Wolves blog: Safe at last

Whilst this is hardly cause for celebration in a season of seeming underachievement, it does bring a sigh of relief.

Kenny Jackett’s last season brought only six wins after the New Year, with relegation officially avoided only a game earlier than this season, but the sense of threat of relegation was not so prominent.

Wolves have already won two more league games after the New Year than last season, with four left to play.

The preparations can begin in earnest for next season, in which Fosun will certainly require an improved league performance.

Wolves’ bloated squad must be trimmed if possible, though this may be easier said than done.

A new goalkeeper would be ideal but certainly low priority, as Carl Ikeme is a solid enough Championship goalkeeper. However, he is fairly injury prone and is unlikely to complete a full season.

Harry Burgoyne could do with a full-season loan at a league club to get some games under his belt, while Andy Lonergan hasn’t really shown he is capable of deputising effectively and could be on his way out of Molineux.

Of the defenders, Silvio and Williamson are out of contract while Stearman and Borthwick-Jackson are on loan. Williamson may be worth a contract heavily-incentivised towards appearances, but if the club are looking to revamp the defence it may be time to move onwards from Stearman as he is not Wolves’ player to sell. The other two are unlikely to still be here come July.

This leaves Batth, Iorfa, Ebanks-Landell and Hause. It is quite likely these players will be at Wolves next season, unless Wolves receive a good offer from Sheffield United for Ebanks-Landell.

Iorfa, despite not having much game time since Lambert came in, has undoubted potential and should be retained.

The midfield is vastly over-bloated. Wide players include Henry, Graham, Zyro, Wallace, Costa, Cavaleiro and Marshall. Henry and Wallace are clearly surplus to requirements, but even if Costa is sold there is an argument for Graham and Zyro being able to plug the gap without further need for wide players.

The central midfielders on the books are Edwards, Saville, Evans, Coady, Price, Oniangue, Saiss, Ronan and Gibbs-White. Excluding the two youngsters, there are far too many similar options in the middle. It is hard to predict which of them may be jettisoned in the summer, although Oniangue would be the obvious choice. Edwards and Coady are very unlikely to leave Wolves any time soon.

Saiss could potentially be a surprise departure, and one of Evans, Saville or Price may leave the club. This is one of Wolves’ weakest positions and a playmaking midfielder is desperately required – but Wolves cannot load the squad full of central midfielders - something has to give.

The attacking position is another of Wolves’ weakest departments, with Weimann, Dicko, Mason, Bodvarsson, Gladon, Enobakhare and Wilson.

It may do the latter two young players good to go out on loan and play regularly next season, whilst Gladon’s gourmet adventure in England is sure to come to an end soon.

Weimann would be a sensible purchase at £1.5 million having contributed when up front, and Dicko will likely still be at Wolves next season – his finish against Leeds reminded of the Dicko of old, taking his chance very well.

Mason’s injuries have been frustrating as he has generally performed fairly well, but there can be no space for injury-prone players.

I would give Bodvarsson another year, as he has impressed at times. His lack of goal-scoring is not necessarily down to poor finishing but not being in goal scoring positions.

Wolves will probably look to bring in at least one striker in the summer, so at least one current Wolves player will likely depart.

Having around thirty first-team players is vastly excessive and is draining on resources. There may need to be a trimming of eight to ten players before adding quality additions to priority areas.

Making deals that suit the club will be a good challenge for the Wolves hierarchy.