Barry Douglas: Wolves have hit the ground running
Barry Douglas says Wolves have hit the ground running in pre-season as they head towards the big Premier League kick-off.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team beat last season’s two top Swiss sides, Basel and Young Boys, last week and will now look to add another notable scalp in Ajax on Thursday.
Douglas said it was a ‘tough but enjoyable’ week in Switzerland.
“We know everyone from last year so it’s been easy to get going again and hit the ground running,” he said. “We now have a few boys still to come back and have a chance to meet the news signings and see what they’re all about.
“It was nice to get a feel for it because it had been a long time with the break, obviously the highs of last season, it’s nice to get bedded back into it and get going again.
“It was good for us to get rid of the cobwebs. They were good teams and good tests.
“We want to play the best teams we can to give ourselves a true reflection of where we’re at.
“It says a lot about ourselves to compete with teams like that when they start their season next weekend.”
Douglas missed the 4-0 win over Young Boys with a muscle strain, but will hope to return to action this week.
“It’s not long until we competitively start the season,” he added. “We’ll be progressing nicely when it starts.
“It’s going to be a big season,” he added. “There’s a lot of anticipation from everyone and we can’t wait to get started.”
It’s been a busy summer for Douglas personally, whose wife Debbie gave birth to their first child, baby boy Kaidyn.
The Scottish wing-back was grateful for some regular sleep in Switzerland. he said: “Yes, it’s been a busy summer! It’ll be hard to top that, after last season and then having my first kid. I’m enjoying the rest over here! Sleep is difficult back home but it’s a life-changer for the better.”
Ryan Giles emerged during the Swiss tour with the Telford-born youngster looking impressive in Douglas’s position.
“He’s got that raw talent and pace – I envy his pace!” Douglas joked.
“He’s got a big future,” said Douglas.
“He just needs to get his head down, work hard, learn from the other guys and he’s got a bright future.”
