"We need to be grateful" - Wolves boss delivers clear verdict on cup goalscorer

The 29-year-old splits opinion among the fan base and is often criticised for his lack of technical quality, despite scoring against Everton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

But Pereira has defended Munetsi, insisting his place in the squad brings balance to the team and everyone connected to Wolves is lucky to have him.

"To balance a team, you cannot only have technical players but they cannot run, press, run into space or appear in the box," Pereira said.

"We need to balance the team with this different profile of player.

"Munetsi is like a truck, running from the first minute until the last minute.

"He fights for all balls, fights in the box, fights in our box, fights in midfield.

"We need to be grateful because we have Munetsi in the team."

Wolves got their first clean sheet of the season in midweek, as they now attempt to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

Pereira has previously called for time to get his six new signings up to speed, but the head coach has now challenged his players to step up and is adamant now is the time for them to perform.

"It's the first clean sheet and we spoke a lot about this," Pereira said.

"Last season when we didn't concede goals, usually we won the games.

"This is the first target in a game, we cannot concede easy goals with easy mistakes.

"Sometimes playing at a good level and in a minute, or five minutes, we concede. We cannot do it.

"We need to be consistent, we need to increase our level and play with confidence.

"Now, for the players and the new players, the time for adaptation has finished.

"This is not the time for adaptation, this is the time to perform and help the team."

Wolves next take on Spurs and travel to the capital for tomorrow's 8pm kick-off.

It remains to be seen if Pereira will stick or twist with the back four he played against Everton, but regardless of the system the head coach wants to see an identity from his team against Spurs.

"I just want to see a team with character, trying to play in our way," Pereira said.

"Playing with the ball, organised without the ball and pressing when we have a chance to press and compete for the three points."