Nathan Fraser said Gary O’Neil’s attendance at Molineux in Monday’s under-21s game gave him extra motivation to impress but didn’t change the way he played.
The 18-year-old striker scored the second in the team’s 2-1 win over PSV in the Premier League International Cup, as James Collins’ side defeated the current holders of the competition.
Home-grown talent Fraser, who has made two appearances for the first-team in the Carabao Cup, spoke on his improvement in recent months, training with the first-team and the special feeling of playing at Molineux.
On his goal in Monday’s game against PSV
“I knew I was playing well but I just wanted to score. If I had to go off before the game finished and I hadn’t scored, I wouldn’t have been happy.
“At under-21s level, a lot of the teams are quite similar. Playing against teams from different countries at such a high level is a good opportunity to learn about different formations and tactics.”
A goal Nathan Fraser's performance has merited ⚽️#PLIC pic.twitter.com/gj4KX043d4
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) October 16, 2023
On Gary O’Neil’s attendance at the game
“I knew that Gary would be there and it does give you that extra motivation.
“You want to impress him but you don’t want to let that affect your game and put you off.”
On playing under the lights at Molineux
“After being at Wolves for so many years, [playing at Molineux is] always special. Any time we get a chance to play here, it’s extra motivation to try and make an impression.
“It’s a lot better because you need to get used to playing at big grounds. Getting used to the stadium can help you to take the opportunity if it comes in the first-team.”
On training with the first-team
“It’s a much higher level. It’s a Premier League first-team, so just the tempo, the physicality is a lot higher.
“It can only bring on your game and make you a better player. Players like Sasa (Kalajdzic), (Matheus) Cunha, I think they help quite a lot and they’re good to train with every day.”
On his accelerated development in recent years
“I’m going to score my goals in and around the box so maybe last year I was playing a bit too wide. This year I’ve tried to focus on staying central, my hold up play, just working on a few little strengths.
“I’ve always tried to work hard, but every week you want to find new ways to push yourself, whether it’s waking up early or staying later. You can always take that to the next level.”
Under-21s head coach James Collins also spoke after the game, reflecting on Fraser’s progress over the last few seasons and how impressed he is with the young talent.
“He’s a great example. Two years ago he was an average, middle of the group footballer. If you asked me what he’s going to be, I’d have probably said lower league, maybe even non-league and I don’t mean that disrespectfully.
“The boy works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. When it’s his day off, he’s in. You think you’re in first and he’s there before you.
“It probably took a year or two of that hard work where you couldn’t see any results but all of a sudden, his hold up play is better, his finishing it better, he’s robust because he’s doing the physical work.
“He’s given himself a real opportunity to have a great career. To have him as that example to show the others is terrific for me and a great credit to him.”
By Ciara Hancox
