From a side in crisis following back-to-back relegations to one now backed heavily to earn a return to the top flight of English football, Wolverhampton Wanderers have certainly provided entertainment in recent times.
Last season may have ended with relative heartbreak after missing out on the playoffs in a cruel manner on the final day, but the project taken on by Kenny Jackett two years ago is now near completion.
Here, Sports Mole assesses whether Wolves have what it takes to go one better than last time out and earn a top-six spot, or if it will be another case of so near yet so far.
In
Jed Wallace (Portsmouth), Conor Coady (Huddersfield Town), Adam Le Fondre (Cardiff City, season-long loan), Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool season-long loan)
Out
Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Leon Clarke (Bury), Jake Cassidy (Oldham Athletic), Tomasz Kuszczak (Released), Sam Ricketts (Released), Michael Jacobs (Wigan Athletic), Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace)
Last season - 7th
Manager - Kenny Jackett
© Getty Images
Jackett has gone some way to proving over his two decade-long managerial career that he certainly has what it takes to bring a calming influence to a club. From guiding Watford through a long unbeaten run during his short time in charge at Vicarage Road, putting the footing in place for Swansea City's rise from the bottom to the top, and taking Millwall from League One battlers to Championship playoff outsiders - the former Wales international certainly has an impressive CV in the Football League.
However, Jackett still arguably does not get the full praise that he deserves, which may not change until he takes another step in his career and guides a side into the Premier League. At Wolves, he has his best chance of doing exactly that, overseeing a group of players with plenty of potential who appear to be ready to fulfil his - and indeed their own - promotion target.
Key Player - Nouha Dicko
The Championship's finest attacking triumvirate of Dicko, Benik Afobe and Bakary Sako certainly caught the eye in the second half of last season. But with the latter of that potent forward line departing this summer, the pressure now falls on Dicko and Afobe to maintain their goalscoring form.
Le Fondre and Ojo have also arrived on season-long loans to add further attacking threat, yet in Dicko Wanderers know full well that they should not lack goals across the campaign. Fitness permitted, the Mali international's pace and movement will likely prove the key to any hopes the Molineux club have of gaining promotion.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Ikeme; Doherty, Stearman, Batth, Golbourne; Henry, Coady, McDonald, Edwards; Afobe, Dicko
First game: Blackburn Rovers (A), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Despite the loss of Sako during the off-season, Wolves still retain more than adequate quality in attack which provides plenty of hope heading into the new campaign. In Jackett they also have one of the finest managers outside of the Premier League, who has earned his stripes and now appears to be ready to launch a real assault on the top six after missing out on goal difference alone just a few months ago.
A top-two finish may not be on the cards at this stage, but some smart summer signings - providing competition in midfield and attack - point to Wolves bettering last season's seventh-place finish, which is certainly no mean feat considering the state the club found themselves in just two short years ago.
