Collins | ‘It was a great experience for our players’

James Collins stressed that there was plenty to learn and take from Saturday afternoon’s defeat to Porto B in the Premier League International Cup at Molineux.

The under-21s head coach returned to the dugout following a month-and-a-half on first team duty to see his side narrowly beaten by the Portuguese outfit. Collins admitted it was difficult to break down the opposition who defended deep, but was looking for slightly more quality in the final third that might have helped to unlock a stubborn backline. Despite the defeat, the 21s boss felt the game provided his players with another unique experience which will only benefit their development in the long run.

On the style of game

“I thought it was very much like a Football League game – there were two teams that were well organised and hard to break down.

“I don’t think they created much and we conceded from a set-piece which was disappointing. The first goal was always going to be important and then I thought we huffed and puffed, pinned them back, but I never really felt like we were going to score.

“I never really felt like we produced that bit of quality that might get us a goal. They weren’t easy to break down, so I can’t criticise our boys for effort and fight, and even quality at times.

“We lacked something in the final third today which was probably the difference between winning or drawing the game as opposed to losing it 1-0.”

On playing against Porto B

“We restricted a team that most of their players are in their early to mid-20s and play regularly in the second division in Portugal.

“The boys can be pleased with the performance they’ve put in, but must do better with the quality in the final third.”

On chances created in the final third

“Hodgey was unlucky with the one that hit the post and he had another shot that whistled past the post. Tippo had a chance around the edge of the box and I thought that’s what a lot of our chances were – shots from decent distances right on the edge of the box, where you want one to fly in.

“What we didn’t do, because they played such a deep block, was break through them and get round them to cause that problem in behind.

“Every time we did get around them I thought we dithered a little bit and didn’t create enough, so it was just that final ball and bit of quality.”

On coming up against a deep defensive line

“It wasn’t easy – they made it very difficult with their organisation. On a different day we’d have got that luck and might have scored early to make it a different game.

“In the end, we were on the wrong side of a 50/50 game and I felt that’s the way it goes.

“We fully expected what was coming. The second half felt like it didn’t really flow, but it felt like we were on top and had the ball.

“We didn’t quite create enough – partly down to the stop-start nature of the half and partly down to a lack of quality from us in the final third. To break tough teams down you have to do a little bit better in those areas.”

On the experience of the International Cup

“When you get promoted it means you get to go into these sort of competitions. We wouldn’t have had that game today if we lost in the play-off final last season.

“That’s a great experience for our boys to go up against Porto B, especially three or four days before we play Manchester United in the Papa John’s Trophy.

“They’re both at this venue and both great fixtures, so there’s loads to learn and pick up individually. These are the experiences you want for the players in a development programme, so we’re delighted we can provide them with this.”

On hosting Manchester United on Tuesday

“We’re a development programme that get to play in certain fixtures throughout the season which are about winning. It’s great for our boys because that’s their next step – going into a winning culture, whether that’s our first team or a loan.

“What a brilliant fixture. Manchester United here, under the lights. It’s always a tough fixture and we played them recently, coming on the wrong side of a 3-2.

“What I do know is that they won’t be in a deep block quite like Porto were today, which was another different challenge.

“They’ll probably offer a bit more threat going the other way, so we’ve got to defend how we did today which I thought was very good for the majority. We’ve then got to exploit the space a little bit more than we did today.”