The Irishman joined the rest of his teammates in returning to duty recently, but with a new, experienced manager in place – someone the defender respects for his reputation and believes will improve him as a player. Lopetegui has the group training hard, and Collins is already itching to return to Premier League action and put things right as part of a rejuvenated old gold group.
On impressing the manager
“It’s been great. He has a really good aura about him, and the lads really look up to him and respect him. What he wants from the team is really good, so the intensity in training has been there. Everyone’s buying into it and working hard, which is the most important thing.
“Straight away, he’s one of the best managers in the Premier League from his CV and pedigree. For a young player like me, or any player, to have someone like that improving you, you can’t ask for more. The minimum I can do is work hard for him and I’m sure he’ll make me a better player.
“You have to go about your business the same, but we need a reaction. We need to buy into him, that’s the biggest thing as a team and players individually. You have to buy into what he’s saying and go and have a good go together.”
On the Premier League break
“It’s not been nice, you miss it – you want to play football. It’s not the same playing friendlies, but we’re getting ready to go again and I’m looking forward to the season starting again.
“We had a couple of friendlies with Ireland, we played Norway and lost 2-1 unfortunately, they played Malta and beat them 1-0, so it was good to get a few games in with my country.”
⚽️ Scores with his right
— Wolves (@Wolves) December 6, 2022
⛔️ Clears off the line
⚽️ Scores with his left
An eventful 25 seconds for Nathan Collins.
⏱🙌 pic.twitter.com/r60E24ymRS
On heading to Marbella
“There’s a lot of team building going on. There’s a real good connection with the squad now, everyone is looking forward to training each day and working hard, keen for the season to get going again.
“The intensity of training is up there. He has high standards, but we’re getting better every day, I think we’re getting fitter, and getting stronger, which is the main thing.”
On putting things right at Wolves
“The lads are here working. We have a few boys at the World Cup who will come back eventually, and everyone in the group knows we have a job on our hands. We know what we have to do, but we’re looking forward to getting going again.
“I’m buzzing to get back. Being back with the group, getting the friendlies in, you just want the real games to start now. We want to show everyone how good we are and what we can do, the work we’ve put in. We want to change where we are.”
On the World Cup
“At dinner time or lunch, when the games are on, we all sit down and watch them, and have a bit of a go at each other, a bit of banter. We wind each other up, but it’s good craic, good for team bonding, and we’re enjoying it. The World Cup is good to have on, especially when you’re away like this, so to watch it together is a good thing.
“That’s the target for Ireland [to get to the next World Cup]. We have the Euros now and we have a tough group, but it’s exciting, they’re good games, and games you want to play in, so with the backing of the country and fans, we can achieve anything.”
