Well well. Some of us thought that we'd never make it - but here we are, our first Premiership season. Most impartial pundits have predicted us to go down, usually in bottom place. The key to our season however probably lies in how well our untried players fare in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

Four Four Two and Match magazines both predict Wolves to end up in 20th spot, as do a host of mainstream papers. 'Boycie' writing in Four Four Two questions Wolves' spirit - "choking under pressure is a hard habit to kick and they could struggle against the big boys".

Some very unflattering results in pre-season friendlies have helped the bookies make us the favourites to go down and the summer signings have not been universally praised, amongst the pundits and the fans.

The signing of Luzhny, along with the re-signing of Ince and Irwin, has reinforced the myth of an aging squad. Iversen is seen by many as injury-prone and a huge risk. Some people have questioned the balance of the players that have been brought in, with three defenders and a goalkeeper signalling perhaps a realisation that most of the football next season will be played in our own half.

The lack of a quality striker to play alongside Miller has been questioned by many. As Four Four Two puts it "Dean Sturridge, George Ndah and Nathan Blake are all of only limited use in the Premiership". (and Miller - though undoubtedly talented - is none-the-less largely untried at this level).

But Iversen, however poor his last season at Spurs was, is proven at this level. His fitness is questionable, though not his commitment (on which many Spurs fans blame his tendency to get injured). Young Kilmarnock forward Kris Boyd is currently on trial and we may need such a player should Iversen become unfit to play.

Dave Jones has also signed the striker Henri Camara from Sedan. Much has been made of his pace and he was top scorer in a struggling Sedan side with 14. The excellent BBC Football Yearbook places him as the eight best striker in the French league last season, with an average of 189 minutes between goals but a much better rating of 80 minutes between goals scored by Sedan while he was on the pitch. Match magazine classes Camara as the Wolves player to watch out for.

The other key attacking signing to date is Silas (Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes). A versatile attacking midfielder from Portugal, Dave Jones has reportedly been tracking him for some time. A bit of an unknown quantity, Silas has none-the-less already won the fans over with his pre-season friendly performances.

Although both Iversen and Camara can play on the wings, it is the midfield area that has perhaps been the least bolstered during the summer. The much publicised collapse of the deal to bring Mbami to Molineux not only spolit the chance to sing "Mbami Army", but it also seemed to upset Wolves' plans.

Moxey's statement that he expected most deals to be done before he went on holiday seemed a bit worrying when he sped of into the sun with only Luzhny, Okoronkwo and Silas added to the squad. It is of no doubt that the procurement of a "ball winning" midfield dynamo - like Ince but younger (and hopefully less prone to get booked) - is the key to putting the squad together. It remains to be seen whether Rennes midfielder Olivier Echouafni - currently on trial - will be the answer. Reports sound promising and he would certainly fit in with the current crop of unpronounceable players.

In defence Craddock is a well-thought-of and Premiership-proven centre back. Okoronkwo is unproven and appears to have been recruited as cover for both the right back and centre back positions. Luzhny is much older, but he was good enough for second-placed Arsenal, so I expect that he will be good enough for us.

It's no doubt that the key to survival will be the players that performed for us last season. If Murray can repeat his play-off final form he will shine in the Premiership. Lescott has always looked Premiership quality and if Wolves hadn't have been promoted its likely he would have been playing in the Premiership for another club.

Irwin certainly had a good season last season, but I wonder whether his fitness is up to another Premiership challenge. Its likely that Irwin will play at left back and so Naylor could well come to the fore should Irwin be found wanting. If he can start the season as fit as he finished the last, Ince will be a key player - but Jones will need to find a replacement (see above).

Kennedy could also be one to watch, with his all round game much improved last season. However I wonder whether we have room for two attacking midfielder in Kennedy and Silas - particularly considering the pressure Wolves will undoubtedly be put under.

Perhaps the most important player from last season will be Kenny Miller, who - if he can repeat last season's goal scoring form -just may be key to keeping Wolves in the Premiership.

One thing is for sure we will not be favourites to win every match like we have been most recent seasons in the First Division. A lot will depend on how easily the fans can switch from expecting a win to being pleased with a draw. If we can repeat the atmosphere of the Newcastle cup game last season then we should be OK.....

A new temporary stand is currently being built and a new black away kit have been launched, along with a quarterly Wolves magazine. Now you know that you are in the Premiership when you've got your own magazine.....

Carlos Kameni
Iversen
Camara (H)
Craddock
Okoronkwo
Silas
Luzhny
...Current Squad....