to need to step it up though with the possibility of European football on the cards.

James: Another lethal display from the best counter attacking team in the league backed up by a solid performance from everyone in the squad. A fitting tribute to Mr Clough on the 50th anniversary since the man walked through the door.

Matt: The sign of a great side. They don't have to go and dominate possession or create more chances. They have their game plan ready and are possibly the best counter attacking team in the league.

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Wolves manager Vitor Pereira speaking to BBC Sport: "You can say that we were unlucky but for me, we created chances to score but we faced a team that were physically strong and we felt that on the pitch.

"They were very fast on the counter-attack and when they score first, they are a team that are compact and wait for mistakes. Each mistake we made, they scored a goal. They scored at the end of the first-half in a moment where we could have equalised. We didn't and this is not luck.

"Sometimes you can say luck but I thought their goalkeeper made fantastic saves. We need to improve our details inside the box to score more goals."

On what he has made of the side in his early days at the club: "I am proud of the players because they tried everything. We tried everything to get a different result but with a small squad and the problems we faced during the week - it was very difficult to be more competitive than that."

Key stat - did you know?

Wolves failed to score at Molineux for the first time in 12 Premier League games.

Brazil striker Matheus Cunha, 25, is still considering his options before deciding whether to sign a new contract with Wolves. (Sky Sports), external

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Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

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BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Guy asked: The contrast in results from two Portuguese managers brought in late to pretty dire positions (Ruben Amorim and Vitor Pereira) is pretty stark - Sunday's game where Manchester United got a point at Liverpool being the exception. What has Pereira done that Amorim hasn't? Been more pragmatic? Used a tight squad?

Phil answered: Pereira has just injected freshness and momentum into a very talented squad that had lost its way under Gary O'Neil, while Amorim will be really heartened by the result at Liverpool - and don't forget he won at Manchester City as well.

It is far too early to make judgements on either. They have barely got their feet under the table at Molineux and Old Trafford. Next season will give us a more accurate measure.

Dazzling Dave
Fan writer

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Three fixtures. Seven goals. Two clean sheets. Seven points. Vitor Pereira delivered!

The new boss has given Wolves fans something truly special: renewed hope and energy, thanks to his remarkable impact since taking charge.

Pereira and his coaching staff have transformed a struggling Wolves team. Their energy and fresh ideas have sparked a resurgence, and the fans are quickly falling in love with his passion and leadership.

While reinforcements are still desperately needed in the January transfer window, it is clear this revival is not just a typical 'new manager bounce'. Pereira's tactical changes are making Wolves a more solid, cohesive and resolute team.

Playing a back three has improved our defence, with Wolves stalwart Matt Doherty excelling in an unfamiliar role. Traditionally a wing-back, Doherty has embraced his defensive responsibilities, bringing stability to the backline and showcasing his experience and adaptability.

Wolves look more compact and structured. The glaring gaps between defence, midfield and attack, which plagued the team earlier in the season, have been rectified.

Under Pereira, Wolves are pressing and defending as a cohesive unit. The renewed hustle and fight to regain possession embody a team working together for a common goal.

Set-pieces remain a weakness, but this can be improved with time on the training pitch and the addition of new defensive personnel.

However, Wolves are already undeniably more organised. Every player now understands their role, and the confusion previously evident on the pitch has disappeared. This clarity and discipline has made a significant difference.

Pereira has only had a short time to work his magic, but the changes are already evident. His passion for the game is contagious, and the team is feeding off his energy.

Sure, it is still early days, and there is plenty of work to be done, but it is hard not to catch Pereira fever.

It has been a transformative few weeks for Wolves fans, and with Pereira at the helm, the future feels a lot brighter.

Bring on the January transfer window and 2025!

Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 20, he takes on The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe, who supports Liverpool.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

This is the Nuno Espirito Santo derby, with Nuno going back to Wolves where he did such a brilliant job between 2017 and 2021.

Nuno is doing even better with Nottingham Forest at the moment, but Wolves have hit a bit of form under new boss Vitor Pereira as well.

I saw Pereira do a little jig after his side got a late point at Tottenham. He seems a real character and his team are showing plenty of spirit too, but I am not sure they will carry the same threat now Matheus Cunha is suspended.

I was wrong when I said Forest would draw at Everton last time out so this time I am going to back them to take all three points.

As I've mentioned before, Forest were my boyhood club so it is great to see them doing so well.

It is like the late 1970s again, with them and Liverpool fighting it out at the top of the table. After this game, their next league match sees them play each other, with Forest looking to do the double after winning at Anfield in September.

