Express & Star

Peterborough 0-1 Wolves - Five talking points

Wolves won their penultimate pre-season encounter by beating Peterborough United 1-0.

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It was an especially memorable occasion for teenager Austin Samuels who netted the winner eight minutes after coming off the bench.

In a feisty encounter Wolves carved out the better opportunities and deservedly won.

But who were the standout performers on the night? Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers picks out five talking points.

Confidence boost

New loan signing Diogo Jota (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Pre-season isn't about results but how nice would it be to go into that Middlesbrough game on the back of a couple of victories?

Matt Doherty said as much after the game – victories, in any format, breed confidence and after successive defeats it was a big plus for Wolves to get back to winning ways.

They were certainly good value for the win having created the game's key opportunities, all in the second half.

Yes, the second half team played with more purpose, pace and poise than the first half XI. Yet on paper the latter side was the stronger one.

The introductions of Jordan Graham, Bright Enobakhare and debutants Diogo Jota and Austin Samuels were the difference. With Wolves' first-choice forward line flattering to deceive – and with Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa missing the Boro clash and Nouha Dicko injured last night, they all did their chances of starting on August 5 no harm at all.

Bloody battle

Nuno Espirito Santo (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Sadly, for the second successive game the bruising, physical nature of the contest is a talking point.

This was worse than the Shrewsbury clash though. Peterborough took the game to Wolves but Nuno's team bit back and the two sides duly went at each other in a very feisty first half, from which a number of players were lucky to escape injuries.

Doherty endured the worst example of some of the ridiculously over-the-top tackles on show (from both teams) and later admitted he was fearing he'd suffered a serious injury.

The referee told the Irishman he'd have sent off Peterborough's Gwion Edwards in a league game. Why that means he failed to show him a card because it was a 'friendly' game isn't clear. Doherty could have been ruled out for a few months yet Edwards received no punishment.

The players, helped by 10 subs for Wolves, calmed down after the break and a football match broke out. But it's a shame the first half descended into such a farce because it became a rather fruitless exercise in terms of how Nuno's 3-4-3 system is shaping up.

Austin's power

Match-winner Austin Samuels (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Amid the millions being spent on transfer fees and £40,000-a-week contracts being handed out with increasing regularity it was wonderful to see an academy kid score the winner.

Yes, kid. Austin Samuels is just 16 years old, born in the year 2000. He hasn't even trained with the first team squad yet, but here he was scoring the winning goal just eight minutes after coming off the bench via an encouraging chat and an arm around the shoulder from Nuno.

The sheer unadulterated joy on Samuels' face when celebrating his goal was undoubtedly the highlight of Wolves' pre-season campaign.

And boy did he celebrate, right in front of the Wolves fans, kissing the badge and generally going berserk. Samuels is yet another highly regarded academy youngster, one who's played up front for England at youth level to boot.

Depending on Dicko's absence this may be the last we see of Samuels for a while. Or, you never know, he might become a regular face in the first team squad.

But forget the expertly-guided finish for his goal, the most impressive thing about Samuels' 28-minute cameo is that he didn't look out of place alongside the likes of Atletico Madrid loanee Diogo Jota.

A promising career awaits. This will hopefully be the first goal of many in a Wolves shirt for a lad who's been at Compton since he was eight years old. Whatever happens he'll never forget this night in Peterborough.

Golden Graham

Jordan Graham (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

The man who provided the assist for Samuels' winner was, shock horror, Jordan Graham.

Yes after a slow start to pre-season that's seen him training with the youngsters the assist king is back, picking up where he left off against Preston on the final day of 2016/17.

Utilised in the right wing back position Graham got his first taste of football under Nuno and grasped it with both hands, giving his marker a torrid time and using his pace (it doesn't look like he's lost any) to good effect before whipping balls into the box.

As a (very) attacking wing back Graham could prove effective. But, most likely, he's given Nuno a very indiscreet nudge for a starting spot in the front three against Boro.

Salt and...

Ruben Vinagre (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Graham and Samuels took the plaudits but there were a few other performances of note.

Both defensive trios did well to reduce Peterborough to a smattering of half chances with Sylvain Deslandes giving an unruffled display at left centre half.

Romain Saiss stepped things up a notch from his recent performances, Diogo Jota was direct and creative in a steady 45-minute debut and Barry Douglas attacked with increasing verve down that left flank.

But the other standout performer was Ruben Vinagre on his first start for the club.

The 18-year-old Monaco loanee, playing at left wing back, has pace in abundance and isn't frightened to take players on.

He possesses excellent technique and looks like he could be a real firebrand going forward.