LOUIE LEFEVRE SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON WOLVES U21 & U18S AHEAD OF THE 2024/25 SEASON
WOLVES U21S
Pre-season has been difficult to read into for James Collins’ U21 side. The two games in Bratislava were a decent start, recording a big win over legendary Wolves opponents Honved before a close fought loss with Slovan Bratislava, but it was what followed in the weeks after the side returned to England that rang a few alarm bells. A win over senior opposition in Hednesford Town could only do so much to overshadow the 8-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers U21s that followed. Following a win over Swansea it was another defeat to Charlton behind closed doors for the penultimate fixture before the U21s would have a big scoreline of their own in a 4-0 win over Port Vale to close out the pre-season campaign. A few faces were missing from these games. A number of players were out on trial to set up potential loan deals, a couple spent pre-season with the first team and a few were unexplained absences.
Kam Kandola, Owen Farmer and Alfie Pond were among the players who had trials at various EFL clubs in pursuit of a loan for the new season while Tyler Roberts and Justin Hubner look to be the first players to cross from Wolves to IFK Norrkoping soon. Goalkeeper Arthur Nasta was the only arrival, joining after a great season playing senior non-league football for Larkhall Athletic. The 18-year-old played the majority of pre-season in goal with the odd appearance from U18 goalie George Hardy but last season’s regular Lewys Benjamin did travel with the first team to Spain and the USA. Nasta and Benjamin will no doubt be competing for the starting role between the sticks while James Storer and Lucas Kirbya will aim to impress during their loan spells with Darlaston Town and Wolverhampton Casuals respectively. This year, Wolves will have a younger side as some of the impressive third-placed U18 side from last season step up to the plate. The likes of Finn Ashworth and Caden Voice will be huge to Wolves’ success in the PL2 this season. The futures of Harry Birtwistle, Chem Campbell, Owen Hesketh and Dexter Lembikisa are up in the air as none of them have played at all for any Wolves side in pre-season.
Wolves have a tough opening day with Forest away next Monday followed by hosting Arsenal at Aggborough in the same week on Friday. The side have been given some tough fixtures as we enter the second year of the Swiss format for the Premier League 2, the highlight of which is undoubtably the fixture with West Brom at Aggborough in February. I predict a tough season for the young Wolves as some of the U18s come to grips with U21 football, with a stronger second half of the season likely. A Bristol Street Motors group stage exit looks likely again after being handed a tough group. However, a trip to Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham is something Wolves fans can look forward to on the 8th October and hopefully there will be plenty of away support. The Premier League cup groups are yet to be drawn and it is to be confirmed if Wolves have entered the Premier League Internation Cup this season.
WOLVES U18S
The U18s endured a similar pre-season to their U21 counterparts, with a win and a loss while on tour in Slovakia. Heavy defeats were also a consistent between the two youth sides, as losses to Chelsea and Blackburn followed, conceding 5 goals In both games. Richard Walker’s side did manage to end their rocky pre-season on a positive note with Mathus Mane providing the goal in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The Portugal youth international signed from Rochdale last year and could be a key figure in Wolves’ U18 Premier League campaign this season.
The U18s will be bolstered by the return of Stan Amos who now has senior football under his belt following a spell with Wolverhampton Casuals in the Midland Football League premier division. Lennon Biggs also signed from Bilbrook and found the net in pre-season. Another important player this season could be 16-year-old David Osifo. Osifo now has six Austria U16 caps and the left-back will be looking to move up the Austrian youth ranks with an impressive season. The U18s also added a new goalkeeper to the side by signing Xander Grieves from Portsmouth. The young shot stopper was included in the latest England U16 side. At just 14, Grieves is unlikely to feature just yet but he did play at U18 level for Portsmouth just last season.
The Under 18s begin their season at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 24th August. January will be a tough month for the Wolves as they face last season’s winners and runners-up, Manchester United and Manchester City, in the space of just a month. Wolves will find it difficult to replicate last season’s fantastic result but could still find themselves towards the top half of the table, around 6th. Another big occasion is the FA Youth Cup, which is in the early preliminary stages at the moment but is a great showcase for Wolves’ younger talent in front of crowds rather than the usual games at Compton. Wolves will also be hoping for a better Birmingham Senior Cup showing after exiting to Darlaston Town on penalties in their first game of the competition last season. Another huge success for the academy last season was the club’s performance in the U17 Premier League Cup that saw them reach the final, ultimately losing to Chelsea at Molineux. Wolves’ group for this edition of the tournament features Derby, Leicester and Aston Villa. Wolves and Villa also share a group in the U18 version, with Middlesborough and Fulham rounding out their group. Both sides will be looking to get past the group with the Villains providing fierce competition.
A new season means a fresh chance for the new stars of the future to shine through. With the likes of Nathan Fraser, Leon Chiwome and Tawanda Chirewa becoming first team assets over the last 12 months it’s always fascinating seeing who will become the next bright talent to reach the senior side. There’s plenty to be excited for this season for the Wolves academy. With a massive variation of tournaments and age groups to look out for there’s so much football to be played and Richard Walker’s U18 side will be the team to watch with a lot to live up to from last season.
Don’t forget that season ticket holders are able to attend U21 fixtures at Aggborough for free, so be sure to support the side if you get the opportunity. After all, who can say no to free football?
