James Collins was pleased to see his under-21s show a different side to their game as the youngsters defeated Sparta Prague B on Friday evening.
For the second game running under the Molineux lights, the Old Gold were 2-1 victors against European opposition and made it back-to-back wins in the International Cup. Head coach Collins anticipated that his team would need to compete and fight throughout the 90 minutes and that’s exactly what he saw, as Wolves wore their Czech Republic opponents down on their way to another three points.
On beating Sparta Prague
“It’s nice to win the game against a strong European side. They were mostly Czech Republic internationals and we knew they would be a really tough opponent.
“To win the game and win the game reasonably well is pleasing. We made it interesting at the end, which we seem to do, and it was frustrating but I thought our play without possession was excellent.
“They are a very strong team. I would have liked us to play slightly better with the ball and the boys agreed with me on that, but we came into it knowing we’d have to compete, fight and get our tactics right. We did and by the end we’d worn them down – they were frustrated, even though they scored, they were getting cramp.
“They’re used to playing in a professional second division in the Czech Republic so our intensity and drive got us to that point, not quite our quality. Sometimes it’s our quality that gets us there but our boys have to learn that it’s both sides of the game.”
On picking the right moment to press
“They probably controlled the first 15 minutes but we thought that would happen. We matched their shape because we felt they were a threat and we made sure our tens screened their tens and let their centre backs have it, so they were going to get a little bit of control.
“We were quite happy after 15 minutes or so and then we were looking for those moments we could get a jump and press. The boys picked a really good moment and nicked the ball – that doesn’t happen by fluke, that’s worked on in the week. It leads to a penalty and that gets us settled into the game.”
On how their red card changes the game
“We looked at it and kept the same shape because we felt getting our wing backs a bit higher was the answer. We felt pulling the tens to the side and midfielders to the side would be the way we’d get control of the game.
“That happened to a point and there was a little spell in the middle of the half where I thought we were in total control.
“What I would say is that we weren’t ruthless enough. We got a really good second goal but I didn’t think we were ruthless enough.
“Our shape was really good and we worked hard with what we were trying to do.”
On Matty Whittingham’s goal
“I think he fancies himself as a bit of a goal scorer. Both times we’ve slightly tweaked the shape, he’s played a little bit higher.
“He scored at Forest and he scored tonight so I think he’s trying to make a point that he’s a bit more than a holding midfield player.
“What he has got is super techniques and good composure. When he gets in those positions you expect a goal.
“I thought first half his football was ok and I was disappointed with him and Bruno (Jordao) not picking up quite enough of the second balls, which isn’t their natural game.
“Second half I thought they did that much better which probably led to their frustrations and they get a man sent off.”
On facing Nice on Wednesday
“It’s another test. They’re an athletic, physical outfit. All of their games in this competition have been close.
“They won’t be quite as aggressive on the press I wouldn’t have thought as Sparta Prague. You never know, but from what we’ve seen they’ll be really hard to break down, really hard to get through and offer a threat on the counter attack.
“It will be a tough game but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance to go into Christmas with a game to go in a good position in the group.”
