Express & Star

Wolves' shadow squad told to step it up

Published
Last updated

Boss Kenny Jackett today hinted his Wolves shadow squad must do more to gatecrash his 'elite XI.'

more

The head coach has kept the team that finished the season for 45 minutes of the first two friendlies.

Wolves won 4-1 at Shamrock Rovers last night to follow on from the 3-1 success at Cheltenham on Friday.

Of the 'second XI' that played the first period last night, recent signings Kortney Hause and Rajiv Van La Parra started, while academy player of the year Declan Weeks made his senior debut.

"As a group, I'm trying to get that 22 as strong as I possibly can," said Jackett.

"Now that's not necessarily easy. We've started the team that played against Carlisle for two halves each so far and they're in a good rhythm and there's a good understanding there.

"We're looking at who's going to break through from the second group. The interesting questions are from the outside."

Van La Parra caught the eye with several pacy bursts, but Jackett suggested he is looking for more balance on the left.

"Sometimes with two left-footers in Scott Golbourne and Bakary Sako, the side looks better balanced than Kevin Foley and Van La Parra, who are both right-footed," he said.

"I haven't been disappointed with those two individually, but having some left-footers around is good."

Hause, who turns 19 tomorrow, formed a largely youthful back five with Aaron McCarey, Matt Doherty, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Foley.

"Kortney has to make that transition from being spread and passing the ball to then closing up and defending, which is something Richard Stearman with his experience can split," said the boss.

"With the game developing as we pass it out from the back, there's a lot of gaps between your back four and you need to be in the right place.

"Kortney has some work to do to go from one to the other."

But Jackett was delighted with the dimunitive Weeks, saying: "Declan produced a lot of good football. He has a lot of personality considering it's his first time with the group.

"If he can really work hard at the physical side to match the footballing ability and confidence on the ball, that's what we're looking for.

"He's very similar to Jack Price – a holding midfield player where the ball can go through him and set up play and his running stats are very good."