Kevin Thelwell: Tough times ahead for Wolves

It's proved a graveyard for the Premier League, as Wolves know all too well.moreAnd, when relegated Norwich arrive at Molineux on Sunday, the frenetic life back in the Championship returns along with the typical summer optimism.

But Wolves are under no illusions of the task they face – regardless of any expectation – a fact not lost on the club's head of football development and recruitment Kevin Thelwell.

Only six of the 24 Championship clubs have never played in the Premier League – Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Huddersfield, Millwall and Rotherham.

It will be Ipswich's 12th successive season in the Championship with Mick McCarthy trying to earn a return to the top flight for the first time since 2002.

Middlesbrough were relegated in 2009 and are yet to threaten a comeback, while Leeds suffered like Wolves when they were relegated to League One in 2007 – and took three years to return.

The Championship is littered with clubs trying to rediscover past glories.

And Thelwell admitted: "I think it's going to be a really tough league. You just have to look at the teams involved and there aren't many of them that haven't been in the Premier League.

"You have to consider some of the players and there are some really strong squads.

"Inevitably the teams that have come down will be looking to go straight back up again. They have the financial firepower, they have the players and they're also recruiting the better players.

"So you have to think they're going to be strong.

"Then you've got to think about the group in the top six that didn't quite make it last season – Derby look very strong, as do Brighton, Middlesbrough look like they've made some good signings, so it's going to be a really tough league.

"Any team from 15 or 16 could be in the top six; if we were all to sit down and come up with a top six, they could all be different names for different reasons.

"I think it's a huge challenge, but it's one we're really excited about and looking forward to. I don't think there's anything to be frightened of.

"We've got a lot of players who have had a taste of the Championship and have had time in League One and are better for it, and we should be quietly confident of making a good fist of it." Wolves were favourites for promotion the last time they were in the Championship – only to suffer the embarrassment of relegation to League One.

There is a different feel around Molineux now as Kenny Jackett has rebuilt the squad after the dark days of the Stale Solbakken and Dean Saunders eras.

He has united the team and the additions of Nouha Dicko and Michael Jacobs have given Wolves players with something to prove in the Championship.

Thelwell believes Jackett's men are on the rise after starting to establish their pedigree at Wolves.

"I think the players we have now are different to what they were last time Wolves were in the Championship," he said.

"For example, Nouha Dicko had previously played in the Championship on loan from Wigan at Blackpool and then with us.

"But I think he's a much better player for being with us for half a season and going back into it.

"Michael Jacobs is another really good example – someone who didn't get much football when he was last in the Championship but established himself with lots more game time and experience and just looks like he's ready for it.

"There are other examples right across the squad."

By Nick Mashiter