Wolves blog: New beginnings

Paul Lambert follows Kenny Jackett in taking charge of Wolves for the first time at Deepdale.

There were around 5,000 Wolves fans who made the trip in 2013 to see a 0-0 draw that kicked off Wolves' record-breaking League One season.

The two teams meet this weekend a tier higher and over a third of the way into the season as Wolves begin another fresh chapter.

Preston were one of only three teams with lower odds on relegation than Wolves in the summer, but they are just three points from the play-off places.

Their overall home form is mixed, having won four and lost four, although they have won four of the last five home games with the only loss coming most recently against Newcastle.

In fact, the only games they have lost in the last two months are both against table-topping Newcastle.

Wolves, by contrast, haven't won a game in almost two months.

But Paul Lambert's appointment, and the impression he has given in the fortnight since he began his role, means that this game should be treated as a fresh start.

He has identified areas of weakness, with intensity and robustness two of the areas he is seeking to improve.

He has already begun to immerse himself into the club, by visiting the museum and watching the age-group teams play.

It is certainly not too late to salvage Wolves' season and a good start will obviously help.

The winter months are always the most intense period of the season and Wolves' eight games before the New Year are against opponents who all fall between the play-off positions and the relegation zone.

In the next eight games, Lambert must work with what he has currently got and turn the quality that Wolves have shown in fits and starts into something tangible – that is, points.

His Blackburn side last season scored and conceded 46 goals and Lambert won three of his first four in charge.

Incidentally, his first game in charge – which he won – was also away at Preston and which was also the first game after the November international break.

The second half of Blackburn's season was largely inconsistent as they sold their star player Jordan Rhodes, which draws similarities with Wolves' mid-season sale of Benik Afobe and subsequent form.

Under Wolves' new ownership, Lambert will be expecting to improve his team in January rather than have its assets stripped.

When January does arrive, Wolves will be able to regroup and bring reinforcements. Until then, the closer Lambert can push Wolves to the top six the better chance he has of getting Fosun to sign the cheques.