Being honest, I don't see Forest staying at the top end of the table for too much longer but most of my predictions have been so bad this season so that is probably good news for them.

McCabe's prediction: 1-2

Forest are playing well and they should win this one too.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Striker Matheus Cunha is close to signing a lucrative new contract at Wolves amid interest from Arsenal. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

West Ham are drawing up a list of attacking targets for January which includes Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the season, the Opta Supercomputer has been busy making its predictions.

But who is looking most likely to be playing their football outside the top flight next season?

It is bad news for fans of the teams who made their return to the Premier League this campaign.

According to the Opta Supercomputer's simulations, Southampton - rooted to the bottom of the table on just six points - are all but guaranteed to be playing Championship football again next term with a 99.47% chance of being relegated.

The picture is also not a rosy one for Leicester City and Ipswich Town supporters, who occupy the other two relegation spots. The Supercomputer does not see too much change there - the Foxes and the Tractor Boys having a 74.61% and 70.81% chance of relegation respectively.

It is better news for Wolves under new head coach Vitor Pereira, with Wanderers now having only a 39.21% chance of a Championship return, while Everton fans will be pleased to see they have just a 12.52% chance as they hope to see Premier League football in their new stadium next season.

Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brentford can all breathe easier with Opta predicting just a 1.68%, 0.81% and 0.72% chance of relegation respectively.

And what about Manchester United after new boss Ruben Amorim declared them to be facing a relegation battle? Well, it is good news for Red Devils fans as the chance of them actually playing Championship football next campaign is just 0.11%.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira believes Matheus Cunha must learn from the mistake which saw the forward hit with a two-game ban.

The 25-year-old was also given an £80,000 fine after an altercation with a member of Ipswich's security staff at the final whistle, following the late defeat by the Tractor Boys last month.

He will miss Monday's visit of Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup third-round trip to Bristol City on 11 January.

"He knows it was not a good reaction but I look for a player not only as a player, but as a human being and even me, I make mistakes," said Pereira.

"He knows he made a mistake, he knows not to do it again and to keep the emotional balance and move forward.

"We need to be ready to play with or without Cunha. We have players with different skills and qualities but we will be ready."

Shorn of 10-goal Cunha, Wolves go into the weekend sitting 17th in the Premier League and could be second bottom by the time they kick off on Monday if results go against them.

Victory for Ipswich at Fulham on Sunday would drop Pereira's side back into the bottom three before kick off at Molineux.

Meanwhile, sporting director Matt Hobbs is working on new signings - Lens defender Kevin Danso is a target - but Pereira remained coy on possible incomings this month.

"We are working in the market like the other teams. We are trying to understand what my players can give to me for the way I want to play," he said.

"It means this is a time to look for targets but I speak about my players - I cannot speak about other players."

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pereira said his side must adapt without top scorer Matheus Cunha, who was handed a two-game ban for his actions at the end of their game against Ipswich: "We need to be ready to play with or without Cunha. We play as a team. I think we have players with different skills and qualities - but we will be ready."

• He did not condemn his striker for his actions: "He knows that it was not a good reaction but I look for a player not only as a player, as a human being. Sometimes even me, I make mistakes. He knows that he made a mistake. Now is to not do it again [and] to try to keep the emotional balance and move forwards."

• On Wolves' plans for the January transfer window and speculation around Lens defender Kevin Danso: "We are working in the market, like the other teams. I am trying to understand what my players can give to me. This is a time to look for targets but I [will only] speak about my players. I cannot speak about players in the other teams. Until now our squad is short but I prefer to have a short squad because I like to see players from the academy. We are looking for talents. It is important to bring [in] but I am happy with my team."

• He also insisted former skipper Mario Lemina has a role to play, despite not featuring in a matchday squad under him: "He is our player in this moment - it means he is in my plans at this time."

• On wing-back Matt Doherty playing in the back three: "I want to play with three defenders, not three centre backs. My defenders, I hope in time, have the freedom to attack the lines, attack the opposing players [and] to open space for other players. It means sometimes I need him open as a full back [and] other times closing as a centre back."

• On his style and how close the squad are to that: "I am trying to understand the roles [in which] they feel comfortable to do it. It means this moment is a moment to study. I like to do something in my teams to create diversity of movement. Sometimes with a left foot on the right side and the opposite. The same for the forwards, [with] the men close to the striker. [I want] to change them because when they change the space, they start to do different things. This is the variability I want to see in my team."

