Wolves
Odds: 8/1
Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 7 (Championship), 2004/05 - 9 (Championship), 2003/04 - 20 (Premiership, Relegated), 2002/03 - 5 (Championship, Promoted), 2001/02 - 3 (Championship).
2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Fourth Round vs Manchester United (h) - lost 3-0.
Carling Cup Second Round vs Watford (a) - lost 2-1 after extra time.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Kenny Miller (striker) - 12 goals.
Players In
Gary Breen (Sunderland - Free), Guilherme Finkler (Juventude - Loan).
Players Out
Joleon Lescott (Everton - '5,000,000), Seol Ki-Hyeon (Reading - '1,500,000), Kenny Miller (Celtic - Undisclosed), Mark Kennedy (Crystal Palace - Free), Colin Cameron (Coventry City - Free).
Wolves have been mooted as one of the favourites for promotion for the past two seasons following their short, one season, stint in the Premiership. Manager Glenn Hoddle has been replaced by Mick McCarthy, who has signed a 12 month rolling contract.
Hoddle, who took over in December 2004, drew 34 of his 76 matches in charge, including 19 stalemates last season. McCarthy, on the other hand has strong promotion credentials. After joining the Black Cats in March 2003 and led them to promotion two years later, only for their Premiership campaign to end in disaster. However, it's his capabilities in the second tier that interest's the board - emulating a third place finish and then winning the league the following season is the type of form Wolves need.
Wolves have some rebuilding to do following the departures of senior players Joleon Lescott to Everton, Seol Ki-Hyeon to Reading, Kenny Miller to Celtic, Mark Kennedy to Crystal Palace and Colin Cameron to Coventry City. Veteran defender Gary Breen signed a two year deal at Molineux following his release by Sunderland and links up with former manager McCarthy.
Brazillian midfielder Guilherme Finkler joined the club on a season long loan deal from Juventude and Wolves have an option to buy the 20 year old before the deal expires should he impress.
Jody Craddock is to captain the side next season after leading the team out during the first pre season friendlies in the absence of regular skipper Paul Ince, whose future at the club is still to be determined. Meanwhile, young striker Chris Cornes has been told he still has a future at the club despite testing positive for cocaine and will have to serve a six month ban.
Verdict
The Championship is going to be tough this season with three strong teams coming down from the Premiership. Wolves may not be able to improve on last season's seventh placed finish in Mick McCarthy's first season in charge. |
