Wolves bounce back following relegation
After suffering successive relegations, Wolverhampton Wanderers are back in the Championship as Champions of League 1.
In 2011, the slide began with Wolves relegated from the Premier League after three seasons in the top flight. Despite being one of the favourites for promotion, both Stale Solbakken and Dean Saunders failed to kick Wolves into gear and they were relegated again.
Kenny Jackett was appointed as Head Coach in 2013, a man with a wealth of Football League experience, who led the team back to the Championship and set a new club record points total in the process.
htafc.com has previously previewed the three relegated Premier League in Cardiff City (click HERE), Fulham (click HERE) and Norwich (click HERE) and over the next couple of weeks will look at those teams coming up from the Championship in Wolves, Brentford and Rotherham.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Molineux Stadium, Waterlook Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR
HEAD TO HEAD
Town took full advantage of Wolves’ difficulties during their last campaign in the Championship.
The Terriers recorded back to back victories with on loan striker Jermaine Beckford taking centre stage.
The striker scored a spectacular scissor volley to put Town two goals ahead in the home fixture after James Vaughan had given the Terriers the lead; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake netted a second half consolation.
The match at Molineux in late April had the potential to decide the fate of either club. Stephen Ward put the home side ahead, but Sean Scannell hit back with a superb solo goal before Beckford put Wolves to the sword with a second half brace.
Town’s win went a long way to keeping them up, whilst for Wolves it sent them ever closer to relegation.
The Terriers’ record against Wolves in recent times is excellent. Town have won six of the last six meetings scoring eleven goals and conceding just two.
Since the first meeting in 1910 (a three goal victory in Town’s favour) Town have won 32 times compared to Wolves’ 30 victories.
MANAGER
Kenny Jackett’s managerial career began at Swansea where he is credited with beginning the reversal in fortunes that has seen the Welsh side now established in the Premier League and winning the Capital One Cup in the 2012/13 season.
Jackett departed Swansea in February 2007, after which Roberto Martinez took over, and after a spell as reserve team coach at Manchester City was soon back in the hotseat at Millwall in November 2007.
In the 2008/09 season the Lions were beaten League 1 Play-Off finalists against Scunthorpe but 12 months later they made no mistake, beating Swindon in the final at Wembley.
Three successive seasons in the Championship with Millwall including a Play-Off push in the first – and FA Cup semi-final in the last – as Jackett’s Lions were edged out by eventual winners Wigan at Millwall in April, 2013.
He was appointed Head Coach at Wolves in 2013 and in his first season led them to the League 1 title.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
IN
Tommy Rowe from Peterborough, free transfer
Rajiv van La Parra from Heerenveen, free transfer
OUT
George Elokobi, released
IN THE NEWS
KEY PLAYERS
Despite suffering relegation, Wolves were able to keep hold of the spine of their team in League 1, which gave Kenny Jackett something to build on.
Bakary Sako, Danny Batth, Carl Ikeme and Richard Stearman all made close to 40 appearances last term and produced consistently.
All four have played in the Championship and above and their form next season will no doubt prove pivotal to Wolves’ fortunes.
Around them, Jackett recruited well. The likes of Sam Ricketts, Kevin McDonald, Scott Golbourne, Michael Jacobs, James Henry and Nouha Dicko all made contributions and all have Championship experience.
Unlike Rotherham and Brentford who also gained promotion, the Championship will be nothing new to the majority of Wolves’ squad. Many have been there and done it and if recent signing Tommy Rowe is anything to go by, Wolves are looking to buy talented, experienced players.
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