Pint can wait as new boss Vitor says Forest have 'top players'

VITOR Pereira says he will only afford himself a pint when he deserves it and believes Nottingham Forest have the quality to retain their Premier League status.

- By LEIGH CURTIS AND BRIAN DICK

In his first press conference after being appointed Reds boss, Pereira was asked about his famous “points and then pints” mantra which became famous during his time at Wolves.

Pereira kept Wolves in the Premier League and would drink with the fans as he fostered a great sense of unity that was integral to their survival under his leadership.

His brief at Forest is to keep them in the top flight, as it was at Wolves, but the drinks will only flow when he feels the time is right.

“I believe that it’s possible (to stay up),” he said. “I believe that we can. We can get points, results and quality in our game.

“I'm not an actor. I am a very simple guy, a very honest guy, a hard worker, confident, and, in the end, when I feel that I deserve the pints, of course.

“The reason why I accepted this job is that I believe in the quality of the players, because I believe in the potential of this club, the ambition of the president and because I believe in the league.

“This is the best league in the world, in my opinion, and because I really believe in our work, together we can increase our level.”

Pereira has signed an 18-month contract at the City Ground and takes over a team that is three points clear of the drop zone.

But with West Ham United in their rear-view mirror and going well under ex-Reds boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who started the season in the City Ground hot seat, the pressure is firmly on.

In what has been a tumultuous season at the City Ground with Pereira now the fourth manager in charge this campaign, the ex-Wolves chief diplomatically didn’t want to talk about his predecessors.