COMMENT: Is this Wolves' golden generation?

MK Dons – themselves a decent outfit who played good football – were dismantled in the FA Youth Cup as Jerry Gill's charges registered a comfortable 3-0 win, writes Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers.

The scoreline could easily have been doubled.

And it came a week after the under-18s ravaged league leaders Everton 8-0 on their own turf.

The phrase 'golden generation' is used far too freely in football, but with so much talent in their ranks the question will legitimately be asked – do Wolves have one on their hands here?

Wolves have had more than their fair share of false dawns in this respect. In recent years alone the likes of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (now at Rochdale), Johnny Gorman (Telford), Jake Cassidy (Oldham) and Ashley Hemmings (Dagenham & Redbridge) have been touted as the 'next big thing'.

There's still time for all of the aforementioned players to make it at a higher level, of course, but the point is that they and many, many more (insert your own in the comments below) have shown huge talent at youth level that, for a variety of reasons, hasn't been replicated at senior level.

Some, like Danny Batth, Jack Price, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Carl Ikeme, have made it through, but Wolves have made a concerted effort of late to increase that number.

What adds substance to the style of the current crop is the huge investment being made in them by a Category One academy system that is leaving no stone unturned, on or off the field, in a bid to produce first team players.

These kids, guided by meticulous academy boss Gareth Prosser, have medical, psychology, education and social specialists looking after them every single day – and that's even before they start kicking a football.

Steve Morgan has invested millions in expanding the academy facilities, and its workforce, in the past three years, recruiting a head coach in Kenny Jackett who buys into that same philosophy.

In the new generation coming through are we beginning to see the start of that investment bearing fruit?

Watching wave after wave of chances created seemingly at will last night, though, you couldn't help but think so.

The front five in particular were deeply impressive. Striker Niall Ennis has all the attributes needed to make it to the very top. Skilful, quick, strong and with an exceptional touch, he took his goal brilliantly. But the 16-year-old – courted by Manchester and Chelsea – showed a tremendous work ethic to go alongside his skills.

Bright Enobakhare took on defenders for fun. Showing superior strength and power, at times it was reminiscent of when a bigger boy from a couple of years above demands to join in a game on the school playground and then just scores 10 goals for a bit of a laugh.

His off the field problems of late have been well documented. But what a raw talent he is.

Connor Ronan is a delight to watch. A sublime touch and eye for a pass, the Irishman floats and glides between midfield and attack with the grace of a ballet dancer. Keep your eye on him.

On the flanks, recent Scottish signing from Hamilton Academical, Daniel Armstrong, tormented his full back all evening, cutting inside on his left foot and creating umpteen chances. On another night he'd have had a hat-trick.

Nico Carnat scored two goals, one a header and the other a tap-in, and was equally as comfortable on the ball as Ronan. Again, he looks a real prospect.

In defence Connor Johnson was commanding, as was Ryan Leak alongside him. In fact they all deserve a mention – captain Ross Finnie anchored the midfield with composure, full-backs Brandon Ball and Conor Levingston were solid and got forward when required, while keeper Rhys Bills made a couple of excellent saves.

They played 4-2-3-1, a formation utilised by all the academy sides, and looked very comfortable doing so, playing through the thirds, with pace and positivity, passing in triangles, looking to take players on and defending resolutely as a team.

There are others too, either on the fringes of the under-18s, or in the under-21s, or out on loan, who have a chance to make it.

And many, including some on show last night such as Ennis and Ronan, as well as of course Enobakhare, have trained and played with the first team in recent months, and looked comfortable doing so.

There is absolutely no needed to get carried away and hail the next £100m Wolves wonderkid, as has carelessly been done in the past.

But equally why should we be shy in stating a few facts – i.e. this group of players, both individually and collectively, possess great talent and could (and it's a big could) within them contain five future first team stars.

None of this 'whisper it quietly' nonsense. If the Wolves academy, on which so much money and time has been investment, is doing good work, then why not state it?

"I can see a few players now I think will make it," Rob Edwards, last season's under-18 boss and now first-team coach, said in May.

"I'd probably be brave enough to put my mortgage on the fact they'll play for the first team.

"I'm not going to name names, but the people in the building know who they are."

Perhaps sooner rather than later, with the right coaching and the right management, plenty of people outside the building will know too.