
Kenny Jackett optimistic about Wolves' future after missing out on Championship playoffs

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett is confident of another strong season after narrowly missing out on the Sky Bet Championship playoffs last season.
Former Millwall boss Jackett had joined the side in their worst position since 1989 with Wolves relegated to the third tier of English football at the hands of Jackett's Welsh compatriot Dean Saunders.
Wolves' revival began when Jackett joined the club and he led them to the League One title in a season where he was named LMA Manager of the Year for the division.
The former Premier League side had fallen sharply but it seems that Jackett's arrival at Molineuax has done wonders for confidence in the squad. The 53-year-old guided the Midlands club to 7th place in their first season back in the Championship, missing out on the playoffs for promotion back to England's top division only on goal difference.
Some injury problems have plagued Wolves' preparations for the new campaign with key players such as Danny Batth and Nouha Dicko sidelined for long spells. Centre back Batth is expected to miss the start of the season with a damaged foot, while French-born striker Dicko will be out for over twelve months after tearing his knee ligaments.
But hopes remain high at Wolves, a side who have a youthful outlook with the likes of Dominic Iorfa, Jed Wallace, Benik Afobe and Kortney Hause amongst the team's senior squad, as well as Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo who looks to have a bright future in football.
Players such as Carl Ikeme and Adam Le Fondre provide some balance in terms of experience and Jackett believes his squad is capable of fighting for promotion this season.
"We've had a bit of hard luck last season missing out on the playoffs, and now with these injuries to Nouha and Danny. But I'm confident. All the players are confident and I've seen a lot of confidence from the fans.
It's going to be difficult. We've got a very good squad here - seventh last year, and we've definitely added some more quality to the side. I think it's going to be an exciting season. Our aim has to be a promotion effort with the players we've got here."
NOTE: Apologies to anyone who read my Milan story. I lost a important and quite a long update through nobody's fault but my own, and it sort of put me off getting back into writing on that story.