Taylor Perry praised as Wolves look for right loan location
Wolves youngster Taylor Perry has been praised for his ‘excellent’ recent progress – with the club looking to find him a loan move in January.
The 19-year-old midfielder, from Kingswinford, has been in fine scoring form for James Collins’ development side this season after making three first-team appearances last campaign.
His latest strike came as Wolves Under-21s bowed out in the knockout stages of the Papa John’s Trophy at Port Vale on Tuesday, and the aim now is to get him playing in the Football League for the second half of 2020/21.
“I think he’s been excellent. He was given the challenge at the start of the season to add goals to his game which is something he’s done,” said Collins.
“I think that’s going to make the difference for him. I feel he’s rose to that challenge and now he’s had the first half of the season with us, he’s ready for the next challenge.
“What he’s developed is goals. I’m not claiming I’ve done it, but the first thing I said when I saw him was that he that he needed to score more goals.
“I said, ‘He’s a goalscorer’, and our goalkeeper coach said, ‘He’s only scored two all season’, but the way he plays, he should get goals.
“This year he’s improved that, which is what he should be doing, he should be a 10 to 15 goals a season man, at whatever level he plays and he’s showing he can be that.”
Perry has been one of the top performers for Collins lately, but the boss is prepared to lose him as he feels he is ready for regular senior football.
“It’s the next step for him. When you’re in development like I am, you want to see them challenged,” he said.
“I’d love to have him with me for the rest of the season because he’d get six or seven goals and he’d help our team, but I think for his development it’s important.
“He’s ready – you don’t want them going out if they’re not ready, but he’s ready for the Football League.
“You never know who’ll take them, that’s someone else’s decision, but if I was a Football League manager, I’d take him on loan because I think he could add something to a team for the second half of the season.”
Perry played once in the Europa League and twice in the League Cup under Nuno Espirito Santo last term, and Collins added: “I’ve got a real soft spot for him.
“I think he’s got a lot going for him. He’s got a lot of character and a lot to give to a football team, because if you get a midfield player who can score, run in the box and run forward at any level, it’s a danger.
“At the very top level you used to call it a ‘Frank Lampard run’, when players keep getting in there and the opposition don’t want to track you, and in the end you get your rewards.
“He definitely backs himself which I like about him. He has backed himself and has got better.”
