Premier League team guide: Wolves in the spotlight

Uncertainty shrouds Wolves going into the season after their plans were thrown into disarray by a late change of manager. 

Head coach Julen Lopetegui left the club just days before their opening game at Manchester United and was swiftly replaced by Gary O'Neil, who will have limited funds available to bolster his new squad.

As things stand, Premier League survival appears to be the best supporters can hope for.

Last season: 13th

Sitting bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day, Wolves had Lopetegui to thank for preserving their top-flight status.

They would have finished 11th had the season started from when he joined in November, despite still scoring the third-fewest goals in the division.

Considering Matheus Cunha's goals against Leeds and Leicester were the only ones scored by a recognised centre forward in the league all season, it is clear where their problems lie.

Promising midfielders Matheus Nunes, Joao Gomes and Mario Lemina were blooded, though, and their chemistry could be the key to Wolves' hopes this time around.

New faces

Converting the loans of Cunha and Boubacar Traore into permanent deals bolstered the squad somewhat, while former club favourite Matt Doherty has returned on a free after spells at Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.

But the exit door has been given a much more thorough workout. 

Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins, Conor Coady and Raul Jimenez leaving for fees totalling around £80million at least boosted the club's bank balance.

Yet there is no hiding the fact more firepower will be necessary if Wolves are to improve on last season's efforts.

One to watch

Gomes signed from Flamengo in January and made an immediate impression, making 11 league appearances and scoring once as Wolves secured survival.

The Brazilian, 22, is an excellent ball-winner, completing more tackles per game than any of his team-mates last term and proved his combative nature by picking up five yellow cards.

He is also decent technically, scoring with a sweet finish on his debut at Southampton and often carrying the ball through midfield.

Should he continue to step up, O'Neil's life will be made much easier.

The boss

The departure of Lopetegui less than a week before the big kick-off dealt Wolves a huge blow.

The Spaniard had been teasing his exit for a while, telling Guillem Balague earlier this summer: "I came here with a project and idea that if we were able to save the team, we would be able to improve.

"It was bad news for me. I tried in the summer. This was Plan A. We went to a Plan B, trying to think about cost-effective players, but it’s true at the moment we can't develop this plan."

O'Neil, 40, is a solid but unspectacular choice as his replacement.

He did a fine job to steer Bournemouth clear of relegation last season but was sacked as the Cherries went for a more forward-thinking coach in Andoni Iraola.