Kenny Jackett is mapping out next stage of Wolves' journey
Wolves can be promoted tomorrow – but Kenny Jackett is already planning well ahead.
While aware that they must 'take care of business' by trying to win at Crewe to secure a return to the Championship, the Molineux head coach hasn't got this far down the line to then put his feet up and light a cigar. Jackett believes a return to the second tier is merely one of the milestones in a journey along which he hopes to lead this team to more success – and with the imprint of a style of football fit to continue for years to come.
"All my focus at the moment is the next game to try to stay within my process," said the boss.
"The long-term goal is to get promotion, and if we can do that, a lot of those other things will look after themselves."
Watch Tim Nash match preview here
Being in League One has meant the profile of Wolves and Jackett has remained low nationally. Promotion will place them in a brighter glare of spotlight. But Jackett is far more concerned about putting down what he firmly believes are solid foundations for the continued development of Wolves to enable them to compete at the higher levels and not hit a glass ceiling through a compromised style of play.
"We'll be very pleased if that happens (Jackett's name banded about by all and sundry) because it will mean we're being successful," he said.
"It's a job we started on June 24 last year and we want to just finish it now. Let's say that will be step one – bouncing straight back and making sure the club doesn't stay in the doldrums.
"Promotion follows good results, but the style of football people can see has a future.
"I think that's a big thing. It's trying to combine those things but I think everyone will forgive me for not looking at that big picture right now. We have to get ourselves over the line and get promotion.
"After that we want to finish strongly with a very keen eye on the side for next season, making sure we're as strong as we possibly can be in the transition from one season to another."
But in the meantime, Crewe stand in the way. The fourth-from-bottom side are only goal difference away from the safety zone, but next-placed Carlisle have a game in hand.
"It's still very tight down there and Crewe are in amongst that and will be fighting for their lives," said Jackett. "There's an overall feeling with Shrewsbury, Crewe and Walsall that there's a local edge to the game and it's one that hasn't been played for a while.
"I'm sure it will be a well-attended game and a great atmosphere. Crewe have a big pitch where we have to concentrate on ourselves and getting our passing game right. That's going to be an important factor."
Crewe are known for their own free-flowing football that has produced numerous players to have starred at the top level.
Nowadays they have opted to go down a slightly different route, with on-loan Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu 6ft 5ins tall, strike partner Chuks Aneke 6ft 3ins and Mathias Pogba, who is set to play wide right, also 6ft 3ins.
"Crewe have gone a bit more direct now with some power up front," said Jackett.
"We'll pay them every respect and know they'll give it everything to get out of the bottom four."
Watch Kenny Jackett's pre-match video below
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