Ryan Praises Development

By Ryan Plant

Wolves Under-18s manager Darren Ryan was delighted with the manner of his side’s 2-0 victory against Everton.

In their last Premier League U18 North fixture of the season, Wolves attacked their third-placed rivals from the outset in a new three-at-the-back system and won thanks to two goals from Austin Samuels.

Samuels’ third and fourth goals in two games since returning to the Under-18s from a spell as part of Scott Sellars’ Under-23s squad left manager Ryan delighted after what was a stellar display.

He said: “The football today, I thought, was excellent and it is clear we play the game the right way. I am really happy for the players, that result has been coming.

“Everyone can see how we want to play, we have our philosophies from the academy right through to the first team and that really showed. I am really pleased with the lads’ development.

“The players adapted really well to the new formation which shows their intelligence and tells you a lot about the group.”

Ryan hailed his side’s improvement from Tuesday’s disappointing 5-3 loss to Derby County at Molineux, after which he called for his players to learn and focus ahead of the Everton game.

“We were much more organised,” said Ryan. “We were better in the transition, and we worked during the week on when to sit back and when to press.”

Ryan’s work paid dividends, as Samuels’ two goals came from pouncing on lapses of concentration in the Everton defence to counter-attack and score to end the Premier League U18 North season on a high.