The under-23s are in Premier League International Cup action on Wednesday as the Academy team face their first ever match in major European competition and season ticket holders can gain free entry to the 7pm kick-off but must claim their ticket in advance by clicking here.
Former Wolves winger Kennedy, who was pleased with his side’s performance in Saturday’s Premier League Cup victory over neighbours Birmingham City, knows exactly what it’s like to play under the Molineux lights and is calling for his young players to embrace their opportunity.
On welcoming PSG to Molineux
“The lads are really up for it. I’m trying to treat it like it’s just another game of football and is another opportunity for the players to develop and showcase their skills.
“Even though we have a young group, I know there will be a lot of people watching the older members of the team with a view to potentially taking them on loan, so it’s a great game for many reasons.
“It’s at Molineux, which is amazing. I’ve been fortunate enough to play there a couple of times, so I know that it will be fantastic for the players.”
On playing under the Molineux lights
“It’s also a night game, which are always really special. I don’t know what it is about night games – and it might sound a bit odd to your everyday person – but playing under the lights at Molineux always gives a different feeling to playing in the day.
“There should be a really good crowd there and this is something that not a lot of the lads have experienced, and the fact that it’s PSG; foreign opposition, league opposition, with a big name, brings a bit more to it.
“It’s a really exciting game for everybody and an opportunity for the lads to showcase their abilities once again, and hopefully show everybody the direction that the club’s going in, which is forward and upwards every day.”
On overcoming Birmingham City in the PL Cup
“I thought the lads played really well. We knew going into the game that Birmingham were going to be a very good side, although they are a Category Two club.
“We know them quite well being local neighbours, and they’re a group of players who train together every day.
“Most people don’t know this, but in under-23s football a lot of the environments will be fractured, and you never have a full group of players at the same time, having experienced that at other clubs.
“In the past, I have trained with five or six players every day, but some clubs would have between 14 and 18 players to choose from, which will give you a better chance to progress and develop together – and Birmingham are that kind of group, so we knew going into the game that it would be really tough.”
On breaking winless run
“I thought played well and played a very good diamond, but on the day, we controlled the game really well and were very good in the first-half.
“We were in full control of the game thanks to Benny’s two goals, but then at the start of the second-half we gave away a really sloppy goal – a poor goal from our perspective, which gave them a lift, and they kicked on from there and put us under a lot of pressure.
“However, I’m glad we got the victory because I felt we deserved it, especially after we’ve been so unlucky this year in games where we’ve played really well but not had the result to compliment the performance.
“I’m glad they got that, from a personal point of view, and it also gives us the three points in that particular format of the competition.”
Season ticket holders, My Wolves, Young Wolves and #WolfPack member members can gain free entry into Molineux for the 7pm kick-off on Wednesday 20th November but must claim their ticket in advance by clicking here.
Tickets for non-season tickets holders cost £4 for adults and £2 for concessions. Corporate seats are also available in WV1 Bar, costing £10 per adult or £5 per child. More information can be found here.
