Richard Walker believes Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup defeat at Molineux will stand his players in good stead later down the line.
Wolves under-18s were cruelly beaten on penalty kicks by Queens Park Rangers following a rollercoaster 120 minutes which saw the visitors eventually prevail into the fourth round. Head coach Walker admits he couldn’t fault the effort of his team, but felt there were moments in the game where they could have been better and also times where the tie should’ve been put to bed.
On the tie as a whole
“It was an absolute rollercoaster of an evening. Unfortunately we came out on the wrong end of that.
“Massive congratulations go to Queens Park Rangers, we wish them all the best in the next round and they took us all the way.
“The lads have worked their socks off. I can’t fault their effort, they’ve left everything out there and unfortunately came out on the wrong end of a mammoth penalty shootout.
“There are a lot of disappointed boys in there and understandably so but we can be proud of their efforts and they gave everything on the evening.”
On the start to the game
“They really came after us and nothing surprised us about how they approached the game. I just thought early on we were a little bit tentative.
“In the first 15 minutes we were a little bit tentative and played backwards quite a lot. We relinquished a lot of superiority early on in the game for that reason.
“Then we got a foothold and for 15 minutes to 30 minutes in the first half I thought we looked a real threat.
“We switched play really well, got good crosses in the box, penned them in and then relinquished that again.”
On not putting the game to bed
“We had enough chances in that second half to really put the game to bed and as you know, if you don’t take them or they don’t quite fall for you, you know that you always run the risk of the opposition getting one.
“I thought it was really disheartening that we conceded the second equaliser so late on in the game.
“The lads will be stronger for the experience. The whole thing is about experiences and they’ll be better for the experience as harsh and as raw as it feels right now.”
On the mental and physical toll the game took out of the players
“They’ve covered an awful lot of distance physically but I think the main one tonight is probably the emotional attachment as well.
“You come out on the wrong end and it makes it even harder to stomach.
“They’ve given everything, the lads have given absolutely everything. For sure, we know we can perform better but I think anyone who was here can say the lads worked for the badge and worked for the shirt and left nothing out there. Ultimately, that’s all you can ask of them.”
On the evening at Molineux
“Hats off to everyone at the club. The ground staff, catering staff, everyone who’s worked hard to get the game on here at such a magnificent stadium.
“There will be memories that last a lifetime. We want our players to have a really enjoyable experience in their time with us and wherever their career goes they can always look back on such great occasions – albeit we were on the wrong end of a result this evening, but there will be some real proud moments for them I’m sure, playing in front of their families and friends. That will stand them in good stead long-term.”
