Kenny Jackett: New signings can close gap to the top for Wolves
Kenny Jackett believes the right signings can play a big part in closing the gap between his side and the Championship's pace-setters.
Wolves have been involved in a busy January period, with nine deals in or out – including loans – taking place.
And the boss, who hopes to complete a deal for Albion left-back Sebastian Pocognoli today after watching him Saturday, insisted that acting shrewdly in the window can provide an opportunity to make up for lost time.
When asked about January business providing a springboard, Jackett said: "Definitely. We want to improve our team. We want to close the gap between our team and the teams at the top of this league.
"Recruitment is obviously one area where you can do that – it's a key area."
After beginning business early with Polish star Michal Zyro lined up before the window even opened, Wolves then sold Benik Afobe to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
Zyro scored three times in his first two Championship outings before picking up a calf injury. While the winger is a positive example of getting business done early, Jackett conceded that it is not always straight forward to tie up deals early on.
He added: "I think that when you hit the first week of May, you have probably a period between early May and then July 1 – that is the best time and the easiest time, because people then are planning their squads. Particularly next year I think it'll be clearer with the emergency loan window going out of it.
"So squad planning for that time is as important as ever, maybe more important next year and is perhaps the best time to plan your squad."
Jackett noted the ill-timed injury to forward Nouha Dicko as an example of being caught cold in pre-planning.
"But you can't plan late May for something that suddenly happens in September or October, or Dicko gets injured or Afobe gets sold, that type of thing," the chief said.
"So there has to be a degree of reacting along the way, which I think builds up the interest with the supporters."
