FA Cup Fourth Round vs Manchester United (h) - lost 3-0.
Carling Cup Second Round vs Watford (a) - lost 2-1 after extra time.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Kenny Miller (striker) - 12 goals.
Players In
Gary Breen (Sunderland - Free), Guilherme Finkler (Juventude - Loan).
Players Out
Joleon Lescott (Everton - ?5,000,000), Seol Ki-Hyeon (Reading - ?1,500,000), Kenny Miller (Celtic - Undisclosed), Mark Kennedy (Crystal Palace - Free), Colin Cameron (Coventry City - Free).
Wolves have been mooted as one of the favourites for promotion for the past two seasons following their short, one season, stint in the Premiership. Manager Glenn Hoddle has been replaced by Mick McCarthy, who has signed a 12 month rolling contract.
Hoddle, who took over in December 2004, drew 34 of his 76 matches in charge, including 19 stalemates last season. McCarthy, on the other hand has strong promotion credentials. After joining the Black Cats in March 2003 and led them to promotion two years later, only for their Premiership campaign to end in disaster. However, it's his capabilities in the second tier that interest's the board - emulating a third place finish and then winning the league the following season is the type of form Wolves need.
Wolves have some rebuilding to do following the departures of senior players Joleon Lescott to Everton, Seol Ki-Hyeon to Reading, Kenny Miller to Celtic, Mark Kennedy to Crystal Palace and Colin Cameron to Coventry City. Veteran defender Gary Breen signed a two year deal at Molineux following his release by Sunderland and links up with former manager McCarthy.
Brazillian midfielder Guilherme Finkler joined the club on a season long loan deal from Juventude and Wolves have an option to buy the 20 year old before the deal expires should he impress.
Jody Craddock is to captain the side next season after leading the team out during the first pre season friendlies in the absence of regular skipper Paul Ince, whose future at the club is still to be determined. Meanwhile, young striker Chris Cornes has been told he still has a future at the club despite testing positive for cocaine and will have to serve a six month ban.
Verdict
The Championship is going to be tough this season with three strong teams coming down from the Premiership. Wolves may not be able to improve on last season's seventh placed finish in Mick McCarthy's first season in charge.
Carling Cup Second Round vs Wigan Athletic (a) - lost 1-0.
Football League Trophy Southern Section Second Round vs Walsall (a) - lost 1-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: James Hayter (striker) - 20 goals.
Players In
Danny Hollands (Chelsea - Free), Conal Platt (Liverpool - Free), Tariq Khalil (Cardiff City - Free), Daryl Taylor (Walsall - Free).
Players Out
James O'Connor (Doncaster Rovers - ?130,000), Adam Griffiths (Brentford - Free), Kirk Hudson (Aldershot - Free), Jamie Whisken (Salisbury - Free), Dani Rodrigues (Released), James Rowe (Released), Jason Tindall (Released).
After a couple of seasons as a solid top 10 outfit, Bournemouth flirted with possible relegation last term as they finished five points and four places above the bottom four. Another testing campaign looks to be in store for the coastal club following the departure of defender James O'Connor to Doncaster Rovers and depending on whether top goalscorer James Hayter remains at the club.
Manager Sean O'Driscoll has drafted in a few young players to boost the ranks, namely former Chelsea reserve and youth team captain Danny Hollands. The 20 year old made 10 appearances on loan for Torquay United earlier this year and signed a two year contract. Liverpool striker Conal Platt, Cardiff City midfielder Tareq Khalil and Walsall's Daryl Taylor are also looking for an opportunity to shine at the Fitness First Stadium.
O'Driscoll will also welcome the news that defender Karl Broadhurst signed a new one year contract. He has made almost 200 appearances for the club and was the last of O'Driscoll's out of contract players to re-sign. Broadhurst was club captain for much of the 2004/05 season but a back injury kept him on the sidelines for 12 months. He returned in February this year and made seven appearances as the season reached its conclusion.
Veteran striker Steve Fletcher has also signed a new one year contract to enter his fifteenth season as a Cherries player. He is now the club's longest serving player following his switch from Hartlepool United in 1992 and has made over 500 appearances for the club.
O'Driscoll has taken several players on trial over the summer including former Everton striker Paul Hopkins, Luton Town striker Luke Maitlan, Ipswich Town defender Jack Haverson and Tooting & Mitcham left-back Craig Tanner.
Verdict
Bournemouth is a club that likes to give youth a chance and the youngsters will have to grow up quickly in order to stave off relegation this season. A lower mid table finish is the expected result.
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