Matt: We can handle pressure

Murray is one of the few survivors of the last season of expectation but reckons that with Mick McCarthy sticking to the "young and hungry" player philosophy the Molineux landscape has changed since Hoddle's disastrous campaign two years ago.

The talismanic goalkeeper believes Wolves desire to prove themselves can drive them on - provided they don't get 'too carried away'.

"Without a shadow of doubt it feels different going into this season than last one. I think we're back to the usual expectations at this club.

"Last year was a strange season really because we were never expected to finish in the top six, even the top two which has often been the case for a club of this stature and size.

"This year it will be different, especially after how we did last season and with the new signings and the possibility of more money behind it. I'm used to that here, and I'm sure a few of the other lads are as well, and to be honest it's what you want.

"There's a great team spirit and I just hope we don't get too excited with the situation."

Murray doesn't believe the likes of Michael Kightly and Andy Keogh will be fooled into thinking they have become overnight successes because of one good campaign.

"The dressing room is a bit different now to how I've known it in the past," he said. "In the promotion year there were a lot of players who'd been there and done it - your Paul Ince's, Paul Butler's, Denis Irwin's and Mark Kennedy's.

"Here it's like a lot younger squad, I'm 26 and I'm one of the oldest. We're all at a similar stage in life and are hungry and wanting to make our mark on the game.

"Speaking to the lads before we came back they were all just desperate to get back in and go again and try and take that extra step."