Paul Butler: Survival still the aim for Wolves
Former captain Paul Butler says Wolves are far more equipped to survive than his 2003 promotion team – but should still be aiming to finish 17th.
With £26milion having been spent already on Diogo Jota, Willy Boly and Raul Jimenez – whose loan fee is believed to have cost £3m – hopes are high that Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will comfortably avoid relegation.
Butler says Wolves’ spending power puts them in a totally different position to Dave Jones’ play-off winning side. However, he says just staying up should be Wolves’ priority.
“The ownership (under Sir Jack Hayward in 2003) brought everyone together and I get the same feeling now, it’s the same vibe around the place,” Butler said.
“The fans, the board, the players, they’re on the same page. This team is more equipped than we were. At the stage they’re at now, signing players, they’re more equipped – it’s exciting times for Wolves.
“I’d take fourth from bottom now. I know it sounds negative but there are 12 or 13 teams that would take that now and then do the Burnley project and just build year on year, add two players and steadily build.
“Don’t think you can finish in the top 10 and then sign all these superstars – you’ve got to steadily build.
“The main thing is getting the recruitment right – not just for the first team but below as well, so you’ve got players coming through. Nuno knows what he’s doing.”
Another ex-Wolves skipper Ally Robertson, who helped the club win the Fourth Division and Sherpa Van Trophy, believes the current crop will have no problem surviving.
“You only hope now they can come up the Premier League and stay there for a good few years,” the former defender said. “And hopefully now we have got the backing to do it.
“They have the ability to stay up – they have proven they have got a good, attacking side who can score goals.
“It is a big difference from the Championship to the Premier League. But the players and everything they have got, I am sure they will do well.”
Meanwhile, long-time sponsor Silverbug will be back on the front of Wolves shirts next season – after agreeing a one-year deal to adorn the front of the club’s junior shirts.
The IT consultants have been associated with Wolves for 18 years and were main shirt sponsor for the 2015/16 season.
