Shropshire Star

Wolves' Premier League campaign 'feels real now' after fixtures published says captain Danny Batth

Wolves captain Danny Batth says their Premier League dream 'feels real now' after the Premier League fixtures for the new season were revealed.

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Danny Batth at the end of season bus tour celebrations (© AMA / Sam Bagnall)

Nuno Espirito Santo's team will kick off the club's first top flight campaign since 2011/12 by facing Everton at home.

Five of their first six fixtures are against teams who finished in the top 10 last season, including giants Manchester City and Manchester United.

Batth, speaking at the unveiling of a state of Sir Jack Hayward at Molineux yesterday, said: "I’m excited and looking forward to it, I’m sure every Wolves fan is too.

"The lads have been talking briefly from wherever they are in the world. It feels real now, we can start to think about coming back to pre-season.

"(Everton) are a big team and it's a home game – it’ll be a packed Molineux.

"We have to approach it with no fear."

Wolves return for pre-season training in two weeks.

Batth added: "I’ve had a brief look round the training ground where the pitches are being done and there’s a lot of work going on at the stadium.

"The club have invested a lot of time and money into the plans and it’s coming together.

"Excitement is building and it’s great to be part of it."

Meanwhile ex-defender Lee Naylor says there's no harm in Wolves aiming for a higher finish in the top flight next season.

While most newly-promoted teams hope to only stay in the division, Wolves and their supporters have hopes of finishing in mid-table.

Naylor, who was part of the team who won promotion in 2003, said the first task should be to stay up – but that Wolves could dare to dream.

The former left back, also speaking at the statue unveiling, said: "It's going to be exciting, I wish I still had the boots on!

"I'll be coming to a few of the games and I can't wait for them to get going.

"The team, Nuno, they'll be itching to start. There's no harm in aiming higher at all and why shouldn't they?

"Realistically, avoid relegation first and foremost and go from there.

"It's not an easy task. They had a brilliant season in the Championship and have a great foundation to build from."