Premier League Preview 2011-12: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Best title odds: 10,000/1 - Bet365
Best odds to finish Top 10: 11/2 - VictorChandler
Last season: 17th
Manager: Mick McCarthy

Good news:

The way they finished last May gives genuine grounds for optimism. The 3-1 win at home to WBA might have been expected in the circumstances but the next victory, by the same scoreline, at the Stadium of Light showed quality to go with the grit. McCarthy can also look his players in the eye and remind them that on their day they can beat anybody. Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool all lost to the Molineux club. The permanent signing of Jamie O’Hara was vital and the £7m spent on Birmingham’s Roger Johnson shows ambition.

Bad news:

Just as they can raise their game against the best, they can falter against the worst. All that hard work that was put in was nearly squandered horribly on the final day. Wolves took no time at all to find themselves 0-3 down against Blackburn when the heat was on. They fought back well to 2-3, but in the end they only survived because of other results going their way. At least that was quite uncharacteristic at home, Wanderers are predictably poor on their travels.

Remember when:

Mick McCarthy was regarded as a decent Championship manager who couldn’t cut it at the highest level? Involved, to different extents, with two wretched relegations with Sunderland but has now earned his stripes in the Black Country. This will be their third consecutive season in the big time.

Verdict:

The purhcases of Johnson, O’Hara and Dorus de Vries can be seen as a statement of intent. McCarthy hasn’t lost anybody he will be inconsolable about either. This is now a side established in the top flight and they can build on the confidence that brings. Financially secure, a popular manager in place, everybody should be looking upwards.

Position: 12th