James Collins said he could not have been prouder of his Wolves under-21s after they stepped back onto the pitch for the first time since Ethan McLeod's passing.
News of McLeod's death at the age of 21 last Tuesday left the Old Gold’s youth set-up in a state of shock, devastating many of his former teammates in the development side – of which his younger brother Conor is a member – as well as Collins and his staff.
But off the back of the incredibly difficult week they have experienced leading up to Monday evening's match with Nottingham Forest, the head coach was proud of the way his group was able to come out and give a top performance in their narrow Premier League Cup loss.
On Ethan McLeod’s passing affecting the group
“It has been the hardest week I’ve ever had in the game. The news obviously come as an unbelievable shock to us all. Ethan was a lovely boy – what a well-mannered young man. He was larger than life, always had a smile on his face, and to hear the news, we are all still in a state of shock.
“The boys have had a really tough week, as have the staff, but we’ve really had to be there to look after the boys as they’ve had an incredibly tough week. They’ve lost their mate and for them to put their boots on, get out on the training pitch, get out on the grass tonight with that emotion and that upset, I couldn’t be prouder of them. I really couldn’t.
“There are more important things to life than football and I know we don’t think it sometimes because of how much we care and how much we want to do well and how much we want the boys to do well, but it really does put it into perspective when you have such a huge loss, and we’re all devastated.
On defeat in the cup
“There was nothing to forgive. I thought we were the better team first half. We came out the traps quite well, we had the best chance in the first half, they go man for man and pressure all over the pitch, but we showed courage. I thought we tested their goalie more than they tested ours, and I thought we were the slightly better team in the first half.
“But second half, I thought we did ok, but then the first goal is always going to be crucial, and they got it from a mistake. Our goalie has been terrific all season, and he was playing out from the back several times, he tried a low one that didn't quite work – and we have to accept that, because he’s developing, and I think he’s going to be a top goalkeeper – and then they score.
“They’re difficult to score against and we went a little bit direct, the boys rushed a little bit as they’ve got to chase the game because we had to win today to get to get through. But I thought we became a bit rushed, a bit panicky.
“But the boys were so desperate to do well today after the week they’ve had, and I thought we faded – the last 25 minutes was probably our worst spell, but that’s got to be understandable after the week they’ve had.”
On two tough fixtures against Forest
“Both games against them were incredibly tight and I think the last time they conceded more than one goal was September, or maybe even August, so the games are always very tight, very difficult, and not a great spectacle, because they go aggressive, man for man, and you have to try and find your spaces.
“When you do, it can look good, but when you don’t, you get caught and they’re attacking your box. That’s the cat and mouse game we were playing. But I thought the boys had a right go, held their discipline with the emotions that were in them, and football falls one way, it falls the other way – that’s the game. They’ve got to get used to that.
“We’ve had our fair share, won the last two with late winners and comebacks, and that’s the game. But I’m proud of them because tonight could have been really messy, but they’ve shown real courage, and I’m incredibly proud of them.”
🗣️ "We've all had an incredibly tough week. For them to just pull on their boots and get out there tonight, I could not be prouder."
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) December 22, 2025
U21 Head Coach James Collins on an emotional week at the academy as he reflects on tonight's #PLCup contest ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/cO2ZHP0vRt
On having four players in the first-team squad on Saturday
“We want to get as many as we can nearer and around the first-team. The team’s having a tough time at the moment, and there’s a few away, a few injuries, and hopefully we can be there to support that. Our boys have then, if they get a little opportunity, try and take it.
“I thought Mane came on and did well the other day, and one or two others are around it, but Christmas is a busy period and they’ve got to be ready because you don’t know when your moment will come.
“The first-team struggling is desperate for everybody, but for Academy players, they’ve got to see that as an opportunity. They’ve got to see that as a chance to get near it, get around it, because you never know. ‘Out of the darkness, cometh light’, and hopefully that’s what our boys can offer, but they’ve got to be ready to grab it, and if they get it, that’s what they’ve got to do.”
