Wolves under-18s head coach Richard Walker was in a reflective mood after his side’s performance, especially with a poor second half in their U18 Premier League fixture on Saturday afternoon.
“I thought first was a really good game, a competitive game. They turned up in the key moments and they went their way, but between both boxes in the first half, I thought it was very competitive and I was pleased with lots of aspects. But we could and should have been more clinical in both boxes, it was far from a disaster of a first half as there were a lot of positives.”
“Goals change games, the players have got to recognise that and ride that emotion. As much as I say it was pleasing to a large extent, as pleasing as it can be coming into half-time 3-1 down. Second half I thought Derby went up a gear and we went down two gears, and we lost too many duels and we paid the price for that.”
After conceding early, Minkyu Ji levelled the scoring just after the quarter of an hour mark with a strong diving header for his third league goal in as many games, but the Old Gold would be put back behind as the Rams’ Justin Ognutolu and Charlie Smith’s quick double got the hosts back ahead in a short space of time.
17’ | #DCFC 1-1 #WOL
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 15, 2025
After going behind early we find our feet in the game and get on even terms again quickly as Minkyu Ji heads the ball home to make it 1-1.#U18PL https://t.co/TF3za34BLf
Walker was pleased with the progress he has seen from his squad this season, especially with the amount of upwards movement into the next age groups as well as the first team.
“It is academy football, development football, it is about progression. I think seeing an under-15, three under-16s on the pitch is what we’re about in terms of progressing players, it’s never nice to lose with the scoreline in which we did, however, the lads have been working hard as was seen with the parts of the game I was pleased about first half, less so second half but in terms of the bigger picture we got some younger players on the pitch.”
“By the standards we’ve set, the second half was really poor, but in terms of the squad in recent weeks there has been evolution of the group and we have done that early with the under-21s being young, the under-18s are young and so on and for me that is making sure that we are stretching the players and try to get that stretch between the levels not be too much for them, and it hasn’t been because the games have been competitive, the performances have been good including today up until it became a bridge too far, but there are great learning opportunities and probably more opportunity for the players if they reflect diligently on today’s game than some of the many victories we’ve had this season.”
“It’s almost been two groups this season which is the nature of academy football, but I think the amount of players that are up in the under-21s, players training with the first team is what we’re all about and then the schoolboys that have been a part of the under-18s they are all positives.”
Defeat in Derby ⏱️#U18PL pic.twitter.com/l4jLlLKDDT
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 15, 2025
Wolves travel to league leaders Manchester United tomorrow night before being on their travels again on the weekend as they head north again to Finch Farm to face Everton with two good results moving them into the top half of the north group after a tough run of form.
