Scott Sellars: Let Wolves fans in for free for Checkatrade Trophy

Just 547 turned up at Molineux on Tuesday night to see Wolves' under-21s demolish League Two side Accrington Stanley 4-0.

That was fewer than had attended an under-23 clash against Albion at Molineux in August (604), while there had been bigger crowds for Wolves' two other Checkatrade Trophy games at Chesterfield (950) and Crewe (963).

Tickets were £5 for adults and £2 for under-17s.

As they topped Group B, Wolves will be drawn at home in the one-off last-32 knockout stage clash, with the draw taking place at 10.30pm on Thursday evening and the tie to be played in the first week of December.

Sellars wants as many fans as possible to see his burgeoning squad of young talents, who are also second in their under-23 league having won five matches in succession.

"I'm hoping we'll let people in for free and get some atmosphere, because that's what the lads need and want, it's one thing they don't get at under-23 games," he said.

"I think (the crowds) are a disappointing part of it. Everybody is asking what the trophy is. It may take three or four years to settle down into something where people can see there's a real relevance to it.

"I saw Chris Hughton speaking about it in a really positive way, as I have after every game from a Wolves point of view.

"As I've said throughout this tournament it's something for the lads to play against real first-team players, challenge themselves and let's see how good they really are.

"It's more games where we can challenge them and see how good they are. From our point of view the tournament has been fantastic. They've been proper games, it's been tough, they've had different challenges in all the games."

Wolves lost 2-1 to Chesterfield in their first match, missing a last-minute penalty, and then beat Crewe 3-2 in a thriller at Gresty Road thanks to a late Bright Enobakhare winner.

Enobakhare was on the scoresheet again last night as well as Christian Herc, Donovan Wilson and Connor Ronan.

The likes of Nouha Dicko, Jed Wallace and Andy Lonergan have featured in previous matches, with Wolves able to play a number of overage players.

But Sellars rejected that notion for the Accrington game, preferring to see how the youngsters coped. He hopes new Wolves boss Paul Lambert (who couldn't attend due to a prior engagement) will take note, and admits it's been difficult for the under-23s with Wolves having signed 12 new first-team players in the summer.

"I had an opportunity to take some first-team players for this game but myself and Rob (Edwards) decided last week that we wanted to see the young players and see how they coped," he added.

"Again, I think they've proved we've got some really good players.

"If this tournament can't give them confidence they're going to be league players at least, then nothing will.

"After a nervy first 10 minutes I thought they were outstanding. They dominated the game and looked dangerous at all times.

"The new manager has come in, hopefully he'll see the game and the message will get back to him that we've got some really good young players that, I'd like to think, could be pushing.

"Obviously I'll be talking (to Lambert) but sometimes the best talking is done on the pitch. I shouldn't have to say a lot.

"It's been difficult, we've had a lot of (new signings) come in very quickly to try and supplement the squad. Maybe we didn't need to do it as quickly as that, but obviously that's not my decision.

"These lads have said "I'm a good player, look at me" and that's all they can do.

"I'd like to think there'll have been a few scouts here watching the Accrington game thinking I'll take one on loan and give them some league experience.

"That's the next challenge, to get them in the first team here or out on loan.

"I wanted to challenge them. I watch these boys every day, they're second top in the league and in every game they're competing and play well.

"And there's a fantastic togetherness about them.

"Forget their ability – there's a lot of that – but their character is outstanding and that's something that's going to be challenged by this tournament."