Collins | ‘We can be pleased with the first half of the season’

James Collins believes his under-21s are in a good place with plenty more still to work on as they prepare to enter 2023.

This year saw a return to the top tier of youth football for Wolves, who have adapted well to life back in PL2. The 21s are also flying high in the Premier League Cup once again and made it to the knockout stages of the Papa John’s Trophy, while academy players continue to receive opportunities at first-team level. Joe Hodge, Hugo Bueno and Dexter Lembikisa have all made their senior bows in the first half of the season, a period which also saw Collins lead the first-team alongside Steve Davis in October and November.

With normal under-21 duties now resumed, Collins has his New Year targets firmly fixed on the development of the club’s best young talent and ensuring the next batch are ready for that first-team chance.

On the season so far

“It’s been exciting to be in a new league and I think we’ve acquitted ourselves well for the majority.

“We responded from the first game where we got beat by Chelsea 7-1 and that now feels like a lifetime ago.

“We’ve got some good results, the boys have responded and we’ve got some players out the group in and around the first-team squad.

“We’re progressing nicely in the Premier League Cup and were one of few under-21 teams to qualify out of our group in the Papa John’s Trophy. At development level, we certainly know we’re not going to win every game or play well every game, but the boys are learning and developing – I think we can be pleased with the first half of the season.”

Always learning pic.twitter.com/IKf89Y3DX0

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) November 23, 2022

On competing in different competitions

“Every competition brings a different challenge. The Papa John’s is a men’s competition that is difficult for anyone to progress in at under-21 level, and we’ve done that this year again which we can be delighted with.

“The Premier League Cup is a competition we tend to give our fringe players some opportunities in the earlier rounds and they’ve done very well to get us to this point.

“The league is a tougher league than we’ve been in for a few years. Both times we’ve been in this division we’ve been relegated straight out of it, so for us to be in a good position mid-table means we can be delighted with that.

“There are loads and loads to work on and improve. The key is that Dexter (Lembikisa), Hugo (Bueno) and Hodgey (Joe Hodge) are with the first-team everyday which is something everyone in the academy can be proud of.”

On how other players can progress to the first-team

“They’ve got to step up. What’s really interesting with the players that have stepped up is that it’s no coincidence they’re the hardest workers, the boys that practice the most and listen the most.

“They can be trusted by us, the under-21s staff, and then the first-team staff have felt the same when they’ve gone with them.

“That’s something that’s great for us to pass onto the other boys. The qualities you need to progress to the next level aren’t just talent – there are a lot of other things that come into it.

“They’re great role models for us to throw up to our boys and for them to aspire to.”

A full @premierleague debut for Joe Hodge yesterday pic.twitter.com/0j7zy7PTB5

— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) December 27, 2022

On his own personal journey this season

“It’s been a whirlwind across the first half of the season for lots of different reasons.

“Personally to have the opportunity to coach the first-team for six weeks was brilliant and it gave Ian Sharps the chance to have a go with our boys which was great for him and he did very well.

“We were able to bring things back down that we’ve learned from the first-team group and also the players have had opportunities with the first-team.

“At the start it was through myself and Steve (Davis), but now the new gaffer has taken that on board and seems to be using them and enjoying working with them.”

On targets for 2023

“The targets are to develop the players, improve the players and try and get the next batch of players first-team ready.

“We want to make sure we’ve got players who are ready for Wolverhampton Wanderers first-team and if we can do that, then we’ll have all done our jobs.”