Joe Gallen pleased with Wolves kids

A very young side featuring seven teenagers put in a good performance at Sixfields against a strong Northampton side.

The Cobblers were runaway League Two champions last season and boss Rob Page picked around half of the first-team expected to kick off their League One campaign next month.

By contrast, in Wolves' team only Andy Lonergan, Nathan Byrne and Conor Coady have sustained first-team experience under their belt, with the likes of Aaron Hayden, Ben O'Hanlon and Hakeem Odoffin having minimal game time in the lower leagues and Bright Enobakhare getting a few substitute appearances for Wolves last season.

Gallen and first-team coach Rob Edwards oversaw team matters during the game, with Kenny Jackett taking a back seat on the bench, albeit still giving out some instructions.

Jackett therefore forewent media duties after the game.

Gallen said of the team's performance: "They acquitted themselves well and we did put in a strong performance.

"We thought the lads were capable of doing that. We lost the game 2-1 but I didn't think we deserved to lose, we deserved at least a draw.

"But looking at the bigger picture, apart from Andy Lonergan, Conor Coady and Nathan Byrne it was a very young team.

"Then again some of these boys, aged 18 or 19, should be looking at first-team level.

"We were really pleased with their attitude and their performance level. On the ball there was some good football.

"Northampton won League Two pretty easily last year, they've made some new signings and have a new manager and have momentum building so when you consider the opposition I thought the lads did really well.

"Our boys' confidence levels off the back of that should improve. They should be thinking they can get a league career, or a career with Wolves.

"As it stands, that's our second team. That's what we've got, that's what we've been working with, since the start of pre-season.

"Their attitude has been first class which is always the most important thing.

"All of them deserve praise."

Niall Ennis was on the scoresheet for a second successive friendly after also netting the opener against Cork City last week.

Hopes are high for the 17-year-old, who was courted by some of the Premier League's biggest clubs before he signed professional terms at Molineux.

And Gallen said Ennis had settled in well with the first-team over the past few weeks.

"It was a good finish - and a good defence-splitting pass from Conor Coady who threaded it through.

"It was a good run and Niall does see the opportunity very quickly, before the pass comes he creates space for himself, it's very natural.

"To score in this sort of game will give him belief for the future.

"Both him and Bright Enobakhare have done well in training. They're very young - in terms of their age there's no need to rush them.

"You can ruin players pretty quickly so there's no rush. We all know Niall's got a good chance, but that's about it."

Coady captained the side, as he did at Cork.

And Gallen paid tribute to the midfielder, who had also played 90 minutes at Port Vale on Saturday.

"Conor Coady asked to play," Gallen revealed. "He played on Saturday but asked to play tonight.

"He's a great professional, loves football and lives for football.

He'll be very disappointed that he's not currently - and I know he played Saturday at right-back - where he wants to be in midfield (in the first XI).

"It's a strong position for us. But his attitude is excellent and he's a really good leader.

"He's an all-round good guy."