Wolves faced an experienced outfit at Edgeley Park but were well worth the points thanks to goals from Lee Harkin and Tyler Roberts in either half. A late Connor Jennings finish made for a nervy final 90 seconds or so, but Collins’ players held tight having already done enough with an outstanding display across the 90 minutes impressing the head coach.
On deserving the three points
“I’m absolutely delighted because these are tough places to come and it’s why we enter the competition.
“We were playing against a really experienced team, and I thought we came here and did all the tough stuff really well, which allowed us to play our football and get our chances.
“I thought we had the better chances and deserved to win the game. It got a bit nervy at the end but again, that’s a great experience for them.
“We had a bit of a slow start, maybe a bit of a nervy start and they started slightly better than us. It didn’t take long for us to get in our stride – our shape was good, and I thought we counter attacked very well.
“They had a lot of possession without playing through us and we had some very exciting moves when we did get the ball.
“I thought we got the goals at good times which helps. We took our chances, Chem (Campbell) hit the post with a brilliant free-kick, and we also had some other good chances.
“Other than a couple of headers from the penalty spot, I can’t remember them having a great chance and Jackson (Smith) didn’t have loads to do. It was a performance where we deserved the result.”
On coming up against an experienced outfit
“Their players have had hundreds of appearances in the league and you have to earn that. For our players to come here and show that we can match that and also show our quality was pleasing. It was really important for us to show some class and quality, not to just hang on.
“Hugo (Bueno) and Chem down the left as usual showed some really lovely touches. Tyler (Roberts) was a real threat down the right, Dexter (Lembikisa) played right back and went into midfield and did really well, Harvey (Griffiths) was excellent. I thought the back three stood up and did brilliantly throughout the game and Lee (Harkin) always does a great job for us down the middle.
“It was a real all-round performance. It would’ve been nice not to concede the late goal because I think we deserved the 2-0 win. That happens, that’s football, but we got the win.
“After two games, it’s a fantastic achievement to qualify from our group in this competition.”
On taking chances and Tyler Roberts’ display
“They took the chances well which is something we’ve been quite critical of. Saturday was a good example at Arsenal where we created some chances and didn’t take them.
“We took our fair share of them tonight. Both finishes I thought were excellent.
“Tyler Roberts was a real threat throughout and a thorn in the side of the opponent – he got what he deserved with the goal. That’s what he can do.
“He can run, dribble and travel like that, but he can also finish which is really important when there’s something at the end of it.”
On winning without key players
“I think it makes it even more impressive. Joe Hodge has been our best player this season and he’s away with Ireland. Nathan Fraser has done really well for us this season, he’s away. Dylan’s (Scicluna) away with Australia.
“We’ve got three of our regular starters away. Sometimes we get some senior players dropping down – we didn’t get that due to the sending off for Nathan (Collins) at the weekend which meant the first team couldn’t really release any of the centre backs.
“We got Chem and Hugo which was great, but we did it with a young team. Filozofe (Mabete) at centre back is an under-18 centre back playing here in a Papa John’s Trophy game and he stood up to it really well.
On enjoying the night
“They’re great signs, but we haven’t cracked it. However, you have to enjoy nights like these because you don’t win all these games.
“It’s a tough competition for us at the level our players are at age group-wise. To get results in it is hard and you have to earn every result you get.
“We’ve now won both of our games which is terrific.”
On facing Port Vale in the final group game
“We’ve got Port Vale next in the group and they’re a good side. It’s always good to go to Vale Park where there’s a nice big pitch.
“We’ve been there in this competition before and had a really good game. We’ll get through that game first and then we’ll see what happens.
“It gives us a great chance and we enjoy being in this competition because it’s a real challenge for us.”
On hosting Porto at Molineux next Friday
“I’ll spend a bit of time over the international break watching them. We’ll analyse them like we always do with our opponents, but it will be different.
“One of the best things about getting promoted last season is you all of a sudden go into the International Cup which means you’re playing the likes of Porto and Valencia which are great learning experiences for our players.
“I’m sure they’ll pose us a different threat, a very technical threat I’d imagine. We’ll come up with a plan, enjoy the game and hopefully get something out of it.”
