Richard Walker has praised his side for finding a way to win as Wolves progressed into the final of the U17 Premier League Cup.
Minkyu Ji struck with 90 minutes almost up, as the youngsters in Old Gold defeated Stoke City in the semi-final on the road. Speaking after the game, Walker has spoken on the differences between the first and second half, being ruthless and Ji being in the right place to score the winner.
On getting to the final
“I’m really proud of the boys. They found a way in the second half. We didn’t play well in the second half, make no bones about it.
“We’ve got to do better than we did in the second half, but it’s a semi-final and the outcome we wanted on the night was to get through to the final. To be fair, the lads found a way.
“In the first half, we played really well. We were really brave to take the ball, had good intensity out of possession and I thought we looked like we were getting into our tens well.
“I always felt we’d carve open chances, which we did. We possibly could’ve come in even further ahead after the first half.”
On Angel’s goal and being ruthless
“I’m pleased with how Dani (Angel) took his goal. I said on Saturday that I back him when he goes one on one.
“He finds himself in another one on one tonight and he shows impeccable composure. This time, he rounds the goalkeeper and finishes really well.
“Naturally, they’re going to come after us in the second half and they did. Hats off to them, I thought Stoke were really good in the second half.
“They asked questions of us, however we still had chances and whilst we weren’t free-flowing with the ball, I thought we had chances.
“If we’d have shown a bit more of a ruthless mindset when the ball’s being crossed in, we could’ve put the game to bed early.”
On getting the winner
“They go and get the equaliser and suddenly it’s game on. There was a bit of an atmosphere in the air so it was a great test for the players.
“They were coming after us and whilst it wasn’t perfect, they weathered that and we kept our composure when they’ve had a lad sent off.
“That gives us an advantage because we’ve got an extra player. It allowed us to get the ball wide and from there we were getting balls in the box.
“Eventually, we get our rewards. Dani heads it against the bar and Minkyu (Ji) follows it in and taps home from four yards.
“What pleases me about that is they’re the sort of goals they need to be enjoying more. The forward players are enjoying the worldie goals that they’re producing, but I think they’ve got to enjoy those little tap ins. I’m pleased for Minks for getting that.”
On Lennon Patterson’s crosses
“I thought Lennon played really good quality balls in all night. To be fair to Lennon, he can have every right to ask questions of the movement in there.
“We did have bodies in the box. The details of the movement could be better and I thought we could’ve got across the goalkeeper certainly a lot better than we did, but the numbers in there were good.
“If the numbers in there are good, regardless if the movement’s clever or not, the law of averages says we might find one of our bodies and we did.
“Because Minkyu’s in there where the goals are, he gets there to convert it and be the hero on the night.”
On the final
“It’s good and I’m glad we’re playing a club of the stature of whoever we face. I’ve just said to the boys that we’re in a final now and we’re going there to win it.
“The mentality’s to go and win that trophy and we’re not just going to celebrate a day out at wherever the final is held.”
