Wolves under-18s head coach Richard Walker was highly satisfied with his team’s performance after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Compton Park on Saturday.
Conor McLeod and Jake Wilcox scored two in two minutes for the Old Gold, ensuring the home side came away victorious and returned to winning ways in the U18 Premier League.
On getting back to winning ways in the U18 Premier League
“I thought the lads were good. I think to be fair in recent weeks we’ve been pleased with the performance in a lot of the games.
“I think there was probably a bit of challenge set to the boys of transferring that into three points today, so probably a little bit more emphasis than there sometimes is in the under-18s for different reasons.”
On the performance
“I thought the performance was really good, the concentration and game management to come away with three points was pleasing.
“The clean sheet was pleasing so it’s a good day’s work and pleased with how the boys went about their business.”
On growing into the game
“I thought the game was really tight first half, but I thought we were the better team, had the better chances, the keeper made a fantastic double save.
“I did think if we keep doing what we’re doing we’d sort of find our way in.”
On the two quickfire goals in the second half
“It was from two high presses, the lads worked really hard in terms of the intensity of the press and they couldn’t cope with it on two occasions in the second half.
“It’s one thing forcing the error and forcing the regain, the second part of that is having the composure to finish.
“I thought we did it really well, the first one was Mateus Mane recovers the ball well out wide and it was a fantastic cross with good quality and Conor McLeod was ready and alert to head the ball home.
“Whilst they’re licking their wounds we went after them again, on this occasion Alfie White jumped out of midfield and onto their six which we spoke about at half-time and played it into Jake Wilcox.
“It could look a really easy goal from Jake, but he’s managed to stay onside and had the composure to get on the half-turn and the composure to finish.”
On seeing out the victory and managing the game
“At 2-0 you’d probably ordinarily feel the game was won, but we haven’t always got over the line in recent weeks, so I thought the lads managed it well and dealt with the disappointment on a couple of occasions of it not becoming three.
“If it goes to three I think we run away with the game, but as it didn’t it’s always tight and it can always be edgy potentially.
“Generally speaking they didn’t really force us into any real heroics around our box, we had a good defensive structure and passed the ball well and managed the game with the ball.”
On the introduction of younger players in the team
“Obviously there’s been a transition in the group now in terms of it being a younger looking group.
“I think it’s nice that the likes of Elvis and Hayden taste that nice feeling of getting over the line and getting the three points, whilst that’s far from the be all and end all.
“It’s development and performance, but part of that is becoming a little bit savvy, understanding the concentration levels and the details.
“It’s nice that they can savour that and hopefully they can continue the performances that we’ve been pleased with of late, and hopefully take even more confidence from the result today.”
By Harrison Kewley
