FIVE-POINT PLAN

1 KEEP HOLD OF JIMENEZ AND TRAORE

The pair were pivotal in 2019- 20, making transfer speculation inevitable. They combined directly for 10 goals, more than any other pairing in the division, and their individual stats were just as compelling: Raul Jimenez hit 17 goals and provided six assists, while Adama Traore scored four and set up nine.

2 GET OUT THE BLOCKS

Wolves are notoriously slow starters: just 14 of their 51 goals came in the first halves of matches last term. Their record of 21 points rescued from losing positions was a Premier League high, however, showing stamina and spirit – they scored 14 goals in the last 15 minutes of matches.

3 BULLY THE RUNTS

One of the biggest criticisms levelled at Wolves in 2018- 19 was their failure to see off weaker teams: they took 11 points from a possible 30 against that year’s bottom five, and gave lowly Huddersfield two of their three wins. Not so in 2019- 20: Wolves claimed 27 points from 30 against Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth, West Ham and Aston Villa. If they are to climb, that has to continue.

4 SIGN A CENTRE- BACK

Wolves pursued Ruben Dias last summer but ultimately baulked at Benfica’s £ 64m asking price. Only Jefferson Lerma and Luka Milivojevic were booked more often than Romain Saiss in the Premier League after that, and as Leander Dendoncker and Matt Doherty were both wasted in the deeper role when deputising, Nuno may strengthen at centre- half – unless Max Kilman can complete a remarkable rise from futsal and non- league to top- flight regular.

5 LOOK AFTER MOUTINHO

Joao Moutinho is the best player many Wolves fans have ever seen in old gold, but he’ll be 34 when the new season begins. Can he continue at the same imperious level, having played in every Premier League game since his £ 5m signing from Monaco two years ago? Wolves will pray that he can maintain his remarkable consistency, while they also keep one eye on finding a long- term midfield replacement.