Cup joy – But plenty more to come from Wolves starlets
Under-18s boss Jerry Gill expressed his delight at beating MK Dons in the FA Youth Cup – but insisted there was far more to come from his side.
Two goals from Nicu Carnat and a third from Niall Ennis secured Wolves' passage into the fourth round.
It was an impressive display from Gill's side who could have scored plenty more on the night with the likes of Conor Ronan, Daniel Armstrong and Bright Enobakhare all going close.
Gill said of the Molineux win: "I think some of the players might have been affected by the occasion which is also important because it means they can learn from the experience and be better for it.
"We started slow with and without the ball and there wasn't enough aggression in our pressing.
"I just challenged the lads at half-time to be a bit more positive with and without the ball and I thought that is what happened in the second half.
"We created plenty of chances and the players in one-v-one situations looked dangerous.
"We scored three good goals through Nicu and Niall, and there is also still a lot to improve on.
"We were a little bit what I would call 'flicky' in our creative stuff at times and we are normally more crisp with our passing on the floor and our combination play.
"There were a few scoops and a few flicks and we want to be creative within our passing and our detail.
"We want the lads to express themselves with their creative play but we want them to do it by being crisp and firm with their passing, their one-twos and give-and-go's in and around the final third."
Wolves had hammered leaders Everton 8-0 in their previous league game.
And while it was almost the same XI, Gill knew the occasion of a Molineux cup tie would have a bearing on his team's performance.
"I am not criticising that or being disappointed with it because I am pleased that they have had this experience to go through," he added.
"And they have kept a clean sheet and scored three goals.
"Maybe it is me being a little bit over-critical and expecting the higher standards we have set in recent weeks but I don't think that is a bad thing.
"My message to them was 'win the game', and they have won the game and we are in the next round.
"It is exciting for the boys now – we have got Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion coming up and are in the draw for the next round."