• On how he compares with his Nottingham Forest counterpart and Portuguese compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo: "I have known him for a long time since he worked in Portugal. He and his staff are doing fantastic work - consistent, quality. It means that he is one of the top coaches here in England but I am what I am. I know what I want for my career and I will try to get it."

• With Forest competing at the top of the Premier League, Pereira said Wolves must be at their "best level" on Monday: "The results are telling us they are a strong, very consistent team. Very fast in counter attack, very dangerous when other teams lose balls and they are ready to go fast with quality. [They have] very good quality in transition."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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With the immediate sense of crisis having been dispelled by seven points from the first three games since Vitor Pereira's appointment, there are short and long-term ways to answer this question.

Two years ago, when making a change of coach to rescue their season, Wolves committed significant sums in the January window to strengthen Julen Lopetegui's hand.

How much they are prepared to spend this time we will soon know, but they would benefit from using January to rebalance a squad that emerged lopsided from August. At a club seeking to be more prudent, signing an additional midfielder and goalkeeper late in the summer felt indulgent - no matter their pedigree - given most observers felt Wolves' defensive stocks were low following the sale of Max Kilman.

If the re-purposing of Matt Doherty as a centre-back - the most significant tactical change so far under Pereira – becomes regular, maybe that can be avoided, but signing at least one defender would appear necessary.

Further ahead, success this year could be defined as finishing 17th, but here we reach the key issue. Recent missives from club chairman Jeff Shi, while doubtless well-meant, have done little to repair strained relations between Wolves' owners, Fosun and supporters. This is sad, because in the early years after their takeover Fosun were adored. They encouraged supporters to dream big, and started to make those dreams real. Whatever the reason, the outlook has changed.

Is merely existing in the league, as frugally as possible, enough? And enough for who? The idea that a club should be financially "self-sustaining" is not unreasonable. Most other businesses ultimately have to be.

But, in a sport where economics often appear to defy the financial gravity that governs the rest of the world, it is devilishly difficult - and few manage it.

Signing players before they are ripe for the first team, with a view to long-term profit, is financially smart, but in football you also have to make it work today.

Pereira's predecessors have made their frustrations clear. So have supporters. It would be a success for Wolves if 2025 is the year when the owners, the football management and the supporters can all unify around one agenda again.

Is that even possible now?

Listen to full commentary of Wolves v Nottingham Forest at 20:00 GMT on Monday on BBC Radio WM

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

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Wolves have lost just one of their past 12 league games against Nottingham Forest - winning five and drawing six - and are unbeaten in all five against them in the Premier League.

Wolves and Tottenham are interested in 26-year-old England defender Ben Godfrey after he has fallen out of favour at Atalanta. (Rudy Galetti), external

Meanwhile, Spurs are stepping up their interest in England and Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 31. (Mirror), external

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked what Wolves' New Year resolutions should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Joe: Stay calm. Stay stable. We're fighting for survival. Let's survive and go again next season. Good results can come from this team and this manager, but easy does it.

Matt: Please learn how to defend set-pieces. Over 20 goals conceded this season from set-plays - totally unacceptable if we want to stay in the Premier League.

Nathan: Keep hold of the squad we have, bring in a couple of decent, experienced players (particularly in defence) and keep playing the way Vitor Pereira has got them playing!

David: Please buy a centre-back, two ideally. Not too much to ask when we needed cover before we even sold Kilman.

Gareth: It should be to ditch the self-sustainable model until such time as the club is actually geared up to operate in that way and be competitive on the pitch.

Wolves are weighing up a bid for Millwall's 25-year-old English defender Japhet Tanganga in January. (Express), external

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Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Matheus Cunha's ban might not be ideal but it could have been a lot worse for Wolves.

The two-game suspension handed out by the Football Association for his altercation with a member of Ipswich's security staff this month could even be viewed as lenient.

He will miss Monday's visit of Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup third round trip to Bristol City.

There was a large chance Cunha would have been rested for the game at Ashton Gate and he has been available to face Leicester, Manchester United and Tottenham since the incident. The ban appears to have fallen in Wolves' favour.

The goals against Leicester and United helped Wolves to six crucial points and they are only losing him for one game in their battle against the drop.

Hwang Hee-Chan's resurgence in the last two games, with his first goals of the season, at least gives new boss Vitor Pereira another option in his absence.

Cunha's goals and influence have been crucial to Wolves this season and to only lose him for one league game can play into their hands in the survival fight.

Wolves have made 26-year-old Lens and Austria defender Kevin Danso their top centre-back transfer target for January. (Sky Sports), external

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