Having found themselves behind heading into the final 20 minutes, a Joe Hodge strike from distance and a Chem Campbell cross which found its way into the net ensured a second placed finish in Premier League 2 Division 2 and home advantage in the play-offs. That also means the under-23s face more fixtures at Molineux, something that is pleasing for the head coach.
On going into half-time behind
“It was maybe not a game of two halves, because I felt for 25 minutes at the start of the game, I thought we were magnificent. We’ve done a lot of work on how we were going to play out, the ways we were going to get out, and I felt for 25 minutes we did that really well.
“We had one or two opportunities and half chances against a side who have conceded fewer goals than everyone else in this league apart from Fulham – who’ve won it.
“We forced them to change a few things and they did that very well, then they got on top in the last 10 minutes of the first-half, we gave them a soft penalty and then we’re 1-0 down, having played well for three quarters of the half.”
71' | #WOL 1-2 #STO
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 25, 2022
Back in it! Joe Hodge finds the net with a strike from distance 💥#PL2 pic.twitter.com/2JdAqN6BNe
On fighting back to claim a point
“We were disappointed to be behind at half-time, changed one or two little things and thought we’d be alright, but then they scored immediately. That’s when you think about your players and that we could go under here.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been 2-0 down, but we made the decision to go 4-3-3, it’s been a while since we’ve changed from a back five, and there were some hairy moments in defence, but it gave us some control of the game. We had control of the first half an hour and last half an hour, and they were well on top in the middle.
“It was an exciting game and we knew that a draw, from what we heard from the other results, was going to be enough, but the lads didn’t know that and they were pushing on to win the game, so I was quite happy to take a point.”
On ensuring a second place finish
“The players knew what was required of them before the game and we knew a draw would guarantee us finishing above Stoke which would guarantee us third, and then Norwich could do what they want and we play them Friday, so we weren’t particularly thinking about Norwich. But they had an earlier kick-off and someone mentioned they were behind, so it was always in the back of my mind, but the players weren’t informed of that.
“There was too much for them to concentrate on here for them to be thinking about what was going on at Norwich. But what we wanted to make sure we got at least a draw today to keep Stoke behind us and I thought from 2-0 down, to come back in that way, shows real character and the really important traits you need to become a footballer.
“It’s not just about talent, but you’ve got to dig in and find a way to turn the momentum in your favour and we did that in the second-half.”
90' | #WOL 2-2 #STO
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) April 25, 2022
Late drama! Chem Campbell’s cross finds the back of the net and we’re back on level terms! 💪#PL2 pic.twitter.com/nUkSd6MdIw
On the reasons behind successful 2022
“If you could put your finger on it, you’d be a rich man. Because we’re used to winning games at the moment, when we went behind, they still believed that we don’t lose games – I think we’ve lost one in 10 and won the other nine, so to be 2-0 down they could have easily thought, we’ve only lost one in nine, we’re in the play-offs, but they didn’t.
“They played with belief and with the crowd in, for them to have gone home if we’d lost 2-0 would’ve been disappointing, but I really thought they really got the crowd excited by the end and it was noisy in here. I know it wasn’t full, but there was plenty of sound at the end, and that was like proper football for them.
“It was great to have the crowd and I hope we’ll get them all back in for the cup semi-final and the league semi-finals now, so hopefully we can get some more bodies in and they’ll enjoy watching us play.”
On more games at Molineux
“Its brilliant for the players and brilliant for us. There’s a buzz around the boys, knowing we had Molineux, Carrow Road, Molineux, Molineux – it’s really exciting for us. Then when you’re under the lights in the second-half, the crowd are making a noise, and it’s exciting.
“We want more of it and more of that exposure for our players as possible, because that’s what they’re going in to if they become professional footballers. The more we can get down here the better.
“I thought the crowd here tonight were brilliant, they were loud and really got behind the boys. They never got grumpy with them, which they could’ve done at 2-0, but I thought they helped us and got after Stoke a little bit for the timewasting. That effects players and I thought the crowd really helped us, so the more we can get here, the better.”
