Premiership Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Can wolves find a decent striker partner for Kevin Doyle?

Wolves narrowly avoided relegation last year, and I feel they are in for a scrap again in the upcoming season. Money will probably be tight at Wolves this summer. And although investment is needed, Mick McCarthy may just feel his current squad is good enough to stay in the top division.

Goalkeepers
Doris De Vries has been bought in from newly promoted Swansea to challenge Wayne Hennesey for the number 1 jersey at Molineux. So with those two 'keepers, there should be no need for another to be bought in.

Defence
In George Elokobi wolves have a surprisingly good defender, I would have expected there to be more interest in him this summer. Stearman, Craddock, Berra, Ward and Zubar make up some good solid defensive options but a younger defender with a bit of pace and something to prove could work wonders as another option for big Mick. Someone in the mould of Nedum Onouha or Jonny Evans could do the trick.

Midfield
Wolves' midfield was definitely not weak last year and the permanent signing of Jamie O'Hara should prove to be a good piece of business. Keeping hold of Matt Jarvis is essential and the return of Michael Kightly will improve Wolves' wing play, with Hammill providing adequate back up. Another centre midfielder might be needed in the squad to give a bit more competition to the likes of Karl Henry and Nenad Milijas. Stephen Hunt will more than likely be played as a wing forward rather than an out and out striker, but it’s more important to simply keep the Irishman fit and playing regularly.

A player on a free transfer with premiership experience could be a good acquisition, maybe Owen Hargreaves or Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Forwards
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Sam Vokes and Steven Fletcher will definitely not bring fear to the eyes of the bigger club’s defenders. It’s a good thing that Kevin Doyle is still there, although with Arsenal apparently sniffing around, he may not be there much longer. Mick McCarthy needs to keep hold of Doyle and get one of his other strikers scoring regularly.

Ebanks-Blake has not managed to be as prolific as he was in the championship and Steven Fletcher, although being the top scorer for the club, was considered a tad inconsistent by some of the Wolves faithful. Sam Vokes hasn't played for Wolves since 2008, so I could see him being sold this summer. Considering all of this, a new striker is a necessity.

If Wolves can cut down their squad and make some money doing so, it'll be a good scenario for Mick McCarthy to be in. Strikers like Sam Vokes, Stefan Maierhofer and Andy Keogh could all be sold to make room for one good striker rather than 3 mediocre ones.

If I was Mick McCarthy, I'd try and get in Jonny Evans, Owen Hargreaves, Tomas Hitzlsperger and Robbie Keane. Also, Wolves could try and be the beneficiary of Man City needing to sell, picking up Jó, Onouha and Wayne Bridge on the cheap which would give them a lot more options.

Dave