Wolves blog: Where do they go from here?

With the season over for Wolves, the focus must turn onto building a squad that is capable of improving on a seventh place finish...writes blogger Tom Tracey.more

Jez Moxey has outlined the board's intentions to back Kenny Jackett in the transfer market.

Largely, Jackett's signings have been successful. Even signings such as Leon Clarke played their part in securing Wolves' current position with the signings of Nouha Dicko and Benik Afobe perhaps being the standout deals so far.

Jackett has completed a decent number of seasons in the Championship during his career and will know what sort of players he is looking for.

He has had the luxury of naming a stable side throughout the season just gone but the luck of relative lack of injuries that Wolves have had to deal with may not last.

In terms of the goalkeeping department, Jackett has an obvious – when fully fit- first choice in Carl Ikeme. Tomasz Kuszczak would be a good backup choice if he signs a new deal and these two goalkeepers would be more than adequate in the Championship.

I have tackled the questions posed of the defence in a recent blog and stated that Wolves need perhaps one experienced head in defence. Iorfa has endless potential whilst Doherty can be a solid Championship right-back. Golbourne should prove his consistency in the next season whilst Batth and player of the season Stearman have Ebanks-Landell and Hause for competition.

Ricketts leaving Wolves this summer has left a hole in the shape of an experienced player, and someone of his ilk and versatility could be the key to Wolves' success as he played an integral part in winning League One.

With Sako's departure seemingly impending, a left sided player in the midfield is an obvious gap. Tommy Rowe does not have the pace or creativity that is required in a position that Wolves have filled very well over the last seven or so seasons through Sako and Jarvis.

Whether Jackett looks to the youth team with the likes of Conor Hunte and Jordan Graham, or looks outside of the club, we will find out in the coming months.

There is still the question of whether Bakary can be swapped with Boukari, a player signed in the same window that Sako joined but with a contrasting Wolves career.

Many fans blame the central midfield as a weak point of our team, and for a large part of the season it certainly seemed it. Although McDonald came back into form, he has no real competition in the current Wolves squad and a player with passing ability such as Kevin has would be useful.

George Saville and Tommy Rowe have yet to prove themselves in a Wolves shirt whilst the experience of Dave Edwards is always a useful asset.

However, new signing Jed Wallace will look to make the step up and provide goals from midfield.

The right wingers at Wolves, Henry and van La Parra, were largely outshone by Sako last season but they will need to step up and provide key crosses if Wolves are to improve on seventh place. Both players have the ability and potential but need to show it consistently.

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Wolves are blessed with two strikers in Dicko and Afobe who have real ability and these two will have a massive bearing on how the team does next season. Dicko has the ability to outmuscle defenders and Afobe has a superb touch with both able to find the net consistently.

Injury to Dicko in November went hand-in-hand with a poor run of form and Wolves need to find a lively backup to these two strikers.

It looks unlikely that McAlinden could provide this and so Jackett could look to the loan market to secure a forward that fits into Wolves' style of play.

Ultimately, the improvement of the squad comes down to Jackett, his team's knowledge and judgement and the board's backing. If all comes together, a juggernaut could be created.