'The right energy' - Jordan James pushing for Wolves start against Watford

Jordan James opened the scoring against Portsmouth after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Jordan James may be unleashed for just his second Championship start when Wolves welcome Watford to Molineux on Saturday.

Jordan James celebrates scoring for Wolves against Portsmouth on Tuesdayplaceholder image
Jordan James celebrates scoring for Wolves against Portsmouth on Tuesday | Wolves via Getty Images

The Welsh international made his full league debut in the home defeat to Bolton earlier this month, but was then relegated back to the bench for matches against Burnley and Portsmouth.

After not getting on to the field at Turf Moor, he returned to the pitch at half-time against Pompey and promptly fired Wolves in front on their way to a 1-1 draw.

Head coach Cesar Peixoto said: “It was important. We had a conversation, me and Jordan, and I think he understands what he has to change.

“On Tuesday I liked the way he went to the pitch with the right mentality, the right energy.

“He gave to the team what the team needed, which was mobility and quality with the ball.

“We know in these moments when teams stay more deep, with 11 players behind the ball, he is a player with more ability than Marshall (Munetsi) to play in this position.

“I think we did well with the substitution because he came on and scored.

Jordan James scores for Wolves against Portsmouthplaceholder image
Jordan James scores for Wolves against Portsmouth | Getty Images

“But then Portsmouth scored the equaliser with their only shot on goal in the game.”

James was part of a double change at half-time that gave Wolves more impetus following a dour opening 45 minutes at Molineux, with Tawanda Chirewa hitting the crossbar after replacing Sean Neave.

Four days earlier, Chirewa had also come on to score the winner against Burnley - set up by fellow replacement Mateus Mane.

And reflecting on his changes, Peixoto added: “Sometimes it is bad, sometimes it is good. Football is like that. I don’t think it is only the last two matches.

“What is important is the players who come from the bench are committed and go on to the pitch with the right mentality.

“If I choose well but the players don’t go on with the right mentality, they do nothing.

“It is important the players in the team stay together, fight together and suffer together.

“We are going to work hard in the next game to get the three points.”

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