Wolves’ U21 side were in action against League Two club Port Vale to kick off their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign.
The Old Gold secured a draw against the senior side, with the score level at 2-2 before the hosts secured an extra point by winning the penalty shoot out 5-4.
It was a valiant effort from James Collins’ squad, who fought hard at Vale Park to give the League Two outfit a well-contested game.
Two superb Wolves goals from Tom Edozie and Fletcher Holman saw the game end level in 90 minutes, with the duo earning high praise for their influence on the fixture.
James Collins stresses the importance of Fletcher Holman’s development
Wolves signed Holman from Eastbourne in January, welcoming the highly-rated striker to Wolverhampton to compete in a Premier League academy environment.
In the 2023/24 Premier League 2, the forward announced himself to the Midlands club, scoring four goals in only eight appearances after making the switch.
Such form earned the forward three outings on the bench in Gary O’Neil’s Premier League squad however, U21’s boss Collins believes the 19-year-old has a long way to go until he secures first team minutes.
In quotes relayed by Wolves’ official website, Collins admitted that his striker has ‘a lot to do’ in order to improve in areas away from hitting the back of the net.
“Fletcher’s got a lot to do with his defending game intelligence, but he’s got a special talent regarding scoring goals. He shows that in training every day,” Collins explained.
“What he’s got to do is make sure he gets on the pitch for longer so he can show that special talent, because sometimes it’s hard to play him when he’s not picking up the structure stuff we do.
“He’s got to learn that, he’s got to pick it up, and he’s having a good go at that but what a nice night for him tonight to get that brilliant goal.”
Holman started the game on the bench, coming on in the 73rd minute to lead the line, which he did to some degree as per Collins’ admission.
Holman will hope to impress Gary O’Neil at Wolves this season
As mentioned, O’Neil deemed Holman experienced enough to make the bench in the Premier League on three occasions last season.
While the teenager is yet to make his senior debut for the club, there’s a level of trust shown by O’Neil that could put the forward in good stead to edge closer to the first team this year.
What is for sure however, is that the 19-year-old has a lot to work on before he can be considered as being at the standard required to record a breakthrough, as Collins mentioned.
The U21 coach clearly sees a lot in the striker, with there a plan in place to try and pry the best out of Holman while he has the support of the academy to fall back on.