Possession is king for Wolves' pups

Possession is king – that's the message Wolves youngsters are being taught as they develop a club playing style from top to bottom.

Boss Kenny Jackett is influencing the club's approach as they look to bring youth players through playing in an attractive passing style.

Under-18 coach Rob Edwards revealed youngsters at that level are being encouraged to hit the the 400-passes per game mark.

The team won six in a row last season including victories over Manchester United and Manchester City.

Edwards, who has just finished his first year in the job having retired prematurely from playing, said his job was very much about developing players for the next level.

"Possession is a big thing in football at the moment and people talk about it a lot," said Edwards, a former defender for Wolves and Villa.

"People might say it's alright having 70 per cent of the possession but then you lost 1-0.

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"I remember talking to the gaffer about it earlier in the season and he said if you have 70 per cent of possession you're going to win more games than you lose.

"And that's been our theme. We've aimed to get to around the 400 passes mark in games, and tried to have 40 per cent of possession in the opposition half.

"I think that's the key – it's not possession for the sake of it but possession in constructive areas of the pitch.

"We want to be passing it in their half and the lads have really bought into it.

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"They want to play the right way because they want to improve and develop.

"Asking them to lump it forward isn't going to develop them."

Edwards added: "Imagine if someone like Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney had been held back and not played, it might have affected them.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough