Graham Turner’s thoughts after the 2-2 draw with Wolves
Town put in another good performance as they took on a 23 man Wolves squad. The visitors played a different team in each half and Town found things a little easier in the first half.
Goals from Terry Gornell and Marvin Morgan, both with slight deflections, saw Town comfortably ahead at the break.
In the second half Wolves hit back straight away and Town were really on the rack for the first 15 minutes of the half. Town dug in and started to take the game to the visitors and in the end both sides will take positives from the 90 minutes.
After the game Town manager Graham Turner spoke to the press to give his thoughts on the game:”We played well in the first half, passed the ball around well and took the sting out of anything Wolves had to offer and got the two goal lead.
“The warning to the players at half-time was that Wolves would put a fresh team on for the second half and would probably be sharper and quicker.
“We nearly paid a heavy penalty in the first 15 minutes of the second half where Wolves were closing and we never really responded to that extra pace, movement and the fact that they were much quicker to the ball than us.
“We were sloppy for both of their goals but overall we finished strongly with some good balls down the sides and the positions we got into.
“Ultimately we have to be pleased with the work that we have put in over the last three good games that we have played and the fact that we have got better in each of those.”
Once again Town’s strikers were on the score sheet with Gornell and Morgan again finding the net. It was a good performance across the Town team and one that the players will be able to take confidence from:”It was a good showing from Terry and Marvin and they always made it hard for the Wolves central defenders.
“There was good movement from them and they were always a goal threat but there were good performances throughout the team.
“In the first half we defended well as a team and there was barely a shot for Chris Weale to deal with.”
The game now brings to an end Town’s run of home games that have seen Birmingham, Leicester and Wolves visit the Greenhous Meadow. The performances from Town have improved game on game and the manger will take a lot from the Wolves game:”With so many new players in the squad you have to work to get that understanding as well as working on getting that match fitness.
“You want to be pushed as a team and I felt that especially in the second half that is what Wolves did to us.
“We coped well but at times we looked shaky the longer the half wore on but you can understand that as the lads who have been on were faced by the freshness of the Wolves team that went on at half-time.”
Town’s season kicks off for real with the Capital One cup trip to Leeds United on Saturday 11th August. The manager is now beginning to get an idea of what team will start the game but there are still chances for players to stake their claim for a place:”I think that 8 or 9 players have done enough to stake a claim for the starting line-up.
“We will have to see how the next week and a half goes to see what the team will be.”
Town now travel to Worcester City on Friday evening for their final scheduled pre-season game. Town will play a practice match the following Tuesday and that will then be it ahead of the Leeds game:”It is another interesting game, there are one or two who need some game time as they haven’t had much in the last three games or we could use it as a final look at what might be the side to play at Leeds.
“We will see how we look tomorrow and Thursday in training before deciding what to do against Worcester.
“As we’ve lost the game against Telford we’ll also play a practice game on that Tuesday.”