Wolves U21s manager James Collins last night lauded Owen Farmer for his mentality and desire, as he handed him the captain’s armband against Norwich City.
The youngsters lost 1-0 to the Canaries at Aggborough, but Collins was pleased with the performance of his side.
Wolves dominated the ball throughout the game and did create several really good chances.
Joe Duffy got the game’s only goal and there was an element of fortune about it, with the ball looping up over Wolves goalkeeper Joe Young and into the far corner.
Justin Hubner was unavailable for the game and so, Collins needed to choose a different captain.
Jonny Castro Otto might have taken the armband since he chose to play after being banished from the first-team. But Collins said after the game he didn’t think he wanted it.
In the end, Collins made Farmer his captain, stating it was no less than he deserved…
James Collins piles praise on Wolves youngster Owen Farmer
Striker Farmer, 19, has long been a part of Wolves’ U21 side now, and there is a feeling that he could perhaps be the next talent to get a taste of the first-team, after the likes of Joe Hodge, Chem Campbell, Theo Corbeanu, Luke Cundle, Nathan Fraser, and Hugo Bueno.
Farmer has been in the academy since he was 14, and signed his first professional deal with the club a year ago.
In September of this year, Farmer penned a new contract at Wolves as a reward for his hard work and progression.
Farmer is clearly held in very high regard, especially by Collins, who explained his decision to make Farmer captain last night. He said: “I gave him the armband because the truth is I looked at the group and thought Jonny doesn’t want the armband and we’ve got some older senior players in the team that are probably ready to go out on loan and move on.
“We haven’t really got a natural leader in the group, like an old-fashioned leader. I thought Owen works harder than anybody else, he’s on the training ground first every day, he shows a great attitude and when you select him or don’t select him, he shows the same attitude – that deserves rewarding at a certain time.
“When I gave it to him he had a big smile on his face and I thought it gave his performance a lift which is what I hoped it would do.”
Owen Farmer, remember the name
This is a pretty exciting verdict from Collins about Farmer, who is clearly a young player with a brilliant mentality.
It is never easy for academy players to break through to first-team squads at any club, but you will always give yourself a chance if you are the hardest-working player.
Fans ought to keep an eye out for young Farmer. In recent times, several players from the academy have been handed their first-team debuts at Molineux, so if Farmer keeps working hard he could be the next to get a chance.
Gary O’Neil has been keeping an eye on the 21s this season so it’s possible we could be seeing one or two get chances at the end of the current campaign.