Matt Doherty: Win over Peterborough a confidence boost

Teenage striker Austin Samuels netted Wolves' winner against Peterborough just eight minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.

The 1-0 victory ended a run of two consecutive defeats and Wolves produced an improved performance too, particularly after the break.

Doherty, one of two players along with Ivan Cavaleiro to start all five pre-season games so far, said: "It was a good workout.

"Confidence-wise as well...on Saturday (against Shrewsbury) we took a bit of a beating which isn't nice in pre-season, especially against a local team.

"In the first half we were still a bit off it but the boys in the second half really played well and the formation started to really work.

"We didn't play well at all against Shrewsbury for whatever reason, it could have been a few factors.

"But results do matter in pre-season - you don't want to lose every game going into the season.

"They really gelled in the second half and the kid came off the bench to score. The best part of it was his celebration - you could see how much it meant to him.

"Normally in pre-season you might just score and walk back but he might have even kissed the badge. We celebrated it as well because you can see the passion he had for it."

Doherty was on the end of a horror tackle from Posh midfielder Gwion Edwards just before half time which left the Irishman fearing he'd suffered a serious injury.

It was another stern physical test for Wolves with sliding tackles flying in all over the place in the first half.

Doherty added: "That was a bad tackle. I just lifted my foot off the ground...but it was so bad I was scared to look and then I had to look just to check. I thought it could have been broken.

"The referee said in the league he would have sent him off but, I know we're not playing for points here, but you can't get away with that.

"What happens if someone breaks your ankle, just because it's a friendly you're not going to send him off?

"It was a bit naughty. He did say sorry and I'll be fine, so we'll let him off.

"They wanted it...some of the players here could be trying to play for a move to Wolves, same with Shrewsbury. That's why you see in pre-season a lot of lower league teams beating higher opposition because it's a chance for them to impress and they're up for it like a big league game."