Wolves 1 Ajax 1 – Five talking points

Ruben Neves' second half penalty earned Nuno Espirito Santo's side a deserved draw at the Banks's Stadium.

The Dutch side had taken the lead on the stroke of half time.

So what did we learn from the game? Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers picks out five talking points.

Creditable draw

It was clear from the opening minutes of this game that Ajax were the strongest team Wolves have faced so far this pre-season.

Their team contained Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (369 career goals, almost all at the top level), £50million-rated young centre half Matthijs de Ligt who's being chased by Spurs, midfielder Frenkie de Jong (a target for Barcelona and PSG) and another highly-rated midfielder Donny van de Beek, for whom Ajax have reportedly turned down a big-money bid from Roma.

While Huntelaar and £18million substitute Daley Blind (who has just signed from Manchester United) were the famous faces, the likes of De Ligt, De Jong and Van de Beek could become household names for years to come and their quality on the ball was there for all to see.

Throw into the mix the fact that Ajax play a Champions League qualifier next midweek and whatever way you look at this is was an impressive showing from Wolves, who on the balance of play deserved to win.

They recovered from a slow start – and a goal down – to earn a draw and counter Ajax's slick passing style by controlling most of the play in the second half.

Ryan heir apparent?

Three games now and three impressive performances from young left wing back Ryan Giles.

The Telford-born 18-year-old can bomb forward, look to take his man on and get a cross in all day long. That's his trade, he's a line-hugging winger.

But what Giles has started to show particularly against Young Boys and Ajax is some defensive maturity. He's clearly listening to Nuno and working on his positioning in particular.

With Barry Douglas still injured (although not far away from a return judging by his post-match workout on the pitch) and Ruben Vinagre away with Portugal Under-19s, Giles has the shirt and he's doing it justice.

In terms of ability and quality you wouldn't say there looks to a huge amount of difference between him and Vinagre.

Any hype should be tempered around the fact that Wolves are looking to bring in another left wing back, with an attempt to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City for £16m ongoing.

But you wouldn't bet against Giles making his first team debut this season, perhaps in a Carabao Cup game, or perhaps going out to a decent lower league club on loan.

That's a big step up in expectations from where he was just a few weeks ago and the level-headed youngster looks to be having the time of his life.

Whatever happens next it's been a big pre-season success story.

Sloppy goal

Giles was though caught out for Ajax's goal, struggling to get back in time at the end of a tiring first half.

Boly and Gibbs-White covered but were beaten two easily by a brisk one-two before Van de Beek cut inside Coady and finished into the corner.

Wolves have been defensively sound in the past week but this was a sloppy goal to concede.

Clinical touch

There were flashes of magic from Wolves here, mostly from the front three of Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa.

Ruben Neves improved as the game went on and pulled his strings, while Morgan Gibbs-White was more disciplined in central midfield after his marauding display against Young Boys.

What Wolves did lack though was a clinical touch, especially when Neves beautifully sent Jota through on goal and the forward dithered.

For all their play they could have created a couple of more chances too.

But this is nit-picking. It's pre-season and fitness, with four games still to play before Everton on August 11, remains the priority.

With six players getting 84 minutes and Doherty playing the full 90, that's coming along nicely.

Saiss switch

Wolves are edging towards full strength with new signings Rui Patricio and Raul Jimenez expected to be blooded shortly.

Romain Saiss made his first appearance of pre-season here after his World Cup exploits and for the final 29 minutes we were treated to the unusual spectacle of the Moroccan playing at right-sided centre half.

It's a sight we should get used to, with Saiss being lined up to feature at centre half this season – a position he's well versed in as he plays there for his country.

A left-footer on the right side is the curveball but the feeling is Saiss can switch play to the left flank with a searching pass – and likewise Boly from the other side.

If the experiment works it may save Wolves a few quid in the transfer market. After Roderick Miranda's departure they're short of defenders but a Saiss switch could negate that.

The priority, wherever Saiss plays, is surely bringing in a central midfielder.